CNA Training Requirements by State: A Complete Guide
Every state sets its own CNA training rules — from 75 hours in Ohio to 180 hours in Maine. Find your state’s exact requirements, plus the rules nobody tells you about.
The federal baseline
Before diving into individual states, understand the floor. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 set the federal minimum for CNA training at 75 total hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice with real patients. Every state must meet or exceed this minimum — no state can require less.
In practice, most states require significantly more than 75 hours. The national average is approximately 100–120 hours. Some states like Maine (180 hours), Missouri (175 hours), and Oregon (155 hours) require more than double the federal minimum. Why? States with higher requirements generally have better first-time pass rates on the certification exam and lower rates of patient safety incidents.
Training hours are split into two categories: classroom/didactic hours (lectures, textbook study, skills lab practice on mannequins) and clinical hours (hands-on patient care at a real healthcare facility under instructor supervision). The ratio varies by state, but most programs are roughly 60–70% classroom and 30–40% clinical.
Training hours by state
Find your state below. Hours listed are the state-mandated minimums — individual programs may offer more. Color badges indicate relative difficulty: green = 75–99 hrs orange = 100–149 hrs red = 150+ hrs
| State | Total Hours | Classroom | Clinical | Min. Age | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 18 | 4–6 weeks |
| Alaska | 140 hrs | 100 hrs | 40 hrs | 18 | 6–10 weeks |
| Arizona | 120 hrs | 80 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 6–8 weeks |
| Arkansas | 90 hrs | 66 hrs | 24 hrs | 18 | 4–6 weeks |
| California | 160 hrs | 100 hrs | 60 hrs | 16 | 8–12 weeks |
| Colorado | 80 hrs | 56 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Connecticut | 100 hrs | 70 hrs | 30 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| Delaware | 150 hrs | 90 hrs | 60 hrs | 18 | 8–10 weeks |
| Florida | 120 hrs | 80 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 6–10 weeks |
| Georgia | 85 hrs | 61 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Hawaii | 100 hrs | 70 hrs | 30 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| Idaho | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Illinois | 120 hrs | 80 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 6–10 weeks |
| Indiana | 105 hrs | 75 hrs | 30 hrs | 16 | 5–8 weeks |
| Iowa | 75 hrs | 45 hrs | 30 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Kansas | 90 hrs | 45 hrs | 45 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Kentucky | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Louisiana | 80 hrs | 56 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Maine | 180 hrs | 90 hrs | 90 hrs | 16 | 10–14 weeks |
| Maryland | 100 hrs | 60 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| Massachusetts | 100 hrs | 75 hrs | 25 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| Michigan | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Minnesota | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Mississippi | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 18 | 4–6 weeks |
| Missouri | 175 hrs | 100 hrs | 75 hrs | 16 | 10–14 weeks |
| Montana | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Nebraska | 76 hrs | 52 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Nevada | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| New Hampshire | 100 hrs | 60 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| New Jersey | 90 hrs | 50 hrs | 40 hrs | 18 | 4–6 weeks |
| New Mexico | 110 hrs | 70 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 5–8 weeks |
| New York | 100 hrs | 70 hrs | 30 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| North Carolina | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| North Dakota | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Ohio | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Oklahoma | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Oregon | 155 hrs | 80 hrs | 75 hrs | 16 | 8–12 weeks |
| Pennsylvania | 80 hrs | 37.5 hrs | 42.5 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Rhode Island | 100 hrs | 60 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| South Carolina | 80 hrs | 56 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| South Dakota | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Tennessee | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 18 | 4–6 weeks |
| Texas | 100 hrs | 60 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 4–8 weeks |
| Utah | 80 hrs | 56 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Vermont | 80 hrs | 56 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| Virginia | 120 hrs | 80 hrs | 40 hrs | 18 | 6–10 weeks |
| Washington | 85 hrs | 53 hrs | 32 hrs | 16 | 4–6 weeks |
| West Virginia | 120 hrs | 80 hrs | 40 hrs | 18 | 6–10 weeks |
| Wisconsin | 120 hrs | 80 hrs | 40 hrs | 16 | 6–10 weeks |
| Wyoming | 75 hrs | 59 hrs | 16 hrs | 18 | 4–6 weeks |
This table reflects requirements as of March 2026. States update their training hour requirements periodically. Always confirm current requirements on your state’s Board of Nursing website before enrolling in a program. We update this table quarterly.
Easiest and hardest states
Fastest to certify (75 hrs)
Most hours required (150+)
Does more training hours = better preparation? Generally, yes. States with higher requirements tend to produce CNAs with higher first-time exam pass rates and lower workplace incident rates. But the difference between a 75-hour graduate and a 120-hour graduate is often more about clinical confidence than actual knowledge — both pass the same national exam.
Transferring your CNA to another state
Moving states doesn’t mean starting over. Most states offer CNA reciprocity — meaning they accept your existing certification without requiring you to retrain or retest. Here’s how the process works:
Verify your current certification is in good standing
Check your home state’s Nurse Aide Registry to confirm your certification is active, not expired, and has no disciplinary actions. Any issues must be resolved before applying for reciprocity.
Apply to the new state’s registry
Contact the new state’s Board of Nursing or Nurse Aide Registry and request a reciprocity application. Most states have this form online. You’ll need your current certification number, proof of training completion, and employment verification showing you’ve worked as a CNA within the past 24 months.
Pass the new state’s background check
Almost every state requires a new background check and fingerprinting when transferring. This typically costs $30–$75 and takes 1–3 weeks to process. Some states also require a new TB test or updated immunizations.
Complete any additional training (if required)
If you’re moving from a low-hour state to a high-hour state, the new state may require you to complete additional training hours to make up the difference. For example, moving from Ohio (75 hours) to California (160 hours) may require supplemental training. This is state-specific — always ask before assuming.
Most states require proof that you’ve worked as a CNA within the past 24 months to qualify for reciprocity. If your certification has lapsed or you haven’t worked in over 2 years, you may need to complete a refresher course or retake the certification exam in your new state. Keep your certification active even if you’re not working — many states allow renewal without active employment if you complete continuing education hours.
States that allow challenge exams
A few states let you sit for the CNA certification exam without completing a formal training program. This is called a “challenge exam” or “equivalency exam” pathway. It’s designed for people with existing healthcare experience — such as nursing students, military medics, or foreign-trained nurses.
Florida is the most well-known challenge exam state. Anyone can register to take the CNA exam without completing a state-approved training program. However, this doesn’t mean you can pass without studying — the exam covers the same material taught in training programs, and candidates who challenge without preparation have significantly lower pass rates.
Other states with challenge or exemption pathways: Several states allow current nursing students (enrolled in RN or LPN programs) to sit for the CNA exam without separate CNA training, since their nursing coursework covers CNA-level material. States including New York, Texas, California, and Illinois offer this pathway. Military medics and corpsmen with healthcare training may also qualify for challenge exams in select states.
Before attempting a challenge exam, invest in a CNA study guide and take our free practice test to make sure you’re actually ready. The exam doesn’t get easier just because you skipped training.
How to find your exact requirements
While this guide covers the major requirements, states update their rules regularly. Here’s how to confirm the current requirements for your specific state:
Google: “[Your State] Board of Nursing CNA requirements”
The Board of Nursing is the authoritative source. Look for pages titled “Nurse Aide Training,” “CNA Certification,” or “Nurse Aide Registry.” This is always more current than any third-party website.
Call the Board of Nursing directly
If the website isn’t clear, call. Ask: “What are the current training hour requirements for CNA certification? Do you accept online-hybrid programs? What documents do I need to sit for the exam?” Write down the name of the person you spoke with and the date.
Ask your training program
Any state-approved program knows the requirements inside and out. They can confirm whether their program meets your state’s minimums and what additional documentation you’ll need. If a program can’t clearly answer these questions, that’s a red flag.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum number of hours required for CNA training?
The federal minimum set by OBRA is 75 total hours with at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. About 15 states stick to this minimum. Most states require 80 to 120 hours, and a few states like Maine (180 hours) and Missouri (175 hours) require significantly more.
Can I get CNA certified in one state and work in another?
Yes, through reciprocity. Most states accept CNA certifications from other states without requiring you to retrain. You will need to apply to the new state’s registry, pass a background check, and possibly complete additional training hours if the new state has higher requirements than your original state.
Do all states require a background check for CNA certification?
Virtually every state requires a criminal background check including fingerprinting. Some states also require drug screening. Certain felony convictions may disqualify you from certification, though many states offer waiver or appeal processes. Check your state’s specific disqualifying offenses before enrolling in training.
How old do you have to be to become a CNA?
Most states allow CNA certification at age 16 with some requiring parental consent for minors. About 8 states set the minimum age at 18 including Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wyoming. Some states allow 16-year-olds to train but require them to be 18 before working unsupervised.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA?
It depends on your state. The federal government does not require a diploma. Many states like Nevada, Texas, and Florida allow candidates without a diploma or GED to sit for the exam. However, most employers prefer or require a diploma even in states where it is not legally mandated. Having your GED also opens doors to advancement programs like LPN and RN bridge programs later.
Can I take the CNA exam without completing training?
In most states, no. Florida is the most notable exception, offering a challenger exam pathway that lets anyone test without formal training. Several states also exempt current nursing students enrolled in RN or LPN programs. Military medics and corpsmen may qualify for challenge exams in select states. Check your state Board of Nursing for specific exemption pathways.
How often do states change their CNA training requirements?
Requirements change infrequently but they do change. Major updates happen every 3 to 5 years when state legislatures review healthcare training standards. Minor updates to documentation requirements, background check procedures, and reciprocity rules happen more often. Always check your state Board of Nursing website for the most current information before enrolling in a program.
Know your state’s requirements? Time to prep.
Take our free 70-question CNA practice test to see how ready you are for the certification exam.
Take the free CNA practice test →