Once you pass the CNA exam, you will be given a certification to practice as a nursing assistant and will be added to your state’s nurse aide registry.
Eligibility varies per state but in general, applicants are required to have completed at least a state-approved nurse aide training program that usually includes classroom learning, practical training, and on-the-job training. The CNA exam is designed for entry-level nurse aides and nursing assistants (NAs), meaning those who zero to 12 months of direct care experience after receiving certification. To ensure that you are reading the correct information related to the exam for your desired state of practice, read its corresponding Candidate Handbook for complete details. It is important for you to know that the exam guidelines vary for each of these states. There are currently 17 NCSBN jurisdictions that accept the CNA exam to measure your competency as a nurse aide.
The CNA exam is available through a national testing service by Credentia, which assumes scheduling, administration, and delivery of the exams in the designated states. The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) administers the most large-scale nurse aide certification program with over 200,000 paper and practical exams annually through the NCSBN.
