In the United States of America, if it is your desire to get employed in a health care facility, you must earn a CNA License (or Certification) that offers you permission to work in a Health Care Setting. The federal OBRA-87 also mandates that a candidate aiming to get employed in a hospital, nursing home and long term care unit must be thoroughly trained through the approved nurse aide training program. The OBRA legislation further directs every state authority to evaluate the competency of the aspiring nurse aide candidate through the CNA Licensing test.

Steps Essential for Earning CNA License

• Complete the state and OBRA approved CNA Training Program, comprising of minimum 75 hours of classroom course instructions and clinical hands-on experience.

• Appear and pass the Certification Exam, which consists of the Written/Oral Test and Skill Test.

Once, the candidates clear the Licensing Exam, they are awarded with the CNA License and listing with the Nurse Aide Registry. The registration with the registry also awards these candidates a License No., which permits them to work legally in any type of the health care facility.

Validity of Nurse Aide Certification

The Nurse Aide Certification is valid for two years and you must get it renewed within 2 years, before it gets expired. You are required to submit a Completed Application and Renewal Fees to your state Nurse Aide Registry for the renewal.

CNA License Verification

On few occasions, working certified nurse aides forget to renew their certification and they are not sure if their current license is valid or expired. The Nurse Assistants are offered Online License Verification by the state Board of Nursing. You are required to provide your Serial Number to the Licensing authority and verify your certification online or by visiting the concerned authorities on their street address.

CNA License Transfer to another State

If you are moving from one state to another state for the CNA employment, you are not allowed to work in that state with your home state CNA License. You are required to complete certain basic requirements as needed by the state including:

• Reciprocity Arrangement between the states may exempt you from reappearing in the nurse aide exam and your licensing procedure continues in the same fashion as your License Renewal.

• If the states do not have Reciprocity Arrangement with each other, you may have to re-complete the state Nurse Assistant Training Program and reappear for the state CNA Certification exam once again.

CNA License Transfer to another State

If you are moving from one state to another state for working in a facility, you are not allowed to work in that state with your home state CNA License. You are required to complete certain basic requirements as desired by the state and these necessities include:

• Reciprocity Arrangement between states may exempt you from reappearing in the nurse aide exam, and your licensing procedure continues in the same fashion as your License Renewal.

• If the states do not have Reciprocity Arrangement with each other, you may have to complete state Nurse Assistant Training Program and appear for the state CNA Certification exam once again.