CNA Requirements by State
Your complete guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. Find training hours, exam costs, and step-by-step certification guides for all 50 states.
Training Hours
Most states require 75-150 hours of training, including classroom and clinical hours.
Exam Costs
Competency exam fees range from $85-$155 depending on your state.
Reciprocity
Most states accept CNA certification from other states through endorsement.
Select Your State
Alabama
AL75 training hours
Exam: $95
D&S Diversified Technologies
Alaska
AK140 training hours
Exam: $130
Prometric
Arizona
AZ120 training hours
Exam: $105
D&S Diversified Technologies
Arkansas
AR90 training hours
Exam: $91
Prometric
California
CA150 training hours
Exam: $120
Pearson VUE
Colorado
CO75 training hours
Exam: $87
Credentia
Connecticut
CT100 training hours
Exam: $118
Prometric
Delaware
DE150 training hours
Exam: $116
Prometric
District of Columbia
DC120 training hours
Exam: $120
Prometric
Florida
FL120 training hours
Exam: $155
Prometric
Georgia
GA85 training hours
Exam: $107
Prometric
Hawaii
HI100 training hours
Exam: $125
Prometric
Idaho
ID120 training hours
Exam: $105
Prometric
Illinois
IL120 training hours
Exam: $85
Southern Illinois University
Indiana
IN105 training hours
Exam: $85
Ivy Tech
Iowa
IA75 training hours
Exam: $88
D&S Diversified Technologies
Kansas
KS90 training hours
Exam: $93
Headmaster
Kentucky
KY75 training hours
Exam: $96
Pearson VUE
Louisiana
LA80 training hours
Exam: $110
Prometric
Maine
ME180 training hours
Exam: $115
Prometric
Maryland
MD100 training hours
Exam: $107
Prometric
Massachusetts
MA100 training hours
Exam: $115
Prometric
Michigan
MI75 training hours
Exam: $118
Prometric
Minnesota
MN75 training hours
Exam: $94
Pearson VUE
Mississippi
MS75 training hours
Exam: $86
Credentia
Missouri
MO75 training hours
Exam: $90
Headmaster
Montana
MT75 training hours
Exam: $90
Prometric
Nebraska
NE76 training hours
Exam: $94
Credentia
Nevada
NV75 training hours
Exam: $105
Prometric
New Hampshire
NH100 training hours
Exam: $108
Prometric
New Jersey
NJ90 training hours
Exam: $102
Prometric
New Mexico
NM75 training hours
Exam: $97
Prometric
New York
NY100 training hours
Exam: $105
Prometric
North Carolina
NC75 training hours
Exam: $101
Pearson VUE
North Dakota
ND75 training hours
Exam: $87
D&S Diversified Technologies
Ohio
OH75 training hours
Exam: $95
D&S Diversified Technologies
Oklahoma
OK75 training hours
Exam: $89
D&S Diversified Technologies
Oregon
OR155 training hours
Exam: $121
Headmaster
Pennsylvania
PA80 training hours
Exam: $102
Pearson VUE
Rhode Island
RI100 training hours
Exam: $112
Prometric
South Carolina
SC100 training hours
Exam: $103
Prometric
South Dakota
SD75 training hours
Exam: $85
Headmaster
Tennessee
TN75 training hours
Exam: $95
Headmaster
Texas
TX100 training hours
Exam: $96
Pearson VUE / Prometric
Utah
UT80 training hours
Exam: $92
Headmaster
Vermont
VT75 training hours
Exam: $98
Prometric
Virginia
VA120 training hours
Exam: $100
Pearson VUE
Washington
WA85 training hours
Exam: $110
Prometric
West Virginia
WV120 training hours
Exam: $99
Prometric
Wisconsin
WI120 training hours
Exam: $98
Pearson VUE
Wyoming
WY75 training hours
Exam: $84
Headmaster
Understanding CNA Certification Requirements
Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is one of the fastest ways to start a career in healthcare. While requirements vary by state, most follow federal OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) guidelines requiring a minimum of 75 hours of training.
What All States Require
- State-Approved Training Program: 75-150 hours depending on state
- Competency Examination: Written/oral test plus clinical skills demonstration
- Background Check: Criminal history screening (type varies by state)
- Registry Listing: Your name added to the state nurse aide registry
CNA Exam Testing Providers
Most states contract with one of three major testing providers:
- Pearson VUE: Used by California, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina
- Prometric: Used by Florida, New York, Georgia, Michigan
- D&S Diversified Technologies: Used by Ohio and several other states
Transferring Your CNA Certification
If you're already certified in one state and moving to another, most states offer reciprocity orendorsement. This means you can transfer your certification without retaking the exam, though you'll typically need to pass a background check in your new state.
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