Nursing Assistant Questions and Answers

My CNA certification has recently expired. Who do I need to contact?
You need to contact the CNA Registry for your state or the agency which issued the old one.

How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?
Nursing assistant training courses may take anywhere between three weeks to three months to complete, depending on the facility or school which offers the program. To enroll in nurse aide classes you must meet certain admission criteria pertaining to education, health, and background history. Those who are accepted into CNA classes must complete both the classroom and hands-on practice sessions to graduate. Finally, one must pass a final exam which tests a candidate's skills and abilities to practice correctly and safely. When you pass this final test you become a certified nurse aide.

Read Answers to Related Questions

How can I verify if my California CNA certification is still valid?

I worked at a nursing home after I completed the CNA class and got my CNA license in 1994 or 1995. Can I take the CNA exam and obtain my certification as a CNA without taking the whole class again?

I used to be a CNA in Colorado, but I didn't renew my license since 1994. How can I renew my CNA license?

How often do I have to renew my nurse assistant license in Texas?

My Texas CNA certificate is from 1994. What do I need to get my certificate current or is it still good?

When will Texas allow CNAs to renew their licenses online?

Can I just take the Tennessee CNA test after letting my CNA certification lapse to get it back?

How do I go about renewing my CNA license in Tennessee?

I am trying to renew my CNA license in Tennessee. Will a W2 tax form work for proof of employment?

Do I have to take the CNA training class and test again if I was licensed about 10 years ago but I let my CNA license expire?

My North Carolina CNA certification has expired. Where can I go to retest to activate my CNA license again?

I live in Maine and I have been out of work for a while. Can you tell me where I need to go to recertify my nursing assistant certification?

How can I renew my lapsed CNA certificate in Kentucky?

I haven't worked as a CNA for over a year now, I was wondering if my CNA certification is still valid. How can I verify my CNA status? Also can I just volunteer to keep my CNA valid, instead of working for pay?

I was a CNA for 14 years. I was certified in Montana and Oregon but I let my license expire and now I live in Idaho. Do I need to retake the entire course in order to become re-certified?

In the state of Idaho, if a CNA certification is allowed to lapse, can it be reinstated within a certain grace period or by paying additional fees or under other conditions? If so, how can it be reinstated?

I am interested in registering for the CNA course but I would like to know who at your college teaches CNA classes and if you are you accredited by the state?

I want to start taking CNA classes as soon as possible but I do not have my GED. Will I still be able to become a CNA?

I am a bachelor of science in nursing degree holder from the Philippines and I want to take the CNA test before challenging the NCLEX exam to be an RN. Where can I find the requirements for the CNA exam?

Are accelerated CNA courses as good as traditional training classes?

Where can I get a copy of my CNA certification?

Can a person with a misdemeanor become a CNA?

How do I check to see if my CNA license is expired or inactive?

What are the training requirements for certified nursing assistants planning to work in assisted living facilities?

Will a flag on the CNA Registry prevent me from attending nursing school?

My certification expires at the end of this month but I worked as an CNA last year in September. How do I keep my certification active?

I had just received my CNA license about two months ago and was wondering if I could get another one. I had lost it and am unable to find it. I haven't even registered yet.

Is it true that the CNA test is given using a computer?

How do I find schools in my area that offer CNA classes?

How can I get the nursing assistant training videos so that I can use them to teach classes at a small nurse agency?

How long do I have to wait after taking the certified nursing assistant state exam to get the results?

I would like to know if I can recertify my CNA license. I would like to know the costs in doing this. I am interested in recertifying, so I can begin working as a CNA again.

I am curious to when and where I can take the CNA exam?

I am 52 years old female. Am I too old to be accepted for nursing assistant training? Can I take the CNA test?

I worked as a CNA from 1999 to 2008 and I am wondering if I would be able to challenge the exam or if I would have to take the class over again?

How can I get free CNA training videos and CNA practice exams?

My nursing assistant certification expired. Do I have to retake the CNA course all over again or do I just take the CNA exam?

How do I check the status of my nursing assistant certification?

When do CNA licenses expire and how do I keep my nursing assistant certification active?

Can I be registered as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in more than one state at the same time?

CNA Resources

What is a Nursing Assistant?

A CNA is an entry level, certified healthcare worker. To obtain CNA certification, a nursing assistant trainee must complete a series of courses which teach the student basic skills needed to assist with patient care. A nurse aide is knowledgeable about client safety and transportation, assisting with activities of daily living, communicating with clients and nursing staff, performing basic procedures such as taking vital signs and weighing, and recording intake and output. A certified nursing assistant spends the majority of their working time at the patient's bedside, providing comfort, hygiene, and support.


State approved CNA training programs teach nurse aide trainees how to become competent care givers. The theoretical section of a nursing assistant program is augmented by the clinical portion, by reinforcing and practicing the knowledge gained in the classroom. The length of a nurse aide course depends on the facility providing the training. Some programs may require as little as three weeks to complete, while others may take two to three months. Fast paced courses are not for everyone, and students have the option to enroll in lengthier programs such as those offered by community colleges. A nurse aide trainee who completes the training is eligible to take the CNA exam. Passing this important examination results in certification and listing on the state nurse aide registry.


Employment opportunities for certified nursing assistants are numerous. The skills of a CNA are needed especially in hospitals, long term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Other nursing assistant job opportunities exist in the community, such as Home Health Aide. Hospitals may offer educational opportunities and financial incentives to nursing assistants who wish to continue their education and become licensed vocational nurses, or registered nurses.

CNA Training Programs

Nurse Aide Registries