CNA Certification in Hawaii

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Hawaii

CNA certification in Hawaii is as straightforward as anywhere else: you take an approved program, pass the state exam, appear on the registry, and renew your license as needed. There is also the need to remain actively employed and get more education, but we’ll look only at the certification process.

In Hawaii, it is the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) that is in charge of the CNA training and certification process. This group has contracted with Prometric to develop and administer its exams and to manage the Nurse Aide (NA) Registry.

All candidates have to be accepted to their program and then also apply for the exam afterward.

Eligibility Requirements

Enrollment requirements for a Hawaiian certified nursing assistant certification training program include:

Demonstrate education to the 9th grade level or take the TABE test;Complete a physical exam that includes a drug screening and a TB test;Obtain MMR clearance and a complete history of immunizations;Undergo a criminal clearance check through the ECRIM; andProve that you are 18 or older.

Once this part is completed, the candidate will be accepted and enrolled in the program for their CNA certification for Hawaii.

Applying for CNA Certification in Hawaii

CNA certification candidates in Hawaii will not need to attend an approved program if they meet the following criteria:

Reciprocity candidates are reviewed by the DCCA and may have to sit for the exam, but most simply provide their current certification and an application; orLapsed CNAs who attend an approved training program can apply as if just recently trained;

Candidates who need training can visit the Prometric site for a full list of approved programs. All of the CNA certification programs require a minimum of 100 hours divided between 70 clinical hours and 30 classroom hours. After the mandatory hours are done, the candidate can sit for the exam. They arrange this through the Prometric website or their place of employment.

The tests are broken out into two parts – the practical and written. For those with language barriers or problems with test anxiety, all of the tests can be administered orally, but are most commonly done as written tests, and they are in English only.

Costs

CNA certification training in Hawaii costs between $1000 and $2000 and usually requires four months or more. Along with tuition and books, the CNA candidate must consider the testing fees too.

Payable to Prometric prior to taking the exam, these include:Application Fee: $25
Both written and practical: $200
Both written and practical administered orally: $210

Retesting is per section, and written testing costs $50, skills testing costs $150, and the oral exam is $60.

FAQ

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

You must pass your exam within two years of first testing and within three attempts. If you do not pass both parts within two years of your first testing date or within three attempts, you will be required to retrain and retest;Hawaii CNA certification is valid for 24 months. A renewal notice will be mailed approximately 90 days before the expiration;CNA candidates are permitted to work for 120 days if already participating in an approved training program;Failing to complete testing during the eligibility period, means there are no refunds for any unused test fees, nor will test fees be carried over to a new eligibility period;Hawaii requires the CNA candidates to take the exams and pass 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 to renew you must have worked for pay as a CNA providing nursing-related care for at least eight hours during your most recent certification period. CNAs currently working will be recertified for 24 months. Once the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry Renewal Form is processed and a candidate is determined to be eligible for renewal, the registry is be updated with current information.

Helpful Resources around the Web

HICNA354 Uluniu Street, Suite 308
Kailua, HI 96734
Phone: 800-967-1200
Web: www.prometric.com/NurseAide/HI

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)

Web:www.hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/programs/nurse