Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in Louisiana
To become a Certified Nurse Aide in Louisiana, complete an LDH-approved training program of at least 80 hours, pass the two-part competency evaluation administered by Prometric, and get listed on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry. A background check through the Louisiana State Police is required before you can sit for the exam.
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Louisiana CNA certification is administered by the Department of Health (LDH), which approves training programs, sets curriculum requirements, and maintains the state Nurse Aide Registry. Most candidates follow a four-step sequence: complete an approved program, clear the background check, pass the competency exam, and get added to the registry. Applicants with nursing credentials or out-of-state certification may qualify through alternative pathways.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, exam details, application steps, and renewal information.
- Complete an approved training program
- Background check
- Pass the competency exam
- Submit your application
- Out-of-state certification and reciprocity
- Renew or reinstate your certification
- Registry and contacts
Complete an LDH-Approved Training Program
Louisiana requires a minimum of 80 hours of training to qualify for the competency evaluation. Programs split that time evenly: 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training. Before any hands-on patient contact, candidates must complete at least 16 hours of classroom education.
Programs are offered at community colleges, technical schools, hospital systems, and private providers. LDH maintains an approved list of training programs on its website. That list is the authoritative source for current options, since availability and locations change. The Health Standards Section can provide current contact information for programs near you.
Not everyone needs a traditional program. Current nurses, active nursing students, and military healthcare personnel may qualify through an alternative pathway. Check with LDH’s Health Standards Section before enrolling to confirm what documentation applies to your status.
Background Check
Before you can sit for the competency exam, Louisiana requires a criminal background check. You submit the request directly to the Louisiana State Police. The Louisiana State Police sets fees and is subject to periodic changes. Confirm the current amount before submitting your request.
Certain findings can disqualify a candidate from CNA certification. These include convictions or court findings related to abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of elderly or vulnerable individuals. If you have a criminal history and are unsure about your eligibility, contact LDH’s Health Standards Section before you complete a training program.
Pass the Louisiana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation
Prometric administers the competency evaluation and has two parts, both timed. You must pass both to become certified.
The knowledge component can be taken as a written or oral examination. The written test is multiple choice. The oral format uses audio recordings. Candidates listen and mark their answers, though some basic reading ability is still required. The Prometric candidate handbook includes a reading assessment to help candidates decide which format suits them best.
The skills evaluation is conducted in person. Every candidate is evaluated on hand washing, at least one measurement task (blood pressure, weight, or respiratory rate), and additional skills randomly selected from the approved list. Candidate handbooks, the full skills list, and practice materials are available on the Prometric website under Louisiana Nurse Aides.
Results are generally available the same day. Three attempts are allowed. If you fail either portion, Prometric provides feedback to help you improve before you retest.
Submit Your Application for Certification
How you apply depends on which eligibility pathway you used.
If you completed an LDH-approved program and passed the Prometric exam, the registry listing typically follows through the testing process. The exam and registry steps are linked for standard candidates.
If you’re applying through an alternative pathway (nursing licensure, student status, or military service), submit the Application for Nurse Aide Certification to LDH’s Health Standards Section with the appropriate documentation:
- All applicants: a copy of a Social Security card
- Nurses: verification of current licensure
- Nursing students: official transcripts
- Military personnel: DD-214 and military transcript
Send applications and supporting documents to:
Nurse Aide Training Program
DHH – Health Standards Section
P.O. Box 3767
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3767
Out-of-State CNAs: Reciprocity and Endorsement
CNAs certified in another state can apply for Louisiana certification through reciprocity. The process goes through Prometric. Fill out the top portion of the reciprocity form; your originating state completes the rest. The other state will confirm whether you passed a competency evaluation and whether there are any findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property on your record.
Submission instructions and the required form are available on the Prometric Louisiana Nurse Aides page. Follow the current Prometric instructions for where to send your completed documents, as routing details are subject to change. If you have questions, contact the Louisiana Registry directly.
Renew or Reinstate Your Certification
Louisiana CNA certification must be renewed every two years. To qualify for renewal, you must have worked in a paid nursing assistant capacity at some point during the 24-month certification period. Employment in a nursing facility, home health setting, or other qualifying care environment satisfies this requirement. Verify the current renewal criteria with LDH or Prometric before your certification expires, as documentation requirements may be updated.
If your certification has lapsed, you have a two-year window to retest without completing a full training program again. After that window closes, retraining is required before you can retest. An aide who fails either portion of the reinstatement competency evaluation must also complete retraining before attempting the exam again.
Check your current status through the online LDH registry before assuming you’re still within the eligibility window. Contact a nurse tester directly for current fees on reinstatement testing, as these are set separately from initial exam fees.
Louisiana CNA Registry and Contacts
Louisiana CNA certification status can be verified online at tlc.dhh.la.gov. The registry shows whether a certification is active and identifies any substantiated findings on record.
For questions about training programs, application requirements, or certification status:
LA Nurse Aide Registry / LA Department of Health, Health Standards Section
P.O. Box 3767, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: 225-342-9324
Fax: 225-342-9549
Website: ldh.la.gov
For exam and reciprocity questions, contact Prometric through their Louisiana Nurse Aides page.
Requirements and policies change periodically. Always verify current rules with LDH or Prometric before beginning the certification process.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum training required for CNA certification in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires at least 80 hours of training: 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical practice. A minimum of 16 hours of classroom education must be completed before any hands-on patient contact begins.
How many times can I retake the Louisiana CNA competency exam?
Three attempts are allowed. If you fail either the knowledge or skills portion, Prometric provides specific feedback to help you prepare before retesting. After three failed attempts, you would need to retrain before testing again.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana accepts out-of-state certification through reciprocity, handled by Prometric. Your originating state verifies that you passed a competency evaluation and have no findings of abuse, neglect, or property misappropriation on your record.
How often do I need to renew my Louisiana CNA certification?
Louisiana CNA certifications renew every two years. You must have worked in a paid nursing assistant capacity at some point during the 24-month certification period. CNAs who haven’t worked within that window may need to retrain and retest before renewal is possible.
How do I verify my CNA status in Louisiana?
Check your certification status online at tlc.dhh.la.gov. The registry shows whether your certification is active and reflects any substantiated findings on your record.
- 80 hours of training required — Programs include 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical practice, with at least 16 hours of classroom work completed before any patient contact.
- Background check required before the exam — Applicants submit a criminal background check request to the Louisiana State Police before sitting for the Prometric competency evaluation. Verify the current fee directly with the Louisiana State Police.
- Two-part competency exam — The Prometric evaluation includes a written or oral knowledge test and an in-person skills evaluation. Three attempts are allowed on each portion.
- Certification renews every two years — Active CNAs must have worked in a paid nursing assistant capacity at some point during the 24-month certification period to qualify for renewal.
- Reciprocity is available — CNAs certified in other states can apply through Prometric rather than repeat the full training and exam process.
Find LDH-approved CNA training programs in Louisiana, compare costs and schedules, and review current certification requirements.