Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Ohio
- Training hours
- 75 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $120
- Exam
- Knowledge Exam, Skill Test
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations — Nurse Aide Registry / NATCEP
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. A criminal background check (Ohio BCII / FBI) is required for nurse aide training program enrollment and facility employment. No explicit state-published minimum age was found on ODH's own Nurse Aide pages. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 75 hours of training (including 16 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. Training programs must be no less than 75 hours, matching the federal OBRA/42 CFR 483.152 floor, including classroom instruction (some online instruction allowed), skills lab, and 16 hours of clinical experience in a skilled nursing facility, per Ohio Administrative Code 3701-18-23, at an ODH-licensed Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). Ohio's official credential name is State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA), equivalent to a CNA. Verified via an archived snapshot of the ODH page dated 2026-03-05 (the live URL intermittently 404s). [1]
- 3
Knowledge Exam
Pass the Knowledge Exam (fee: $30). Multiple-choice; an Audio Version of the Knowledge Exam is offered for $40. Fee is from Headmaster's current (September 2025) Ohio Nurse Aide Candidate Payment Form 1402CND-OH. [2]
- 4
Skill Test
Pass the Skill Test (fee: $90). Hands-on, proctored demonstration of nurse aide skills; full clinical attire (scrubs, closed-toe shoes) required. Fee is from Headmaster's current (September 2025) Ohio Nurse Aide Candidate Payment Form 1402CND-OH. Per ODH's emergency rules (effective 7-30-2022), a score of 70% or better is required to pass the Knowledge portion. [2]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations — Nurse Aide Registry / NATCEP. [1]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations — Nurse Aide Registry / NATCEP issues your State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) for Ohio.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | None specified |
| License fee [1] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [1] | None specified |
| Knowledge Exam [2] | $30 |
| Skill Test [2] | $90 |
| Knowledge Exam (Headmaster) [1] | $30 |
| Audio Knowledge Exam (Headmaster) [1] | $40 |
| Skill Test (Headmaster) [1] | $90 |
No state application, license, or renewal fee was identified; candidates pay Headmaster's testing fees directly, and renewal is achieved through documented work hours rather than a monetary payment to the state.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
STNAs must perform at least 8 hours of nursing-related work within a 24-month period to remain on the active registry (some sources describe this as 7.5 consecutive hours). No continuing-education hour requirement. An STNA who has not worked in the field for two consecutive years must repeat an ODH-approved NATCEP and re-pass the competency evaluation to return to active registry status.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Ohio grants reciprocity to nurse aides currently credentialed and in good standing in another state: the applicant submits Ohio's Nurse Aide Registry Request for Reciprocity Form (HEA 6907) with identification, and the home-state registry completes Section II confirming the listing complied with federal OBRA requirements and there are no disqualifying abuse/neglect/misappropriation findings. No processing fee; review typically takes several weeks. The cited ODH nurse-aide-registry overview URL intermittently 404s, matching the same pattern documented on the sibling NATCEP page (see training.notes); the HEA 6907 process, no-fee status, and Section II requirement were corroborated via ODH's public Nurse Aide FAQ materials during re-verification on 2026-07-10. The Nurse Aide Registry page moved one level deeper on odh.ohio.gov; the citation above is the current URL.
24 state-approved training providers in Ohio — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $30
- $90
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of CNA (STNA) training does Ohio require?
A minimum of 75 hours, including 16 hours of clinical experience in a skilled nursing facility, at an ODH-licensed NATCEP.
Who administers the Ohio STNA exam?
Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies), under contract with the Ohio Department of Health. The exam has a Knowledge Exam and a Skill Test.
How often do I need to renew my Ohio STNA certification?
Every 24 months, by documenting at least 8 hours of nursing-related work during that period — there is no renewal fee.
Can an out-of-state CNA transfer their certification to Ohio?
Yes, through reciprocity: submit Ohio's Request for Reciprocity Form (HEA 6907), which requires your home state's registry to confirm your listing was compliant and free of disqualifying findings. There is no processing fee.
Sources
- [1] odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/nurse-aide-training-and-competency-evaluation-program-natcep/nurse-aide/nurse-aide — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/ohio/ohformpages/ohforms/1402CND%20OH%209.2025%20FILLABLE.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/nurse-aide-registry/nurse-aide-registry — accessed 2026-07-27