CNA Certification in Connecticut

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Connecticut

To become a CNA in the state of Connecticut requires the candidate to follow a very simples set of steps. They will get training, take an official exam, and then appear on the state registry. It is the Connecticut Department of Health, the DPH that oversees the programs and processes associated with CNA certification. They have contracted with Prometric to develop and administer the Nurse Aide Competency Exam, and to also manage their state registry. This makes things very simple for the CNA certification candidate.

The requirements needed for enrollment in a CNA certification program are not the same as those for taking the exam. The first step is to become enrolled in a state program and to then sit for the exam.

Eligibility Requirements

To meet the requirements for enrollment in a Connecticut certified nursing assistant certification training program, the candidate has to meet the following criteria:

Candidates need to demonstrate that they are at least 18 years of age;Any candidate has to have proof of high school graduation or a GED;Criminal background checks are done for safety and include fingerprint data as well as an assessment of any felony records; andA full health screening is done to ensure all immunizations are up to date, that a negative TB test is done, drug screening is completed, and that the candidate is in good health.

After all of this is completed, the candidate is enrolled in the program to get essential CNA certification for Connecticut.

Applying for CNA Certification in Connecticut

Some candidates will not need to attend an approved program if they meet the following criteria:

They are a student nurse or graduate nurse who has completed a course of no less than 100 hours of study;They are an out of state CNA with at least 100 hours of clinical training;They are a lapsed CNA who has been on the state registry in the past;They have completed nurse aide training and the exam in the last 24 months (no test is then needed either);If they have completed CNA training more than 24 months ago and have been employed during that time (no test is then needed either); orReciprocity candidates who have at least 120 hours of training in a state other than Connecticut and who are in good standing can simply register with the state.

For the candidates in need of training, the state has a full list available for download. All of the CNA certification programs require nothing less than 100 hours divided between clinical and classroom hours. After the entire hours are done, the candidate can apply to take the exam. They do so through the Prometric site, and will be able to choose between facility based and regional testing sites.

All of the tests include two groups of skills – practical and written. Exams can be given orally for those with testing anxiety or language issues, but they usually are done as , or written tests, and are in English only.

Costs

The cost for CNA certification training in Connecticut is around $1000, and takes several months to complete. In addition to tuition fees and materials, there are also the testing fees payable to Prometric prior to taking the exam. They are:

Both written and practical: $108Both written and practical administered orally: $118
Retesting is per section, and written testing costs $45, skills testing costs $63, and the oral exam is $55.

FAQ

The following issues are those which many candidates frequently need to know:

CNA candidates are permitted to work for 120 days while participating in an approved training program. During those months they must get training, certification and licensing or risk being unable to continue working;The criminal checks are mandatory and if a Connecticut CNA certification is flagged for abuse or neglect, Medicaid fraud, or theft, the renewal is declined;CNA certification in Connecticut requires the candidate to take the exam and pass it within 24 months of training;Under federal laws, if a candidate is employed by (or has an offer of employment) from a nursing home at the time of training, they may not pay for their own training, certification testing, books or other course materials; andTo be eligible for renewal, a CNA must have worked for pay for at least eight hours during the last 24 months. Renewal periods are for two years from the last day you worked as a CNA. If you eligible for renewal, the employer will fill out one of the Employment Verification forms. (There is a link to the forms at www.prometric.com/NurseAide/CTHelpful Resources around the Web.)

Helpful Resources around the Web

Prometric1260 Energy Lane
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 866.499.7485
Fax: 800.813.6670
Web: www.prometric.com/NurseAide/CT

Connecticut Department of Public Health410 Capitol Avenue
MS 12MQA
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860.509.7596
Web: www.ct.gov/dph