FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How do I become a CNA?

You must successfully complete a state-approved nurse aide training program and pass both the written and skills portions of the NNAAP examination.

If you have not completed a CNA training program but you have had other training, contact the California Department of Public Health at 916-327-2445 to determine your eligibility.

You must pass both the written and skills portions of the NNAAP examination.

2. May I perform the duties of a Nurse Assistant before I am certified?

If you are currently attending an approved training program in a nursing home, you have one-twenty (120) days in which to complete the training and become certified. During that period, a student may not perform any duty for which they have not been trained and checked by the instructor.

If you are not enrolled in an approved facility training course, you may not perform any nurse aide duties until you become certified.

3. How do I arrange for special Accommodations?

Special requests must be submitted and approved prior to testing. Documentation from your physician or other qualifying professional must be included with the request. Please refer to the Special Exam Requests and Services section of the candidate handbook for details.

4. How do I decide which exam to take?

Initially, both the Written and Skills exams must be scheduled together.

An Oral Examination in English may be substituted for the Written examination if you have difficulty reading English. It contains sixty (60) questions, plus ten (10) reading comprehension questions in which you must identify job-related words.

5. Is there a time limit in which I must pass both exams?      

You are allowed three (3) attempts within two (2) years after successfully completing a training program to pass both parts of the NNAAP Examination, to be eligible for placement on the Nurse Aide Registry. If you do not pass the NNAAP Examination within a two-year period, you will be required to re-train before you will be allowed to take the examination again.

6. Can I register for an exam or check my scores online?

• Registration must be done by mail.
• State issues CNA license 
• If you passed both parts of the examination, your name will be placed on the California Nursing Assistant Registry. 
• Results cannot be viewed online.

7. What form of payment do you accept, and may I take it to the test site?

All payments (money order, cashier’s check, or company check) made payable to the Regional Testing Center and mailed to appropriate Regional Center. No form of payment will be accepted at the test site.

8. What is the next test date?

Test dates at Regional Test Sites are listed on the Credentia website (http://www.credentia.com), or Southern Region (www.regionaltestingcenter.org).

9. How long will it take me to find out if I passed or failed?

After the Nursing Assistant Evaluator evaluates your performance, he or she will fax the answer sheet for scoring. An official Score Report will be faxed to the evaluator. The Score Report will indicate whether you have passed or failed.

If the site experiences technical difficulties with faxing answer sheets, they will be sent to Credentia for hand scoring and results will be mailed within 5-7 business days after testing.

10. How do I verify if I’m on the Nurse Aide Registry?

Contact the California Certification Unit at (916) 327-2445.

11. How do I change my name and/or address?

Complete the form in the back of the handbook and mail it with appropriate documentation to Credentia.

12. How long will my name remain on the registry?

Once on the Nurse Aide Registry, your certification will remain current for twenty-four (24) months from the date you passed both parts of the NNAAP exam. You must have worked for pay as a nurse assistant performing nursing related services for at least eight (8) consecutive hours during the twenty-four (24 months) prior to your certification expiration date, and you must submit evidence of forty-eight (48) hours of in-service training or continuing education. Contact the CA Department of Public Health at (916) 327-2445 for additional information. A Renewal Notice will be sent to you four (4) months prior to your expiration date.

13. How long will my name remain on the registry?

Once on the Nurse Aide Registry, your certification will remain current for twenty-four (24) months from the date you passed both parts of the NNAAP exam. You must have worked for pay as a nurse assistant performing nursing related services for at least eight (8) consecutive hours during the twenty-four (24 months) prior to your certification expiration date, and you must submit evidence of forty-eight (48) hours of in-service training or continuing education. Contact the CA Department of Public Health at (916) 327-2445 for additional information. A Renewal Notice will be sent to you four (4) months prior to your expiration date.