Loading...
Loading...
Certified Nursing Assistant
CNA certification is regulated at the state level through Boards of Nursing. The federal OBRA mandate requires a minimum of 75 training hours, but most states exceed this. Training programs combine classroom instruction, clinical practice, and skills lab hours, followed by a competency exam.
51
Total States
98
Avg Training Hours
32
Above 75hr Minimum
50
Require Background Check
CNA certification requires completing a state-approved training program and passing a competency exam. Requirements vary by state, with different training hours, exam providers, and renewal cycles.
State-approved CNA training programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical hours. The federal minimum is 75 hours, but many states require 100+ hours covering patient care skills, infection control, communication, safety procedures, and resident rights.
After completing training, candidates must pass a two-part competency exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation. Most states use Pearson VUE, Prometric, or D&SDT as their exam provider.
CNA certification must be renewed every 1-2 years. Most states require a minimum number of paid nursing work hours (typically 8 hours) and completion of in-service training or continuing education hours to maintain active status on the nurse aide registry.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Training Hours | Exam Provider | Total Cost | CE Hours | Renewal | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | 75 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) and Prometric | $135–$185 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 140 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP® Nurse Aide Exam) | $260–$335 | 24 | Confirmed via 'License Expiration Dates' link and renewal application on official site; fixed expiration on March 31 of even-numbered years is consistent with CBPL patterns | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 120 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP | Exam fee only | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 90 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster (also operating as Headmaster LLP) | $125–$135 | 12 | 2 years (24 months, no grace period) | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | 160 hrs | Credentia (Northern California) and D&S Diversified Technologies/Headmaster (Southern California) | $115–$180 | 48 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 75 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $135+ | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 100 hrs | Prometric Inc. | $118+ | 12 | 24 months | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 150 hrs | Prometric | $115+ | 24 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE | $167–$192 | 24 | 24 months | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 120 hrs | Prometric | $205–$230 | 24 | 2 years (expires May 31 of renewal year) | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 85 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $130+ | 12 | 2 years (24 months, no grace period) | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $225 (written/skills) or $235 (oral/skills) | 24 hours of continuing education or a 24-hour competency evaluation course required for Group 2 CNAs (non-Medicare/Medicaid settings) | 24 months (2 years) | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 120 hrs | Prometric (written/oral exam); skills exam administered by training provider or approved test site | $29–$39 | 12 | 24 months from the date of the last day worked | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 120 hrs | Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing | $85 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 105 hrs | Ivy Tech Community College | $100 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 75 hrs | Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for written/oral; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation | $165–$205 | 12 hours per year if employed in a federally certified long-term care facility | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 90 hrs | KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing (computer-based exam administered at multiple statewide sites) | $20 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 75 hrs | Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) | $135–$150 | 12 | 24 months | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 80 hrs | Prometric | $151 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 130 hrs | Maine CNA Competency Test (administered through state-approved evaluators) | $0 for registry placement | 12 | Every 24 months | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 100 hrs | Credentia (via CNA365 platform) – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) | $161.25 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 100 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $100 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 75 hrs | D & S Diversified Technologies - Headmaster | $215 | At least 12 hours annually (24 hours per 2-year renewal cycle) per Rule 400.315, effective March 23, 2026; must include abuse, neglect, and care plan training | 24 months | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 75 hrs | D&SDT-Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster) | $270 | 12 | 24 months | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP | $135 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 175 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $125 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $97 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 75 hrs | Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC) | $100 | 12 | 2 years (continuous) | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 75 hrs | Credentia | $190 | 24 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 100 hrs | Excel Testing (exceltestingnh.com) | $310 (computed: $200 exam + $63 registration + $47 background check) | — | 2 years | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 90 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for skills testing; PSI for written/oral testing | $76 | 12 | Every 24 months | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP | $140 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $115 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 75 hrs | Credentia (via CNA365 platform) | $140 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $275 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP (D&SDT) – Headmaster LLP | $104 | 12 | 24 months | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 75 hrs | Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Health Certification Project; also Prometric for some testing | $75 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 155 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP, dba Headmaster LLP | $176.50 | 0 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 80 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $157–$175 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $205 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 100 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP via CNA365 platform) | $165 | 12 | 24 months | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP dba Headmaster LLP; test scheduling coordinated via SDHCA (LuAnn Severson, 605-339-2071) | $207.50 | 24 | 2 years (24-month period) | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU portal (tn.tmutest.com) | $177.15 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $145–$160 | 24 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 100 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU system | $145 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 80 hrs | Excel Testing (exceltestingvt.com) — confirmed as Vermont's testing provider on the official DLP NATCEP page | $116.50 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $180 | 12 | 1 year | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 108 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $285 | 0 | Annual (on or before birthday each year) | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 120 hrs | Professional Healthcare Development (PHD) | $175 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $137.75 (standard written knowledge + skills test) | 12 | 2 years (24-month certification period) | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $247 | 24 | 2 years (even-numbered years, October 1 - December 31) | March 2026 |
CNAs often work alongside other healthcare and licensed professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for CNA licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements
Training program tips, competency exam prep, state-by-state requirements, renewal deadlines, and reciprocity details — delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.