Nursing Assistant Questions and Answers

I have a CNA license in the state of Tennessee and I want to transfer it to Missouri. What do I need to do? Do I need to obtain a Reciprocity Application from the state of Tennessee and then fill out and send it to the state of Missouri? Also, my name has changed so do I need take care of that first?
You need to start with reporting your name change prior to applying for reciprocity. A name change request must be made in writing to the Tennessee nurse aide registry. You will need to send a legible copy of a legal document that shows the change in name. Acceptable documents to copy include a marriage or a divorce certificate, or some other court order document. You must also include a copy of your social security number and your current name. Send the written change of name request, and copies of the required documents to the Tennessee nurse aide registry. Call the registry to verify this information and to get answers to any additional questions you might have. After your name has been updated on the TN registry you may apply for transferring your nursing assistant certification to Missouri. To qualify for this transfer you must be active on the Tennessee nurse aide registry. The state of Missouri requires that each transfer candidate challenge and pass the Missouri CNA exam in order to become certified in this state. You need to submit copies of the following documents: a copy of your Tennessee CNA certificate, a copy of your social security card, a work verification document showing you have worked for a minimum of eight (8) hours every 2 years from certification, as well as a return address and a phone number where you can be reached. If the Tennessee nurse aide registry keeps a record of your employment, the work verification proof is not necessary. I did not find an application for transferring an out-of-state certification to Missouri. Contact the Missouri Nurse Aide Registry and ask if an application or letter is required for transferring and to get answers to any additional questions you may have.

I moved to TN a month ago, and when I called my home state which is Indiana they told me that I had to ask for the reciprocity form, so I am completely confused. I just want to work at my chosen profession which is as a CNA. Any help would be appreciated.
An updated version of this answer is available.
You have to print and fill out a form called the Verification of Out-Of-State Nurse Aide Registration Application. This form has two parts which must be completed in full before submission. The first part must be completed by you, the nurse aide, while the second part is completed by the Nurse Aide Registry of Indiana. Once you complete the first part of the application you need to mail it to the Nurse Aide Registry of the state where you are registered as a nursing assistant, in your case Indiana. After the Indiana NAR completes their part of the application, the form is sent to the new state, Tennessee. Make sure all the information is clear, accurate, and complete. You also need to submit copies of the following documents: social security card and a form of identification such as a driver's license. The state of Tennessee does not charge a fee associated with the process of reciprocity, but you must ask the NAR for the state of Indiana if they require any fees.

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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