CNA Certifications
đź“ś What is a CNA certification?
The Certified Nursing Assistant Certification is a nationally recognized credential for aspiring nursing assistants. It is obtained when candidates pass the Prometric CNA Practice Test. The CNA exam is composed of two parts: the written exam and the clinical exam.Â
🤔 How to get CNA certified?
You must remember that each state has its own specific requirements when it comes to CNA certification. You have to research and take note of yours before applying for the certification. But, there are common CNA certification requirements.
The most common of all and the first thing that you should do is that you must enroll in a state-approved CNA program. You already know that to become a certified nursing assistant, you do not need a degree. All you have to do is to take and pass your classes and training. The federal requirements for the initial training are at least 75 hours.Â
In addition to that, as already mentioned, each state has its own rules and regulations for their CNAs. It is depicted in the table below:
State | Minimum Training Hours | Minimum Clinical Hours |
Alabama | 75 | 16 |
Alaska | 140 | 80 |
Arizona | 120 | 40 |
Arkansas | 90 | 16 |
California | 150 | 100 |
Colorado | 75 | 16 |
Connecticut | 100 | 50 |
Delaware | 150 | 75 |
District of Columbia | 120 | 75 |
Florida | 120 | 40 |
Georgia | 85 | 24 |
Hawaii | 100 | 70 |
Idaho | 120 | 32 |
Illinois | 120 | 40 |
Indiana | 105 | 75 |
Iowa | 75 | 30 |
Kansas | 90 | 45 |
Kentucky | 75 | 16 |
Louisiana | 80 | 40 |
Maine | 180 | 70 |
Maryland | 100 | 40 |
Massachusetts | 75 | 16 |
Michigan | 75 | 16 |
Minnesota | 75 | 16 |
Mississippi | 75 | 16 |
Missouri | 175 | 100 |
Montana | 75 | 25 |
Nebraska | 75 | 16 |
Nevada | 75 | n/a |
New Hampshire | 100 | 60 |
New Jersey | 90 | 40 |
New Mexico | 75 | n/a |
New York | 100 | 30 |
North Carolina | 75 | 16 |
North Dakota | 75 | 16 |
Ohio | 75 | 16 |
Oklahoma | 75 | 16 |
Oregon | 155 | 75 |
Pennsylvania | 80 | 37.5 |
Rhode Island | 100 | 20 |
South Carolina | 100 | 40 |
South Dakota | 75 | 16 |
Tennessee | 75 | 35 |
Texas | 100 | 40 |
Utah | 100 | 24 |
Vermont | 80 | 30 |
Virginia | 120 | 40 |
Washington | 85 | 50 |
West Virginia | 120 | 55 |
Wisconsin | 120 | 32 |
Wyoming | 75 | 16 |
After finishing your CNA program, you may then proceed to take the CNA certification exam. If you pass, you’ll then acquire your certified nursing assistant license. It will mean that you will be able to apply for jobs of your choosing. You can choose to work in hospitals, nursing homes, etc.
If you do pass, one of the things that you must also do is CNA verification. You must check whether your CNA license is current and in good standing. Otherwise, you’ll have to get a CNA license renewal.Â
Furthermore, CNA license verification is always a must so that you know that your license is active. If your employer found out that it isn’t, you will be ineligible for employment. That’s why it wouldn’t hurt to check your CNA certification online or not once in a while.
⌛ When does a CNA license expire?
For you to know whether your CNA license expired, you can just check the expiration date on it then you can renew CNA license after expiration. If it doesn’t contain one and you don’t know the date, you can check it at your state’s nursing board website. You can also look it up at a certified nursing assistant license verification website.Â
Also, for your license to remain active, federal regulations require you to have worked at least 8 hours and without a 2-year break. On the other hand, If you have a 5-year break, then your license will expire. An expired certificate means that you either need to retake the CNA training program or you need to prove your employment.  Â
đź’ˇ How to renew CNA license?
Those who have acquired their nurse aide certificate are required to renew it after a certain period. It is called CNA recertification. Most states compulsory require their CNAs to recertify their license every after 2 years. Moreover, CNAs have to work for a specific number of hours each year as specified by their state requirements. They also have to complete several hours of continuing education before they can renew. You can also do CNA renewal online.
đź’° How much does the CNA certification cost?
There are a lot of things to consider, from the CNA training costs to medical examinations and criminal background checks, the cost of CNA certification will vary. You’ll also have to consider the fees for taking the certification exam.
đź’ CNA Questions
Is a CNA nursing license significant collateral for a loan?
You should not just focus on the CNA license but also the person’s capability to pay back the money. You have to look at their credibility and background. Otherwise, you are risking not being paid. Furthermore, a CNA license is not a good enough collateral since it wouldn’t be proportionate to the value that you might loan. Â
How to transfer a Georgia CNA license?
You must first meet the minimum requirements. You have to have your Social Security number and CNA employment for at least 8 hours in the past 2 years. You must also have your listing on your state’s CNA license registry, and no recorded or pending cases of patient abuse. The next thing you should do is to obtain an application for Nurse Aide Registry Listing by Reciprocity form. You can get it at the Georgia Department of Community Health website. Lastly, you have to mail your completed documents, and then wait for your certification card to be mailed.Â
Can I get my CNA license online in California?
To get your CNA certification, you have to go to California’s Department of Public health website. You have to click on “Certificates and Licenses.” Afterwards, you’ll see “Occupations.” You have to click it so you’ll arrive at the “Health Care Professionals” page. Lastly, you have to choose “Certified Nurse Aide” and “Certified Nurse Assistant Forms”. It will take you to the desired page for application for CNA certification.
Is a CNA a licensed healthcare professional?
No, because licensed professionals are those who have a statutorily defined scope of practice. They are the only ones given the authority to perform certain tasks and functions. Â
What can you do with a CNA license?
There are many things that you can do. You can work in nursing facilities and hospitals. You can also choose nursing homes. Your knowledge and skills are very helpful and useful in these places.Â
How to obtain my in-services to keep my CNA license active?
Some states that can help you with your in-services. Some schools provide online classes for the number of hours you need. You just have to research and find what suits you.
How to get CNA license online?
- Examine the various CNA certification alternatives, both traditional and online.
- Complete all of the program’s prerequisites.
- Complete a CNA certification and training program.
- Exams must be passed.
How to check CNA certification verification?
- To verify your license, go to the License Verification webpage.
- Put Nurse Aide Registry as “Profession” and Certified Nurse Aide as “License Type”
- In the “License Number” search box, type the first and last name, as well as the certification number (e.g. CNA-11111).
- Press the search button.