How to Become a CNA in Alabama 2026
To become a CNA in Alabama, complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program of at least 75 hours, pass a two-part competency exam administered by Credentia or Prometric, and clear a background check. The Alabama Department of Public Health adds your name to the Nurse Aide Registry once you pass both sections. No paper certificate is issued.
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The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) oversees CNA credentialing in the state. Candidates must train through an ADPH-approved program, pass a two-part competency exam, and appear on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry before working in a nursing home or long-term care setting. Most training programs can be completed in 6 to 12 weeks.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, exam details, registry application steps, and advancement options.
- Training and Exam Eligibility Requirements
- The Competency Exam
- Applying to the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry
- Maintaining Your CNA Certification
- Out-of-State CNAs
- Advancing Beyond CNA
Training and Exam Eligibility Requirements
Before you can sit for the Alabama CNA exam, you must complete a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health. ADPH issues a program code. Confirm your program is on the approved list before enrolling.
Alabama’s minimum training requirement is 75 hours total. That includes at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience and at least 16 hours of lab instruction completed before you have direct contact with residents. Classroom instruction covers communication, infection control, safety, resident rights, cognitive care, basic nursing skills, and restorative services. Programs are offered through community colleges, the American Red Cross, and some nursing facilities.
One alternative pathway exists for candidates already in a licensed nursing pipeline: students who have completed fundamentals of nursing coursework as part of a qualifying LPN or RN program can be approved for testing without completing a separate NATCEP.
The Competency Exam
After completing your training program, you must pass a two-part competency evaluation: a written (or oral) knowledge exam and a clinical skills test. Both parts must be passed within 24 months of program completion and within three attempts per section. Alabama has approved two testing vendors: Credentia and Prometric. Candidates choose their vendor and take both exam parts on the same date.
| Vendor | Knowledge Test | Time Limit | Oral Exam Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credentia (formerly NACES) | 70 multiple-choice questions | 2 hours | Yes (English or Spanish) |
| Prometric | 55 multiple-choice questions | 90 minutes | No |
Fees vary by vendor and are subject to change. Check each vendor’s candidate handbook for current pricing. Both handbooks include the complete list of skills that may be tested and the required steps for each.
Knowledge Exam
The written knowledge exam is available in English from both vendors. Credentia also offers an oral exam in English or Spanish. The Credentia oral exam has two parts: 60 questions in the first section and 10 in the second, and both parts must be passed. Candidates choosing the Spanish oral option should know that a minimal amount of written and spoken English is still required during the exam.
Clinical Skills Test
The skills test is administered in a simulated care setting. All candidates must demonstrate proper hand washing technique. Additional skills are randomly selected from ADPH’s approved list, and candidates are expected to complete at least 5 tasks. Carefully practice the required steps for each skill. Evaluators score both task completion and proper technique. Both vendor candidate handbooks include the full list of skills, with required and expected steps.
If you fail one section, you only need to retake the section you failed. You don’t have to repeat the part you passed. If you don’t pass both sections within 24 months or three attempts, you must complete a new ADPH-approved NATCEP before testing again.
Prometric candidates register directly through one of a small number of approved organizations, not through Prometric’s website directly. Note that it’s not permissible to split your exam between vendors. If you begin testing with Credentia, you must complete both sections with Credentia, and the same applies to Prometric.
Applying to the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry
Applying for the exam and applying for registry placement happen at the same time. There’s no separate registry application. Once you pass both exam sections, the testing vendor submits your results to ADPH, and your name is added to the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry automatically.
Alabama does not issue paper CNA certificates. Your Social Security number serves as your certification identifier. To verify your status, search the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry online through the ADPH website. Employers check the registry before hiring, so confirm your listing is active once your results are processed.
When applying through Credentia, attach a copy of your program completion certificate or nursing transcripts. The application includes sections to be completed by your instructor and a sponsor, either an employer or your training program.
Maintaining Your CNA Certification
To keep your certification active, you must accumulate qualifying paid work experience in an eligible setting within every 24 months. Work performed in doctors’ offices, assisted living facilities, or on a volunteer basis does not count toward this requirement.
If your certification lapses, you must retrain in an ADPH-approved program and pass both parts of the competency exam again. Nurse aides with disqualifying findings, including documented abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of a resident’s property, are permanently barred from employment in Alabama nursing homes.
Out-of-State CNAs
CNAs who hold an active, unencumbered certification in another state can have their credentials transferred to the Alabama registry without retraining or retesting, provided they take a position in an Alabama nursing home. Your employer contacts ADPH to verify your out-of-state certification and initiate the transfer process.
This transfer option applies specifically to nursing home employment. CNAs taking positions in other settings, such as home health, must enroll in an ADPH-approved NATCEP and complete the standard certification process.
Advancing Beyond CNA
CNA experience in Alabama is widely recognized as a foundation for licensure as a nurse. Many LPN and RN programs consider hands-on patient care experience a factor in admissions, and some grant credit for prior clinical training. Two common paths from CNA:
CNA to LPN: Most Alabama LPN programs take 12 to 18 months to complete. LPNs work under RN or physician supervision and are licensed by the Alabama Board of Nursing after passing the NCLEX-PN. See how to become an LPN in Alabama for program requirements and the application process.
CNA to RN: Registered nurse programs in Alabama include two-year ADN programs and four-year BSN programs. Some programs offer CNA-to-RN bridge pathways that build on clinical experience. RN licensure requires passing the NCLEX-RN. Explore RN programs in Alabama or review RN requirements in Alabama for full details.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Contacts and Additional Resources
Alabama Department of Public Health, Nurse Aide Registry
Phone: (334) 206-5169
Email: [email protected]
Website: adph.org
Registry search: Alabama Nurse Aide Registry
Credentia (formerly NACES Plus Foundation)
Phone: (877) 889-0939
Prometric
Phone: (866) 241-3116
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a CNA in Alabama?
Most ADPH-approved training programs run 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the format and schedule. After completing training, you schedule your competency exam through Credentia or Prometric. Exam admission tickets are typically mailed within 10 business days of registration. From enrollment to registry placement, the full process usually takes 2 to 3 months.
Does Alabama issue a CNA certificate?
No. Alabama doesn’t issue paper certificates to CNAs. Your Social Security number serves as your certification ID, and your active status on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry is the official record of your certification. Search the ADPH registry online to confirm your listing.
What happens if I fail the Alabama CNA exam?
You have up to three attempts per section within 24 months of completing your training program. If you pass one section but fail the other, you only need to retake the section you didn’t pass. If you use all three attempts or the 24-month window closes without passing both sections, you must complete a new ADPH-approved NATCEP before testing again.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Alabama?
Yes, if your certification is active and in good standing. The transfer applies to CNAs taking positions in Alabama nursing homes. Your employer contacts ADPH to initiate the process. If you’re working in a different setting, such as home health, you must complete Alabama’s standard training and testing requirements.
How do I look up the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry?
The Alabama Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by ADPH and searchable on the ADPH website. Your listing shows your certification status, the date you were added to the registry, and any disqualifying findings. Employers check this registry before making hiring decisions, so verifying your active status after passing your exam is a good step before starting your job search.
Key Takeaways
- ADPH oversees CNA credentialing — Alabama CNAs are credentialed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, not the state board of nursing.
- 75 training hours required — Programs must include at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience and 16 hours of lab instruction before resident contact.
- Two exam vendors are approved — Both Credentia and Prometric administer Alabama’s competency evaluation. Candidates pick one vendor and complete both exam sections with that vendor.
- No paper certificate issued — Your listing on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry is your proof of certification. Your SSN is your identifier.
- Active work experience keeps your certification current — Qualifying paid work in an eligible setting is required every 24 months to stay on the registry.
Find ADPH-approved CNA training programs in Alabama. Select your area below to compare approved options, tuition, and start dates.