A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Pennsylvania provides direct patient care, assisting residents in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings. Maintaining an active certification is a legal requirement to remain employed in this role. This credential is a registration managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Nurse Aide Registry (NAR), not a permanent license.
Meeting the Work Requirement for Renewal
To qualify for the standard renewal of your certification, you must demonstrate continued competency in your role. This requires performing at least eight consecutive hours of compensated nursing-related services within the 24 months preceding your expiration date. The work must be documented and performed in a state-approved healthcare facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility.
The requirement focuses on paid employment; volunteer work or self-employment hours do not count toward this minimum. The facility that employed you must be able to verify your hours and employment status for your renewal application to be processed. Failure to meet this minimal work requirement means you are ineligible for the standard renewal process.
The Pennsylvania CNA Certification Renewal Process
The renewal application is managed by Credentia through its online platform, CNA365. Assuming you have met the necessary work requirement, you will log into your existing CNA365 account to initiate the renewal. The electronic application replaces the need for separate paper forms, as the employer details are entered directly into the system.
Once logged in, select the “Renewal” option associated with your listing and proceed through the digital application. You will be guided to complete sections for Personal Information Verification, Registration Information, Employment, and a final Attestation. You must accurately provide details about the approved facility where you met the eight-hour work requirement. All sections must be completed before a final submission can be processed.
Checking Your Certification Status and Expiration
Pennsylvania CNA certifications operate on a two-year (24-month) cycle. Knowing the exact expiration date is important to prevent a lapse in your ability to work. You can check your current status and expiration date using the online Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry lookup tool.
The registry is the official source for your certification and the platform for verification by potential employers. CNAs who use the CNA365 portal receive automated email reminders as their expiration date nears. These reminders are typically sent out at 60, 30, 14, and seven days before the certification expires.
Reinstating an Expired Pennsylvania CNA Certification
If a Certified Nurse Aide allows their registration to expire or fails to meet the eight-hour work requirement, the standard renewal procedure is unavailable. The certification is considered lapsed or inactive, and the CNA must pursue a full reinstatement process. Reinstatement generally requires re-testing to prove current competency.
The first step is confirming your inactive status by logging into your CNA365 account. You must then submit a new application for examination under Eligibility Route E-3. This route is designated for candidates whose registration lapsed due to not providing nursing-related services for 24 consecutive months. After paying the required testing fees, you must successfully pass both the written and skills evaluation components of the competency exam to be placed back on the active registry.