CNA Certification in New York

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in New York

New York is a massive state with many job opportunities for anyone with CNA training. To become a CNA in the state requires getting your training through a program approved by the New York Department of Health.

This, however, is not the agency that administrates the examinations required after the training is completed. That is the Prometric Company, which also operates the renewal process for the state CNA registry as well. Actual registration is done with the New York State (NYS) Nursing Home Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) that includes all CNAs.

To get CNA certification in New York requires that the candidate meets many different requirements, and they are listed below.

Eligibility Requirements

To succeed with certified nursing assistant certification in New York requires the following:

You must complete your training through a pre-approved program;You must submit the NYS NAR application form (obtainable online from Prometric);You will have to provide evidence of high school graduation or a GED;You will undergo a criminal background check;You must have evidence of a physical that included a TB skin test and a drug screening; andYou must be over the age of 18.

Applying for CNA Certification in New York

The state of New York actually has more than six different methods through which to get CNA certification. The most common is the “new nurse aides”, but you can also obtain CNA certification for New York with “reciprocity” from another state’s training, if you are a graduated nurse, if you are an RN or LPN, if you meet certain criteria through foreign training, if you simply have lapsed renewal of a license, and more. Contact the NYS Department of Health to learn more about alternative approaches to your CNA certification.

If you are a new nurse aide candidate, it means you have to use the list of approved sites from the NYS Board of Nursing to obtain the classroom and hands on training required. Training takes 100 hours, with 75 spent in classroom learning and the remainder in a medical or clinical setting during which time your new skills are put to use. Most of the programs run for a 12 to 14 week period.

Costs

Training programs for CNA certification in New York cost an average of $700 to $1000, but that is without the testing fees included.

In New York, students will use the Prometric services to get their testing done, and this can occur at “in-facility” sites (such as the nursing home where the CNA got all of their training) or at regional exam sites that are accessible only through the online application process.

The costs for the exams will vary according to the number of times the candidate has tested, whether they want to get the test in written or oral form, and if they are using reciprocity. The current fee scale is as follows:

Both tests for first time students: $115
Both tests, administered orally for first time students: $135
Reciprocity test: $50

FAQ

Although the New York certified nursing assistant certification process is very straightforward and simple to do, there are a few other issues to know about before you begin, and after you get licensed. They include:

There are specific categories of convictions that will affect the student’s ability to work in a nursing home or care agency. You can visit the Department of Health Regulations Title 10, NYCRR Part 402 to determine if these apply to your circumstances. If so, you can submit evidence of rehabilitation for special consideration;If you want to be a CNA in New York you are obliged to take and pass the exam within 24 months of completing your training program;A license will stay valid as long as proof of payment as professional nurse of a minimum of 7 hours in a 24 month period is provided, and it costs $40 for the renewal (most employers pay this fee). No reminders are sent prior to expiration; andThere are some exceptions for those without their CNA licensing to work, including being enrolled in a program, or awaiting their licensing paperwork to be completed.

Helpful Resources around the Web

New York State Department of Health
NATP/NAR Program
Mailstop: CA/LTC
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237

Prometric NYS CNA Home Page

NYS Board of Nursing
Suzanne A. Sullivan, Executive Secretary.
Email: nursebd@mail.nysed.gov
Phone: (518) 474-3817, ext. 120
Fax: (518) 474-3706