State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) Requirements in Ohio 2026
Ohio’s State Tested Nurse Aides (STNAs) are credentialed by the Ohio Department of Health. Becoming an STNA requires completing an ODH-approved training program of at least 75 hours, passing a two-part competency evaluation, and placement on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. Most candidates complete the full process in five to twelve weeks.
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Ohio uses the term State Tested Nurse Aide instead of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) title used in most other states. The credential, training requirements, and scope of practice are the same. Ohio is one of a small number of states with a distinct credential name. STNAs work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home health settings under the supervision of licensed nurses.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, examination details, application steps, and renewal information.
- Eligibility requirements
- Training and examination eligibility
- The examination process
- Applying for certification
- Reciprocity for out-of-state nurse aides
- Renewal and maintaining registry status
- Additional information and contacts
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying to a training program or the competency evaluation, candidates must meet Ohio’s basic eligibility criteria. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. Many Ohio training programs require a high school diploma or GED for admission, though this is a program-level standard rather than a statewide ODH certification requirement. A history of abusing residents or misappropriating resident property is disqualifying under federal and state rules. Candidates should confirm specific admission and background check requirements directly with their training program before applying.
Training and Examination Eligibility
Traditional Pathway
The standard route to STNA certification is completing a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) approved by the Ohio Department of Health. Ohio requires a minimum of 75 total training hours. Of those, at least 59 hours consist of classroom instruction and skills lab work, and at least 16 hours involve supervised clinical experience with residents in a long-term care facility. Candidates may begin supervised resident contact after completing the first 16 hours of the program. Nurse aides who allow their registry status to lapse by not working in the field for two consecutive years must retrain and retest before returning to active status. STNAs who plan to advance their careers can find program options through CNA to RN bridge programs available across the country.
Alternate Pathways
Ohio recognizes two alternate routes to examination eligibility for candidates without formal nurse aide training. Individuals with at least 12 months of recent experience as hospital orderlies or aides may qualify to test directly. Testing authorization is available to those with one year of full-time experience at any point in the prior five years.
Nursing students enrolled in a program approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, or the equivalent licensing agency in another state, are also eligible to test. Their coursework must cover personal care, infection control, and safety and emergency procedures to qualify.
The Examination Process
The Ohio STNA competency evaluation is administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies). There are two required components: a knowledge test and a skills test. Candidates must pass both to be placed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. Three attempts are allowed within two years of completing the training program. A candidate who passes one component but fails the other must retake only the failed portion. A candidate required to retake the skills test will face at least one skill they failed on a previous attempt.
Knowledge Test
The knowledge test is multiple-choice and covers 12 content areas: safety, communication, infection control, resident rights, personal care, basic nursing skills, mental health, data collection, roles and responsibilities, care of the cognitively impaired, disease processes, and older adult growth and development. The test is available in written (pencil-and-paper), computer-delivered, and oral formats. Candidates who need the oral format must request it at the time of application. The oral version includes some reading comprehension questions to verify the minimum competency level required by the Ohio Department of Health.
Skills Test
The skills test requires candidates to demonstrate five nursing aide skills within a 35-minute window. The five tasks are drawn from a pool of 25 skills listed in the candidate handbook. Candidates must complete all required steps and score at least 80% overall for each demonstrated skill.
On test day, candidates must arrive at the test site in clinical attire and bring a state-issued photo ID and Social Security card. For current examination fees and testing locations, confirm with the Headmaster directly before submitting your application, as fees are subject to change.
The Application Process
Candidates apply for examination and registry placement simultaneously. Eligibility documentation must be submitted at the time of application. The documents required depend on the pathway used to qualify.
Candidates who completed an Ohio-approved NATCEP program include copies of their training certificates and fill out one side of the examination application. Candidates qualifying through an alternate pathway complete both sides of the form. The back of the form contains a verification section that requires the signature of a nursing instructor or hospital representative. Nursing students submit academic transcripts. Orderlies and hospital aides submit letters on company letterhead noting the number of hours worked and whether the position was full- or part-time. All application forms are available through the Headmaster.
Candidates select both a first- and second-choice testing site when submitting the application. Results for computer-delivered tests are typically available online within 24 hours. Pencil-and-paper results may take several days, with additional delays around weekends and holidays.
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Nurse Aides
Ohio grants reciprocity to nurse aides who are currently credentialed and in good standing in another state. Reciprocity application forms are available through the Ohio Department of Health. The applicant’s home state must confirm that placement on that state’s registry was done in compliance with federal requirements under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Acts, and that there are no disqualifying findings on record, such as abuse of residents or misappropriation of resident property.
Renewal and Maintaining Registry Status
To remain on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, STNAs must meet the state’s active employment requirement. Ohio requires STNAs to perform nursing-related work for at least 8 hours within 24 months. An STNA who has not worked in the field for two consecutive years will be removed from active registry status and must complete another ODH-approved training program and pass the competency evaluation again before reinstatement. For current renewal requirements and updates to registry policies, visit the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry page directly.
Additional Information and Contacts
The Ohio NATCEP office can be reached by telephone at (614) 752-8285 or by email at [email protected]. The Nurse Aide Registry can be reached by email at [email protected]. Headmaster can be reached by telephone at (877) 851-2355 or by email at [email protected].
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an STNA in Ohio, and how does it differ from a CNA?
STNA stands for State Tested Nurse Aide, which is Ohio’s official credential for nursing assistants. It is equivalent to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in other states. The training, scope of practice, and competency exam are the same. Ohio is simply one of a small number of states that use a distinct credential name. An Ohio STNA credential is recognized through the federal nurse aide registry system and can be transferred to other states through reciprocity.
How long does it take to become an STNA in Ohio?
Most candidates complete the 75-hour training program and competency evaluation within 5 to 12 weeks, depending on whether the program is full-time or part-time. Some accelerated formats may be completed in as few as three weeks. After passing both components of the exam, registry placement is typically processed within a few days.
How many attempts do I get on the Ohio STNA exam?
Ohio allows three attempts to pass each component of the competency evaluation within two years of completing the training program. If a candidate passes one component but fails the other, only the failed portion must be retaken. Candidates who do not pass both components within the two-year window must complete another ODH-approved NATCEP program before testing again.
How do I transfer my nurse aide certification from another state to Ohio?
Ohio grants reciprocity to nurse aides who are currently active and in good standing in another state. The applicant submits a reciprocity application through the Ohio Department of Health. The other state’s registry must verify that the placement was made in compliance with federal requirements and confirm that there are no disqualifying findings on record. Reciprocity application forms are available on the ODH website.
What happens if I stop working as an STNA for two years?
Ohio requires STNAs to perform at least 8 hours of nursing-related work in 24 months to remain on the active registry. An STNA who has not worked in the field for two consecutive years must complete an ODH-approved NATCEP program and pass the competency evaluation again before returning to registry status. The NATCEP office at (614) 752-8285 can help candidates locate an approved training program.
Key Takeaways
- STNA is Ohio’s equivalent of CNA — the credential, training requirements, and scope of practice match those of a Certified Nursing Assistant in any other state.
- 75 hours of ODH-approved training required — Programs must include at least 16 hours of supervised resident care in a long-term care facility.
- Two-part competency exam — Candidates must pass both a knowledge test and a skills test, administered by the Headmaster, to be placed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.
- Three attempts allowed per component — Candidates have two years from completing training to pass both components. Failure to do so requires completing a new ODH-approved training program.
- Active employment required for renewal — STNAs must perform at least eight hours of nursing-related work per 24-month period to remain on the active registry.
Find ODH-approved STNA training programs in Ohio and get the program information you need to start your application.