Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Idaho
- Training hours
- 120 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $29
- Exam
- Written (Knowledge) Exam, Manual Skills Evaluation
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Idaho Nurse Aide Registry
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. No official state-mandated minimum age for CNA training or registry placement was found; individual NATCEP programs may set their own age policy. A criminal background check is required, and a relevant record on the Nurse Aide Registry itself is a disqualifying factor under Idaho's background check rules (IDAPA 16.05.06); fingerprint-based background checks are required for direct patient access roles in long-term care and home health under Idaho Code §56-1004A. [3]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 120 hours of training (including 40 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. 120 total hours: 80 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of hands-on clinical instruction, at a NATCEP-approved (Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program) provider. [1]
- 3
Written (Knowledge) Exam
Pass the Written (Knowledge) Exam (fee: $29). 60 multiple-choice questions, 90-minute time limit, delivered as an internet-based exam at the training program or an assigned test site; an Oral Exam version is also $29. Testing site fees apply in addition to the Prometric fee. Must be passed within 12 months of completing the training program, with up to 3 attempts; after 3 failed attempts, the training program must be repeated. Idaho's Department approved Prometric to administer only the Written exam — the hands-on skills component is a separate Manual Skills evaluation (see other exams entry), not administered by Prometric. Prometric retired the Idaho CNA Candidate Information Bulletin at its previous path and blocks automated clients, so the citation above is the state registry page. The exam fee should be re-confirmed against Prometric's current Idaho bulletin. [2]
- 4
Manual Skills Evaluation
Pass the Manual Skills Evaluation. Candidates must pass the Manual Skills evaluation within 6 months of completing their training program and bring proof of passing it to the Written exam. Unlike most states, Idaho's Prometric-administered exam covers only the Written (Knowledge) component; the skills evaluation is conducted by the training program itself, so no separate Prometric fee applies to it. A specific standalone fee amount for this evaluation was not found on an official source — left null rather than guessed; it may be bundled into training program tuition. Prometric retired the Idaho CNA Candidate Information Bulletin at its previous path and blocks automated clients, so the citation above is the state registry page. The exam fee should be re-confirmed against Prometric's current Idaho bulletin. [2]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Idaho Nurse Aide Registry. [1]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Idaho Nurse Aide Registry issues your Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) for Idaho.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | None specified |
| License fee [1] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [1] | $0 |
| Written (Knowledge) Exam [2] | $29 |
| Manual Skills Evaluation [2] | None specified |
| Duplicate certificate / change request fee [1] | $15 |
No separate state application or licensing fee was found beyond the $29 Prometric Written exam fee (plus testing site fees) and training program tuition. Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare states there is no fee to process renewal or most standard registry requests, so renewal is recorded as $0; the only published fee is a $15 charge for duplicate certificates and change requests.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
Certification expires 24 months from the CNA's last day worked as a nurse aide. Renewal requires performing at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related duties during that 24-month period. No continuing education hour requirement was found on the official page — recorded as null rather than guessed. If the 24-month work requirement isn't met, the CNA may retest (Manual Skills + Written) without repeating the training program.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Idaho's Route 2 (Reciprocity) gives nursing assistants with current, active status on another state's Nurse Aide Registry 'deemed status' — they are entered onto Idaho's Nurse Aide Registry without having to take the Idaho competency exam, per the official Candidate Information Bulletin.
Cost calculator
- $29
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of CNA training does Idaho require?
120 total hours: 80 classroom hours plus 40 hours of hands-on clinical instruction at a NATCEP-approved training program.
Who administers the Idaho CNA exam?
Prometric administers only the Written (Knowledge) exam ($29). The hands-on Manual Skills evaluation is conducted separately by the candidate's state-approved training program, not by Prometric.
How often do I need to renew my Idaho CNA certification?
Certification expires 24 months after your last day worked as a nurse aide. You must document at least 8 paid hours of nursing-related work in that period; there is no fee to renew.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Idaho?
Yes — under Route 2 (Reciprocity), nursing assistants with current, active status on another state's Nurse Aide Registry are given deemed status and entered onto the Idaho Registry without retesting.
Sources
- [1] healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/certified-nurse-assistant/about-certified-nurse-assistant-registry — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/certified-nurse-assistant/about-certified-nurse-assistant-registry — accessed 2026-07-27
- [3] healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/bcu — accessed 2026-07-10
- [4] prometric.com/files/ID_CNA_CIB.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10