CNA Programs & Career Opportunities in Ohio

Before starting your training, it's important to know exactly what Ohio requires for STNA (State Tested Nurse Aide) certification, Ohio's designation for Certified Nursing Assistants. 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 be at least 16 years old to enroll in an approved STNA training program.
• Program enrollment (NATCEP): You must complete an Ohio Department of Health (ODH)–approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program. Programs are offered by high schools, career centers, community colleges, and licensed healthcare facilities.
• Background check: Candidates must pass a criminal background check. Certain convictions under Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3701-13 may disqualify individuals from employment in long-term care.
• Good standing: Employers must verify nurse aide registry status prior to employment. Individuals with findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation are not eligible to work as nurse aides in long-term care settings.

Training Hours & Clinicals

Ohio requires a minimum of 75 total hours of nurse aide training as part of the NATCEP. The curriculum combines classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice in a licensed long-term care facility, covering required subjects including communication, infection control, residents' rights, safety and emergency procedures, basic nursing skills, and personal care. Before providing any direct care to residents, trainees must complete the first 16 hours of classroom instruction covering fundamental principles and safety procedures. Ohio long-term care facilities may employ individuals as nurse aide trainees for a maximum of four months from the date employment and training is offered; beyond this period, individuals must complete training, pass the competency evaluation, and be listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.

Competency Exam (Knowledge & Skills)

After completing training, you must pass Ohio's state-approved competency examination administered by D&SDT-Headmaster. The exam includes:

• Knowledge test: 79 multiple-choice questions covering basic nursing skills, infection control, safety, resident rights, communication, and personal care. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete the test and must score at least 70% to pass. An audio (oral) version is available for an additional fee.
• Skills evaluation: Demonstration of 5 randomly selected nurse aide tasks, including one mandatory hand washing task. Candidates have 35 minutes to complete all assigned tasks and must score at least 80% on each task without missing any critical steps.

Candidates must complete their first examination attempt within two years of finishing the training program. You have up to three attempts to pass each component within two years of training completion. If a candidate fails one component, only that failed component must be retaken. Those who do not pass after three attempts must complete a new ODH-approved training program before retesting.

Placement on the Registry & Working as an STNA

Once both the knowledge test and skills test are successfully passed, your name is added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Ohio Department of Health. D&SDT-Headmaster electronically transmits test results to ODH, and successful candidates receive a laminated STNA certification card by mail. You may then work as a State Tested Nurse Aide in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings. The registry also maintains records of any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property.

Renewal

To remain active on the registry, STNAs must not have a break of 24 consecutive months without performing nursing or nursing-related services for monetary compensation. To maintain active status, you must provide documentation showing you performed at least 7.5 consecutive hours or 8 hours in a 48-hour period of nursing and nursing-related services for compensation during the preceding 24-month period. Individuals who exceed the 24-month inactivity period must complete additional training and competency evaluation before returning to work as a nurse aide in Ohio.

Reciprocity

Ohio recognizes nurse aide certification from other states through registry-based reciprocity. Individuals listed on another state's nurse aide registry may apply for Ohio certification without retesting, provided they are currently listed in good standing and the other state certifies that its training and competency evaluation program meets federal OBRA requirements. Applicants must submit a Request for Reciprocity form to the Ohio Department of Health along with verification of current registry status from their home state. There are no disqualifying findings such as abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property.

Costs

As of October 2023, the Ohio STNA exam fees are $26 for the knowledge test (or $36 for the audio version) and $78 for the skills test. Fees are paid during scheduling through D&SDT-Headmaster's online system. 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: Ohio Department of Health — Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, Ohio Administrative Code 3701-17-07.1, D&SDT-Headmaster Ohio STNA Candidate Handbook (October 2023), 42 CFR 483.152 — Federal Training Requirements