How to Get Your CNA Certification in Pennsylvania (PA): 2026 Guide

Pennsylvania uses the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) administered by Pearson VUE. Complete a state-approved 75-hour program, pass both parts of the exam, and get listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. This guide walks through every step — from choosing a PDE-approved training program to scheduling your skills evaluation, from what to bring on test day to keeping your certification active every 24 months — so you can move from application to working bedside without surprises.

Pennsylvania CNA at a glance

Testing vendor: Pearson VUE (NNAAP)
Training hours: 75 total
Exam format: 70-question written/oral + 5-skill hands-on
Exam fee: approximately $115 combined
Registry: Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry (Pennsylvania Department of Education)
Renewal: Every 24 months with qualifying paid work

Who oversees CNA certification in Pennsylvania

CNA certification in Pennsylvania is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), which approves nurse aide training programs and maintains the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Pearson VUE operates the NNAAP exam under contract with the state, so the testing side is its own world — you’ll create a Pearson VUE account to schedule and pay for the exam, while PDE owns the registry, program approval list, reciprocity applications, and renewal rules. When you have a question about your training program’s approval, your eligibility status, or your renewal, contact PDE; when you have a question about scheduling, test sites, or scores, contact Pearson VUE.

Training programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires a 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) before you’re eligible to sit for the NNAAP. The 75 hours break down into classroom/lab instruction plus supervised clinical practice at an approved nursing facility, with topics covering basic nursing skills, personal care, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, communication, resident rights, and the aging process.

Programs are offered by community colleges, area vocational-technical schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and private career schools across the state. Full-time programs usually run 3 to 6 weeks; part-time and evening options stretch longer and are common for students already working. Before you enroll, confirm the program is on PDE’s approved list — a certificate from a non-approved program will not qualify you to test.

Tuition ranges from $600 to $1,400, plus textbooks, scrubs, supplies, a background check, immunizations, and the exam fee. Some employers — particularly nursing homes and hospitals — sponsor training or pay testing costs in exchange for a work commitment, so ask about reimbursement when you apply for your first CNA job.

The Pennsylvania CNA exam: Pearson VUE (NNAAP) details

The NNAAP has two parts. You must pass both to be listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry.

Written or Oral Knowledge Exam

The knowledge exam has 70 multiple-choice questions and you have 2 hours to complete it. Questions come from the standard NNAAP content areas — physical care skills, psychosocial care skills, and the role of the nurse aide — and you must score at least 70% to pass. You can take the written exam on paper or on a computer at the test site; an oral version (audio) is also available at a slightly higher fee if you need questions read aloud, and you can request it when you schedule.

Skills Evaluation

The hands-on skills test asks you to perform 5 randomly selected skills within a set time, while a Registered Nurse evaluator watches and scores you. Skills are drawn from a list that includes hand hygiene, vital signs, transfers with a gait belt, positioning, perineal care, oral care, dressing, feeding, catheter care, and range-of-motion exercises. To pass, you must correctly complete every key step and most supporting steps; missing a key step is typically an automatic fail, even if the rest of the skill is done well.

Scheduling

Your training program submits your eligibility to Pearson VUE after you complete the course. You create a Pearson VUE account, pay the exam fee, and pick a test event — either both parts on the same day, or the written/oral first and the skills on a separate day. You can reschedule up to a few business days before your exam; missing without notice means you forfeit your fee.

How much does the Pennsylvania CNA exam cost?

Exam fees are paid to Pearson VUE when you schedule. As of the most recent published Pennsylvania NNAAP fee schedule, expect the following:

Written + skills (both parts) — ~$115
Oral + skills (both parts) — ~$135

A reschedule or no-show fee typically applies if you change or miss your appointment. Confirm current pricing on the Pearson VUE Pennsylvania NNAAP page before paying.

Total startup costs usually look like this:

State-approved training (75 hours) — $600 – $1,400
Books, scrubs, supplies — $50 – $200
Background check / immunizations — Varies
Pearson VUE exam fee (both parts) — ~$115 (written) or ~$135 (oral)
Estimated total — $800 – $1,800

Some training programs prepay the exam fee for graduating students, so ask your instructor before sending money.

Where to take the test in Pennsylvania

Pearson VUE runs regional test events across Pennsylvania, often at training program sites, community colleges, and dedicated test centers. Common testing areas include:

Philadelphia — frequent testing, large candidate volume
Pittsburgh — regular sessions in and around Allegheny County
Harrisburg — periodic testing serving south-central PA
Allentown — scheduled through programs and the regional Pearson VUE calendar
Erie — limited dates; plan ahead and book early

Seats fill up quickly, especially in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Schedule as soon as your instructor confirms your training completion date. If you don’t see a convenient date in the Pearson VUE scheduler, check back regularly — new events are added on a rolling basis.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

Before test day, log in to your Pearson VUE account and confirm that your name matches your government-issued photo ID exactly. A name mismatch is one of the most common reasons candidates are turned away at check-in.

You must bring a non-expired, government-issued, photo-bearing ID — a Pennsylvania driver’s license or state ID, a U.S. passport, a permanent resident card, or a U.S. military ID are all accepted. Only originals are accepted; photocopies, screenshots, and expired IDs will make you a no-show. Bring your Pearson VUE test confirmation (printed or on your phone) and your training program’s verification of completion if your program didn’t already upload it.

Wear clinical attire: scrub top and bottom (any color), closed-toed shoes, long hair pulled back, and a standard analog watch. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are typically not allowed in the testing area. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled start time and plan for the visit to take up to 4 hours if you’re taking both parts on the same day.

After you pass: Pennsylvania certification and renewal

Once you pass both the written/oral and skills parts, Pearson VUE forwards your results to PDE, and you’re added to the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Your registry listing is what employers verify before they let you work — you can confirm it appears in the public registry within a few weeks of passing.

To remain eligible, you must renew your federal certification every 24 months. The work requirement is the same federal standard used by most states: you must have performed at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work in the prior 24 months, under the supervision of an RN or LPN. Self-employment and private-duty work without RN supervision do not count.

PDE will send a renewal notice before your certification expires. If you don’t meet the work requirement, your federal eligibility lapses and you’ll need to pass both exam parts again to regain it. Out-of-state CNAs moving to Pennsylvania apply through PDE’s reciprocity process; if your training and current certification don’t automatically qualify, you may be required to take the NNAAP.

Common pitfalls specific to Pennsylvania

Pearson VUE is the only vendor. Pennsylvania does not use Prometric or Credentia for the NNAAP. If you’re sent to a different vendor by accident, you’re in the wrong state’s process.
Verify PDE approval before you pay tuition. A non-approved program’s certificate won’t qualify you to test, no matter how legitimate the school looks.
Skills key steps are make-or-break. Missing one key step in a single skill is typically an automatic fail on that skill — practice the full skill list, not just the easy ones.
Name on your ID must match Pearson VUE exactly. Even small differences (middle name, hyphenation, suffix) can make you a no-show and forfeit your fee.
Reciprocity is a separate application. Out-of-state CNAs don’t automatically transfer; you must apply through PDE and may need to retest.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a CNA in Pennsylvania?

Most people finish a 75-hour program in 3 to 6 weeks, then schedule the exam within the next few weeks. From the first day of class to registry listing, the typical timeline is 2 to 4 months for full-time students.

How much does the Pennsylvania CNA exam cost?

The combined written + skills exam is about $115, with the oral + skills option around $135. A reschedule or no-show fee typically applies. Confirm current Pearson VUE pricing before paying.

Do I have to complete a training program, or can I challenge the exam?

Pennsylvania generally requires completion of a PDE-approved NATCEP. Some nursing students, graduate nurses, and out-of-state CNAs may qualify for alternate routes, but these still require PDE review and approval before testing.

What happens if I fail one part?

You only need to retake the part you failed. You can reschedule through Pearson VUE as long as you’re still within your eligibility window after training.

How do I transfer my CNA from another state to Pennsylvania?

Apply for reciprocity through PDE. If your out-of-state training and certification don’t automatically qualify, PDE may require you to pass the Pennsylvania NNAAP. Submit your application and supporting documents early.

Practice for the Pennsylvania CNA exam at /exam and /skills.