Want to Become a Nursing Assistant? Here’s How CNA Certification Works
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Certified nursing assistants (CNA) play an important role in the healthcare delivery system. Among other tasks, CNAs monitor vital signs, assist patients with daily activities, change wound dressings, and sterilize rooms.
Compared with other healthcare careers, the CNA profession has low barriers to entry; some students can complete training in just a few months or even weeks.
This guide explains every step of the CNA process, from getting your education to attaining your nursing license to getting certified to practice.
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What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
Healthcare educators often describe CNAs as filling entry-level members of the healthcare team. Typical duties include:
- Checking vital signs and monitoring changes
- Updating patient logs
- Assisting patients with everyday activities like bathing, dressing, and eating
- Stocking and sterilizing medical supplies and equipment
- Helping patients who require mobility assistance
But the importance of CNAs goes far beyond specific tasks. Because they have a great deal of contact with patients, CNAs represent a vital link between patients and senior care providers like nurses and doctors. Because they are often the first to notice changes in a patient’s condition, CNAs can have a major impact on patient outcomes.
CNAs work in various settings across the healthcare system, including:
- Hospital networks
- Home healthcare providers
- Hospice centers
- Assisted living facilities
- Inpatient care centers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual CNA salary is about $40,000 per year.
Did You Know…
According to the BLS, the highest-paying locations for average nursing assistant salaries are the District of Columbia, Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington state.
How to Get CNA Certification: The 4 Essential Steps
As you research how to get your CNA license, you will find the exact process varies by state. However, the basic steps involved in obtaining and maintaining your certification are the same in all states.
They include:
Step 1: Complete a Recognized CNA Training Program
Your journey begins with a recognized CNA training program. For a list of approved programs, check with your state’s nursing board. You can connect with your state’s board through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
CNA programs lead to non-degree awards, such as a diploma or certificate. While timelines vary, these programs usually take about two months to complete. Primary providers include community, junior, and technical colleges. Specialized nursing schools also offer them.
Step 2: Pass the CNA Exam
Eighteen U.S. jurisdictions use an exam known as the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). The NNAAP exam consists of written, oral, and practical components. You can take it in English or Spanish.
The written component covers 70 questions: 60 oral questions and 10 reading-comprehension questions. The practical skills component requires you to physically demonstrate your mastery of CNA techniques in front of a proctor.
As of July 2024, the jurisdictions that use the NNAAP exam are:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Guam
- Mariana Islands
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- U.S. Virgin Islands
If you do not live in one of these jurisdictions, you can obtain CNA exam information from your state’s nursing board.
Step 3: Obtain Your Initial CNA Certification
After completing your academic program and passing your state’s CNA exam, you can apply for formal certification. When you certify, you officially become eligible to work as a CNA in your state and in any other jurisdictions that have reciprocity agreements.
You will likely apply for certification through your state’s nursing board. In addition to an application fee, you may have to pass a background check and/or submit fingerprints.
Step 4: Recertify as Required
Most states recertify CNAs every two years. To maintain your status, you must recertify when your certification period expires. Check with your school or state to find out about your specific requirements.
To recertify, you may need to complete continuing education units (CEUs) to ensure your skills remain sharp and relevant. For instance, the California health department requires that CNAs complete 48 CEU hours every two years to remain eligible for recertification.
CEU requirements vary by state. Check with your state’s nursing board for exact details.
CNA Certification Requirements by State
Some certification details vary by state. For example, the minimum number of hours a state-approved program must cover may differ. States that do not use the NNAAP issue their own CNA exam, with test duration, content, and format all potentially differing.
As you look into how to get your CNA license, be sure to consult information specific to the state or jurisdiction where you plan to work. Your state’s nursing board can provide more detail.
Did You Know…
According to BLS data, the five states with the highest CNA job concentrations are North Dakota, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Kansas, and Arkansas.
CNA Practice Exams and Resources
Practice exams help you identify areas for improvement and get used to performing under time limits. By using them, you may boost your chances of passing your state’s CNA exam on the first try.
You can connect with practice exams and other prep materials through these resources:
NNAAP Practice Exam Packet
If your state uses the NNAAP exam, you can prepare for the exam’s written components by using practice tests. For best results, follow the practice test’s guidelines and start timing yourself as you build confidence.
Prometric
You’ll take your CNA exam at a Prometric testing center. Prometric offers the latest study materials, including three written CNA practice exams for $15 each and one supersized practice test for $35.
CNA Plus Academy
CNA Plus Academy offers free CNA practice questions covering an array of relevant topics, like basic nursing skills and restorative services. You can unlock all questions by signing up for a premium account.
CNA Training Help
This site provides two free downloadable CNA practice exams. You can also read blog posts on CNA best practices, professionalism, and continuing education classes.
Union Test Prep
At Union Test Prep, you can access 235 CNA practice questions for free. Questions cover basic nursing skills, communication, legal and ethical behavior, and client rights, among other major exam topics. Premium users can unlock even more questions.
Tests.com
Tests.com offers a free 63-question CNA practice exam. You can also buy the company’s CNA Practice Exam Kit, which consists of 750 questions.
Practice Quiz
Practice Quiz hosts a free 340-question CNA practice exam with answer explanations. You can learn in study mode, try a free daily question, or take the exam in test mode.
Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Certification
It depends on what your state requires. However, it is not uncommon for schools to advertise CNA training programs that you can complete in as little as 4-8 weeks. From there, you must schedule and pass your state’s CNA exam and apply for certification. In total, the process takes at least two months in most cases, which is far shorter than the time it typically takes to earn a nursing degree.
