CNA Classes & Programs in Arizona

Before you start your training, it's important to understand exactly what Arizona requires to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Meeting these standards ensures you're eligible to test, be placed on the state registry, and work in approved healthcare settings throughout Arizona.

Eligibility

• Age requirement: Candidates must be at least 18 years old to work as a CNA in Arizona.
• Program enrollment: You must complete an Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)–approved Nursing Assistant Training Program. Approved programs are offered by community colleges, career training centers, and licensed healthcare facilities.
• Background check: CNA candidates must meet Arizona background screening requirements. Individuals with substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property are not eligible for placement on the Nurse Aide Registry.
• Good standing: Employers are required to verify Nurse Aide Registry status prior to employment in licensed facilities.

Training Hours & Clinicals

Arizona requires a minimum of 120 total hours of nursing assistant training. This includes at least 80 hours of classroom and skills laboratory instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed nursing facility.

Before providing any direct resident care, students must complete at least 16 hours of instruction in federally required OBRA topics. These include communication and interpersonal skills, infection control, residents' rights, safety and emergency procedures (including the Heimlich maneuver), and promoting resident independence and dignity.

Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities may employ nurse aide trainees for up to 120 days while training and testing requirements are completed. After this period, individuals must be fully certified and listed on the Arizona Nurse Aide Registry.

Competency Exam (Knowledge & Skills)

After completing an approved training program, candidates must pass the Arizona Nurse Aide Competency Examination, administered by D&SDT-Headmaster on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health Services. The exam consists of:

• Knowledge test: A 75-question multiple-choice exam covering nursing assistant fundamentals such as infection control, safety, residents' rights, communication, and personal care. An oral version is available for eligible candidates.
• Skills evaluation: Demonstration of 3-4 randomly selected nurse aide skills, including mandatory hand hygiene and required critical steps. All critical elements must be performed correctly to pass.

Candidates must pass both the knowledge and skills components to become certified. You have up to three attempts to pass each portion of the exam within two years of completing training. Candidates who fail the knowledge test three times must wait 45 days before retesting. Those who do not pass within the two-year timeframe must complete a new approved training program before retesting.

Placement on the Registry & Working as a CNA

Once both exam components are successfully passed, your name is added to the Arizona Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Arizona Department of Health Services. D&SDT-Headmaster transmits test results electronically to the state. You may then work as a CNA in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout Arizona.

Renewal

Arizona CNA certification must be renewed every 24 months. To remain active on the registry, you must have completed at least 16 hours of paid nursing work under the supervision of a licensed nurse and received 24 hours of in-service training at your place of employment during the previous 24-month period. CNAs who do not meet the work and training requirements may be required to retest before returning to active status.

Reciprocity

Arizona offers certification by endorsement for CNAs certified in other U.S. states. Applicants must hold an active certification in good standing and provide verification that their training and competency evaluation met federal OBRA standards. Additional documentation may be required before placement on the Arizona Nurse Aide Registry.

Costs

Arizona CNA exam fees are set by D&SDT-Headmaster and include separate charges for the knowledge test and skills evaluation. Fees are paid at the time of scheduling. Under federal law, Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities must pay for or reimburse CNA training and testing costs for individuals they employ or have offered employment to, provided the individual is hired within 12 months of completing training.

Sources: Arizona Department of Health Services — Nurse Aide Registry, D&SDT-Headmaster — Arizona Nurse Aide Testing, Arizona Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, 42 CFR 483.152 — Federal Nurse Aide Training Requirements