A comprehensive guide to the New York CNA Registry: From application to renewal
Welcome to the gateway for becoming a CNA in New York! The New York 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 New York CNA Registry and essential details for maintaining an active status.
Requirements to get on the New York 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 enroll in a nurse aide training program approved by the New York State Education Department. Once you complete the program, you are eligible to take the New York State nurse aide certification exam at the minimum age of 17. Employment as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is based on local employer age policy.
Minimum Education
Training school may require to have a high school diploma or a GED.
Training Requirements
To qualify you must complete a nursing home nurse aide training program approved by NYS.
Competency Test
To be certified on the New York Nurse Aide Registry, you must successfully complete the Clinical Skills examination and the Written or Oral examination within two years after finishing your training. You are allowed up to three tries to pass the Clinical Skills test and three tries for the Written or Oral test.
Background Check
Many programs as well as employers require you to submit a clear fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Applying to appear on the New York 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 24 months of completing your training, you will be placed on the New York Nurse Aide Registry.
More information on the application can be found on Prometric and in the Candidate Information Bulletin of New York.
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 New York CNA Registry
Stay Active
The certification period is for 24 months, and you must renew every 2 years. Your certification expires if you have not been employed for at least 7 hours for compensation as a Nurse Aide in New York State within the past 24 months, either in a NYS nursing home or another approved facility. If you don’t fulfill these requirements, your certification cannot be renewed and you will be required to retest or retrain and retest.
Renew
Approximately 45 days prior to the expiration of your certification, a reminder notice will be sent to the home address you have on file with the Registry. However, your current or last approved nursing employer will be responsible for your recertification and must recertify you and pay the recertification fee. Please reach out to your current or most recent employer regarding this process.
Reactivate your expired license
If your Nurse Aide certification expires, you will need to successfully complete both the Clinical Skills and the Written or Oral exams within a two-year timeframe from when you submit your application. You can apply online here or submit the paper application. You are allowed up to three tries for each exam within this period. Should you be working in New York as a Nurse Aide at the moment, you will need to provide information about your employer.
Note: If your New York Nurse Aide certification was obtained through Deeming, Waiving, Reciprocity, or if you completed training before July 1, 1989, you will also need to complete retraining. In that case, your training program coordinator will need to fill out the section about the training program on your application.
New York CNA reciprocity
For those seeking reciprocity, additional information can be found on our New York CNA Reciprocity page.
New York Registry and contact details
Link to Registry: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/consumer_information/nurse_aide_registry/
Link to license lookup: https://registry.prometric.com/public
Contact information:
Email: profcred@health.ny.gov
Phone: 1-877-877-1827 or 1-800-918-8818
Address:
Office Primary Care and Health Systems Management
Bureau of Professional Credentialing
875 Central Avenue
Albany, New York 12206
