Ohio Nurse Aide Registry

Ohio Nurse Aide Registry
Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
License Verification: (800) 592-5908 (in-state) or (614) 752-9500 (out-of-state)
E-mail:

The State of Ohio does not recognize the term Certified Nursing Assistant. While enrolled in a nurse aide course and prior to passing the state test you will be considered a nursing assistant. Once you pass the Ohio state test you become a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA). Approximately 15,000 nurse aide graduates are challenging the Ohio nurse aide state test each year. The Ohio Nurse Aide Registry has over 240,000 certified nurse aide names listed, with more than 88,000 of those being active nursing assistants. The nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs approved by the state of Ohio provide at least seventy five hours of instruction. Sixteen hours are dedicated to the initial classroom instruction, followed by fifty nine hours of combined practical training and lecture. Those who are already state tested nursing assistants in Ohio may wonder how often they need to renew their credentials and keep their listing active and current on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. Nurse aide credentials' renewal occurs every twenty four months and at the time of renewal your listing on the registry is also updated. The state of Ohio mandates that every nurse aide must work for a minimum of seven hours and one-half in the two years prior to being re-listed on the registry. A nurse aide must show proof of seven and one-half consecutive hours of payed, nursing related work in order to remain a state tested nursing assistant.

CNA Registries in the United States

Select an area from the map below to find addresses and phone numbers for Nurse Aide Registries in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia as well as links to online nursing assistant registries if available.

Nursing Assistant Registries

Should you know about your state's nursing assistant registry? Absolutely. A state's nurse aide registry serves important functions for any certified nursing assistant as well as for those looking to become certified. An individual who has finished a nursing assistant training program and has passed the state competency exam becomes listed on the CNA registry. Employers check the registry listings to confirm that a potential employee satisfies the training and testing requirements to obtain a nursing assistant job. To work as a certified nursing assistant, your status on the CNA registry must be active, without any charges of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. It is important to update your name and address on the registry. By doing so, your information is current and you are able to receive important documents sent by the registry.

For example, renewal forms are mailed to the address you have provided to the registry. You will not receive the certification renewal forms unless your address on the registry is accurate. One of the most frequent questions we get is how to get a copy of a CNA certificate. The nurse aide registry is in charge of issuing a duplicate of your nurse aide certificate and to obtain a copy you need to contact them. A nursing assistant certificate is typically reprinted when the original has been lost, accidentally destroyed, stolen, or when the individual has changed their name. The nurse aide registry is also the entity in charge of revoking a nursing assistant's certification in cases of neglect, abuse, or misappropriation of a client's property. In such cases, an individual's name is permanently listed on the registry along with the specific findings.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Violet on September 02, 2011 at 04:03 PM
I have recently acquired my CNA certificate for the state of Ohio. I'm moving to the state of Arkansas in two months. What will I have to do to get it changed over from a different state? I also have more than 10 years of experience in this field.


Admin on September 03, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Having an active nursing assistant certification in Ohio makes you eligible to transfer your credentials to Arkansas. First contact the Arkansas Office of Long Term Care at 501.682.8430 to request the nurse aide reciprocity forms. Once your application for reciprocity is approved, you have to apply and challenge the Arkansas CNA exam. Passing the nursing assistant competency test in Arkansas will result in certification and eligibility to work as a CNA in this state. The application to challenge the Arkansas nursing assistant exam may be found here (complete and send this application after you have been approved for reciprocity): Arkansas Nursing Assistant Eligibility Screening Application.


I was a CNA in PA but my certification expired. I now live in Ohio and wanted to know if I have to start all over again. Can I just take the CNA exam in Ohio?

What type of work experience is required to become a CNA program coordinator for an approved training and competency evaluation program in Ohio?

Is it possible to enroll in a CNA class without a high school diploma or GED?

How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?

After becoming a CNA how much more experience, training or school has to be done to become a registered nurse?

CNA Resources

Being a Successful C.N.A

Besides knowledge and proficiency there are many qualities which define a competent CNA. Our list includes the answers of residents, families, and those of experienced nurse aides who have been in the health care field for an extended period of time. Most of the qualities listed below represent the reasons and motivational factors driving new individuals to become certified nurse aides.


A competent CNA shows support for others, as well as patience, compassion and empathy. To become a good nursing assistant one needs to understand the meaning of being a team player. An effective nursing assistant learns to become a good listener who cares about and understands the needs of the residents, has a helping nature and a positive attitude. Both patients and co-workers appreciate a smile, an upbeat personality, as well as someone who takes pride in their work. A nurse aide job requires good organizational skills, patience, good judgment, and effective communication.

CNA Training Programs

Nurse Aide Registries

Alaska Wyoming Oklahoma Washington DC Delaware Maryland Maryland Delaware New Jersey New Jersey Connecticut Connecticut Rhode Island Rhode Island Massachusetts Massachusetts Vermont New Hampshire Vermont New Hampshire Missouri Indiana Pennsylvania Alabama Maine New York West Virginia Wisconsin Ohio Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Louisiana Mississippi Florida Georgia Tennessee Illinois Michigan Michigan Minnesota Utah Kentucky Kansas South Dakota Arizona Idaho Washington State California Arkansas Texas Nebraska North Dakota Iowa Hawaii Nevada Oregon New Mexico Colorado Montana