Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Indiana
- Training hours
- 105 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $100
- Exam
- Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Written + Skills)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) — Long-Term Care/Nursing Homes, Aide Training and Certification
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. No official minimum age requirement for CNA training or registry listing was found (IDOH's own page states 'no age requirement' for the training/testing process). A criminal history background check is required under Indiana Code 16-28-13 (Criminal History of Nurse Aides and Other Unlicensed Employees); a facility may not knowingly employ a nurse aide with a disqualifying conviction (e.g., certain sex crimes, endangered-adult exploitation/neglect-reporting failures, or theft within 5 years of the application date). [3]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 105 hours of training (including 75 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. The Nurse Aide Training (NAT) program must consist of a minimum of 30 hours of traditional classroom (or online-equivalent) instruction and 75 hours of clinical instruction, for 105 total hours, at an IDOH-approved program. [1]
- 3
Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Written + Skills)
Pass the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Written + Skills) (fee: $100). Written portion: 100 multiple-choice questions, 80% (80 correct) required to pass. Skills portion: demonstration of hand hygiene plus 4 randomly selected clinical skills. As of January 1, 2025, the combined written + skills fee is $100. If a candidate passes one portion but not the other, the single-portion retake fee is $90. Candidates get 4 attempts within 2 years to pass each component (official certification page states 3 attempts; the Ivy Tech testing page states 4 — both are cited here; treat as 3-4 attempts within 2 years). [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) — Long-Term Care/Nursing Homes, Aide Training and Certification. [2]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) — Long-Term Care/Nursing Homes, Aide Training and Certification issues your Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) for Indiana.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | None specified |
| License fee [2] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [2] | $0 |
| Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Written + Skills) [2] | $100 |
| Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Written + Skills) [2] | $100 |
| Single-portion retake [2] | $90 |
No separate state application or license fee was found beyond the Ivy Tech exam fee. Renewal via the Indiana Aides Registry (MyLicenseOne) is free.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
CNAs must work at least 8 hours in nursing-related duties every 2 years to remain active on the Indiana Aides Registry. Renewal is processed for free through MyLicenseOne. No continuing-education hour requirement was found on official sources.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Indiana accepts out-of-state CNAs who are currently certified in another state with an active certification in good standing, with no verified complaints or disciplinary action, via the Indiana Aides Registry (MyLicenseOne).
1 state-approved training provider in Indiana — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $100
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of CNA training does Indiana require?
105 total hours: 30 classroom hours plus 75 clinical hours, at an IDOH-approved Nurse Aide Training (NAT) program.
Who administers the Indiana CNA exam?
Ivy Tech Community College, under contract with the Indiana Department of Health. The exam has a written portion (100 multiple-choice questions) and a skills portion (hand hygiene plus 4 randomly selected skills); combined fee is $100.
How often do I need to renew my Indiana CNA certification?
Every 2 years, by documenting at least 8 hours of nursing-related work in that period. Renewal is free through MyLicenseOne.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Indiana?
Yes, if you're currently certified and in good standing in another state with no verified complaints or disciplinary action, you can register on the Indiana Aides Registry via MyLicenseOne.
Sources
- [1] in.gov/health/ltc/aide-training-and-certification/cna/nurse-aide-training-programs/ — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] in.gov/health/ltc/aide-training-and-certification/cna/certification-and-recertification/ — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] in.gov/health/files/Criminal_History_Checks.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [4] in.gov/health/ltc/aide-training-and-certification/cna/ — accessed 2026-07-10