How long after you apply....

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2010

It all depends on your state. In MD we are issued a temporary 90 day license while they conduct background checks (state & FBI) and fingerprints. After that is complete, then we receive our permanent CNA number( we do not receive paper certificates in this state). All in all, that took close to 2 months for me to get it, but I've met some who have gotten it faster, and some who have gotten it slower. I would contact your board of nursing, or even post this question on your state nursing forum, b/c someone there might be able to give you a more accurate answer. Good luck!

nursingstudent221 · Dec 21, 2010

It all depends on your state. In MD we are issued a temporary 90 day license while they conduct background checks (state & FBI) and fingerprints. After that is complete, then we receive our permanent CNA number( we do not receive paper certificates in this state). All in all, that took close to 2 months for me to get it, but I've met some who have gotten it faster, and some who have gotten it slower. I would contact your board of nursing, or even post this question on your state nursing forum, b/c someone there might be able to give you a more accurate answer. Good luck!

Thank you for your reply. I am too in MD. How long did it take you to get your temporary license?

yousoldtheworld · Dec 21, 2010

In Indiana, we are told if we pass or not immediately after taking the test. We're given a certificate that says we passed the test, but it takes a couple of months to get our actual certification in the mail.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2010

Thank you for your reply. I am too in MD. How long did it take you to get your temporary license?

I finished my program on a Friday..and that following Monday I went to Baltimore & got my fingerprints done..then went to the Board of Nursing(they have a seperate office for CNA's). I handed them my fingerprint card, my app, and the fee & I receieved my 90-Day-Certification on the spot. So my suggestion to you is DEFINITELY go to Baltimore & submit everything yourself!!!! Some of my co-workers let their program submit their paperwork & everything got screwed up..one girl is still waiting on her CNA # and she finished the program a year ago!

nursingstudent221 · Dec 24, 2010

I finished my program on a Friday..and that following Monday I went to Baltimore & got my fingerprints done..then went to the Board of Nursing(they have a seperate office for CNA's). I handed them my fingerprint card, my app, and the fee & I receieved my 90-Day-Certification on the spot. So my suggestion to you is DEFINITELY go to Baltimore & submit everything yourself!!!! Some of my co-workers let their program submit their paperwork & everything got screwed up..one girl is still waiting on her CNA # and she finished the program a year ago!

Yea i think that i should have done that. I let my program submit it and everyone has their but 3 people. Hopefully i can call on Monday and see whats going on.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2010

Yea i think that i should have done that. I let my program submit it and everyone has their but 3 people. Hopefully i can call on Monday and see whats going on.

The board of nursing is extremely slow when it comes to phone calls & emails...like I said, it would be best to go there in person.

cna23 · Jan 18, 2011

In Indiana, we are told if we pass or not immediately after taking the test. We're given a certificate that says we passed the test, but it takes a couple of months to get our actual certification in the mail.

here in Florida is somewhat similar, u learn whether you passed right away, but it took maybe 4 or5 weeks to get my license.

nursingstudent221 · Jan 18, 2011

Here in maryland you do not have to take a test for a CNA, all you have to do is pass a CNA class and summit your information. And wait for you license....