How to Become a CNA in New York 2026
To become a certified nurse aide (CNA) in New York, you must complete a state-approved training program, pass the two-part competency examination administered by Prometric, and be listed on the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Registry. The New York State Department of Health oversees the certification process through its contract with Prometric.
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New York requires more training than the federal minimum, and programs must be approved by the state before you can use them to qualify for the exam. Once you complete an approved program and pass both exam components, Prometric lists you on the Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) and issues your certificate.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, the exam process, application steps, and renewal information.
- Training and Program Requirements
- The Competency Examination
- The Application Process
- Eligibility Pathways for Nurses
- Out-of-State CNAs
- Lapsed Certification
- Fees
Training and Program Requirements
New York requires a minimum of 100 training hours, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical experience in a nursing home or long-term care facility. That 100-hour total is New York’s state standard, which exceeds the federal minimum of 75 hours. Individual programs may run longer depending on the curriculum.
Programs must be approved by the state, but which agency does the approving depend on the institution type. Nursing home-based programs are approved by the NYSDOH. School-based programs at career and technical education centers, proprietary schools, and colleges are approved through NYSED. The NYSDOH lists all approved programs by category on its nurse aide registry page.
You must pass both parts of the competency exam within two years of completing your training. If you don’t pass within that window, you’ll need to complete a new approved program before retesting. If you’re employed at a NYS nursing home, your employer is required to pay your training and exam fees.
The Competency Examination
The New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination has two parts: a Clinical Skills exam and a Written (or Oral) exam. Both are administered by Prometric on behalf of the NYSDOH. You must pass both within two years of completing your training.
The Clinical Skills exam is a hands-on, timed assessment. You are scored on five skills total: three are computer-assigned clinical skills, while handwashing and indirect care are evaluated throughout the exam, regardless of which skills are assigned. Indirect care covers resident communication, safety, comfort, and infection control. The time allotted ranges from 31 to 40 minutes, depending on which skills are assigned. You have three attempts to pass.
The written exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. If reading is a barrier, you can request an Oral exam format instead, which uses a prerecorded audio delivery. The Oral exam adds a separate Reading Comprehension section of 16 questions that you must pass each time you sit for the exam. You must select the Oral option on your application before your test date. You have three attempts to pass the Written or Oral component combined.
Candidates testing at a regional site receive an admission letter with their exam date and location. Results are typically available online within 48 hours through the Prometric candidate portal at tcnet.prometric.com/NYCNA. If you pass both parts, your certificate and wallet card will arrive by mail approximately 10 business days later. Your name typically appears on the registry a few days before the certificate arrives.
The Application Process
Before you can schedule your exam, you must submit a completed application to Prometric along with the required fee. Applications are available online at prometric.com/exams/nurseaide-ny. You can apply online or print the paper form and mail it.
If you’re applying through a nursing home or training program, a facility coordinator typically handles scheduling and submits your application. Your training program coordinator must complete the training section of the application. If you’re employed at a NYS nursing home, your employer completes the employment section.
If you’re scheduling at a regional test site, mail your completed application and fee to:
Prometric, ATTN: NY Nurse Aide Program
6211 Greenleigh Avenue, Suite 400
Middle River, MD 21220
Fees must be paid by certified check or money order made out to “New York State Commissioner of Health, NYNA.” Personal checks and cash are not accepted. Once your application is processed, you’ll receive an admission letter confirming your exam date and location. Bring this letter to any regional exam site appointment.
Eligibility Pathways for Nurses
New York allows licensed nurses and nursing graduates to pursue CNA certification through alternative routes that skip the standard training program.
U.S.-licensed RNs and LPNs (Route 4) are exempt from both training and the exam. Submit your application along with a copy of your current U.S. nursing license. If you’re employed at a NYS nursing home, your employer completes the employment section of the application. For information on maintaining or transferring your RN or LPN license in New York, see the New York nursing licensure requirements guide.
U.S.-trained graduate nurses (Route 3) must take the competency exam, but do not need to complete a training program. Before submitting to Prometric, you must first receive approval from the NYSDOH. Send your application and a copy of your nursing school diploma to:
New York State Department of Health
NATP/NAR Program, Mailstop: CA/LTC
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
International nurses (Route 5) follow the same two-step NYSDOH approval process as graduate nurses, but must also document their nursing school coursework and provide copies of their social security card, nursing license, nursing school diploma, and any LPN or RN exam admission letters or score reports. Once NYSDOH returns your approved application, submit it to Prometric with the required fee to schedule your exam.
Out-of-State CNAs
CNAs currently listed on another state’s registry can apply for reciprocity in New York using Route 2. Submit the Prometric application with a copy of your current out-of-state certificate and the $50 fee.
If your out-of-state certificate doesn’t include an expiration date, you’ll need to provide proof of recent employment. This must be a letter on official facility letterhead signed by your supervisor, documenting that you worked at least seven hours for pay as a nurse aide within the past 24 months.
Lapsed Certification
Your NYS CNA certificate is valid for 24 months. To recertify, you must have worked at least seven hours as a paid nurse aide in a NYS nursing home or other NYSDOH-approved nurse aide employer within the previous 24-month period. Your employer handles the recertification process and pays the $40 fee on your behalf.
If your certification has lapsed and you completed a NYS-approved program on or after July 1, 1989, you can retest without additional training (Route 6). If your certification was obtained through deeming, waiving, or reciprocity, or if you completed training before July 1, 1989, you must complete a new approved training program before reapplying (Route 7).
Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Clinical Skills and Written Exam (first-time) | $115 |
| Clinical Skills and Oral Exam (first-time) | $135 |
| Clinical Skills Retest | $68 |
| Written Retest | $57 |
| Oral Retest | $67 |
| Reciprocity / RNs and LPNs | $50 |
| Recertification (paid by employer) | $40 |
| Duplicate Certificate | $15 |
Fees are sourced from the Prometric New York Nurse Aide Certification Handbook, revised November 2025. Verify current fees at prometric.com/exams/nurseaide-ny before submitting your application.
Contacts and Additional Resources
The NYSDOH Bureau of Professional Credentialing can be reached at [email protected]. Prometric candidate services are available at 800-805-9128. The Nurse Aide Registry can be searched online at health.ny.gov.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does CNA training take in New York?
Most approved programs run six to twelve weeks, depending on format and scheduling. New York requires a minimum of 100 training hours, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical experience. Full-time programs finish faster. Part-time or hybrid formats may take longer. You must pass both parts of the competency exam within two years of completing your program.
Do I have to take the exam if I’m already an RN or LPN?
No. U.S.-licensed RNs and LPNs are exempt from both training and the exam under Route 4. You submit an application to Prometric along with a copy of your current nursing license. U.S.-trained graduate nurses are exempt from training but must take and pass the competency exam.
How many times can I attempt the CNA exam in New York?
You have three attempts to pass the Clinical Skills exam and three attempts to pass the Written or Oral exam. If you don’t pass both components within two years of completing your training, you’ll need to retrain through a different NYS-approved program before reapplying.
How do I renew my New York CNA certification?
Your certificate is valid for 24 months. To recertify, you must have worked at least seven hours as a paid nurse aide in a NYS nursing home or approved employer within the previous 24 months. Your employer is responsible for submitting the recertification form and paying the $40 fee. If you didn’t meet the work requirement, you’ll need to retest.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to New York?
Yes. If you hold an active certification in another state, you can apply for reciprocity using Route 2 through Prometric. Submit a copy of your current out-of-state certificate and pay a $50 fee. If your certificate doesn’t include an expiration date, provide a signed letter from your supervisor documenting at least seven hours of paid nurse aide work in the past 24 months.
Key Takeaways
- 100-hour training minimum — New York exceeds the federal minimum, requiring at least 100 hours including 30 hours of supervised clinical experience in an approved program.
- Two-part competency exam — The Clinical Skills and Written (or Oral) exams are both administered by Prometric. You have three attempts at each and must pass both within two years of completing training.
- Nurses have separate routes — U.S.-licensed RNs and LPNs skip both training and the exam. Graduate nurses skip training but must test. International nurses need NYSDOH approval before scheduling.
- 24-month certificate cycle — Certification expires every two years. Your employer recertifies you and pays the $40 fee as long as you worked at least seven paid hours in an approved facility during the period.
- Reciprocity is available — Active out-of-state CNAs can transfer certification to New York through Prometric with a $50 application fee and proof of current standing.
Search below to find state-approved CNA training programs in New York, including program locations, tuition, and enrollment information.