Certified Nursing Assistants must have a current license with the Nursing Aid Registry in order to be employed by any institution in America. Most state nursing boards will send you notification when it’s time to renew your license; however, it’s up to you to take the necessary steps to keep your license active.
Most states typically require CNAs to renew their license every two years in order to stay actively employed, but there are many different circumstances that can affect the status of your license. Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Note: These answers are NOT definitive. The rules may vary depending on your state. Make sure you check with your state nursing board, DOH or CNA registry for the most accurate information. The guide below is simply there to give you a general idea of the regulations.
For State Specific Info, Please Select Your State Below:
Can You Transfer Your CNA License to Another State?
CNAs can transfer their licenses to other states by following the reciprocity process. The first step is to contact the Nurses Aide Registry in your current state of employment and request an application for enrollment by reciprocity.
Complete the application and send it to the nurse’s aide registry of the state that you are moving to. Sometimes, the state that you are applying to needs the information, while other times it’s your home registry that will retain the reciprocity application. Make sure you clarify which registry that needs the application. It’s also a good idea to always make copies of any information that you send to the registry for your files.
How Do I Renew My Expired CNA License?
Most states will send you a license renewal notification approximately every two years. It’s important to keep your current address information updated with your state’s CNA registry for this reason.
Prior to renewal, you have to pay a fee that differs from state to state.
The renewal notice is usually sent to you 60 days prior to your license expiration. In most states, the renewal process can be done online. CNAs must meet certain continuing education requirements each year prior to license renewal. Your state’s board of nursing will notify you of your specific states CE requirements.
Keep in mind that if your CNA license has been expired for more than five years, you will need to retake a CNA training program and successfully pass your states CNA examination.
Status of License if You Didn’t Meet CEU Requirements in the Past Two Years
CNAs must complete certain in-service training to meet continuing education requirements for renewal of certification. The CEU requirements can vary by state, and the necessary training can be found at your place of employment or online through your state’s registry.
CNAs must provide the licensing division with proof of the completed CEUs in order to keep their certification active. CNAs that allow their license to lapse longer than two years will have to complete a 75-hour training program and retest in order to measure their competency.
Status of License if You Haven’t Worked in the Past Two Years
In most states, CNAs that work at least eight hours within two years can renew their license by filling out the required paperwork and paying the necessary fees. The renewal process is different if you haven’t been actively employed as a CNA within the past two years.
If you have had a 24-month lapse in employment, you will be required to retake the certified nursing assistant training program and retake the test in many states. Because requirements may vary, inquire with your state nurse’s aid registry.
How do You Find the Status of Your License?
If you suspect that your license might be up for renewal, you can check on the status of your license by accessing your states CNA registry online. Conduct a search by your license number or name on the certification verification page.
Additionally, many states maintain toll-free numbers that you can call to check the status of your license.
Why Didn’t You Receive Your Renewal Notification in the Mail?
If you have moved and failed to provide your new address to your sate’s licensing authority, you may not receive the renewal notification in the mail. That’s why the burden rests on you to always update your information with the licensing authority.
Regardless of why you didn’t receive your renewal notification, you should call your nurse’s aide registry or inquire online about your current status. Additionally, know the rules and time frame of your state regarding the status of your license.
Can You Take the CNA Test in Another State?
Sometimes prospective CNAs want to take the nurse’s aide exam in a different state than they are receiving their current training. The CNA test varies from state to state; however, as long as your training program was certified in your state, you can generally take the CNA exam in any state.
Check with your state’s nursing board to confirm that your training program is certified. Keep in mind that in most states, training is valid for one year, so it’s important to take the exam within a year after completion of your training program.
Does Working as a Home Health Aid Count Toward Certification Renewal?
Many states have different regulations regarding the amount of hours you must work to qualify for recertification. Some states require only eight hours of work within a two-year duration, while others can require up to 40 hours of work as a CNA.
Home health aides and certified nurse’s assistants have different training requirements. An HHA works at the residence of the patient, while a CNA can work in a variety of settings to include a patient’s residence. CNAs are required to fulfill a training program and pass a state exam before they are eligible for employment. Because the requirements for an HHA are not always as stringent, this type of work does not count toward certification renewal.
Can I Obtain CNA Certification If I Have A Criminal Record?
You can take the CNA exam if you have a criminal record, but you may have issues finding employment. Your potential employment opportunities depend on the severity of the crime. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor in the past, it will depend on the actual crime and the specific rules of your prospective employer.
Most employers conduct background checks, and if you have been convicted of a felony some employers will not allow you to work; however, there are employers who will consider the circumstances of the crime and the amount of time that has passed since the conviction. Check with your state’s licensing authority to make sure there are no issues prior to training.
Helpful Resource
The state of Missouri has a very long FAQ section for nursing assistants. You can access it here
While they are for Missouri only, a lot of the rules are similar across all states(Any answer that mentions “federal” applies to all states). Always make sure to contact the State nursing board/CNA registry for the most accurate information.
if i was to take both parts of the test in one day about how long will it take?
What is fee for these course?
Hi Jacqueline,
It all depends on the training center you want to study in. Some charge above $1k while others are a little lower.
It really just depends on where you are. State, and city. Like I live in Killeen Tx, and the total cost for the courses was 370 plus 83 for the exams. I decided to go to dallas to take the course and exam so I could have my inlaws watch my son and the courses eneded running me 600 plus the 83 for the two exams. then there were other schools that gave the courses for 1100… but it all just depends on which school you choose and where… they run from 200 to 1600… and trust me they are pretty much all the same so go with one that is more affordable. Classes were from 3 weeks to 6 weeks long. I took a 5 week class in Mesquite Tx for 600 and 83 for the exams.
what if you have a criminal history in the state of Florida, will I be able to be certified?
Paul, You’ll need to talk to the Florida Nursing board for that. All states have differing rules for criminal history.
Hello, I already had the training at Tacoma Community College but I don’t know where I need to go take my test to get certified. Can anyone help me with this?
Hi Jackie, you should get in touch with the college since the state nursing board will only allow you to sit for the certification exam if you’ve recieved training from an accredited training facility.
hi my CNA license recently expired in february of 2010 i was certified in California and i now live in arizona. how do i recertify my license
Hi Gwen, You’ll have to check with your state board of nursing. Usually, if you’ve worked for a minimum amount of hours over the last couple of years you should have little trouble in getting your CNA license renewed without taking the test again.
what places in tupelo besides Ms Methodist Senior care offers CNA classes? I know ICC does but it takes 8 weeks and doesnt start til Oct.
Brittany, Check our our page on Mississipi CNA Programs to get other training options in your area
how did you hear about the classes at ICC. ive been lookin for information but cant find any
i completed the cna course at my high school and passed…i recieved the letter in the mail saying i am ready to take the state test…but this was about 6 or 7 months ago…is it too late to take that state test?????
Hi Shenikca,
You might want to call up your state nursing board and see if they can allow you to take it again. Since you didn’t postpone it, you’ll have to pay and get a new date for the test.
i was looking for a place in houston where i can get my cna agine i had it for about 5 yrs then i didnt work and it expired. i would like to find a nursing home to take the classes at. thanks
Latricia,
I’m not sure about facilities in Houston. You can however check out our Free CNA training page http://cnatraininghelp.com/free-cna-training/texas/
Hi,I was wondering is it actually free training course to get CNA . Also, how long do I have to take the training course?
Hi Shammy,
Please check out our page on free CNA training options. The training usually lasts for 100 to 150 hours depending on the state you reside in. This means you’ll be training for almost four weeks.
I took the CNA course when I was in high school a few years back, but never took the certification exam. Will I have to repeat the course all together to get certified, since its been a while. If not where can I apply here in Colorado Springs to take the exam?
Hi,
Yes you will need to retake the CNA certification test, since its been more than a year since you took the test after doing the training.
i am a cna and need to know where i have to go to renew my liceneces
You need to contact the nursing board for your state to do that. Let me know which state you’re in and I’ll get you the appropriate contacts.
am trying to transfer my cna licence to mississippi. can anyone gve the numbr or the website for mississippi pls. tnks
Ruth,
here ya go http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,1285,83,74.html
cheers!
hi,
i just want to know i am an RN in Philippines and migrated here in LA. now i don’t have a nursing license here but i for now i want to work as nursing assistant am i eligible for the job or i do need to get a certificate as nursing assistant.since i am and RN from another country. thank you,appreciate it…
Hi Roselyn,
You’ll have to contact the LA nursing board to see if your prior certification can be verified.
thank you… : )
I completed a CNA course in August of 2009, but I didn’t take the certification exam and I’m afraid that it may be too late to do so. How long after taking the course, do I have to take the state certification exam?
Hi Melissa,
I;m not sure what the rules are for your state. But I think its a maximum of six months after taking the training. I’ll get back to you should I receive clarification on it.
I have taken CNA course over at MSJC in Menifee, CA. during Spring 2009. But all this time I have not taken the CNA state board exam. Can I still take the board exam? And when does the exam expire because I do not want to retake CNA course.
Also, I have forgotten some clinical procedures. Are there places in California that I can go to refresh my memory? Thanks.
Hi,
In most states, you need to take the exam within a year from when you complete training. You’ll have to retake the training again.
I’ve had the classes through my high school, but couldn’t get sertified through my school. Can I just take the test without taking the course over, and if so how much would it cost?
Nikole, to be able to take he certification test, your high school must be accredited by the nursing board.
I received my diploma from the training course on December 23rd 2009 in Collier County, Florida. Is it too late to take the state boards? Or will I have to pay to take the course again?
According to the laws you can do your CNA certification test no later than two years after completing the training. You’re not too late and can do the state exam within the next 8 or so months.
Can someone tell me ,I already did the course and was certified but I was not able to get my license due to finances ,I was still working now for 5 yrs on a certificate and wants to get licence do I have to take the course all over again and pay 1200. Pls help
Hi,
Unfortunately you’ll have to do the training again. You’re not allowed to work as a CNA without a valid license, you might get into trouble if you’re working without one.
I am looking for a CNA program which is take only less than a year,please can u recomend a school for,I prepared a school not too far from where i live, I am living in Edina,Mn. Thank u.
Hi, Most CNA courses run for 6 to 8 weeks. You can check out a list of training centers in Minnesota here: http://cnatraininghelp.com/cna-classes/cna-training-in-minnesota/
Hi, My fiance took the training program and graduated dec. 26th 2010, we were wondering if she was still able to register in the state of Tennessee for the exam, its been a little over 4 months ago, or if she will need to retake the training program to be a CNA. Thank you for any info!
Hi, He’d be eligible to take the test without having to retake the training program. You have two years after completing training to take the CNA certification exam.