State requirement guides
How to become a CNA in your state.
Training hours, the state exam, fees, and the registry for all 50 states and DC. Pick your state for the full guide.
CNA requirements by state
Hours are the state minimum for an approved program. Fees are for the knowledge and skills tests together.
| State | Training hours | Clinical hours | Exam provider | Exam fee | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALAlabama | 75 | 16 | Credentia | $135 | 71 |
| AKAlaska | 140 | 80 | Credentia | $60 | 32 |
| AZArizona | 120 | At least 40 | Headmaster | $130 | 115 |
| ARArkansas | 90 | 16 | Headmaster | $125 | 67 |
| CACalifornia | 160 | 100 | Credentia or Headmaster | Varies | 509 |
| COColorado | 75 | At least 16 | Credentia | $145 | 113 |
| CTConnecticut | 100 | Varies | Prometric | Varies | 115 |
| DEDelaware | 91 | 16 | Prometric | Varies | 28 |
| DCWashington DC | 125 | 40 | Credentia | $165 | 10 |
| FLFlorida | 120 | 40 | Prometric | Varies | 196 |
| GAGeorgia | 85 | 24 | Credentia | $130 | 332 |
| HIHawaii | 100 | 70 | Prometric | Varies | 61 |
| IDIdaho | 120 | At least 40 | Prometric | Varies | 6 |
| ILIllinois | 120 | 40 | Southern Illinois University | $85 | 394 |
| INIndiana | 105 | 75 | Ivy Tech Community College | $100 | 265 |
| IAIowa | 75 | 30 | Headmaster | $165 | 46 |
| KSKansas | 90 | 45 | Varies | $20 | 34 |
| KYKentucky | 75 | 16 | Kentucky Community and Technical College System | $135 | 83 |
| LALouisiana | 80 | 40 | Prometric | Varies | 150 |
| MEMaine | 130 | 40 | Varies | Varies | 29 |
| MDMaryland | 100 | 40 | Credentia | Varies | 165 |
| MAMassachusetts | 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | $100 | 120 |
| MIMichigan | 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | $175 | 257 |
| MNMinnesota | 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | Varies | 376 |
| MSMississippi | 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | $135 | 201 |
| MOMissouri | 175 | 100 | Headmaster | $135 | 337 |
| MTMontana | 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | $97 | 51 |
| NENebraska | 76 | At least 16 | State approved test sites | Varies | 58 |
| NVNevada | 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | $165 | 27 |
| NHNew Hampshire | 100 | 60 | Excel Testing | Varies | 23 |
| NJNew Jersey | 90 | 40 | PSI | Varies | 145 |
| NMNew Mexico | At least 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | $140 | 43 |
| NYNew York | At least 100 | At least 30 | Prometric | $115 | 164 |
| NCNorth Carolina | Varies | Varies | Credentia | $140 | 235 |
| NDNorth Dakota | At least 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | Varies | 48 |
| OHOhio | At least 75 | At least 16 | Headmaster | $120 | 403 |
| OKOklahoma | At least 75 | At least 16 | Oklahoma CareerTech Testing Center | Varies | 134 |
| OROregon | 105 | 40 | Headmaster | $106 | 41 |
| PAPennsylvania | 80 | 37.5 | Credentia | $135 | 182 |
| RIRhode Island | 120 | 40 | Credentia | $165 | 59 |
| SCSouth Carolina | 100 | 40 | Credentia | Varies | 203 |
| SDSouth Dakota | 75 | 16 | Headmaster | Varies | 93 |
| TNTennessee | 75 | At least 16 | Credentia | $122 | 293 |
| TXTexas | 100 | 40 | Prometric | $120 | 259 |
| UTUtah | 100 | 24 | Utah Nursing Assistant Registry | $110 | 42 |
| VTVermont | 75 | At least 16 | Excel Testing | $200 | 43 |
| VAVirginia | 140 | At least 40 | Credentia | $140 | 225 |
| WAWashington | 108 | 40 | Credentia | Varies | 172 |
| WVWest Virginia | 120 | 55 | Professional HealthCare Development | Varies | 116 |
| WIWisconsin | 75 | 16 | Headmaster | $144.7 | 302 |
| WYWyoming | 75 | 16 | Headmaster | $127 | 77 |
- ALAlabama75 hours · Credentia→
- AKAlaska140 hours · Credentia→
- AZArizona120 hours · Headmaster→
- ARArkansas90 hours · Headmaster→
- CACalifornia160 hours · Credentia or Headmaster→
- COColorado75 hours · Credentia→
- CTConnecticut100 hours · Prometric→
- DEDelaware91 hours · Prometric→
- DCWashington DC125 hours · Credentia→
- FLFlorida120 hours · Prometric→
- GAGeorgia85 hours · Credentia→
- HIHawaii100 hours · Prometric→
- IDIdaho120 hours · Prometric→
- ILIllinois120 hours · Southern Illinois University→
- INIndiana105 hours · Ivy Tech Community College→
- IAIowa75 hours · Headmaster→
- KSKansas90 hours · State exam→
- KYKentucky75 hours · Kentucky Community and Technical College System→
- LALouisiana80 hours · Prometric→
- MEMaine130 hours · State exam→
- MDMaryland100 hours · Credentia→
- MAMassachusetts75 hours · Headmaster→
- MIMichigan75 hours · Headmaster→
- MNMinnesota75 hours · Headmaster→
- MSMississippi75 hours · Headmaster→
- MOMissouri175 hours · Headmaster→
- MTMontana75 hours · Headmaster→
- NENebraska76 hours · State approved test sites→
- NVNevada75 hours · Headmaster→
- NHNew Hampshire100 hours · Excel Testing→
- NJNew Jersey90 hours · PSI→
- NMNew MexicoAt least 75 hours · Headmaster→
- NYNew YorkAt least 100 hours · Prometric→
- NCNorth CarolinaVaries hours · Credentia→
- NDNorth DakotaAt least 75 hours · Headmaster→
- OHOhioAt least 75 hours · Headmaster→
- OKOklahomaAt least 75 hours · Oklahoma CareerTech Testing Center→
- OROregon105 hours · Headmaster→
- PAPennsylvania80 hours · Credentia→
- RIRhode Island120 hours · Credentia→
- SCSouth Carolina100 hours · Credentia→
- SDSouth Dakota75 hours · Headmaster→
- TNTennessee75 hours · Credentia→
- TXTexas100 hours · Prometric→
- UTUtah100 hours · Utah Nursing Assistant Registry→
- VTVermont75 hours · Excel Testing→
- VAVirginia140 hours · Credentia→
- WAWashington108 hours · Credentia→
- WVWest Virginia120 hours · Professional HealthCare Development→
- WIWisconsin75 hours · Headmaster→
- WYWyoming75 hours · Headmaster→
Becoming a CNA, answered.
What is the federal minimum for CNA training?
Federal rules for nursing homes set a floor of 75 training hours, with at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more, up to 175 hours.
What does it take to become a CNA?
Finish a state approved training program, pass the state competency exam (a knowledge test and a skills test), and get listed on the state nurse aide registry. Then keep working as a nurse aide to stay active.
Is the CNA exam the same in every state?
No. Most states use a version of the same national format, with a written or oral test and a skills test, but each state picks its provider and sets its own fees and retake rules.
Can I transfer my CNA to another state?
Usually yes. Most states list you by endorsement if you are active and in good standing on another state registry. Some ask for a background check or a new exam. Each state guide explains its process.
Know the rules? Find the class.
Every state approved CNA program, by state and city.