Hello, welcome to another informational article on the state Certified Nursing Assistant examination.

At the end of this article, you would have better understood the CNA State Exam structure, topics, costs, and requirements in some states.

In this article, we shall look at:

  • CNA Exams by States
  • CNA Structure and topics by States
  • CNA Certification Renewal requirements by stat
  • CNA Continuing Education Requirements
  • CNA State Exam Passing Scores

So, let’s continue!

California CNA Exam

California CNA Exam is divided into a Skills Evaluation and a Written Examination.

Structure and Topics

The CNA exam in California, the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam, is divided into a Skills Evaluation and a Written Examination. 

To be included in the California Nurse Aide Registry, you must pass both portions. 

The written exam contains 70 questions, 60 multiple-choice questions, and 10 reading comprehension. 

The exam will take two total hours to complete. 

If the oral test is substituted for the written exam, the oral exam will consist of 160 questions.

The Tasks Evaluation will consist of a 25-minute time limit in which you must accomplish five randomly chosen nursing aide skills. 

The following are some examples of content topics:

  • Hygiene, dressing and grooming, nutrition and hydration, elimination, rest/comfort/sleep are all activities of daily living
  • Infection Control, Safety/Emergency, Therapeutic/Technical Procedures, Data Collection, and Reporting are all basic nursing skills.
  • Prevention, self-care/independence, and restorative skills
  • Emotional and Mental Health Needs – Psychosocial Care Skills
  • Needs in Spirituality and Culture
  • Client Rights Legal and Ethical Behavior Communication
  • A member of the medical team

California nursing assistants and nurse aides must be certified by the California Department of Health.

Certification Renewal Requirements

Within two years, you need to work at least 48 hours, paid, not volunteer, in a home health agency, hospital, hospice agency, nursing home, or mental health facility to keep your certification current. 

Do not let your certification lapse to recertify via examination.

After a hiatus, you get recertification only by being retrained and re-tested.

CNA Exam Cost

Exam Fees in Detail:

  • $90 – Written & Skill Assessment
  • Oral & Skills Evaluation: $105
  • Retakes of the Written Exam are $35
  • Retakes of the oral exam are $50
  • Re-tests for the Skills Evaluation are $55

Maryland CNA State Exam

Maryland CNA state Exam must pass the Skill Evaluation and the Written or Oral section. 

Structure and Topics

Candidates taking the NNAAP exam in Maryland must pass the Skill Evaluation and the Written or Oral section. 

The exam is made of 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 comprehension questions.

The Skills Evaluation will consist of a 25-minute time limit in which you must accomplish five randomly chosen nursing aide skills.

Certification Renewal Requirements

You must pay a fee to renew your certified nurse aide certification in Maryland for two years. 

On the twenty-eighth day of your birth month, your CNA certification will expire two years after your first license renewal.

CNA Exam Cost

The CNA Exam costs in Maryland are:

  • $105 – Written & Skills Evaluation
  • $105 – Oral & Skills Evaluation
  • $35 – Written Exam only
  • $35 – Oral Exam only
  • $70 – Skills Exam only

New Jersey CNA state Exam

New Jersey CNA state Exam is divided into a skills assessment and a written section.

Structure and Topics

The CNA exam, known as the Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) exam in New Jersey, is divided into a skills assessment and a written section. 

You must pass both portions to be listed on the New Jersey State Nurse Aide Registry. 

There are 60 questions in the written section. You’ll have 90 minutes to complete the exam, and you’ll need a score of at least 75% to pass.

The following topics are included in the written exam for nurse aides:

  • Safety
  • Data Collection for Infection Control Communication
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Nursing Fundamentals
  • The Role and Responsibilities of Mental Health
  • Disease Process with Impaired Care
  • Rights of Residency
  • Growth and Development of Older Adults

In addition to hand washing, the skills evaluation entails completing four selected nursing aide skills. 

To pass the skills section, you must achieve an 80 percent score without missing any critical stages.

The New Jersey Department of Health regulates nurse aides in New Jersey. 

PSI Exams is in charge of the exam.

Certification Renewal Requirements

You must renew your CNA certification in New Jersey every 24 months. 

You must have a current, valid certificate to qualify for certification renewal. 

In addition, at least seven hours of a paid job as a nurse assistant in the 24 months before the expiration date of your certificate. 

There must be no revocation or suspension of your certificate. 

You also need a criminal background check with fingerprinting before the expiration date.

CNA Exam Cost

The CNA Skills Evaluation and Written Exam cost $76.00 in New Jersey, while the CNA Skills Evaluation and Oral Exam costs $90.

New York CNA State Exam

New York CNA state Exam has two sections: a skills assessment and a written section.

Structure and Topics

The exam has two sections: a skills assessment and a written section.

You must pass both portions to be listed on the New York Nurse Aide Registry.

There are 60 questions in the written section.

The exam will take an hour and thirty to complete.

The written exam questions are based on a state-approved test plan in New York.

Candidates must pass the written exam with a score of 70% or better.

The following are some examples of content topics:

  • Role of the Nurse Aide
  • Promotion of Safety
  • Promotion of Function and Health of Residents
  • Basic Nursing Care
  • Providing Specialized Care for Residents with health changes

Depending on the skills assigned, a 31 to 40-minute time frame will be allowed to finish 5 randomly selected nursing aide tasks.

Certification Renewal Requirements

To renew your CNA license in New York, you must have worked 8 hours in a paid role as a nurse aide at your place of employment in the previous 24 months, according to state law. 

It must be paid work, not volunteer work, in a nursing setting such as a nursing home, home health care facility, or hospital.

You can renew your license through Prometric and the New York Nurse Aide Registry.

CNA Exam Cost

You must include fees with all your Prometric applications. 

The written/skills combination costs $115, and the oral/skills combination costs $135 for first-time test takers. 

Retaking the clinical skill test costs $68; retaking the written test costs $57; retaking the oral test costs $67.

Houston CNA State Exam

You must complete a nursing assistant training and certification program to pass Houston CNA state Exam

Structure and Topics

You must complete a nursing assistant training and certification program (NATCEP) and pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam to get certified and work as a nursing assistant or nurse aide in Houston, Texas.

Houston nursing assistants are certified by the Regulatory Services Division, Licensing, Credentialing, and Enforcement Section of DADS-the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

Certification Renewal Requirements

You must have worked 24 hours in a nursing facility such as a nursing home, home health setting, or hospital in the past 24 months to renew your CNA license in Houston, Texas. 

According to Texas law, this must be paid work, not volunteer work, in a nursing context such as a nursing home, home health facility, or hospital.

With the Texas State Nurse Aide Registry, you can renew your license.

CNA Exam Cost

The cost of the Houston CNA exam is broken down as follows: 

  • $104 – Written and Skills Evaluation
  • Oral & Skills Evaluation: $104
  • Only the written exam is $27
  • Oral exam Only: $27
  • Only $77 for the Skills Exam

Los Angeles CNA State Exam

 Los Angeles CNA state Exam

Structure and Topics

The CNA certification in Los Angeles, a major city in California, is administered by the California Department of Health. 

Candidates must pass the NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) exam.

Within two years, you must work at least 48 hours, paid, not volunteer, in a home health agency, hospital, hospice agency, nursing home, or mental health facility to keep your certification current. 

Do not let your certification lapse to recertify via examination.

Certification Renewal Requirements

The CNA certification in Los Angeles, a major city in California, is administered by the California Department of Health. 

Certified Nursing Assistants must pass the NNAAP exam.

Within two years, you must work at least 48 hours, paid, not volunteer, in a home health agency, hospital, hospice agency, nursing home, or mental health facility to keep your certification active. 

Do not let your certification expire before recertifying via examination.

CNA Exam Cost

The Price of the Exam:

  • $90 for a written and skills assessment
  • Oral & Skill Assessment: $105
  • Re-testing for the Written Exam is $35
  • Re-testing for the oral exam is $50
  • $55 for re-testing on the Skills Evaluation

Miami CNA State Exam

Miami CNA state Exam has two sections: a skills assessment and a written section. 

Structure and Topics

The Miami, Florida CNA exam has two sections: a skills assessment and a written section. 

To be included in the Florida Nurse Aide Registry, you must pass both portions. 

There are 60 questions in the written section. 

 The exam will take an hour and thirty minutes to complete.

Certification Renewal Requirements

According to Florida law, you must have worked 8 hours in a paid job as a nurse aide in the previous 24 months to renew your license. 

In addition, it must be paid work, not volunteer work, in a nursing setting such as a nursing home, home health care facility, or hospital.

CNA Exam Cost

The Price of the CNA Exam in Miami:

  • $35 – Written Exam Only 
  • $120 – Clinical Exam Only 
  • $155 – Complete Written and Clinical Exam
  • $25 for exam review 
  • $35 for rescheduling

San Diego CNA State Exam

San Diego CNA state Exam is broken into two sections: Skills Evaluation and a Written portion.

Structure and Topics

The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam, used to test CNAs in San Diego, California, is broken into two sections:

Skills Evaluation and a Written portion.

Candidates must pass both parts to be included in the California Nurse Aide Registry.

There are 70 questions on the written exam, 60 multiple-choice questions, and 10 reading comprehension questions.

The exam takes 2 hours to complete.

If the oral exam replaces the written exam, there will be 160 questions on the oral exam.

The Tasks Evaluation will consist of a 25-minute time restriction during which you must complete five nursing aide skills chosen at random.

Certification Renewal Requirements

You need to have at least 48 hours of paid job within 2 years in the health industry to maintain your CNA license.

If your license expires without renewal, you may need to attend the training program again and retake the CNA exam.

CNA Exam Cost

Exam Fees in Detail:

  • $90 – Written & Skills Evaluation
  • $105 – Oral & Skills Evaluation
  • $35 – Written Exam re-tests
  • $50- Oral Exam re-tests
  • $55 – Skills Evaluation re-tests

Las Vegas CNA State Exam

Las Vegas CNA state Exam is divided into a written section and a skills assessment.

Structure and Topics

The CNA test in Las Vegas, Southern Nevada, is divided into a written section and a skills assessment. 

To be enrolled on the Nevada Nurse Aide Directory, you must pass both portions. 

There are 75 questions in the written section. 

The test will take one hour and thirty minutes to complete.

The following topics are covered in the written exam:

  • Safety
  • Communication
  • Data Collection
  • Personal Care
  • Basic Nursing Skills
  • Mental Health
  • Role and Responsibility
  • Care Impaired
  • Disease Process
  • Resident Rights
  • Older Adult Growth and Development 

The Tasks Evaluation will consist of a 35-minute time limit in which you must accomplish four specific nursing aide skills. 

One of the following will be the first skill:

  • Bedpan/Measuring Output
  • Perineal Care
  • Putting on Or Removing Gloves
  • Draining a Urinary Drainage Bag and Measuring the Output.

Certification Renewal Requirements

In Las Vegas, Nevada, to renew your license, you must have worked 40 hours and completed 24 hours of continuing education in the paid function of a nurse aide in the previous 24 months. 

In addition, it must be paid work, not volunteer work, in a nursing setting such as a nursing home, home health care facility, or hospital.

The Nevada Board of Nursing can help you renew your nursing license.

CNA Exam Cost

Fees for the CNA Exam in Las Vegas, Nevada:

  • Multiple Choice – $52.50
  • Clinical Skills – $97.50
  • $150 for a multiple-choice exam plus a clinical skills test
  • Cancellation – $45
  • No refund for “No show.”

Chicago CNA state Exam

For Chicago CNA state Exam you must pass the Nurse Aide Competency exam. 

Structure and Topics

To be registered on the Chicago, Illinois State Nurse Aide Registry, you must pass the Nurse Aide Competency exam. 

There are 85 multiple-choice questions in the written section.

The exam will take 90 minutes to complete. 

The questions are based on a state-approved test plan in Illinois.

The following are some examples of content topics:

  • Communicating Information
  • Performing Basic Nursing Skills
  • Performing Personal Care Skills
  • Performing Basic Restorative Skills
  • Providing Mental Health and Social Service Needs
  • Providing Residents’ Rights

Certification Renewal Requirements

According to Illinois law, you must have worked 8 hours in a paid job as a nurse aide at your place of employment in the previous 24 months to renew your license. 

This job must be paid work, not volunteer work, in a nursing setting such as a nursing home, home health care facility, or hospital.

The Illinois Department of Public Health can help you renew your license.

CNA Exam Cost

The Costs of a CNA Exam in Chicago:

  • $65 for a written and skills assessment
  • $45 – Exam that has been translated
  • Retakes of the Written Exam are $35

Illinois CNA State Exam

You must pass the Nurse Aide Competency Test to be registered on the Illinois State Nurse Aide Registry.

Structure and Topics

You must pass the Nurse Aide Competency Test to be registered on the Illinois State Nurse Aide Registry.

In the written section, there are 85 multiple-choice questions.

It will take one and a half hours to finish the exam.

The questions are based on an Illinois state-approved test plan.

Some examples of content themes are as follows:

  • Information Communication
  • Using Basic Nursing Techniques
  • Executing Personal Care Tasks
  • Using Basic Restorative Techniques
  • Taking Care of Mental Health and Social Service Needs
  • Resident Rights Protection

Certification Renewal Requirements

In Illinois, to renew your license, you must have worked 8 hours as a nurse aide in a paid position at your place of employment in the previous 24 months.

This job must be paid work in a nursing context, such as a nursing home, home health care facility, or hospital, and not volunteer work.

You can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health to renew your license.

CNA Exam Cost

Exam Fees for CNAs in Illinois:

  • A written and skills assessment costs $65 each
  • $45 – Exam that has been translated into English
  • The Written Exam retakes – $35

CNA Continuing Education Requirements

 CNA Continuing Education Requirements

Many healthcare employees are obliged to complete continuing education classes to keep themselves abreast of new developments in their profession. 

CNAs are no exception. 

In most jurisdictions, federal law requires CNAs to take a minimum of 12 hours of CE yearly to renew their certificate. 

However, Florida, California, and some other states have significantly differing standards. 

For example, California demands twice as many hours per year, but Florida permits CNAs to complete 24 hours at any time within two years but specifies the subjects they must complete.

One of the advantages of mandated continuing education is that it allows you to change employment more quickly. 

So if you know you want to transition from working in-home health care to a specialist hospital role, for example, you can enroll in courses focused on that field.

When you want to renew your certification, you’ll need to fill out a form that includes all of the details regarding the classes you’ve taken, such as:

  • Titles of the courses and the dates you took them
  • Information about providers as released by the government
  • Provider’s phone number and address

CNA State Exam Passing Scores

The body that administers the state’s CNA test has different passing scores. 

For example, the knowledge examination is usually required to pass with an 80 percent or higher grade; this is true for both the American Red Cross and the NNAAP. 

Some states, however, require 70 or 75 percent. 

Likewise, the skills test is sometimes scored on a percentage scale, but it is more commonly graded on a pass/fail basis. 

Students must, however, complete all crucial stages correctly, or this section will automatically be failed.

Conclusion

Conclusion on CNA state exams

While state criteria vary, prospective CNAs should enroll in a state-approved CNA program at an accredited institution before beginning the certification process. 

Approved programs satisfy state and other governing body standards, ensuring that students have the necessary information and abilities to become certified and provide patient care. 

After completing the program, students should check their state’s certification criteria to ensure that they have met all of them; these requirements will include a minimum number of CNA training/clinical hours, which the student should have accomplished during their curriculum.

FAQs

Here are some FAQs about CNA state exam

Where can I take my CNA test in Texas?

It would help if you took free CNA practice tests to prepare for the CNA exam. For the National Nurse Assistant Training and Assessment Program (NNAAP), you must take the exam at a licensed testing center such as the American Red Cross or Pearson VUE testing sites.

How many skills are on the CNA exam?

The Clinical Skills Test is made up of 22 different skills. A computer determines which skills to test when you register for the test. Five competencies are scored on a Clinical Skills Test. In addition, the skills of handwashing and indirect care are graded for all applicants completing this test.

How long are my Florida CNA exam scores valid?

The Certified Nursing Assistant examinations are valid for a period of two years. If you pass one part of the CNA exam, you must pass the second part within two years. Otherwise, you will have to retake both parts of the exam to be certified.

Does New York have CNA reciprocity?

Individuals having a nursing assistant certification from another state are eligible for reciprocity in New York. If you have a valid and active nursing assistant certification and have decided to move to New York, this is something to think about. Unfortunately, reciprocity does not come by default.

Can I transfer my CNA certification to California by reciprocity?

CNAs who are enrolled and in good standing in other states can be added to the California Nursing Assistant Registry. An out-of-state CNA will submit a pay stub or other proof of employment providing nursing-related services. In addition, they must have obtained their original certificate more than two years ago.

Can I take the California CNA test without classes?

Individuals with equal CNA training can take the certified nursing assistant exam without undertaking a nursing assistant course in California. The Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS) confirms your eligibility after receiving and reviewing these documents and offers you information on taking the CNA exam.

References

California CNA Exam Details

California CNA Exam Fees

New Jersey CNA Exam

CNA Continuing Education Requirements

Illinois CNA Exam Details

Nevada CNA Exam

Florida CNA Exam

New York CNA Exam

New Jersey CNA Exam


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