How to Become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) in Arizona

Checked against Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN), CNA Registry · Verified 2026-10-14

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: See state office
Certified by: Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN), CNA Registry

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Who can apply

You must be at least 16 years old.
You must complete an AZBN-approved nursing assistant training program (at least 120 hours) or hold an AZBN-approved education waiver (military, foreign nursing graduate or nursing student).
You must pass both the knowledge and skills exams within two years of finishing training.
You must give AZBN proof of legal presence in the United States.

Step by step

Complete an AZBN-approved nursing assistant program of at least 120 hours. Your program registers you with D&SDT-Headmaster.
Sign in to your Headmaster TMU account at az.tmutest.com, pay the testing fees (unless your program prepaid them) and schedule your exam. Initial knowledge and skills tests are scheduled on the same day.
Pass the knowledge test (written or audio) and the skills test. Headmaster sends your results to AZBN.
Apply online with AZBN ("Apply for an Arizona License or Certificate"), uploading proof of legal presence and your training certificate of completion, to be placed on the CNA Registry.
Optional: to become a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), also submit the LNA application, fingerprints and fee to AZBN.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Arizona requires at least 120 hours of instruction: at least 40 hours of instructor-led classroom teaching, 20 hours of supervised skills lab and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience, including at least 20 hours of direct resident care in a licensed long-term care facility. That is 45 hours above the 75-hour federal minimum.

Exam: D&SDT-Headmaster gives the Arizona exam: a multiple-choice knowledge test (written, or an audio version read through headphones) and a skills test. Fees (handbook effective February 1, 2026): knowledge test or retake $35, audio knowledge test or retake $45, skills test or retake $95. You have unlimited attempts within two years of your training completion date; after that you must complete a new approved program. Under AZBN rules, anyone who fails the knowledge test a third time (or later) must wait 45 days before retesting.

Practice for the CNA written exam free — physical care skills, safety & infection control, and the nurse aide role →

What it costs in Arizona

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Nursing assistant training tuition (120 hours)$
Headmaster knowledge test$35
Headmaster skills test$95
Optional LNA license fee$50
Optional LNA fingerprint background check (one-time)$50

Estimated total in Arizona$130Plus 1 item with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Headmaster exam fees: knowledge $35 (audio $45), skills $95. A refund request costs a $35 processing fee.
Optional LNA license: AZBN lists a $50 initial license fee plus a one-time $50 fingerprint background check fee.
Training tuition varies by program. A Medicare- or Medicaid-certified long-term care facility program may not charge you for any part of the program, including the first attempt at the state exam.

Help while you start out in Arizona

Starting out on an entry-level wage? Check the SNAP income limits in Arizona by household size.

What other sites get wrong about Arizona

Myth: To earn Arizona CNA certification you must clear a fingerprint-based background check.

Fact: Fingerprints are required only for the optional Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) license. CNA Registry placement needs approved training, passing both exams within two years and proof of legal presence. source

Staying on the registry

Renewal: CNA registry status renews every two years on the last day of your birth month. You must attest that you performed nursing or nursing-related services for at least 8 hours in the past 24 months and report any findings of abuse, neglect or misappropriation. LNA licenses also renew every two years on the last day of your birth month and require at least 160 hours of nursing assistant work in the two years (renewal fee $50).

Online options: AZBN rules let a training program teach through real-time interactive distance technology (such as web conferencing), but an online or non-traditional program needs Board approval first. Clinical hours are in person.

Good to know in Arizona

CNA vs LNA: Arizona has two levels. The CNA is a registry listing (training, both exams and proof of legal presence; no fingerprints). The LNA is a license that also requires an application, fingerprints and fees, and lets you use the initials LNA.

Trained in another state: You can apply for CNA endorsement ($50) if your out-of-state CNA certificate is active or was active in the last 2 years. You need proof of a state-approved program of at least 120 hours, or a program of at least 75 hours plus at least 45 hours of nursing assistant work, and proof of legal presence. LNA endorsement has the same requirements plus fingerprints and a $50 background check fee.

Nursing students and military: Nursing students, foreign nursing graduates and military applicants (at least 100 hours of military health care training plus health care work in the past 2 years) can request an AZBN education waiver and then apply to test with Headmaster.

AZBN fees: AZBN charges $0 for the CNA exam application and $0 for CNA renewal every two years. A late CNA/LNA renewal costs $10 for each year since you last renewed. Card payments to AZBN carry a processing fee of $2.00 or 2.2%, whichever is greater; eCheck (ACH) payments are free.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN), CNA Registry before you apply.