CNA license

redessa · Jan 30, 2011

Just to clarify, CNAs don't have a license, it's just a certification. If it's been 10 yrs, you probably need to retake a class. In my state, you can only get a waiver of training for testing if your certificate expired less than 1 year ago.

It shouldn't matter which class you take, I'm not aware of them being specific to a particular line of work - just generic CNA duties. The class I took assumed we'd be in LTC facillities but the same basic information applies to hospital settings and home health. Many of them (at least in my area) can be completed in 2-4 weeks and are only a few hundred dollars. So you should have plenty of time to get through a course, take your state test and start working before nursing school next year.

Hope63 · Jan 30, 2011

In most states you can challenge the CNA exam, Google CNA test in your state and the requirements will be listed. And in my state it is a CNA License so you may want to check your state. Good luck!

AzDeb · Jan 31, 2011

It looks like Hope63 has you covered. Each state has it's own Board of Nursing and information will be on that site. I know in Arizona it is a CNA License also. You get your certification from nursing assistant school and once you take your state exam and pass, the Board of Nursing issues you your CNA license. Good luck getting the information you are looking for!

redessa · Jan 31, 2011

Hmmmm, that's interesting about the license thing. Where I live, CNA training just prepares you for the certification test. You're not actually a "C"NA until you've passed the state tests. I got a little certificate of completion but cannot call myself "certified" on the course alone. I've never once heard heard it referred to as a license though. In fact, I was taught specifically that CNAs do not have a license, we work under the nurse's license - hence being a certified nursing assistant, not a licensed nursing assisitant. That's interesting to me that other states would word it differently, not really surprising though.

Ev1987 · Jan 31, 2011

Hmmmm, that's interesting about the license thing. Where I live, CNA training just prepares you for the certification test. You're not actually a "C"NA until you've passed the state tests. I got a little certificate of completion but cannot call myself "certified" on the course alone. I've never once heard heard it referred to as a license though. In fact, I was taught specifically that CNAs do not have a license, we work under the nurse's license - hence being a certified nursing assistant, not a licensed nursing assisitant.

I know New Hampshire has LNA's. Licensed Nurse assistants.

Hope63 · Jan 31, 2011

Yes there is a CNA class in every state to prepare you for the CNA state test. However, if you have education and or experience in the state of Florida you can challenge the test. Each state has different requirments that is why I suggested to Google the CNA requirements for each state. If you have the knowlege you should be able to pass the test without the expense of the CNA class or you can save a significant amount of money by taking the advanced CNA class as I did. And I passed my CNA test the first time with no problem. It's a long enough process waitng for your FBI check and getting your test scheduled without waiting to take a lengthy class. Prometrics website provides a sample CNA test and also gives a full description of the skills you will be tested on. :cool:

Hope63 · Jan 31, 2011

I am also a nontraditional nursing student and just took my CNA test in 2010 after working a couple of years in private home health. This is my second career, I have a AS degree in Business that I earned over 20 yrs ago. So I understand the challenges that your are facing. :yeah:

CNABESS · Feb 1, 2011

Just to clarify, some states DO have a license for a CNA. In RI you are a CNA once you graduate from the class, then can work for up to 120 days before passing the state test and get "licensed".