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How to become a CNA in New York. Training: 100 hours required. Exam provider: Prometric. Total initial fees: $115. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
57% of data points are verified against official sources. 14 fields based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
100 hrs
Training Hours
Prometric
Exam Provider
$115
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 7-8 consecutive hours of paid CNA work under registered nurse supervision at an Article 28 facility within the past 24 months
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
New York State Department of Health
(800) 805-9128
Program Approval Body
New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and New York State Education Department (NYSED)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the New York State Department of Health
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
100
Total Hours
70
Classroom
30
Clinical
Program Approval Body
New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Prometric
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5 (including mandatory hand hygiene)
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
3 attempts per section; must retake training after failing 3 times
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; some employers cover training costs | $775-$1,640 |
Competency Exam Fee Clinical skills + Written exam $115; Clinical skills + Oral (with reading comprehension) $135; Skills retake $68; Written retake $57; Oral retake $67; paid to Prometric | $115 |
State Registration Fee No separate state registration fee for initial certification | $0 |
Total Initial Fees Exam fees only (excludes training tuition and background check); $135 for oral exam option | $115 |
Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 7-8 consecutive hours of paid CNA work under registered nurse supervision at an Article 28 facility within the past 24 months
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$40
Nonrefundable biennial renewal fee; personal checks and cash not accepted
Inactive Reinstatement
Must complete a new training program and pass the competency exam if certification has lapsed without meeting work requirements
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Must hold active certification from another state, be in good standing with no substantiated findings, and pay $50 processing fee
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
New York requires 100 training hours (sometimes erroneously cited as 130). The state has dual approval bodies - NYSDOH and NYSED - for training programs. Prometric manages both the competency exam and the state Nurse Aide Registry. An alternative TNA-to-CNA pathway allows Temporary Nurse Aides to earn CNA certification with credit for work experience.
New York requires 100 training hours (NOT 130 as sometimes reported), above the 75-hour federal minimum
The competency exam AND registry are managed by Prometric on behalf of NYSDOH
New York allows individuals as young as 16 to become CNAs
Training programs must be approved by either NYSDOH or NYSED (State Education Department)
Clinical training must be completed in a NYS-licensed nursing home (Article 28 facility)
An alternative TNA-to-CNA pathway exists for Temporary Nurse Aides (75 hours with credit for TNA employment)
Prometric exam scheduling: (800) 805-9128
Registry search: registry.prometric.com
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New York.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#23 of 51
Salary
#3 of 51
Cost
#12 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$41,010
25th percentile
Median
$47,390
+20% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$50,720
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
85,310 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Nursing Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+57,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
182,300
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Nursing Career Ladder+207% salary growth potential
You are here
CNA
$47,390
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$47,390
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$64,030
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$105,600
MSN or DNP + national certification
$145,390
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 7–21 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: New York State Department of Health — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: New York State Department of Health — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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New York requires 100 hours of training and passage of the Prometric competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the New York State Department of Health.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.