Nevada CNA Requirements 2026
Nevada’s Certified Nursing Assistants are credentialed by the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Candidates must apply through the Nevada Nurse Portal, complete a state-approved training program or qualifying nursing fundamentals pathway, pass knowledge and skills exams through Credentia, and clear the Board’s fingerprint background-check process. Certification is valid for two years.
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The Nevada State Board of Nursing administers Nevada’s CNA certification process. The Board sets training standards, approves programs, oversees the examination process, and maintains the state’s Nurse Aide Registry. Timelines vary based on training schedule, exam availability, fingerprint processing, and Board review.
Use the links below to jump to Nevada CNA training, exam, application, and renewal requirements.
- Training requirements
- The certification exam
- Background check
- The application process
- Certification renewal
- Out-of-state CNAs
Training Requirements
Nevada requires completion of a state-approved nursing assistant training program before a candidate can sit for the certification exam. Nevada Board materials currently describe the approved training program minimum as 75 hours, but confirm current Board requirements and program approval status before enrolling. Programs must follow the Board’s published CNA Model Curriculum. Some programs run longer than the state minimum — confirm total hours, clinical requirements, schedule, and Board approval status with each program directly.
All clinical training must be completed in person. Nevada doesn’t approve of fully online CNA programs. Some programs offer online theory coursework, but hands-on skills and clinical hours require in-person attendance and must be part of a Nevada Board-approved program. Online theory alone doesn’t qualify a candidate to sit for the Nevada Nurse Aide Competency Exam.
Candidates applying by examination should be aware that Nevada’s current CNA-by-exam instructions require the application to be submitted within one year of completing an approved training program. Candidates who exceed that window may be required to retrain. Verify the current application validity rules with the Board before scheduling.
The Certification Exam
Nevada’s CNA certification exam is the Nevada Nurse Aide Competency Exam. The Board currently directs candidates to Credentia for exam registration and scheduling. Use the Nevada State Board of Nursing website and Credentia’s candidate resources to confirm current testing procedures before scheduling.
The exam has two components: a knowledge test and a practical skills test. The knowledge exam is computer-delivered; candidates can request a written or oral format instead. The skills exam requires demonstrating a sample of actual nursing assistant duties, such as taking vital signs, assisting with mobility, helping someone eat, or transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair. Some skills are performed on a mannequin; others on a fellow test-taker. The specific skills a candidate must perform vary from one administration to the next.
The Board must grant permission to test before a candidate can schedule an exam. Candidates should monitor their Nevada Nurse Portal and Credentia account for eligibility updates. Processing time depends on the completeness of the application and Board review.
Testing locations, available formats, exam dates, and current fees should all be verified through Credentia’s Nevada scheduling system before booking an appointment. Contact Credentia directly for up-to-date test-center availability and pricing.
Candidates should verify current retest limits, failed-section retake rules, and application-expiration deadlines directly with the Nevada Board and Credentia candidate handbook before relying on any previously published guidelines.
Criminal Background Check Requirement
Nevada requires fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all CNA applicants. In-state candidates can use Livescan electronic fingerprinting at designated sites listed on the Nevada Department of Public Safety website. Livescan users pay their fee at the Livescan center and send a copy of the receipt to the Board of Nursing.
Applicants should follow the Board’s current fingerprinting instructions for their situation, including whether electronic submission or fingerprint cards are required based on their location. The Board’s current application materials and website will specify which submission method applies and any associated fees.
The Application Process
CNA applications are submitted through the Nevada Nurse Portal under current Board procedures. Visit the Nevada State Board of Nursing website for current applications, fee schedules, and required documents. Before applying, the Board requires candidates to read three documents:
- Nevada CNA Skills Guidelines
- Nevada CNA Model Curriculum
- Advisory Opinion for CNA Hours of Employment
All three are available on the Board’s website, on the CNA application page. Don’t submit supporting documentation before the application form — the Board’s instructions are explicit on this point.
Documentation requirements depend on how you qualified to test. Candidates who completed a state-approved CNA program submit a certificate of completion. Candidates qualifying through nursing education — including students who have completed fundamentals of nursing as part of an LPN program — submit a transcript as documentation. See Nevada LPN licensure requirements if you’re pursuing that path alongside or before CNA certification.
The Nevada Board currently lists a $50 CNA application fee, but verify the current fee schedule on the Board’s website before applying. Processing time varies based on application completeness, exam results, fingerprint reports, and Board review. Monitor your Nevada Nurse Portal status for updates.
Certification Renewal
Nevada CNA certifications are valid for two years. To renew, candidates must meet both of the following within the 24-month certification period:
- 24 hours of continuing education
- 40 hours of documented employment as a CNA under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Nevada accepts CNA continuing education from approved or recognized providers under Board rules. Verify that your CE provider is eligible before completing coursework, and retain audit documentation. The Board conducts random audits of CE and employment compliance, so keep CE certificates and employment records for the required retention period.
Renewal candidates must provide the full name, state, and license number of the supervising nurse who verifies the 40 hours of employment. CNAs who don’t meet the employment requirement within the two years may need to retake the state-approved CNA course or retake and pass the required exams before renewal or reinstatement, depending on current Board instructions.
Out-of-State CNAs
CNAs certified in other states may apply for Nevada certification through endorsement if they meet current Board requirements, including active certification, training documentation, recent employment, or qualifying recent training, endorsement verification, and fingerprinting. Nevada currently requires an endorsement form from the first state where you were certified as a CNA. Verify whether additional state verifications are needed for your specific situation before applying.
Documentation required for the Nevada endorsement includes copies of your training certificate, your out-of-state CNA certificate, and proof of employment as a CNA in a licensed facility within the past 20 years. Acceptable employment documentation includes a W-2, pay stub, or letter on official company letterhead.
The Board may determine whether an endorsement applicant qualifies for a temporary certificate. Current Board instructions state that temporary certificates are valid for 6 months and not extendable. Contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing directly to confirm current endorsement requirements and whether a temporary certificate applies to your situation.
CNAs who want to move up the nursing ladder can explore bridge programs for CNAs seeking RN licensure, which allow you to build on your CNA credential without starting over.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does CNA training take in Nevada?
Nevada CNA program length varies by provider, schedule, and clinical availability. Nevada Board materials currently describe a 75-hour minimum for approved training programs, but confirm current Board requirements and program approval with the school before enrolling. Confirm expected completion time, total hours, and clinical requirements directly with the program.
Who administers the Nevada CNA certification exam?
Nevada currently directs CNA candidates to Credentia for nurse aide exam registration and scheduling. Use the Nevada State Board of Nursing website and Credentia’s candidate resources to confirm current testing procedures, locations, and available formats before scheduling.
Can I take CNA classes online in Nevada?
No. Nevada doesn’t approve of fully online CNA programs. Some programs offer online theory coursework, but hands-on skills and clinical hours must be completed in person as part of a Nevada Board-approved program. Online theory alone doesn’t qualify a candidate to sit for the Nevada Nurse Aide Competency Exam.
How do I renew my Nevada CNA certification?
Renewal requires completing 24 hours of continuing education and documenting 40 hours of paid employment as a CNA — both within the 24-month certification period. The Board conducts random audits, so retain CE certificates and employment records. Verify the CE provider’s eligibility before completing coursework, and confirm the current renewal requirements with the Board.
How do I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Nevada?
Out-of-state CNAs may apply for Nevada certification through endorsement. Nevada requires an endorsement form from the first state where you were certified. You’ll also need copies of your training and CNA certificates, as well as documentation of employment in a licensed facility within the past 2 years. Contact the Nevada State Board of Nursing to confirm current endorsement requirements for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Board-issued certification — Nevada CNAs are credentialed by the Nevada State Board of Nursing, which approves programs, oversees the exam process, and maintains the Nurse Aide Registry.
- In-person clinical training required — Fully online CNA programs don’t qualify for Nevada certification. All skills and clinical hours must be completed in person as part of a Board-approved program.
- Credentia handles exam registration — Nevada currently directs candidates to Credentia for nurse aide exam registration and scheduling. Verify current procedures on the Nevada Board and Credentia websites before scheduling.
- Two-year renewal cycle — Active certification requires 24 hours of continuing education and 40 hours of documented CNA employment within each two years
- Endorsement pathway for out-of-state CNAs — CNAs certified in other states may apply for Nevada certification through endorsement. Confirm current requirements with the Nevada Board based on your situation.
Compare Nevada Board-approved nursing assistant training programs by location, schedule, clinical requirements, and total cost.