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

Checked against Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN), Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (State Registered Nurse Aide, SRNA); training overseen by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services · Verified 2026-10-14

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: See state office
Certified by: Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN), Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (State Registered Nurse Aide, SRNA); training overseen by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services

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Who can apply

You must complete a state-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program of at least 75 clock hours (907 KAR 1:450).
You must pass the written (or oral) exam and the skills demonstration.
At each test you must show an unexpired state or federal photo ID and a non-laminated Social Security card, with the same full name and middle initial on both.

Step by step

Complete a state-approved 75-hour nurse aide training program.
Your training provider submits you for testing, or you schedule yourself on KCTCS's TMU/Headmaster testing site (ky.tmutest.com) once your course is complete.
Pay the testing fees online.
Pass the 75-question written test (or oral/audio version) and the skills demonstration of at least five procedures.
KCTCS reports your passing results to the Kentucky Board of Nursing, which adds you to the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry within 30 days.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Kentucky programs must have at least 75 clock hours of nurse aide instruction, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (907 KAR 1:450). This equals the federal minimums. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) administers the Kentucky Nurse Aide Training Program, and Kentucky Medicaid provides oversight.

Exam: KCTCS gives the Kentucky nurse aide competency evaluation on D&SDT-Headmaster's TMU testing site. The written exam has 75 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour limit, and you need 70%. For the skills test you must demonstrate at least five procedures with 70% accuracy, and bolded critical steps must be 100% correct. If you are not employed in long-term care, you have three chances to pass within one year of finishing training. If you are employed, you have three chances within your first four months on the job. Your training also expires one year after completion. KCTCS fees (as of 7/1/24): written $40 (oral/audio $55), skills $95.

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

What it costs in Kentucky

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

Nurse aide training tuition (varies; free for facility-based trainees)$
KCTCS written exam ($40; oral/audio $55)$40–$55
KCTCS skills exam (KCTCS nurse aide site lists $95; SKYCTC's testing page lists $75)$

Estimated total in Kentucky$40–$55Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

KCTCS testing fees as of 7/1/24: written $40 (oral/audio $55); skills $95. A KCTCS college testing page (SKYCTC) instead lists both parts $115, written only $40 and skills only $75.
Long-term care facility-based trainees must not be charged for any part of their training costs, including books and the competency exam (Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Training Manual). If you paid your own way and a long-term care facility hires you within 12 months, you may be reimbursed for part of the cost.
Training tuition for other programs varies.

Help while you start out in Kentucky

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

How long it takes

Test results can be viewed on ky.tmutest.com within 72 hours, and the Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Training Manual says passing candidates are added to the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry within 30 days.

What other sites get wrong about Kentucky

Myth: Kentucky does not use Headmaster for the SRNA exam.

Fact: KCTCS still runs the exam, but its online testing moved to D&SDT-Headmaster's TMU site (ky.tmutest.com), where candidates schedule and see their results. source

Myth: Kentucky SRNA candidates get 3 attempts within 6 months.

Fact: A candidate not employed in long-term care has three chances within one year of finishing training. An employed aide has three chances within the first four months of employment. source

Myth: On the Kentucky skills test you only need to pass 4 of 5 skills.

Fact: You must successfully demonstrate at least five procedures with 70% accuracy, and the critical (bolded) steps must be done with 100% accuracy. source

Staying on the registry

Renewal: The Kentucky Board of Nursing renews SRNA registration at least once every 24 months. Renewal is denied if you have not worked at least eight hours for pay as a nurse aide in 24 consecutive months. Renewals, reinstatements and reciprocity are filed online through the KBN Nurse Portal (ORBS); KBN no longer mails renewal reminders, and SRNA cards are no longer issued. If you cannot get from expired back to current status, you must repeat the 75-hour course and the competency evaluation.

Good to know in Kentucky

Transferring from another state: Apply for reciprocity through the KBN Nurse Portal. Kentucky grants reciprocity if the other state confirms you are on its registry, an employment record shows you worked for pay as a nurse aide within the last 24 months, and you are not on any state's abuse registry.

Nursing students: Nursing students who want to take the SRNA exam must apply for the SRNA Challenge on the KCTCS/TMU site (ky.tmutest.com/apply/5).

Ongoing training: Nursing facilities must give each employed nurse aide at least 12 hours of staff development training every year.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN), Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (State Registered Nurse Aide, SRNA); training overseen by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services before you apply.