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

Who can apply

• You must be at least 16 years old.
• You must complete a Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved nurse aide training program within the last 24 months.
• You must pass a criminal background check and have no exclusionary convictions or findings on any other state registry.
• You must pass both the skills exam and the written (or oral) exam.

Step by step

1. Submit your criminal background check before you enroll. Credentia's FAQ says you cannot start a class until all checks are complete.
2. Complete an 80-hour Department of Education-approved training program (at least 37.5 hours supervised clinical).
3. Complete the registration form with help from your training program, director of nursing, administrator or employer.
4. Create a Credentia account, pay, and schedule your written (or oral) exam and your skills evaluation.
5. Pass both parts within two years of finishing training and within three attempts.
6. You are added to the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Your registry card is valid for 24 months.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Pennsylvania requires an 80-hour state-approved program, with at least 37.5 hours of supervised clinical experience. The Pennsylvania Department of Education approves programs. This is 5 hours above the 75-hour federal minimum.

Exam: Credentia gives the Pennsylvania NNAAP exam: a written exam of 70 multiple-choice questions (or an oral exam of 60 multiple-choice plus 10 reading comprehension questions) plus a skills evaluation of five randomly chosen skills, rated by a Nurse Evaluator. Credentia says the written or oral exam may be taken in English or Spanish, online or at a test center; skills are only at a test center. First-time testers pay $135 for both parts. Retakes: written or oral $50, skills $85. You get three attempts, and you must pass both parts within two years of finishing training or retrain. A no-show or unexcused absence counts as an attempt.

What it costs in Pennsylvania

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

How long it takes

Credentia posts scores in your account usually within a few hours after the testing day; the Department says to call if you have not seen them after 24 hours.

Staying on the registry

Renewal: Your registry listing runs for 24 months. To stay on the registry you must work at least one documented day (8 consecutive hours) for pay in each 24-month period in an approved setting such as a nursing home, personal care home, hospital, nursing agency or intermediate care facility. Private duty, self-employment and doctor's-office work do not count. Renew through Credentia; a lapsed registration cannot be renewed online. If you lapse after 24 months without qualifying work, you get one attempt to pass the exam; if you fail, you must retrain.

Online options: The written or oral exam can be taken online or at a test center; the skills evaluation is only offered at a test center. The Department of Health pages do not state whether training can be done online.

Good to know in Pennsylvania

Transferring from another state: Nurse aides active on another state's registry apply for reciprocity through a separate Credentia application. If your registration in another state lapsed after 24 months without work, you must take the exam (one attempt) under eligibility route E-4.

Working while in training: A nursing home may employ you as a nurse aide for up to 120 days while you complete training and testing or reciprocity (42 CFR 483.75(e)(2)). The 120-day count restarts if you change employers.

Exam fees for employees: If you currently work in a Pennsylvania nursing facility, your employer must pay the exam fee, including retests.

Renewal notices and home care work: The Department of Health mails a notice of continued registry enrollment to your home address about 90 days before your listing expires. DOH has added Home Care Agencies/Registries to its Approved Employer List for renewal; if you were denied renewal because your work was through a home care agency or registry, you may submit a new renewal application if that employer is now on the list (posted on Credentia's website).

After three failed attempts: If you fail the state competency exam three times, you may retrain at any approved program and then get another three attempts.

Sources

• PA Department of Health - Nurse Aide
• PA Department of Health - Nurse Aide Enrolling and Testing
• Credentia (PA) - Exam Fees
• Credentia (PA) - Frequently Asked Questions
• Credentia (PA) - Eligibility Criteria
• Credentia (PA) - Quick Reference
• Credentia - Pennsylvania test takers
• Credentia Pennsylvania NNAAP - Exam Overview