State requirements

CNA exam requirements by state

One table for all 50 states. We list a value only when we could verify it. Where we could not, the cell says "Check your state registry" instead of guessing.

Compare exam providers

Rules change, and your state registry is the authority. Exam providers, fees, training hours and renewal rules are set by each state and can change without notice. Confirm every figure with your state's nurse aide registry and candidate handbook before you enroll, register or renew.

The national picture

NNAAP (Credentia)

The NNAAP is developed and managed by Credentia. They are the same exam, not two vendors. Some states use Prometric, Headmaster or their own state exam instead.
Written test: 70 multiple-choice items, of which 10 are unscored pretest items, in up to 2 hours.
Oral version: 60 multiple-choice items plus 10 reading comprehension items.
Skills: 5 randomly selected skills in 30 minutes. Hand washing is always one. Missing a critical step fails that skill.
Credentia reports Pass or Fail only; passing scores are not published.

Federal rules (42 CFR 483)

Training: at least 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more.
You must pass both a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
You get at least three opportunities to pass. A state may allow more and sets the time window.
A registry entry can be removed after 24 consecutive months with no nursing or nursing-related work. Renewal rules are set by each state.
Aides employed, or offered a job, by a facility cannot be charged for training or testing.

State-by-state table

On a phone, scroll the table sideways. Each row has its own link, for example /states#georgia.

CNA exam requirements by state, verified values only
State	Testing provider	Training hours	Exam fee	Retake rule	Renewal rule	Source
ALAlabama	Credentia (NNAAP) / Prometric	Check your state registry	$135	2 years	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Credentia candidate handbookOfficial source
AKAlaska	Credentia (NNAAP)	140 hours (80 clinical)	$60	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
AZArizona	Headmaster	120 hours (40 clinical)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
ARArkansas	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Exam within 12 months of graduation	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
CACalifornia	Credentia (NNAAP) / Headmaster	160 hours (100 clinical)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
COColorado Colorado page	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	$145	24 months from the application receipt date	8 hours of paid nursing-related work per cycle; no continuing education	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
CTConnecticut	Prometric	At least 100 hours	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
DEDelaware	Prometric	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	2-year certification; 24 hours of continuing education per cycle	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
FLFlorida	PrometricFlorida does not require a training program before you challenge the exam; training is required after three failed attempts (Florida Board of Nursing FAQ).	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
GAGeorgia Georgia page	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	$130	12 months from graduation (first-time route)	8 hours of paid nursing-related work per 24 months; no renewal fee	Last verified against: Credentia candidate handbookOfficial source
HIHawaii	Prometric	At least 100 hours (at least 70 clinical)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
IDIdaho	Prometric	120 hours	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	8 hours of paid nursing-related work in 24 months; renewal is free	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
ILIllinois	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Nothing verified yetCheck your state registry
INIndiana	State-run examIndiana runs its own state exam (Ivy Tech): 100 questions, 80 correct to pass (Indiana Department of Health).	Check your state registry	$100	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
IAIowa	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
KSKansas	Check your state registryKansas state test: the published passing score is 75 percent (KDADS).	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Nothing verified yetCheck your state registry
KYKentucky	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Nothing verified yetCheck your state registry
LALouisiana	Prometric	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
MEMaine	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Nothing verified yetCheck your state registry
MDMaryland	Credentia (NNAAP) / Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
MAMassachusetts	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
MIMichigan	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
MNMinnesota	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
MSMississippi	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
MOMissouri	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
MTMontana	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
NENebraska	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Nothing verified yetCheck your state registry
NVNevada	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
NHNew Hampshire	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Nothing verified yetCheck your state registry
NJNew Jersey	HeadmasterHeadmaster handles the skills test; the written exam is delivered by PSI.	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
NMNew Mexico	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
NYNew York	Prometric	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
NCNorth Carolina	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
NDNorth Dakota	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
OHOhio	Headmaster	75 hours (16 clinical)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
OKOklahoma	Prometric	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
OROregon	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
PAPennsylvania Pennsylvania page	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	$135	2 years	24-month registry card; 8 hours of paid nursing-related work	Last verified against: Pennsylvania Department of HealthOfficial source
RIRhode Island	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
SCSouth Carolina	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
SDSouth Dakota	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
TNTennessee	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
TXTexas	Prometric	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	24 months	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
UTUtah	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
VTVermont	Prometric	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
VAVirginia	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
WAWashington	Credentia (NNAAP)	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
WVWest Virginia	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: Nothing verified yetCheck your state registry
WIWisconsin	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry
WYWyoming	Headmaster	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Check your state registry	Last verified against: State registry and provider pagesCheck your state registry

Figures come from state agency pages, Credentia candidate handbooks and provider pages, reviewed in October 2026. Dates of individual state rule changes are not tracked here. Your state registry is authoritative.

Need to confirm a value?

Check your state's nurse aide registry for the current exam provider, format, fees and retake rules.

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