Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Pennsylvania
- Training hours
- 75 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $135
- Exam
- Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Skills + Written or Oral)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Nursing Care Facilities — Nurse Aide Registry
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 16 years old, pass a criminal background check. Candidates must be at least 16 years old to sit for the Nurse Aide Competency Exam, though some employers require candidates to be at least 18. Applicants must obtain a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) report from PA State Police free of prohibitive offenses; those who have not been a PA resident for at least two years must also obtain an FBI report. A physical exam (freedom from communicable disease, negative 2-step Mantoux TB test) and basic English proficiency in math, reading, and writing are also required. [5]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 75 hours of training at a state-approved program. Pennsylvania's own nurse aide training regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1181.521) requires 'not less than 75 hours' of initial training, matching the federal OBRA/42 CFR 483.152 floor, at a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-approved nurse aide training program; the regulation does not itemize the classroom/clinical split. Many approved PA programs run 80-120 hours in practice, with clinical components commonly cited around 37.5-42.5 hours, but 75 hours is the state's own codified minimum. [1]
- 3
Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Skills + Written or Oral)
Pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Skills + Written or Oral) (fee: $135). Skills Evaluation (5 randomly selected competencies) plus a Written exam (70 multiple-choice questions) or an Oral alternative (60 multiple-choice + 10 reading-comprehension questions). Must be taken within 24 months of completing an approved training program. $135 is the combined first-time fee for Skills + Written or Skills + Oral. Individual retake fees: Written only $50, Oral only $50, Skills only $85. Under federal and Pennsylvania law, nursing homes must cover NNAAP fees for their nurse aide employees, including retesting; the aide cannot be directly charged. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Nursing Care Facilities — Nurse Aide Registry. [3]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Nursing Care Facilities — Nurse Aide Registry issues your Nurse Aide for Pennsylvania.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | None specified |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | None specified |
| Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Skills + Written or Oral) [2] | $135 |
| Skills + Written (or Oral) Exam, first-time (Credentia) [3] | $135 |
| Written Exam retake only [3] | $50 |
| Oral Exam retake only [3] | $50 |
| Skills Exam retake only [3] | $85 |
No separate PA Department of Health application, license, or renewal fee was found; registry renewal is free, and candidates' Credentia exam fees are legally required to be paid by their nursing home employer rather than the aide.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
Nurse Aide Registry listing is renewed every 24 months by documenting at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work in an approved facility during that period, via the Credentia CNA365 portal. No fee for the renewal itself, and no continuing-education hour requirement.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Out-of-state nurse aides who are currently listed on another state's nurse aide (or equivalent) registry as active and in good standing may apply for Pennsylvania registry enrollment through a reciprocity application process on the Credentia platform.
1 state-approved training provider in Pennsylvania — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $135
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of CNA training does Pennsylvania require?
Pennsylvania's own regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1181.521) sets a minimum of 75 hours at a PA Department of Education-approved training program, though many approved programs run 80-120 hours.
Who administers the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide exam?
Credentia, under contract with the PA Department of Health. The exam includes a hands-on Skills Evaluation plus a Written or Oral knowledge test.
Who pays the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide exam fee?
By federal and state law, the nursing home employer must pay the exam fees ($135 combined for a first-time test) for its nurse aide employees, including retesting costs — the fee cannot be charged directly to the aide.
How often do I need to renew my Pennsylvania Nurse Aide registry listing?
Every 24 months, by documenting at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work during that period through the Credentia CNA365 portal. There is no renewal fee.
Sources
- [1] pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] kb-pa.credentia.com/en/article/exam-fees — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] pa.gov/agencies/health/business-registration-and-regulation/nurse-aide/nurse-aide-testing — accessed 2026-07-10
- [4] kb-pa.credentia.com/en/article/the-registry — accessed 2026-07-10
- [5] pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/instruction/career-and-technical-education/nurse-aide-training-program — accessed 2026-07-10