Can I have my CNA certificate in more than one state?

caliotter3 · Jun 7, 2015

You can maintain as many CNA certificates as you care to pay renewal fees for, just like with nursing licenses. Look at the Colorado website to see what their requirements are. If you have any questions, call them.

studentnurse47 · Jun 8, 2015

Check with the nursing school you want to attend, and the state requirements to be listed on their registry. Some programs require you to take an approved CNA class on their state.

Cakelady1 · Jun 8, 2015

I can't speak for every CO program, but my program (I am also in CO) requires a Colorado Board of Nursing CNA License. So, they specify that it has to be Colorado's. You need to check with your program of choice and find out if it has to be a CO CNA License, or if your Kansas certification is sufficient.

If it needs to be CO, I found some information via google that will helpful to you. CNA Certification in Colorado

mirandaaa · Jun 8, 2015

I was certified in Kansas and then moved to the Chicago area.

Where I moved, first-time CNA's are required to take a skills test (while in Kansas we only had the writing test). Because I already had my license in another state, all I had to do was take the state written test (no skills test) and I just let my KS license expire and keep my current state license up-to-date.

All states are different, but I imagine it's a pretty easy transition.

Cakelady1 · Jun 8, 2015

Hmm. Kansas only has a written test? CO has both a skills test and a written test.

mirandaaa · Jun 8, 2015

Hmm. Kansas only has a written test? CO has both a skills test and a written test.

Yep, at least when I took it back in 2011.

hookyarnandblanket · Jun 8, 2015

When I took my certification test in 2011 and in Kansas, also, I was told that clinical rotations during the course served as evidence of the skills portion. I would not have been allowed to test had I not completed all skills listed on a check off sheet provided by my class provider and submitted by them to the Kansas BON. This may have changed but I can verify that as of 2011, it was only a 100 question multiple choice test.

Rockstar81 · Jun 10, 2015

Moving to another state? Request CNA reciprocity. Small fee. $50 in some states.

How to request reciprocity

1. The first step is to contact the Nurse Aide Registry in your home state and request a Application for Enrollment By Reciprocityâ€. Ask them if you should send the completed form to them or to the state to which you are moving.

2. Then contact the other state and ask them the same thing. Some nursing assistants have been able to fax their request directly to the state they are moving into rather than with their home state. Do not take chances, ask. Be sure to get the name of those who talk with you and their phone numbers. Call them by name while you are talking so they remember you.

3. If the agency in your new state says it is acceptable for you to fax or mail info, then do this right away. Be sure to clarify the fax number and the mailing address. Then fax or mail your info to the attention of the person you spoke to. Ask them what items you will need to fax or mail but be prepared to send at least the following:

Copy of your Social Security Card
Copy of your drivers license (or other photo ID)
Copy of your present State approval
Copy of a recent pay stub or something to document that you have worked in a nursing home in the past two years.

Tell them where you are moving from and where to and where they can send the new card.

They may ask for other info as well

4. When you send your info, include a brief note to thank the person who took time to talk with you and ask them to call you if they need more information.