CNA Programs & Career Opportunities in New York

Before you enroll in a training program, it helps to understand exactly what New York requires to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), officially referred to as a Nurse Aide in New York. Meeting these standards ensures you're eligible to test, be placed on the state registry, and work in approved healthcare settings.

Eligibility

• Age requirement: Candidates must meet New York's minimum age requirements for employment as a nurse aide. Most employers require individuals to be at least 18 years old at the time of hire in licensed long-term care facilities.
• Program enrollment (NATCEP): You must complete a New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)–approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). Programs are offered by community colleges, vocational schools, high schools, and licensed nursing homes.
• Background check: Nurse aide candidates must meet New York background screening requirements prior to employment. Individuals with substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident 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

New York requires completion of a minimum of 100 total hours of nurse aide training. This includes at least 70 hours of classroom instruction and skills laboratory practice, plus at least 30 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed nursing home (residential health care facility). The curriculum must cover all federally required OBRA topics, including communication, infection control, residents' rights, safety and emergency procedures, basic nursing skills, and personal care.

Before providing any direct resident care, trainees must complete at least 16 hours of instruction in core safety and care topics. In accordance with federal regulations, Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities may employ nurse aide trainees for up to 120 days while training and testing requirements are completed; beyond this period, individuals must be fully certified and listed on the New York Nurse Aide Registry.

Competency Exam (Knowledge & Skills)

After completing training, candidates must pass the New York Nurse Aide Competency Examination, administered by Prometric under contract with the New York State Department of Health. The exam includes:

• Skills evaluation: Demonstration of five randomly selected nurse aide skills performed in 31-40 minutes (depending on skills assigned), including mandatory hand hygiene and required critical steps. All critical elements must be performed correctly to pass. Candidates must pass the skills evaluation before being eligible to take the knowledge test.
• Knowledge test: A 60 multiple-choice question written exam (including 10 unscored pilot questions) covering nurse aide fundamentals such as infection control, safety, residents' rights, communication, and personal care. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete the exam and must score at least 70% to pass. An oral version is available for eligible candidates.

New York uses a sequential testing structure: candidates have up to three attempts to pass the skills evaluation, and after successfully passing the skills test, they have up to three attempts to pass the knowledge test. All testing must be completed within two years of completing training. Candidates who do not pass within the allowed attempts must complete a new NYSDOH-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 New York Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the New York State Department of Health. Prometric transmits exam results electronically to the state. You may then work as a CNA in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout New York.

Renewal

To remain active on the New York Nurse Aide Registry, CNAs must complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related services under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the past 24 months. The renewal fee is $40. Individuals who do not meet the work requirement must retake both the knowledge and skills exams to return to active status.

Reciprocity

New York permits registry-based reciprocity for nurse aides 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 requirements. Additional documentation may be required before placement on the New York Nurse Aide Registry.

Costs

New York CNA exam fees are set by Prometric and are paid at the time of scheduling. Under federal law, Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities must pay for or reimburse nurse aide 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: New York State Department of Health — Nurse Aide Registry, NYSDOH — Nursing Home Nurse Aide Training Program and Certification (PDF), Prometric — Nurse Aide Testing, Prometric — Nurse Aide Handbook, 42 CFR 483.152 — Federal Nurse Aide Training Requirements