A career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a common entry point into healthcare, offering hands-on patient experience under the supervision of licensed nurses. CNAs provide direct care and support foundational to the daily operations of hospitals and long-term care facilities. Obtaining certification in Oregon requires following specific steps mandated by the state. This guide outlines the process for securing your CNA certification.
Understanding the CNA Role and Initial Requirements in Oregon
The scope of practice for a Certified Nursing Assistant in Oregon centers on assisting patients with activities of daily living. Tasks include bathing, dressing, feeding, positioning, and collecting specimens, all performed under the direction of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN). The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) oversees CNA certification and defines authorized duties. CNAs must always operate under the supervision or monitoring of a licensed nurse and are prohibited from working independently.
Candidates must satisfy initial prerequisites before enrolling in a training program. While the OSBN does not set a minimum age for certification, many programs require students to be at least 16 or 17 years old. A mandatory criminal background check is required for all applicants. This process involves submitting fingerprints, typically through a contracted vendor like Fieldprint Inc. The results are processed by the Oregon State Police and the FBI before being sent to the OSBN.
Mandatory Training Requirements for Oregon CNA Certification
Aspiring CNAs must complete a training program officially approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) to qualify for certification. These programs blend classroom instruction with practical, supervised experience in a clinical setting to ensure a minimum level of competence. Verifying a program’s accreditation status ensures the education meets state standards.
The state mandates that a Nursing Assistant Level One (CNA 1) program must consist of at least 155 hours of instruction. This total includes a minimum of 80 hours of classroom and lab instruction, which must contain at least 24 hours of supervised skills demonstrations. The remaining time requires a minimum of 75 hours of supervised clinical experience dedicated to hands-on patient care.
This supervised clinical experience must be completed in an approved healthcare setting, such as a hospital or a licensed nursing or assisted living facility. A registered nurse must be on duty at all times to supervise the student’s activities during this portion. The training must be completed within one year of applying for the state competency exam to remain valid.
Passing the Competency Examination
After successfully completing the approved training program, candidates must pass the Oregon CNA competency examination, which assesses both knowledge and practical skills. The exam is administered by the state-approved testing vendor, D&S Diversified Technologies (D&SDT)-Headmaster LLP, utilizing the TestMaster Universe (TMU) portal for scheduling and results. Candidates must pass both the knowledge and skills components to be eligible for certification.
The knowledge portion is a multiple-choice test consisting of 80 questions, which must be completed within 90 minutes. Candidates must achieve a score of at least 73% to pass this section. An oral version of the test is available for an additional fee. The second part is a clinical skills demonstration test, where a Registered Nurse examiner observes the candidate performing 3 to 4 randomly selected authorized tasks.
Candidates are given 45 minutes to complete the required skills demonstration. If a candidate fails either the knowledge or the skills portion, they are permitted to retake only the failed part. Retake applications must be submitted to the OSBN, and separate fees apply for retaking the skills test and the knowledge test.
Submitting Your Official CNA Certification Application
Once the required training and competency examination are successfully completed, the final step is submitting the official application to the OSBN. This transitions the individual to a certified professional listed on the state registry. The application is submitted online through the OSBN Nurse Portal, requiring the creation of an account and accurate entry of personal and educational information.
The application submission includes paying the required fees, which typically total $106 for the initial application and testing. After submission, the candidate must schedule and complete the required fingerprint-based criminal background check. This involves scheduling an appointment with the state’s contracted vendor, Fieldprint Inc., and paying a separate fee of approximately $70.50.
The OSBN will not issue certification until it has received and processed the results from both the competency exam and the criminal background check, which can take several weeks. Once all requirements are met, the candidate’s name is officially added to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry, which serves as the verification source for employers and the public.
Maintaining and Renewing Your Oregon CNA Certification
Maintaining certification requires the CNA to actively renew their status with the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) on a biennial basis. The renewal cycle is two years, and the expiration date is typically set for the day before the CNA’s birthday, depending on their birth year. The primary requirement for renewal is demonstrating a minimum amount of paid, authorized work experience.
A CNA must have completed at least 400 hours of paid employment performing authorized CNA duties within the two-year renewal period. This work must be performed under the supervision or monitoring of a licensed nurse. The OSBN does not require continuing education hours for renewal, though some employers may require it. Failure to meet the 400-hour work requirement or submit the renewal application and fee by the deadline will result in the certification lapsing, potentially necessitating new training and re-examination.