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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $205
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
80 hrs
Training Hours
Credentia (NNAAP)
Exam Provider
$205
Total Initial Fees
2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
At least 8 hours of paid CNA work in the past 24 months
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Rhode Island Department of Health
401-222-5888
Program Approval Body
Rhode Island Department of Health
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Health
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
80
Total Hours
64
Classroom
16
Clinical
Not separately specified
Skills Lab
Program Approval Body
Rhode Island Department of Health
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Credentia (NNAAP)
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
80%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
25 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass both the Written (or Oral) Examination and the Skills Evaluation within a twelve (12) month period
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
60 questions
Time Limit
120 minutes
Passing Score
80%
Administered By
Credentia (NNAAP)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $165Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; some employers cover training costs | $625–$1,400 |
Competency Exam Fee Written exam $55 + Skills evaluation $110; paid to Credentia | $165 |
State Registration Fee Application fee paid to Rhode Island Department of Health | $35 |
Background Check Fee BCI check through RI Attorney General's Office; payable by check or money order | $5 |
Total Initial Fees Total of exam ($165), application ($35), and BCI background check ($5); excludes training program tuition | $205 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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 (24 months)
Renewal Period
At least 8 hours of paid CNA work in the past 24 months
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$35
Biennial renewal fee; paid online
Late Renewal Fee
N/A
If certification lapses beyond 24 months, must retrain and retest
Inactive Reinstatement
If lapsed more than 24 months, retrain and retake both parts of the NNAAP exam before reapplying
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 apply for reciprocity through the RI Department of Health, provide verification of active certification from previous state, and pass a BCI background check
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Rhode Island with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Rhode Island requires 120 training hours (80 classroom + 40 clinical) and uses Credentia for NNAAP testing with online proctoring available. BCI background check from the RI Attorney General's Office costs only $5. Passing score is 80%.
Rhode Island requires 120 training hours, which exceeds the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
The competency exam is administered by Credentia (NNAAP), not Prometric
Online proctored testing is available for the written portion through Credentia
BCI background check must be obtained within 4 months of application submission
All CNAs must be listed on the Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry to practice
Renewal notices are sent 60 days before expiration date
The written exam has 70 questions including 10 non-scored statistical questions; passing score is 80%
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
CNA requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island (you) | $205 | 7–22 wks | |
| Connecticut | $118+ | 7–21 wks | → |
| Massachusetts | $100 | 7–21 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Rhode Island
See how Rhode Island compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Rhode Island.
CNA Schools in Rhode Island
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Rhode Island? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Rhode Island →
Transfer your CNA license from Rhode Island to: Connecticut → | Massachusetts →
Rhode Island requires 80 hours of training and passage of the Credentia (NNAAP) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.