CNA Classes & Programs in Nevada

Before starting your training, it's important to understand exactly what Nevada requires to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). In Nevada, nursing assistants must obtain certification from the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN). Meeting these requirements allows you to complete the required training and competency examinations, receive your Nevada CNA certificate, and work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and other healthcare settings throughout the state.

Eligibility

• Program enrollment: The standard pathway requires completion of a Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN)-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP). Approved programs are offered through nursing facilities, community colleges, vocational schools, and other authorized training providers.
• Age and admission requirements: Under Nevada law, applicants for CNA certification must be at least 16 years old, of good moral character, and in good physical and mental health. Individual training programs may set additional admission requirements, such as educational prerequisites or health screening, which applicants should confirm directly with their chosen program.
• Fingerprinting and background check: Applicants must submit a complete set of fingerprints for a criminal background check through the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Applicants must also disclose relevant criminal convictions or disciplinary actions when applying for certification. Certain criminal histories may require additional review by the Board before certification can be issued.
• Alternative pathways: Nevada allows certain applicants who have completed qualifying nursing education or training to seek approval for certification without completing a separate standard CNA training program. Applicants must demonstrate that their education meets the Board's requirements and complete any required competency examinations. Individuals already certified as nursing assistants in another state may qualify for Nevada certification by endorsement.

Training Hours & Clinicals

Nevada-approved Nursing Assistant Training Programs must provide at least 75 total hours of instruction, including no fewer than 60 hours of theory and laboratory-based skills training. Approved programs also include supervised clinical practice, allowing students to apply their nursing assistant skills in an appropriate healthcare setting.

Before having direct contact with patients or residents, trainees must complete at least 16 hours of classroom instruction covering essential introductory subjects, including communication and interpersonal skills, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, promoting residents' independence, and respecting residents' rights.

The curriculum covers the responsibilities of nursing assistants, basic nursing skills, personal care, mental health and social-service needs, restorative services, and effective communication with patients. Supervised clinical training provides practical experience with essential nursing assistant duties, including assisting with activities of daily living, taking vital signs, transferring and positioning patients, and maintaining a safe care environment.

Under Nevada regulations, approved training programs must be taught by qualified instructors. The standard requirement is a registered nurse who holds a current, unencumbered Nevada license, has at least three years of nursing experience including direct patient care, supervision, and staff education, and has completed a Board-approved instructor ("Train the Trainer") course.

Under federal regulations, Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities may employ an individual as a nurse aide for up to four months while the individual completes the required training and competency evaluation, subject to applicable supervision and competency requirements. This does not eliminate the requirement to obtain Nevada CNA certification for continued employment in a position requiring certification.

Competency Exam (Knowledge & Skills)

After completing an NSBN-approved training program, candidates must pass Nevada's nursing assistant competency evaluation. Nevada's current testing provider is D&SDT-Headmaster, which administers the examinations through its TestMaster Universe (TMU) system.

The examination consists of two components:

• Knowledge examination: Candidates must demonstrate their understanding of essential nursing assistant knowledge, including infection control, safety, residents' rights, basic nursing skills, personal care, and communication. Candidates must achieve a score of at least 80% to pass the knowledge (theory) examination. Candidates should consult the current Nevada Candidate Handbook for the examination format, question count, time limits, and available testing accommodations.
• Manual skills examination: Candidates must demonstrate assigned nursing assistant skills under the observation of an authorized evaluator. The examination assesses practical competencies such as infection prevention, personal care, mobility assistance, and other essential nursing assistant duties. Nevada grades the skills examination on a pass-or-fail basis, according to the applicable evaluation standards.

Candidates who do not pass one or both examination components must follow the retesting procedures established by the current testing provider and the Nevada State Board of Nursing. The number of permitted attempts, applicable testing deadlines, and any retraining requirements should be confirmed in the current Nevada Candidate Handbook before scheduling a retest.

Examination registration, scheduling, and results are managed through Headmaster's TMU testing system. Candidates should use the official Nevada testing-provider website to access the current handbook, examination instructions, testing locations, and applicable fees.

Placement on the Registry & Working as a CNA

After completing the required training, passing the competency examinations, and meeting the applicable application requirements, candidates receive a Nevada Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate issued by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

Applicants must submit the required certification application through the Nevada Nurse Portal, provide proof of completing an approved training program (Headmaster sends the exam results to the Board), complete the required fingerprinting and background-check process, and pay the applicable application fee. The Board reviews the applicant's qualifications and eligibility before issuing certification.

Once certified, nursing assistants are listed in the Board's licensing and certification verification system. Employers can use this system to confirm an individual's certification status and determine whether the person holds an active Nevada CNA certificate.

To work in Nevada in a position requiring CNA certification, an individual must hold the appropriate Nevada authorization. Certification from another state does not automatically grant the right to practice as a CNA in Nevada without obtaining Nevada certification or another authorization recognized by the Board.

Certification Renewal

Nevada CNA certificates must be renewed every two years. Under Nevada regulations, an initial certificate remains valid until the certificate holder's second birthday after issuance. Subsequent renewals occur biennially on the certificate holder's birthday.

To qualify for renewal, CNAs must meet both of the following requirements during the preceding two years:

• Continuing training: Complete at least 24 hours of CNA-related continuing training during the preceding 24 months. Acceptable training may include qualifying employer-provided instruction, Board-approved continuing education workshops, relevant nursing coursework, or online courses for nursing assistants.
• Employment: Complete at least 40 hours of employment as a nursing assistant under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) during the preceding 24 months.

Renewal applicants must attest to completing the required continuing training and qualifying employment when submitting their renewal application through the Nevada Nurse Portal. The Board may conduct audits and request documentation verifying compliance with these requirements.

Continuing training records should identify the participant, training provider, number of hours completed, instructor, and date and location of the training. Nevada regulations require organizations offering qualifying training to maintain the applicable records for at least four years.

CNAs who do not meet the continuing training or employment requirements may be ineligible for standard renewal and should contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing to determine the applicable steps for restoring their certification. Individuals whose certificates have expired may not continue working in positions requiring active CNA certification unless they obtain appropriate authorization from the Board.

Reciprocity

Nevada offers certification by endorsement for nursing assistants who hold an active certification or license in another U.S. state and meet Nevada's eligibility requirements. Applicants must submit an endorsement application through the Nevada Nurse Portal and provide a copy of their active out-of-state certificate.

Under the Board's endorsement application requirements, applicants must provide documentation of their prior training and qualifying employment. Required documentation may include:

• Existing certification: A copy of an active nursing assistant certificate from another state, which must show its expiration date.
• Training: Evidence of successful completion of a state-approved nursing assistant training program meeting applicable federal requirements, or qualifying nursing education accepted by the Board.
• Employment: Proof of employment as a CNA in a licensed medical facility within the preceding two years. Newly certified applicants who have not yet worked as a CNA may instead provide proof of completing an approved training program within the year before applying.
• Background check: Submission of fingerprints for the required state and federal criminal background checks.

Approved endorsement applicants generally do not need to repeat Nevada's 75-hour training program or take the state's nursing assistant competency examinations. However, applicants must meet the Board's endorsement requirements and receive the appropriate Nevada certification before working in a position requiring CNA certification.

The Board may issue a temporary CNA certificate to eligible endorsement applicants while their permanent certification application is being processed. Under its published endorsement instructions, a temporary certificate is valid for six months and cannot be renewed. Eligibility depends on the applicant's submitted documentation and the Board's review.

Costs & Reimbursement

The cost of CNA training in Nevada varies by approved training provider. Community colleges, vocational schools, nursing facilities, and other educational institutions may charge different tuition and materials fees. Some employers offer facility-sponsored training or cover the cost of certification examinations for eligible students.

The Nevada State Board of Nursing's published fee schedule lists a $50 initial CNA certification application fee, whether applying by examination or endorsement, and a $50 CNA renewal fee. These fees are separate from the cost of training, competency examinations, and required fingerprinting. Applicants should confirm the current fees through the Nevada Nurse Portal when applying.

Examination fees are established by the state's testing provider, D&SDT-Headmaster, and may vary depending on the examination component, testing format, or retesting requirements. Candidates should consult the current Nevada Candidate Handbook and TMU registration system for applicable examination fees.

Under federal law, an individual who is employed by a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facility, or who has received an offer of employment from one, when beginning an approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program may not be charged for the required training, textbooks, course materials, or competency evaluation.

If an individual pays for an approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program and becomes employed by or receives an offer of employment from a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facility within 12 months after completing the program, eligible training and testing expenses must be reimbursed on the applicable prorated basis. These federal reimbursement requirements do not apply to every healthcare employer or training provider.

Sources: Nevada State Board of Nursing – Official Website and Nevada Nurse Portal, Nevada State Board of Nursing – Nursing Assistant Training Programs, Nevada State Board of Nursing – Nursing Assistant Training Program FAQs, Nevada State Board of Nursing – Nursing Assistant Instructor (iCNA) Requirements, Nevada State Board of Nursing – CNA Continuing Training Requirements, Nevada State Board of Nursing – CNA Endorsement Instructions, Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 632 – Nursing (including NRS 632.2852), Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 632 – Nursing, D&SDT-Headmaster – Nevada CNA Testing and Candidate Handbook, Nevada State Board of Nursing – Published Fee Schedule, 42 CFR 483.152 – Federal Nurse Aide Training Requirements, 42 CFR 483.154 – Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, 42 CFR 483.156 – Nurse Aide Registry Requirements