Official state registries, checked October 2026
Nurse Aide Registry Lookup
Verify a CNA's certification in any state. Pick a state to get its registry's phone number and official online lookup. Every search is free.
Choose a state
51 registries
No state matches that search.
How to read a registry result
Every state words it a little differently, but a lookup shows one of three things.
Findings
What a finding means, and whether it can be removed
A finding is the most serious thing a registry can show. Federal law allows three kinds, and only one can ever come off.
Abuse
Willfully causing a resident injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment that results in physical harm, pain, or mental anguish.
PermanentMisappropriation
Taking or using a resident's money or belongings without permission, on purpose, even temporarily.
PermanentNeglect
Failing to provide goods and services a resident needs to avoid physical harm, pain, mental anguish, or emotional distress.
Removable after 1 yearHow a finding gets on the registry
- AllegationThe state survey agency investigates a report against a nurse aide.
- NoticeThe aide is told what was alleged and has 30 days to ask for a hearing.
- DecisionIf the state confirms it, the finding goes on the registry within 10 working days.
- On the recordThe listing shows the finding, the hearing date, and any statement the aide sends disputing it.
Can a finding be removed?
Neglect only. A nurse aide can petition the state to remove a neglect finding if it was a one-time event and their work and personal history show no pattern of abuse or neglect. The petition can't be filed until at least 1 year after the finding was added.
Abuse and misappropriation findings stay permanently. The only exceptions: the finding was made in error, a court found the aide not guilty, or the state is notified that the aide has died.
The 24-month rule
Why a CNA can be listed but not eligible to work
Under federal rules, a nurse aide who goes 24 months in a row without paid nursing or nursing-related work has to retest, or retrain and retest, before working in a nursing home again. The clock resets with every paid shift.
Example: last paid shift in June 2024
What counts
Paid nursing or nursing-related work. Volunteer work never counts. Some states, like Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, also exclude private duty work.
Stricter states
Federal law sets the floor. Oregon and Vermont want 400 paid hours in 2 years, Utah and New Hampshire 200, Alaska 160, and Delaware 64.
For employers
A nursing home must check the registry before a nurse aide starts. Someone still in training can work as an aide for up to 4 months while they finish.
Renewal rules
CNA renewal requirements by state
How often each state renews, how much paid work you need in each 24 months, and whether continuing education (CE) is required. Click a state for its full CNA guide.
| State | Renews | Paid work in 24 months | CE to renew |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALAlabama | 2 years | Paid work in each 24 months | None |
| AKAlaska | 2 years (Mar 31, even years) | 160 hours | 24 hours (12 if certified 1 to 2 years) |
| AZArizona | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| ARArkansas | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| CACalifornia | 2 years | Paid work during the period | 48 hours (12 in year one) |
| COColorado | 2 years (Jan 31, odd years) | 8 hours | None |
| CTConnecticut | 2 years | 8 hours (one paid shift) | None |
| DEDelaware | 2 years | 64 hours | Required |
| DCWashington, DC | 2 years | 8 hours | 24 hours |
| FLFlorida | 2 years | Paid work in last 24 months | 24 hours in-service |
| GAGeorgia | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| HIHawaii | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| IDIdaho | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| ILIllinois | 2 years | 8 hours (one paid shift) | None |
| INIndiana | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| IAIowa | 2 years | 8 hours | 12 hours a year in long-term care |
| KSKansas | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| KYKentucky | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| LALouisiana | 2 years | Paid work in each 24 months | None |
| MEMaine | 2 years | Employment verification form | None |
| MDMaryland | 2 years | Proof of work (GNAs: 16 hours) | Implicit bias course |
| MAMassachusetts | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| MIMichigan | 2 years | 40 hours | 12 hours a year |
| MNMinnesota | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| MSMississippi | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| MOMissouri | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| MTMontana | 2 years | Paid work in each 24 months | None |
| NENebraska | 2 years | Paid work in each 24 months | None |
| NVNevada | 2 years | 40 hours | 24 hours |
| NHNew Hampshire | 2 years | 200 hours | 24 hours |
| NJNew Jersey | 2 years | 7 hours | None |
| NMNew Mexico | 2 years | 8 hours | 12 hours a year in-service |
| NYNew York | 2 years | 7 hours | None |
| NCNorth Carolina | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| NDNorth Dakota | 2 years | Paid work in each 24 months | None |
| OHOhio | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| OKOklahoma | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| OROregon | 2 years | 400 hours | None |
| PAPennsylvania | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| RIRhode Island | 2 years (June 30) | 8 hours | 12 hours a year in-service |
| SCSouth Carolina | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| SDSouth Dakota | 2 years | 12 hours | 12 hours a year |
| TNTennessee | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| TXTexas | 2 years | Paid work, verified on Form 5506-NAR | 24 hours plus a yearly infection control course |
| UTUtah | 2 years | 200 hours | None |
| VTVermont | 2 years (Nov 30, even years) | 400 hours | None |
| VAVirginia | Every year | Paid work in last 2 years | None |
| WAWashington | Every year (birthday) | Not required | None |
| WVWest Virginia | 2 years | 8 hours | None |
| WIWisconsin | 2 years | Paid work in each 24 months | None |
| WYWyoming | 2 years (Dec 31, even years) | Board competency pathway | Depends on pathway |
Nursing homes must also give every nurse aide at least 12 hours of in-service training a year under federal rules, whatever the state requires for renewal. Rules change, so confirm with the state registry before you renew.
Who runs each registry
Why some states send you to a testing company
37 registries are run by the state itself. The other 14 are hosted by a contractor, usually the company that gives the CNA exam. The listing is still the official state record either way. Tap a state to open its lookup.
State agency
37The state health department, board of nursing, or licensing office runs the registry and its lookup itself.
Prometric
5A testing company. In these states it gives the CNA exam and also hosts the official registry search.
Credentia
4Runs the CNA exam and hosts the registry on its CNA365 site. In Pennsylvania and Tennessee, CNAs also renew there.
Headmaster
3Runs the exam and the TMU (TestMaster Universe) system, where CNAs check their status and, in some states, renew.
Alliant Health Solutions
1A health care quality company that runs the registry for the Georgia Department of Community Health.
PSI
1Gives the CNA exam in New Jersey and hosts the state registry search.
Checking for yourself or for a hire?
The registry is used two ways. Here's what matters for each.
For employers
Verifying a new hire
- Check the registry in every state where you believe the applicant has worked as a nurse aide. Federal rules require this for nursing homes.
- Confirm the status is active and there are no findings.
- Match the name and certificate number to the applicant's ID. Save a copy of the result for your records.
- If someone hasn't worked as a paid nurse aide in 24 months, they may need to retrain or retest, even if they're still listed.
For CNAs
Keeping your listing active
- Look yourself up once a year to make sure your status is active and your details are right.
- Work at least the paid nurse aide hours your state requires. In most states that's 8 hours every 24 months.
- Report a name or address change to your registry so renewal notices reach you.
- Moving? Apply to the new state's registry by reciprocity or endorsement before you start work there.
Nurse aide registry questions
Short answers to what people ask most.
Is there a national CNA registry?
No. Each state keeps its own nurse aide registry, so you search the state where the CNA is certified. Employers check every state where they believe a CNA has worked.
Is it free to look up a CNA?
Yes. Every state registry lookup is free and open to the public.
What do I need to search?
Usually just a first and last name. A certificate number gives the most exact match. Some states also accept a date of birth or the last digits of a Social Security number.
Why can't I find someone on the registry?
Check the spelling, try a maiden or previous name, and confirm you're searching the right state. New CNAs can take a few days to appear after passing the exam.
What does a finding mean?
The state confirmed that the nurse aide abused or neglected a resident or misappropriated a resident's property. A nurse aide with a finding cannot work in a nursing home.
How do I transfer my CNA to another state?
Apply to the new state's registry by reciprocity or endorsement. Most states require your current certification to be active and in good standing, and some require recent paid work. Our state CNA training pages explain each state's rules.
How often do CNAs renew?
Every 2 years in every state except Virginia and Washington, which renew every year. See the renewal table above for each state's work and CE rules.
Why does my state send me to Prometric, Credentia, Headmaster, or PSI?
Some states hire the company that runs their CNA exam to also run the registry. The listing is still the official state record.