CNA Programs & Career Opportunities in Wisconsin

Before starting your training, it's important to understand exactly what Wisconsin requires to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). Meeting these requirements ensures you're eligible to take the state competency exam, be placed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry, and work in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified healthcare facilities throughout the state.

Eligibility

• Program enrollment: You must complete a Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)-approved Nurse Aide Training Program. Approved programs are offered through technical colleges, high schools, healthcare facilities, and other approved training providers throughout the state.
• Alternative pathways: Certain nursing students, graduate nurses, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), military personnel, and out-of-state nurse aides may qualify to take the competency examination or apply for registry placement through alternative eligibility pathways established by DHS.

Training Hours & Clinicals

Wisconsin requires completion of a state-approved nurse aide training program consisting of at least 75 hours, which must include a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a clinical setting. The first 16 hours of training must be completed in a classroom setting before a student has any direct contact with clients, and must cover communication and interpersonal skills, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, promoting residents' independence, and residents' rights. Beyond these foundational classroom hours, the curriculum covers federally required topics such as restorative care, personal care skills, basic nursing skills, and care of residents with cognitive impairments. Competency evaluation and provider orientation may not be counted toward the 75-hour minimum.

A healthcare provider may employ a student as a nurse aide after the student has completed the required 16 hours of classroom training. In accordance with federal OBRA rules, students may work in a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified facility for up to 120 days from the start of employment while completing training and testing; the student must pass the competency exam within that window and be listed on the registry to continue.

Competency Exam (Knowledge & Skills)

After completing training, candidates must pass Wisconsin's state-approved competency evaluation, administered by D&SDT-Headmaster through the TestMaster Universe (TMU) system. The examination consists of two parts:

• Knowledge test: A 75-question multiple-choice examination drawn from the DHS-approved test plan and covering all federally required subject areas, including infection control, safety, residents' rights, communication, and basic nursing skills. Candidates have 60 minutes to complete the exam and must score at least 71% to pass. An oral version is available for candidates who qualify.
• Skills evaluation: Candidates must successfully demonstrate a series of randomly selected nurse aide skills, including required critical steps, while being evaluated by a state-approved examiner.

Both portions must be passed before a candidate can be placed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. Candidates must pass both the knowledge and skills examinations within one year of completing their training program. Candidates may retake a failed component as many times as needed during this one-year eligibility period. After one year, a new DHS-approved nurse aide training program must be completed before the candidate can test again.

Placement on the Registry & Working as a CNA

After successfully completing both the approved training program and competency evaluation, your name is added to the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry, which is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and administered through Headmaster's TestMaster Universe (TMU). Once listed on the registry, you may work as a Certified Nurse Aide in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, and other licensed healthcare settings where CNAs are employed.

Renewal

Wisconsin nurse aides must maintain their federal work eligibility every 24 months. To remain eligible to work in federally certified healthcare facilities, you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related services in a healthcare setting during each period of 24 consecutive months. If you do not meet the employment requirement, Wisconsin requires you to retake and pass both the knowledge and skills examinations to restore federal eligibility. Unlike many states, Wisconsin does not require full retraining solely because your federal eligibility has lapsed.

Reciprocity

Wisconsin offers reciprocity for nurse aides who are listed on another state's nurse aide registry and are in good standing. Applicants must submit an out-of-state application through Wisconsin's Headmaster system and provide documentation showing completion of a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours or qualifying employment as a nurse aide (at least 2,088 hours under RN or LPN direction in the two preceding years). Individuals who cannot document the required training or qualifying employment may be required to complete Wisconsin's training and competency evaluation requirements before being added to the registry.

Costs & Reimbursement

Wisconsin nurse aide exam fees are set by D&SDT-Headmaster and paid at the time of scheduling. As of the current Candidate Handbook, the knowledge exam is $37.49 (or $42.94 for the audio version) and the skills test is $107.21. Under federal law, individuals who are employed by—or have accepted an offer of employment from—a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facility before beginning training cannot be charged for nurse aide training or testing. In addition, individuals hired by a certified nursing facility within 12 months of completing training are generally entitled to reimbursement for eligible training and testing costs in accordance with federal regulations and Wisconsin Medicaid reimbursement policies.

Sources: Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Become a CNA in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Nurse Aide Program: Training and Registry, Wisconsin Admin. Code ch. DHS 129, D&SDT-Headmaster – Wisconsin Nurse Aide Testing, 42 CFR 483.152 – Federal Training Requirements