CNA Certification in Hawaii

If you are searching for an entry-level nursing career, you can consider training to become a certified nursing assistant.  Many certified nursing assistants go on to become nurses at some point in their career.  You will need to receive training and pass a certification exam before becoming a certified nursing assistant.

Training Hours and Requirements

Hawaii offers several state-approved nursing assistant training programs.  If you want to qualify to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam, you will need to attend a class that has been approved by the state of Hawaii.  Training programs in Hawaii must offer at least 100 hours of training.  Thirty-hours of training must be in a classroom setting with the other 70 hours being in a clinical setting.

It is necessary to complete your training course successfully before taking the certification exam.  You should try not to miss any of your training classes.  If you must ever miss a scheduled class, talk with your instructor immediately to determine how to make up your work.  After graduating from a course, you can sit for the certification test.

Transferring CNA Certification from Another State to Hawaii

If you already hold a nursing assistant certification in another state, you can apply to have that certification transferred to Hawaii.  In order to qualify to apply to have your certification transferred, you will need to have completed a training program that was approved in your prior state.  You will need to verify that you passed the certification exam.

You must have an active certification in the other state to apply to transfer your certification.  Your certification must be listed in good standing on the Nursing Aide Registry for your former state.  It will also be necessary to prove that you have worked in your home state as a nursing assistant or providing nursing related duties.

You will need to contact the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs if you want to apply to receive certification in Hawaii based on your certification in another state.  They will provide you with information on applying for reciprocity of your certification.

Steps for Reciprocity
1) Fill out part one of the following form: http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=81054 send it to your current CNA registry(the state you are transferring from. They will then send this form to the Hawaii CNA registry. This is a way for them to verify that you have a valid CNA certificate in the state you currently reside in.

2) If they deem the certificate of your current state to meet their requirements, you will be given a CNA license in the state of Hawaii. You might need to re do the exam if the training hours in your old state do not meet those of Hawaii. To do this you will need to contact the American Red Cross as they handle examinations in Hawaii.

CNA Certification Renewal

Certified nursing assistants must renew their certification every twenty-four months.  Renewing your certification is primarily a matter of proving that you have worked in your field over a two-year period.  You will need to complete the renewal form in its entirety and submit it before your certification expires.  You should pay careful attention to the instructions to ensure that any necessary papers and fees are submitted along with your renewal form.

FAQ:

Q: Can I work in a nursing home in Hawaii if I do not have the CNA license?
A: You can work, provided you do not call your self a certified nurse aide. You will also have some restrictions on the duties you can do. Your pay might not be as good as that of someone who is already certified.

Q: What do I do if I let my certification expire?
A: Depending on when it expired you will either have to do just the certification exam or do the whole training program as well as the test again.

Helpful Resource: Free nursing assistant classes in Hawaii and CNA training in Hawaii

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