CNA Certification in Indiana

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Indiana

In the state of Indiana, it is the Department of Health that is responsible for the entire CNA training, testing, and registration process (including the maintenance of the CNA Registry). Testing and training is available in many locations around the state, but it is the Ivy Tech Community College that actually administers Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation and Medication Aide Final Examination within Indiana.

Getting CNA certification in Indiana is extremely simple, but does require that the candidate put in the hours of study and training, apply to the appropriate agencies, take and pass the exam, and remain in good standing on the state registry. The entire process has some preliminary steps required, and that is the best place to begin preparing for certified nursing assistant certification.

Eligibility Requirements

All of the CNA certification programs in Indiana have the same simple pre-requisites:

Proof of high school graduation or a GED must be supplied by the candidate;Each candidate will submit to, and pay the fees associated with fingerprinting and a criminal background check;Each candidate will undergo a full physical that includes TB testing, drug screening, and proof of immunization; andEach candidate has to be 18 or older.

Applying for CNA Certification in Indiana

Once the candidate meets the qualifications for enrollment in a program, they can choose the program desired. Some candidates do not need to attend a training program if they meet the following criteria:

When a candidate can provide evidence of completion of another state’s CNA program and show that they are in good standing in an out of state registry they can take the exam without training;

Successful completion of a state approved 105-hour program within the past two years, but without previous licensing;Student, foreign, and graduate nurses have to supply their training information but can usually just apply for examination; andSome military personnel can skip the training and simply book the exam instead.

If training is required, the State Department of Health provides a full list of the training sites approved for CNA certification available. For CNA certification in Indiana, the approved courses must have no less than 105 hours divided equally between 30 in the classroom and 75 spent in clinical work. Once a candidate completes their training, they can apply for the exam.

The examination involves written questions and the performance of CNA skills. A sample test and some pointers for the day of testing are available from Pearson VUE.

Costs

Prices for certified nursing assistant certification training in Indiana can vary quite substantially, with the averages around $800 to $1000, including books and other materials. Training takes a few weeks, and then the student can apply for their testing. This too has fees and they are:

Written and skills: $75
Written only: $65
Retake of one test: $65
Retake of both: $75

FAQ

There are some useful tips and facts that candidates should know as they begin their CNA certification process, and these include:

Renewal of licenses can be done online at the PLA website in the state and will be valid for two years.Renewal applications are sent from the registry approximately two to three months prior to your license’s expiration date.To remain active, you must provide proof of working for 8 paid hours in the last twenty-four months.Criminal background checks are limited but may disqualify a candidate from enrollment in a training program.

Helpful Resources around the Web

Indiana State Department of Health
Division of Long Term Care
2 North Meridian Street, Section 4B
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone:317-233-7351
Fax: 317-233-7750
Web: www.in.gov/pla

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Registration Program
Indiana State Department of Health
Web: http://www.in.gov/isdh/20510.htm