CNA Requirements: Training, State Exam and Background Check (2026)

Step 2 of 3: Requirements

To work as a CNA, federal rules say you need at least 75 hours of state-approved training, a passed state competency exam and a spot on your state's nurse aide registry. Many people get the training free through a nursing home. Here's every requirement in plain English, and the next page shows the application steps.

Tell us where you are right now, and the next page shows what to do.

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✅ Basic eligibility

The exact rules are set by each state and each employer, but most ask for the same basics:

• Age: many programs and employers ask that you be at least 18, though some states accept younger students. Check your state's rules.
• Education: some programs ask for a high school diploma or GED, and others don't.
• Health: employers often ask for a TB test and proof of certain vaccines before you work with patients.
• Physical ability: you need to stand for long periods and help lift and move people safely.
• ID and work rights: like any US job, you'll show ID and proof that you can work in the US for Form I-9.

Read the requirements on the exact program or job you choose, because they differ.

🎓 The federal training rules

Every state sets its own CNA rules, but they must meet federal minimums for nursing homes. A state-approved program must:

• Include at least 75 clock hours of training
• Include at least 16 hours of supervised practical training, with a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse supervising
• Teach at least 16 hours of basics before you touch a resident: communication, infection control, safety and emergency steps (including the Heimlich maneuver), helping residents stay independent and respecting residents' rights

Your course also covers basic nursing skills, personal care, mental health, caring for people with memory problems and basic restorative care. Many states require more hours than the federal minimum.

Want the order to do all this in? The next page lays out each step.

📝 The state competency exam

After training, you take your state's competency evaluation. Under federal rules it has two parts, and you must pass both:

• Knowledge test: written, or oral if you prefer, covering what you learned
• Skills test: you show a few randomly chosen care tasks, such as handwashing or helping someone move, in front of an examiner

You must be told that you get at least three chances to pass. Once you pass, the state must add you to its nurse aide registry within 30 days.

📋 The nurse aide registry

The registry is your state's official list of nurse aides who have passed. A nursing home must check the registry before you can work as a nurse aide.

Two rules to know:

• A nursing home can employ you as a nurse aide while you train, but for no more than 4 months unless you've finished training and passed the exam.
• If you go 24 months in a row without paid nursing work, you may have to retrain and retest.

Most states let you look up your own registry listing online. Keep it up to date when you move or change your name.

Ready to see how it all fits together? The steps are short, but the order matters.

🔍 Background checks

Expect a background check. Federal rules say nursing homes must not employ anyone with a finding on the state registry of abuse, neglect, exploitation or stealing from residents. Many states also require criminal background checks, often with fingerprints, for people who work in long-term care.

Certain convictions can stop you from working in a care job, and the list differs by state. If you have a record, check your state's rules before you pay for any training.

💸 Getting your training paid for

This is the part most people miss. Under federal rules, a nursing home can't charge you for any part of a training program, including textbooks, if it employs you or has offered you a job on the day the course starts.

If you paid for training yourself and a nursing home hires you within 12 months of finishing, the state must arrange to reimburse your costs on a pro rata basis while you work as a nurse aide. Ask about this when you're hired.

Community colleges and technical schools also run approved courses, and some workforce programs may help with the cost. Note: the American Red Cross says it ended its nurse assistant training program after 2023.

⚠️ Common mistakes that slow people down

• Picking a course that isn't state-approved. Check your state's list before you pay anything.
• Paying when you didn't need to. Ask local nursing homes about paid or free training first.
• Ignoring the background check rules. Find out early if your record could be a problem.
• Waiting too long to test. Book the exam soon after training while the skills are fresh.
• Letting your listing lapse. Long gaps without paid nursing work can mean retraining.

Want to avoid all of these? The next page puts each step in order.

❓ Quick FAQ

On the next page: the 6 steps from finding approved training to your first CNA job, where to look for paid training and how to spot fake recruiters.

🔥 Other jobs hiring now

Not ready to start training yet? These entry-level jobs may get you working sooner.

Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not a nursing home, hospital, training school or state agency, we are not an employer or recruiter, and we do not hire anyone, train anyone or collect applications. Pay, training rules and registry steps change and vary by state, so always check with your state nurse aide registry and the employer or school before you sign up. Never pay anyone who promises you a job.