CNA Certification in Arkansas

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Arkansas

To work as a CNA in Arkansas requires the use of a state approved program, passing the state exam, and appearing on the state registry. CNA certification is also available for those with other kinds of training.

Let’s consider the steps for the new CNA in Arkansas. The first is to take that state approved programming. The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Medical Services Offices of Long Term Care is the agency that oversees the CNA training and certification program in the state. They work with Prometric to conduct the testing for certification, and contract with Prometric to handle the state nurse aide registry. All of the testing meets the NNAAP standards.

Before candidates can apply to take the exam they must apply for their state approved training, and this means that they have to meet the following requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

The certified nursing assistant certification process in Arkansas demands that students:

Be of the age 16 or older;Have proof of high school graduation or proof of a GED;Get CPR certification;Show evidence of appropriate immunizations, including the hepatitis B vaccine series; andHave a background check and fingerprinting that includes any  healthcare related reports and other issues that could deem the candidate unemployable – even with training;

Applying for CNA Certification in Arkansas

Most of the candidates for CNA certification in Arkansas will have the need to receive initial training. If someone already has CNA certification in another state, is licensed as an RN or LPN in Arkansas or another state, or is a nurse student or graduate nurse without previous CNA licensing, they can often skip training and just sit for the exam.

If training in an approve program is required, the Arkansas Department of Human Services website makes a list of programs available. The training is often done in a long term care facility program, though there are schools that also provide the minimum 75 hours of classroom work, and the 100 hours of essential practical training necessary.

Once the student finishes the program, they can register for the exam. This is a combination of written questions and clinical skills and a sample is available through the Prometric site.

Costs

The costs the training programs in Arkansas vary and can be from $800 to $1000. Training does take up to a full year, and that means that some candidates cannot actually serve as an aide without first considering the amount of time they will be working without licensing. Working while training, however, is a great way to have all of the certified nursing assistant certification paid for by an employer.

The testing also has separate fees and these are:Eligibility Screening: $10
Written (or oral) and Skills: $79
Written or Oral only retake: $34
Skills Exam only retake: $45
Oral Exam in English or Spanish: $33

FAQ

For those pursuing certified nursing assistant certification training in Arkansas, the following items are very helpful to know:

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;Those seeking CNA certification, and who are enrolled in an approved CNA program are allowed to work in a healthcare setting for up to 120 days before receiving their license. Should they fail to be certified in that time frame cannot serve as an aide;The candidate has to take the exam within 24 months of the completion of training, and pass it, or will have to re-train; andTo renew the license and remain active the CNnA has to do so within the 60 period prior to expiration. The date is always the last day of the birth month and the year is going to match that of the birth year – i.e. if a candidate is born on an even numbered year, their license always renews every even year as well.

Helpful Resources around the Web

Prometric1260 Energy Lane
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 800.818.8917
Fax: 800.813.6670
Web: www.prometric.com/NurseAide/AR

Arkansas Office of Long Term Care Nursing Assistant Training ProgramMail Slot S405
P.O. Box 8059
Little Rock, AR 72203-8059
Phone: 501.682.1807
Email: cna.oltc@arkansas.gov