How to Get Your CNA Certification in Connecticut (CT): 2026 Guide

If you want to work as a Certified Nurse Aide in Connecticut, you need to finish a Department of Public Health-approved training program and then pass the state competency exam administered by Prometric. Connecticut runs a single-vendor system, which keeps the rules straightforward: one agency, one test, one registry. This guide walks you through every step — from the 100-hour training requirement to the 24-month eligibility window, from regional test sites to your first renewal — so you can move from application to working bedside without surprises.

Connecticut CNA at a glance

• State agency: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)
• Registry name: Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry
• Approved vendor: Prometric
• Training hours: 100 total (theory hours vary by program / 25 clinical)
• Exam content: Written knowledge test + skills evaluation (Prometric Connecticut Nurse Aide Competency Exam)
• Application fee: $55 for exemption-route candidates (out-of-state CNAs, nursing students); contact DPH for new-CNA application fee
• Testing fee: Contact Prometric for current Connecticut pricing; typical combined written + skills cost has been reported around $118
• Reschedule fee: $25 (per Prometric policy)
• Eligibility window: 24 months from program completion — no limit on attempts within that window
• Renewal cycle: Every 2 years based on documented paid CNA work; no renewal fee

Who oversees CNA certification in Connecticut

CNA certification in Connecticut is administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Practitioner Licensing & Investigations section. DPH owns the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry and approves the training programs that feed into it. Once you've passed the exam, your listing lives in their database, and they're the agency you contact for renewal questions, name or address changes, and verification requests that employers or other states may run. Prometric handles the testing side — scheduling, exam delivery, scoring — under contract with DPH, so you'll work with two different organizations but only one state agency actually issues your certificate.

Training programs in Connecticut

Connecticut requires 100 hours of training before you're eligible to sit for the exam, with at least 25 of those hours in supervised clinical practice. The split between classroom theory and lab is set by each approved program, as long as the clinical requirement is met. Programs are offered at community colleges, adult education providers, nursing homes, and private career schools across the state, and typical tuition for a full Connecticut CNA program runs roughly $400 to $1,500 depending on the provider and whether books and supplies are bundled in. Most full-time students finish in 4 to 8 weeks; part-time and evening tracks run longer and are common for students who are already working. Before you enroll, confirm that the program is on DPH's approved list — your training certificate has to come from an approved provider or you won't be eligible to test. For a refresher on the clinical skills your program will teach and test, see our study guides.

The CNA exam in Connecticut: Prometric details

Connecticut's competency exam is developed and administered by Prometric under contract with DPH. The exam has two parts: a written (knowledge) section that covers the standard nurse aide content — basic nursing skills, resident rights, infection control, communication, and the like — and a skills evaluation where you perform hands-on skills on a live actor or mannequin while a Prometric evaluator watches and scores you. Both parts must be passed to land on the registry. Most candidates register through Prometric's online portal and schedule at a regional test site; many Connecticut training programs also coordinate scheduling on your behalf, so ask your instructor which route your cohort uses. Lead times vary by location and season — Hartford-area and New Haven-area sites often have openings within a couple of weeks, while smaller regional sites may book out further.

How much does the Connecticut CNA exam cost?

Exact dollar amounts shift over time, so always confirm current pricing with Prometric before you send anything in. As a working budget based on published state guides, expect the combined written + skills exam to run in the range of about $115 to $125 for first-time test takers in Connecticut, with a $25 reschedule fee if you need to change your appointment. Candidates who are qualifying through an exemption route — for example, an out-of-state CNA, an LPN or RN student, or someone re-entering the field — pay a separate $55 application fee directly to DPH instead of the full exam package. Background check costs depend on your program and employer, and BLS / CPR cards are sometimes included in your training and sometimes billed separately. Keep all receipts — if your facility reimburses certification costs, you'll need proof of payment.

Where to take the test in Connecticut

Prometric runs a network of regional test sites across Connecticut, and the practical locations cycle on a recurring cadence — meaning sessions are scheduled regularly throughout the year rather than on a one-off basis. You can typically book through the Prometric portal at any of the following sites, though you should always confirm the next available date before locking in a training plan:

• Litchfield (EdAdvance) — recurring regional test site in northwest Connecticut; call the registry to confirm cadence.
• Woodbridge (Northeast Medical Institute) — recurring regional test site in the New Haven area; call to confirm upcoming dates.
• Wethersfield — recurring regional test site (hosted through Northeast Medical Institute); call to confirm cadence.
• Hamden / New Haven area — recurring regional test site serving the south-central part of the state; call to confirm.
• Stamford / Norwalk area — recurring regional test site serving Fairfield County; call to confirm.

If none of those fits, the Prometric portal will show any additional sites within driving distance once you log in with your eligibility. Most testers in Connecticut can reach a regional site within roughly an hour's drive.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

You'll register through Prometric — either self-serve online or through your training program — and pick a written exam slot and a skills evaluation slot. Many Connecticut candidates complete both parts in a single day at the same regional site, but some sites and dates split them across two visits, so build a little flexibility into your schedule. On test day, bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport), your admission letter or confirmation email from Prometric, and your training certificate if your program didn't already submit it. Wear comfortable, closed-toe, non-slip shoes and clinical-appropriate clothing — scrubs are usually fine — because the skills evaluation includes physical tasks and an evaluator may ask you to demonstrate hand hygiene or transfers. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early; Prometric typically won't seat late arrivals.

After you pass: Connecticut certification and renewal

Once Prometric scores your exam as passing, they forward the results to DPH, and you'll be added to the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry. Registry listing is how employers verify you're certified to work — your name should appear on the public DPH verification page within a few weeks of passing, sometimes sooner. Your Connecticut certificate renews every two years based on documented paid work as a CNA or in a position providing direct personal or nursing care. To renew, you need to have completed at least one 8-hour shift for pay during the prior two years; there is no renewal fee, but you do need to report the qualifying employment through DPH. If your certification lapses and you don't have qualifying work hours, you typically need to retest rather than retrain — you'll reapply and retake the competency exam to come back onto the registry.

Common pitfalls specific to Connecticut

• Don't confuse the 24-month eligibility window with a deadline. Connecticut has no attempt limit inside this window, but if your eligibility expires, you may need to reapply or repeat training — contact DPH well before your window closes.
• Exemption-route candidates pay a different fee. Out-of-state CNAs, nursing students, and re-entry applicants pay a $55 application fee to DPH, not the full Prometric exam package — don't pay the wrong amount to the wrong agency.
• Renewal is tied to paid work, not calendar math. Connecticut requires documented paid CNA work in the prior two years to renew; there's no in-service CE clock like some neighboring states use.
• Skills sites are regional, not state-run. Test sites are hosted by independent training providers like EdAdvance and Northeast Medical Institute, so dates depend on their schedule — book early for popular windows.
• Use only DPH-approved training programs. A certificate from a non-approved program won't qualify you to test, even if it looks legitimate.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a CNA in Connecticut? Most full-time students finish a 100-hour DPH-approved training program in 4 to 8 weeks, then schedule and pass the Prometric exam within a few weeks after that. Total time from first class to registry listing is typically 2 to 4 months.

How much does the CNA test cost in Connecticut? The combined Prometric written + skills exam is commonly in the $115 to $125 range for first-time test takers, with a $25 reschedule fee. Exemption-route applicants pay a $55 application fee to DPH instead. Confirm current pricing with Prometric before paying.

Can I challenge the Connecticut CNA exam without training? Generally no — new CNAs must complete a DPH-approved training program to be eligible. Exemption routes exist for out-of-state CNAs, LPN/RN students, and re-entry candidates, but these require you to already have qualifying credentials or experience, not just willingness to test.

Does Connecticut require a background check for the CNA exam? Your training program and employer handle background screening on their own timelines. DPH itself does not publish a separate CNA background check as part of the application, but expect fingerprinting or similar screening before clinical placement and before employment.

How do I renew my Connecticut CNA certification? You'll log in to the DPH registry portal, confirm that you worked at least one paid 8-hour CNA shift in the prior two years, and submit your renewal. There's no fee, but the state does require proof of qualifying employment — keep your paystubs or employer letter handy.

Practice questions for the Connecticut CNA exam are at ExamReady CNA's exam page and clinical-skills walkthroughs are at /skills.