A comprehensive guide to the Louisiana CNA Registry: From application to renewal
Welcome to the gateway for becoming a CNA in Louisiana! The Louisiana CNA Registry serves as the authoritative hub, ensuring the qualification, competence, and adherence to standards for all CNAs in the state. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get on the Louisiana CNA Registry and essential details for maintaining an active status.
Requirements to get on the Louisiana CNA Registry
Fees
The application process is free of charge, however, there is a fee to take the state examination.
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for training school and registration. Some schools might require you to be at least 17 or 18 years old.
Minimum Education
Training school may require to have a high school diploma or a GED.
Training Requirements
To qualify you must finish a training course approved by Louisiana. More information on the Nurse Aide training programs can be found on the site of the Louisiana Department of Health.
Competency Test
To be certified on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry, you must complete the Clinical Skills exam and the Written or Oral exam within 12 months of finishing your training. You are allowed up to three attempts to succeed in the Clinical Skills exam and three attempts for the Written or Oral exam. If you do not pass within these attempts, you will be required to undergo retraining.
More information about the competency test can be found on Prometric and in the Candidate Information Bulletin of Louisiana.
Background Check
Many programs as well as employers require you to submit a clear criminal background check.
Applying to appear on the Louisiana CNA Registry
Where to apply
The application process is facilitated by Prometric. To apply for the competency test, fill out the online application here (login required) or the physical application here and select the route “New Nurse Aide”. You will need to pay the required exam fees and then pass the competency test. After you’ve successfully passed the competency test within 12 months of completing your training, you will be placed on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry.
More information on the application can be found on Prometric and in the Candidate Information Bulletin of Louisiana.
Required Documentation
You will need to upload your personal information as well as other documentation during the application process, including information about your training program.
Restrictions
If you have any findings against you, these will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and you must provide all information required by the Registry.
Processing Time
Processing time varies. The time from passing the exam successfully to being placed on the Registry should not be more than a few weeks.
How to keep your license on the Louisiana CNA Registry
Stay Active
The certification period is for 24 months, and you must renew every 2 years. Within each two-year period, you must complete a minimum of 8 hours of work involving nursing or related tasks. This work must take place in approved environments such as nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, agencies for personal care attendants, assisted living facilities, hospice care, respite care, supervised independent living, adult day health care, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD).
Note: Only work performed in settings licensed by the state of LA will be recognized. Work as a private duty sitter or employment obtained through staffing agencies is generally not eligible, with specific exceptions for nursing homes. Work conducted in special education schools, correctional facilities providing patient care, supervised independent living, adult day health care programs, supported employment, and ICF/DD programs will undergo evaluation to verify if it meets the necessary criteria.
Renew
You will be automatically recertified at midnight on their certification’s expiration date, provided your work history for the preceding 24 months is submitted by your provider/employer to the Nurse Aide Registry in time. Failure to report this work history will result in the certification expiring, and your status will be updated to “not certified”. If your certification lapses due to unreported work history, you should request your employer to submit the necessary verification to the registry. If you lack the required work history, you might still qualify to take a test for recertification.
Reactivate your expired license
If your certification as a CNA has expired and you are listed as “not certified” on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry, you have the option to retest within two years after your certification expires. You will be given one opportunity to pass both parts of the competency test. To retest, fill out the online application here (login required) or the physical application here and select the route “Lapsed less than 24 months”.
If your certification has been expired for more than two years, or if you do not pass the test on your first attempt, you will need to complete retraining.
Louisiana CNA reciprocity
For those seeking reciprocity, additional information can be found on our Louisiana CNA Reciprocity page.
Louisiana Registry and contact details
Link to Registry: https://ldh.la.gov/page/cna-certified-nurse-aide-registry
Link to license lookup: https://tlc.dhh.la.gov/
Contact information:
Email: LA.CNA@la.gov
Phone: 225-342-0138
Address:
Louisiana Department of Health
P. O. Box 629
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0629