How to Renew Your CNA Certification (State-by-State)
CNA certifications must be renewed every 1–2 years. Learn the renewal process, continuing education requirements, work hour minimums, and deadlines for your state — so your license never lapses.
CNA renewal at a glance
Your CNA certification does not last forever. Every state requires periodic renewal — typically every 2 years (24 months), though some states use a 1-year cycle. To renew, you must prove you worked a minimum number of paid hours as a CNA during the renewal period and completed any required continuing education (CE) or in-service training hours. If you fail to renew by your deadline, your certification expires and you may need to retake the competency exam or complete a new training program to get it back.
The federal requirement under OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) sets the absolute minimum: every CNA must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related services within the 24-month renewal window and complete 12 hours of in-service education. However, most states set their own requirements higher than the federal floor. That’s why checking your specific state’s rules is critical — the requirements in Texas are very different from those in California or New York.
Step-by-step: the renewal process
Check your expiration date
Log into your state’s Nurse Aide Registry website or call your state Board of Nursing. Find your exact certification expiration date. Many states send a renewal notice 60–90 days before expiration, but not all do — it’s your responsibility to track this, not the state’s. Set a calendar reminder 90 days before your expiration date.
Verify you meet the work hour requirement
Most states require proof that you worked a minimum number of hours as a CNA during the renewal period. The federal minimum is 8 hours in 24 months, but many states require 8–16 hours of compensated (paid) nursing services. Your employer will typically sign a verification form confirming your hours. If you worked for multiple employers, you may need verification from each one.
Complete your continuing education / in-service hours
Every state requires a minimum number of continuing education hours — typically 12–48 hours per renewal cycle. These are usually provided by your employer as “in-service training” and cover topics like infection control, patient rights, safety updates, and dementia care. Keep certificates or sign-in sheets as proof. Some states accept online CE courses from approved providers.
Submit your renewal application
Most states now offer online renewal through the Nurse Aide Registry website. You’ll submit: your personal information, employer verification of work hours, proof of continuing education hours, and a renewal fee ($0–$50 depending on the state). Some states have no renewal fee at all. Processing takes 1–4 weeks.
Receive your updated certification
Once approved, your Nurse Aide Registry listing is updated with a new expiration date. Some states mail a new certificate; others simply update the online registry. Your employer can verify your active status instantly through the registry. Save a screenshot or printout for your records.
Begin your renewal process at least 60 days before your expiration date. Gathering employer verification forms, tracking down CE certificates, and processing delays can eat up time quickly. If your certification expires before your renewal is processed, you cannot legally work as a CNA during the gap.
State-by-state renewal requirements
Requirements vary significantly across states. Below is a reference table for the most populated states. Always verify with your state’s Board of Nursing — requirements can change. States not listed below follow the federal minimum (8 paid hours + 12 in-service hours every 24 months) unless noted otherwise on their registry website.
| State | Renewal Cycle | Paid Work Required | CE / In-Service Hours | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 48 hours (24 hrs/yr) | $25 |
| Texas | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 24 hours | $0 (free) |
| Florida | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 24 hours | $30 |
| New York | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours (federal minimum) | $0 (free) |
| Pennsylvania | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $0 (free) |
| Illinois | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $0 (free) |
| Ohio | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $0 (free) |
| Georgia | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 24 hours | $15 |
| North Carolina | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $0 (free) |
| Michigan | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $0 (free) |
| New Jersey | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $30 |
| Virginia | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 24 hours | $25 |
| Washington | Every year | 8 hrs in 12 months | 12 hours per year | $0 (free) |
| Arizona | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $0 (free) |
| Massachusetts | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $0 (free) |
| Colorado | Every 2 years | 8 hrs in 24 months | 12 hours | $20 |
California requires 48 hours of continuing education every 2 years — four times the federal minimum. If you’re a CNA in California, start tracking your CE hours from day one. Many California CNAs fall short because they assume it’s the standard 12 hours. Your employer should provide in-service training, but it’s your responsibility to confirm you’ve hit 48 hours.
“Paid nursing-related services” — what counts?
Any compensated work where you performed CNA duties: taking vitals, assisting with ADLs, documenting, providing patient care in a nursing home, hospital, home health, or hospice setting. Volunteer work does not count. Orientation or training hours before your start date typically don’t count either. The 8-hour minimum is extremely low — if you’ve worked even one shift as a CNA in 2 years, you’ve met it.
What counts as continuing education?
Continuing education (CE) hours — also called “in-service training” — must cover nursing-related topics relevant to your role as a CNA. Here’s what qualifies and what doesn’t.
Accepted CE topics
- Infection control — hand hygiene updates, PPE protocols
- Patient rights — abuse prevention, HIPAA refresher
- Safety — fall prevention, fire safety, emergency procedures
- Dementia / Alzheimer’s care — many states require specific dementia hours
- Body mechanics — safe lifting, transfer techniques
- Communication skills — working with families, reporting
- End-of-life care — hospice, comfort measures, grief support
- Nutrition & hydration — special diets, choking prevention
- Cultural competency — caring for diverse populations
- CPR / BLS recertification (counts in most states)
Does NOT count as CE
- General orientation — facility tours, HR paperwork, badge photos
- Staff meetings — unless a specific educational topic is presented
- On-the-job training — learning while working your regular shift
- Non-nursing topics — financial planning, personal wellness, yoga
- Your original CNA training program — doesn’t count toward renewal CE
- Self-study without documentation — reading a textbook at home without a certificate of completion
- Social media courses — YouTube videos, TikTok, unless from an approved provider with a completion certificate
Save every in-service sign-in sheet, CE completion certificate, and training record in a folder (physical or digital). If your state audits your renewal, you must produce proof of every claimed hour. No proof = hours don’t count. Many CNAs lose their certification not because they didn’t do the training, but because they can’t prove it.
What if you didn’t work as a CNA?
If you did not perform any paid CNA work during your renewal period, you cannot renew through the standard process. Federal law requires a minimum of 8 hours of compensated nursing-related services. If you didn’t meet this requirement, most states will require you to retake the state competency exam (written, skills, or both) to reactivate your certification. You do not need to complete a new training program — just pass the exam again.
This commonly happens to CNAs who took a career break for family reasons, health issues, or to pursue further education (like LPN or RN school). The solution is straightforward: study, retake the competency exam, and pass. Once you pass, your certification is reactivated with a new expiration date. Some states also offer a short “refresher course” (8–16 hours) as an alternative to the full competency exam.
To avoid this situation entirely, many CNAs pick up one or two per-diem (PRN) shifts per year at a nursing home or home health agency even while pursuing other careers. Just 8 hours of paid CNA work in 24 months keeps your certification renewal-eligible through the standard (no-exam) process.
Register with a staffing agency (like CareRev, ShiftKey, or IntelyCare) as a PRN/per-diem CNA. Work one 8-hour shift every 6 months. That’s 4 shifts in 2 years — enough to meet the work requirement in every state, earn some extra income, and keep your certification active without committing to a full-time position.
Renewal timeline checklist
Here’s when to do what, counting backward from your expiration date.
6 mistakes that cause CNAs to lose certification
Assuming your employer handles renewal
Your employer provides in-service training and may sign work verification forms, but submitting the renewal application is YOUR responsibility. No employer files your renewal for you.
Waiting for the state to send a reminder
Some states send renewal notices; many don’t. Even states that do may send it to an old address. Track your expiration date yourself — set a phone reminder 90 days out.
Not keeping CE certificates
You attended every in-service training, but you threw away the sign-in sheets. If audited, you can’t prove it. Result: renewal denied. Save everything in a dedicated folder.
Changing jobs and losing track of hours
If you switched employers mid-cycle, you need CE records from both jobs. Contact your former employer’s HR department before renewal time — they’re required to keep training records but may be slow to respond.
Moving states without transferring certification
Your CNA certification is state-specific. If you moved to a new state, you must apply for reciprocity (certification transfer) in the new state. Your old state’s certification doesn’t automatically follow you.
Submitting the renewal application late
Even a one-day lapse creates a gap where you cannot legally work. Some employers will suspend you immediately if your registry status shows “expired.” Apply 60 days early to build in a buffer.
Moving states? How reciprocity works
If you’re moving to a new state or want to work across state lines, you’ll need to transfer your CNA certification through a process called reciprocity. CNA certifications are state-specific — there is no national CNA license that works everywhere.
Don’t wait until you arrive in the new state to start the reciprocity process. Some states take 4–8 weeks to process transfers. Apply as soon as you know your move date so your new state certification is ready when you arrive and you can start working immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I need to renew my CNA certification?
Most states require renewal every 2 years (24 months). A few states, like Washington, use a 1-year cycle. Your specific renewal date is listed on your Nurse Aide Registry profile and should be on your original certification document.
How many continuing education hours do I need?
The federal minimum is 12 in-service hours per 24-month renewal cycle. However, many states require more — California requires 48 hours, and several states require 24 hours. Check your state’s specific requirement in the table above or on your Board of Nursing website.
Can I complete continuing education hours online?
Many states accept online CE courses from approved providers. However, some states require a portion of CE hours to be in-person (especially hands-on skills like CPR). Always verify with your state’s Board of Nursing before relying entirely on online courses. Your employer’s in-service training sessions almost always count.
What happens if my CNA certification expires?
If your certification expires, you cannot legally work as a CNA until it’s reinstated. In most states, if it’s been less than 12–24 months since expiration, you can reinstate by retaking the competency exam (without completing a new training program). If it’s been longer, some states require a full new training program. See our detailed article on what happens when your certification expires.
Is there a grace period after my expiration date?
Some states offer a 30–60 day grace period during which you can still submit a late renewal without retaking the exam. However, during this grace period you typically cannot work as a CNA. Not all states offer a grace period — some require immediate reinstatement through exam retake. Don’t rely on a grace period; renew early.
Does my CNA certification transfer to another state?
Yes, through a process called reciprocity. Your certification must be active and in good standing, and you must apply through the new state’s Board of Nursing. Processing takes 2–8 weeks and may require a background check. A few states (like California) may also require retaking the competency exam. Apply before you move, not after.
How much does CNA renewal cost?
Many states charge $0 for renewal — the process is free. States that do charge a fee typically range from $15–$50. The continuing education hours themselves are usually free when provided by your employer as in-service training. If you need to take CE courses independently, expect $5–$25 per course from online providers.
I’m going back to school for LPN/RN — should I keep my CNA active?
Yes, strongly recommended. Keeping your CNA active lets you work PRN shifts for income while in nursing school, and it’s a backup if your nursing program takes longer than expected. The maintenance cost is minimal — a few shifts per year and your employer handles most CE. Letting it expire means retaking the competency exam later if you ever need it.
Related articles
Keep your certification active. Stay prepared.
Whether you’re renewing or need to retake the competency exam, our free practice test helps you stay sharp on all 9 CNA topic areas.
Take the free CNA practice test →