A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) plays a direct support role in patient care across various healthcare settings. Certification requires successfully completing a state-mandated examination. This test confirms that an individual possesses the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to provide safe and competent assistance to patients and residents. Understanding the requirements and logistics of this examination is the first step toward a career in direct patient support.
CNA Examination Prerequisites
Before applying for the certification exam, candidates must satisfy specific eligibility requirements established by their state. The most significant condition is the mandatory completion of an approved training program, often called a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP).
These state-approved programs require a minimum number of instructional hours, including both classroom theory and supervised clinical practice. While many states set this minimum around 75 hours, some require significantly more, sometimes exceeding 120 hours. Candidates are eligible to proceed with the exam application only after receiving a certificate of completion from a NATCEP.
States also require candidates to pass a criminal background check. Most jurisdictions require the applicant to be at least 16 years old to enroll in the training program and subsequently take the certification test. Meeting these criteria is necessary for gaining authorization to schedule the official examination.
Components of the CNA Certification Exam
The CNA certification exam is a comprehensive assessment measuring competence across two distinct areas: theoretical knowledge and practical application. Candidates must successfully pass both sections to achieve certification and be placed on the state registry.
Written Knowledge Test
The first part is the written knowledge test, often administered electronically. This section typically consists of 60 to 75 multiple-choice questions covering topics like patient rights, communication, basic nursing skills, infection control, and restorative care. Candidates are usually given about 90 minutes to complete this assessment.
For those with difficulty with written English, many state programs offer an oral version of the knowledge test, which reads the questions aloud. The content and scoring requirements remain consistent regardless of the format chosen.
Clinical Skills Evaluation
The second section is the clinical skills evaluation, which assesses the candidate’s ability to perform hands-on patient care tasks safely and correctly. During this portion, candidates are typically required to perform four to six skills selected randomly from a master list, often with a live observer acting as the patient. These skills might include:
- Handwashing
- Measuring vital signs
- Performing range of motion exercises
- Assisting a resident with feeding
Each step of the procedure must be executed accurately and within a specified time frame to earn a passing score for that skill.
State-Specific Testing Authority and Registry
CNA certification logistics are governed entirely at the state level; there is no single national body overseeing the testing process. Each state operates a specific governmental body, usually within the Department of Health, which maintains the State Nurse Aide Registry. This registry is the official record of all certified nurse aides authorized to work within that state.
States typically contract with authorized third-party testing vendors to handle scheduling and administration, rather than administering the exams directly. Well-known national organizations like Prometric and Headmaster/D&S Diversified Technologies are common contractors across various states.
Identifying the specific vendor authorized by your state’s registry is the first step in the examination process. This designated testing authority collects application fees, verifies candidate eligibility, and reports successful results back to the State Nurse Aide Registry.
How to Locate and Schedule an Authorized Testing Site
Once the state’s designated testing vendor is identified, the candidate must navigate to the vendor’s online portal. This portal is the centralized hub for all logistical matters, including application submission and location selection.
Application and Authorization
The first step involves creating an online profile and submitting necessary documentation, such as the NATCEP completion certificate, for eligibility verification. After the application and supporting materials are processed, the system grants the candidate authorization to test.
Locating a Testing Site
The vendor’s website provides a search function or a list of approved regional testing centers available within the state. These physical locations are often situated at community colleges, vocational schools, or specialized testing facilities. Candidates must select a location from the authorized list that is geographically convenient and offers available dates that fit their schedule. Availability can fluctuate significantly, so flexibility with location choices is recommended, as high-demand sites may have wait times extending several weeks.
Finalizing the Schedule
The scheduling process is finalized by selecting the preferred date and paying the required examination fees, which typically cover both the written and skills portions. Fees generally range from $100 to $150 for the combined examination. Some vendors require both components to be completed during the same appointment block, while others allow separate scheduling.
Confirmation of the scheduled appointment is usually provided via email. This confirmation includes the testing center address, reporting instructions, and a list of required identification documents. Candidates must follow all instructions precisely, including arriving on time and presenting the correct forms of ID, as failure to do so can result in being turned away and forfeiting the fees.
Certification, Renewal, and Retake Procedures
Upon successful completion of both the written knowledge and clinical skills portions, the testing vendor reports the passing status directly to the State Nurse Aide Registry. This process adds the candidate’s name to the state’s database, formally conferring the title of Certified Nursing Assistant. The registry listing serves as the official certification that employers rely on for verification.
Retake Procedures
If a candidate does not pass one or both sections on the first attempt, established procedures allow retaking the failed portion(s). Most states permit a maximum of three attempts to pass the exam within a specified time frame, usually one or two years, following the training program completion. Candidates who fail must typically wait five to ten business days before rescheduling the failed section. Failing after the maximum number of attempts usually requires the candidate to repeat the entire state-approved training program before receiving new authorization to test.
Renewal Requirements
Maintaining certification requires adherence to state-specific renewal guidelines. These guidelines generally mandate that a CNA must work a minimum number of paid hours, often 8 to 16 hours, within a two-year period to qualify for renewal and remain in good standing on the registry.