How to Get Your CNA Certification in Rhode Island (RI): 2026 Guide
Rhode Island uses Prometric for CNA testing. Training is 100 hours and the combined exam fee is about $99.
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Rhode Island, you need to complete a state-approved 100-hour training program, pass both parts of the Prometric nurse aide exam, and get listed on the Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country, so the certification pathway is short, standardized, and tightly run by one agency. This guide walks you through every step — from choosing a program to scheduling your skills exam to renewing on the registry two years later.
Rhode Island CNA at a glance
- Testing vendor: Prometric
- Training hours: 100 total
- Exam format: 60-question written/oral + 5-skill hands-on
- Exam fee: approximately $99 combined
- Registry: Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)
- Renewal: every 24 months
Who oversees CNA certification in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is the single state agency that approves CNA training programs, maintains the Nurse Aide Registry, and processes renewal paperwork. RIDOH contracts with Prometric to deliver and score the nurse aide exam and to handle test scheduling through the Prometric portal. There is no separate "Rhode Island Board of Nursing" approval step for CNAs the way LPNs and RNs have — RIDOH owns the entire credential. If you ever move out of state, your Rhode Island CNA can transfer via reciprocity, but you'll apply as a new candidate in your new state under their rules.
Training programs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires a 100-hour state-approved program, which is 20 hours more than the federal OBRA minimum of 75. Every approved program must be on RIDOH's published list before you enroll — never pay a deposit to an unlisted school. Most programs split those hours roughly into:
- ~60 hours classroom/didactic — body systems, infection control, communication, residents' rights, and basic nursing skills
- ~40 hours supervised clinical — hands-on practice in an approved long-term care facility under an RN instructor
Tuition generally runs $800 to $1,500 for the full program, plus $100–$250 in supplies (scrubs, a watch with a second hand, a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff if your program doesn't lend one). Watch for these add-on costs:
- Tuition — $800–$1,500
- Textbook and workbook — $50–$120
- Scrubs and closed-toe shoes — $60–$120
- Watch with second hand — $15–$30
- Background check (BCI) — $30–$50
- TB test or chest X-ray — $20–$60
- State exam fee — ~$99
Programs to look at, mostly clustered in the Providence metro area, include Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) campuses in Providence, Warwick, and Lincoln (the public option, often the cheapest), Rhode Island Nursing Institute, New England Institute of Technology for those who want a longer pathway, Serenity Career Academy, and several hospital-affiliated continuing education programs at Lifespan and Care New England facilities. Many community-based adult education programs in Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket also offer shorter cohorts aimed at career changers; ask whether the program is RIDOH-approved before you sign anything.
Before clinicals start, you'll need a Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) background check — not a federal FBI check, but the state one. Bring the receipt to your first day of clinical. Programs will not let you touch residents without a clean BCI on file.
The Rhode Island CNA exam: Prometric details
The state exam has two parts, and you must pass both to be listed on the registry:
- Written or Oral Exam — 60 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes allowed. Topics cover the standard OBRA domains: activities of daily living, basic nursing skills, mental health, social services, residents' rights, and communication. You can request an oral version (audio read-along with a headset) at scheduling for no extra fee; Spanish audio is also available in some regions.
- Skills Evaluation — 5 randomly selected skills performed on a live actor or mannequin, timed, with a Rhode Island-registered RN evaluator watching. Expect at least one handwashing/infection control skill, one vital signs or measurement skill, and a handful of ADL skills (e.g. partial bed bath, dressing, transferring, mouth care). You have about 30–40 minutes to complete all five.
Both parts are scheduled separately through the Prometric portal (prometric.com/ri-nna). You can take the written first or the skills first — most candidates do the written first because the score comes back instantly and you can study while waiting for a skills slot.
How much does the Rhode Island CNA exam cost?
- Written + Skills (combined) — ~$99
- Oral exam upgrade — $0 (free, request at scheduling)
- Reschedule within 30 days — $25
- Late reschedule or no-show — forfeit
Your training program usually bundles exam registration into the last week of class — they upload your completion to Prometric first, then you self-register and pay the $99.
Where to take the test in Rhode Island
Because Rhode Island is small, Prometric runs testing from a handful of in-state sites, mostly in the Providence metro. The five cities you'll most often see listed:
- Providence — most frequent dates, biggest seats, easiest to schedule around work
- Warwick — regular sessions, good central access from I-95
- Cranston — periodic testing, often midweek
- Pawtucket — scheduled primarily through partner programs
- East Providence — limited dates; check the calendar monthly
If nothing fits in Rhode Island, Prometric also lets you test at authorized sites in nearby Massachusetts (Fall River, Attleboro) and Connecticut — some candidates cross the border for a sooner date.
Scheduling and what to bring on test day
To schedule, create an account at prometric.com, choose Rhode Island Nurse Aide, and pick your written-or-oral slot, then your skills slot. Most candidates finish both within 2–4 weeks of program completion. Bring on test day:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport — name must match registration exactly)
- Prometric confirmation (printed or on phone)
- Two #2 pencils and a black-ink pen, even for the computerized written exam — the skills evaluation needs pen documentation
- Clean, wrinkle-free scrubs in any solid color; closed-toe non-slip shoes; hair tied back; no jewelry except a plain wedding band
- A watch with a second hand (they don't always lend one)
- No phones in the testing room; leave it in the car or your bag in the locker
Arrive 20–30 minutes early. Late arrivals forfeit the fee.
After you pass: Rhode Island certification and renewal
Prometric posts your written and skills results to RIDOH within a few business days. Once both parts are passed, RIDOH lists you on the Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry, usually within 7–10 days. Your registry certificate is valid for 24 months from the date you passed. You can prove your certification to employers by your name appearing on the public registry lookup at health.ri.gov — most employers in Rhode Island verify you there on day one of work.
To renew, you must have worked at least 8 hours for pay as a nurse aide in the prior 24 months, performing nursing-related duties under the supervision of an RN or LPN. Your employer verifies the work hours; you do not retake the exam unless your status lapses past the 24-month window. If you let it lapse, you may need to retest or take a refresher program — call RIDOH before you lapse.
Common pitfalls specific to Rhode Island
- 100-hour requirement: Twenty-five percent longer than federal minimum. If you transferred from a 75-hour program in another state, your training will not count.
- Small-state geography: Test sites are concentrated in the Providence metro; if you live in Westerly, Newport, or the far corners of Providence County, plan a commute or test in MA/CT.
- Background check timing: BCI checks take 1–3 weeks. Start yours the week you enroll, not the week before clinical.
- Skills testing on a schedule: Skills dates fill up 3–6 weeks out, especially in Providence. Schedule immediately after passing the written.
- Registry vs. employer confusion: Your CNA card and your registry listing are different things. RIDOH issues the certificate; your employer verifies your status on the registry, not via the card.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a CNA in Rhode Island? Most candidates finish in 4–8 weeks of full-time training, plus 2–4 weeks of exam scheduling. Part-time evening cohorts at CCRI and similar schools run 12–16 weeks.
Is the Rhode Island CNA exam hard? The first-attempt pass rate for the written is around 80–85%. The skills exam trips up most people on handwashing sequence and vital signs timing — practice both heavily in your program's lab.
Can I work as a CNA in Rhode Island while waiting for my registry card? Only if you've already passed both exam parts and RIDOH has posted your name to the registry. A "passing" letter from Prometric is not enough for most long-term care employers — they require registry verification.
Does Rhode Island accept out-of-state CNAs? Yes, through reciprocity. You apply to RIDOH with your current out-of-state certificate in good standing; Rhode Island will verify with your home state's registry and either list you directly or ask you to retest.
How much does a CNA make in Rhode Island? Hourly rates in 2026 range roughly from $18–$24 in nursing homes, higher at hospitals (Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam, Kent). With shift differential and overtime, annual pay commonly lands in the $38,000–$52,000 range.
Practice for the Rhode Island CNA exam at /exam and /skills.
