Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Reciprocity by State
- States researched
- 51
- Offer endorsement
- 51
- Interstate compacts
- 0
Already hold a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license and moving your license to another state? Most states offer an endorsement (sometimes called "reciprocity") route that lets you transfer an active out-of-state license without repeating training from scratch, though you may still need to pass a state-specific exam, submit fingerprints, or pay a transfer fee. A handful of occupations also participate in interstate compacts, which let a single license cover practice in every member state. The table below covers every state we've researched for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
| State | Endorsement available | Compacts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Alabama's out-of-state transfer process is employer-initiated: a new Alabama employer contacts the ADPH Division of Provider Services directly to verify the candidate's active, good-standing out-of-state nurse aide certification and request the transfer — there is no individual application form or fee. ADPH confirms the out-of-state certification is active and has no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation before adding the individual to the Alabama registry. |
| Alaska | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Alaska offers Certified Nurse Aide by Endorsement for applicants holding an unencumbered, current nurse aide certification/registration from another U.S. state/territory or a Canadian province/territory (or who completed a CNA program within the last 2 years without a current certificate, who may instead be eligible by exam), plus successful completion of a competency evaluation. Same $275 state fee structure as the by-examination route ($100 application + $100 certification + $75 fingerprint processing), plus fingerprint-based background check and, for graduates of non-English foreign nursing programs, proof of English proficiency. |
| Arizona | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Arizona offers CNA by Endorsement ($50 fee) for candidates whose out-of-state CNA certification is active, or was active within the last 2 years, and who completed either a 120-hour out-of-state training program, or a 75-hour program plus at least 45 hours of documented nursing-assistant work experience. |
| Arkansas | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Arkansas offers two out-of-state pathways: (1) an Out-of-State Reciprocity process (Form 9110AR, filed with D&SDT-Headmaster) for candidates who are current and in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry; and (2) an Out-of-State Training Waiver for candidates who completed at least 90 hours of out-of-state training but have not yet passed a comparable competency exam, letting them sit directly for the Arkansas Knowledge and Skill exams. A processing fee applies to the reciprocity application, but the current dollar amount is not stated in the primary handbook sections reviewed, so it is not recorded here rather than guessed. |
| California | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. California offers a CNA Equivalency/Reciprocity Application (CDPH 283E) for candidates whose CNA certification is active and in good standing on another state's registry — they can qualify for a California CNA certificate without retaking training or the Competency Evaluation. Required documents: the CDPH 283B Initial Application, a copy of the state-issued certificate, proof of paid nursing-related work in the last 2 years (waived if initially certified elsewhere within the last 2 years), Live Scan/FD-258 fingerprinting ($32 fee if using paper cards), and a Verification of Current Nurse Assistant Certification (CDPH 931) completed by the other state's registry. CDPH advises allowing at least 30 business days for processing. |
| Colorado | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Colorado offers Certified Nurse Aide - Certification by Endorsement (applied for online through DORA's Online Services) for candidates holding a current, valid nurse aide certificate from a jurisdiction with a substantially similar scope of practice. |
| Connecticut | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Connecticut offers Route 7 (Reciprocity) for candidates who are currently active and in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry — no retesting is required; the candidate submits a copy of their active out-of-state certificate or a verification letter from that state's registry, along with the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry Application, for a $55 fee. Separately, Route 3 (Out-of-State Training) is for candidates who completed an approved out-of-state training program (100+ hours) within the last 24 months but have NOT yet passed that state's competency exam — those candidates must take the Connecticut exam. |
| Delaware | Yes | — | Reciprocity (Route 7) is granted to an out-of-state CNA (or Maryland GNA) in good standing who, within the last 24 months, has completed either 420 clock hours (3 months full-time) of paid CNA work or a training/competency program equal to Delaware's requirements, plus payment of the reciprocity fee (amount not published). Verified via archive snapshot 2025-12-10. |
| District of Columbia | Yes | — | Certification by endorsement (DCMR 17 §9606) is available to an applicant with a current, unencumbered CNA registration/certification from another jurisdiction who also meets DC's general requirements (age 18+, criminal background check). |
| Florida | Yes | — | Certification by endorsement (Fla. Stat. §456.0145) requires an active, unencumbered CNA license from another state/territory/DC with a similar scope of practice, at least 2 years of active practice during the preceding 4 years, no NPDB reports, and a Level II background screening. |
| Georgia | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Georgia's Eligibility Route E-6 (Reciprocity) covers candidates who are active and in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry but have not worked as a nurse aide in the past 24 months (or are listed as ineligible for LTC work, or hold a Maryland CNA instead of a Georgia GNA); these candidates must contact Alliant Health Solutions for authorization to test, then get 1 year and 3 attempts to pass the Written and Skills exams. |
| Hawaii | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Hawaii's Route 2 (Reciprocity/Out of State) lets a nurse aide certified in another state apply directly to Prometric with a copy of their current, active out-of-state CNA certificate; DCCA determines whether to add the applicant directly to the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry or require the Competency Exam. Prometric verifies the applicant's status with the other state's registry before granting reciprocity. A $25 Reciprocity Fee applies. |
| Idaho | Yes | — | 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. |
| Illinois | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Illinois accepts individuals who have been deemed competent on another state's CNA registry: the applicant must provide documentation of current registration meeting 42 CFR §§483.151-483.152, have no administrative findings of abuse/neglect/misappropriation on their home state's (or any state's) registry, and have no disqualifying convictions on the home state's registry. An out-of-state CNA application fee of $25 applies. |
| Indiana | Yes | — | 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). |
| Iowa | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. A person currently listed on a direct care worker/CNA registry in another state can transfer to the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry through DIAL's placement process. |
| Kansas | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Kansas offers a reciprocity/endorsement pathway for nurse aides certified in another state to be added to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry; specific documentation requirements are handled through KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing (785-296-6877, Nurse Aide Registry line). |
| Kentucky | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. A nurse aide listed on another state's nurse aide registry may be granted reciprocity in Kentucky and deemed competent for employment, based on written verification from the other state's registry agency (name, SSN/ID, date placed on registry, and any documented findings). An employment record verifying that 24 months have not lapsed since the registrant last worked for pay as an aide must also be provided. Reciprocity is not granted to anyone with a validated complaint on a registry. |
| Louisiana | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Louisiana offers a standard Nurse Aide (CNA) Reciprocity application process for aides certified in another state. Separately, during a declared emergency, an aide certified in good standing in their home state may work in Louisiana for up to 30 days using their home-state verification (via the Directory of State Registries) before needing to apply for standard reciprocity. |
| Maine | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Out-of-state trained CNAs may apply to the Maine registry by submitting an application along with verification from all state(s) in which they currently hold or have held CNA certification, plus a copy of their current photo ID. A reciprocity form is available; Maine's registry recommends confirming requirements with the destination state's registry via the National Directory of Nurse Aide Registries when a Maine-certified CNA is moving to another state. |
| Maryland | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nursing assistants (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Maryland instead certifies 'by Endorsement': the applicant must hold an active, good-standing certificate from another state or territory whose certification requirements are essentially similar to Maryland's (Health Occupations Article §8-6A-05), and must have completed a nursing assistant training program that meets MBON's approved standards. The endorsement fee is $20. |
| Massachusetts | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Massachusetts instead runs an Out-of-State Reciprocity process: to be eligible you must be a CNA who is certified in another state, whose certification is current and in good standing, and who has never been certified in Massachusetts. Since December 4, 2023 the reciprocity application is processed through D&S Diversified Technologies (D&SDT-Headmaster) rather than DPH directly. |
| Michigan | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Michigan grants reciprocity under Section 333.21913 of the Michigan Public Health Code to candidates who trained and tested in a state that 'meets or exceeds' Michigan's requirements (a 40-state approved list is published, including a minimum-75-hour training requirement with no exemptions). Approved-state candidates apply via the MI-NATES system and pay the standard $40 registration fee; candidates who did not train/test in an approved state are not eligible for reciprocity. Michigan no longer processes outbound reciprocity paperwork for its own active CNAs — other states must verify status via the BCHS online registry. |
| Minnesota | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nursing assistants (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Minnesota uses an Interstate Endorsement Application for out-of-state nurse aides who are current and in good standing on another state's registry; forms are submitted by email to MDH, which allows up to 30 business days to review the application. There is no processing fee for interstate endorsement. |
| Mississippi | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Mississippi runs an Out-of-State Reciprocity Process: the applicant must be current and in good standing on a nurse aide registry in a state other than Mississippi, complete a CNA Reciprocity Form Application through the Mississippi TMU portal, and pay a $25 processing/administrative assessment fee. |
| Missouri | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Missouri offers free reciprocity: as long as a CNA's certification is active and in good standing in another state, they can apply through TMU (uploading their out-of-state certificate and identity documents, plus verification of at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work in the prior 24 months) to be added to the Missouri Nurse Aide Registry. Missouri does not, however, complete reciprocity verification forms for other states when a Missouri CNA transfers out. DHSS moved the CNA registry pages off /safety/cnaregistry/ to the /providers/ section; the citation above is the current page. The 175-hour split (75 classroom + 100 on-the-job) was re-confirmed there on 2026-07-27; the fee and exam figures were carried over from the retired FAQ page and are not restated on the new page. |
| Montana | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Montana grants Interstate Endorsement to anyone holding a current CNA registration in at least one other US state or territory: applicants create a BOUNDS portal account, select the CNA Interstate Endorsement Application, and enter at least one current out-of-state CNA number. No fee was identified for this process on DPHHS's official page. |
| Nebraska | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). A nurse aide moving to Nebraska from another state completes the Interstate Endorsement form; DHHS says this may take up to 30 days to process, and DHHS will contact the nurse aide registry of the state where the applicant trained (and any other states worked in) to verify status. All nurse aides transferring in must also complete Nebraska's 1-hour Abuse/Neglect/Misappropriation training, even if similar training was completed elsewhere. There is no fee for this transfer in either direction. |
| Nevada | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Nevada offers CNA by Endorsement: applicants submit a copy of their active out-of-state certificate/license (showing an expiration date), an endorsement form from the state where they were first certified, a completed fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint submission, and a $50 application fee, via the Nevada Nurse Portal. Applications are typically processed in about one week, and a temporary 6-month certificate may be issued while fingerprint results are pending. |
| New Hampshire | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/LNAs (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). New Hampshire allows LNA licensure by endorsement for candidates certified in another state, via OPLC's Reciprocity process; endorsement applicants are also subject to the same $63 application fee and background-check/fingerprinting requirements as new applicants, and are held to the same 24-contact-hour CE standard at renewal. |
| New Jersey | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. New Jersey offers two reciprocity routes for out-of-state certified CNAs: (1) complete 24 hours of DOH-approved continuing education (including 12 hours specific to Alzheimer's/dementia care) within the prior 24 months, or (2) complete 24 months of full-time (35+ hrs/week) nurse-aide employment under a licensed nurse's supervision and pass NJ's written and clinical exams. A $30 reciprocity fee applies. |
| New Mexico | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs. New Mexico grants reciprocity (a dual, independently-maintained certification) to out-of-state CNAs who submit a Reciprocity Form Application via the TMU portal along with government-issued photo ID, Social Security card, and their current out-of-state Nurse Aide Certification. There is no fee for requesting reciprocity in New Mexico. Verified via an archived snapshot of the HCA page dated 2026-03-15. |
| New York | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. New York uses a Reciprocity route (Route 2 on the NY Nurse Aide application) for candidates certified in another state: submit the application form, a copy of the current out-of-state certificate (with proof of any name change), and a $50 processing fee to Prometric. The out-of-state certification must be active and in good standing; if the other state doesn't publish expiration dates, a supervisor-signed letter documenting at least 7 hours of paid work in the past 24 months is required instead. |
| North Carolina | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Out-of-state nurse aides may be listed via a Training Waiver (completed a state-approved program in another state within the last 24 months, currently listed there in unexpired, good standing) or a Reciprocity Application (completed training and competency testing, listed elsewhere in unexpired good standing with no pending/substantiated abuse-neglect-exploitation findings, and at least 8 hours of RN-supervised paid nurse aide work in the previous 24 consecutive months). Private-duty and volunteer work do not qualify for reciprocity. An additional streamlined pathway exists for candidates from South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia. |
| North Dakota | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs. North Dakota grants certification by endorsement: applicants complete the Certified Nurse Aide Endorsement Application and request registry verification from every state where they hold or held a CNA certification; documentation regarding personal history/background may be requested. Complete applications (including endorsement) are typically processed within 3-5 business days. No separate endorsement fee was identified beyond the standard registration cost. |
| Ohio | Yes | — | 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. |
| Oklahoma | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides. Oklahoma grants reciprocity via ODH Form 735: applicants list every state where they have ever been certified, disclose any documented abuse/neglect/misappropriation findings and criminal convictions, and (for Long Term Care Aides) pay no fee, or (for Home Health Aides) pay a $15 non-refundable fee. All applicants must also complete an Affidavit of Lawful Presence (ODH Form 301); non-U.S. citizens must provide supporting documentation of qualified alien status. |
| Oregon | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs. Oregon calls its reciprocity process 'CNA Endorsement': applicants must hold an active, good-standing CNA certification from another state, complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check, and provide proof of their original state-approved training and certification; the Oregon competency exam is not required to be retaken. The endorsement application is submitted online via the OSBN Nurse Portal for a $60 processing fee (in addition to the standard application fee). |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | — | 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. |
| Rhode Island | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nursing assistants. Rhode Island offers a 'Nursing Assistant By Endorsement' application path (distinct from the standard 'By Examination' path) for out-of-state applicants who hold a current license as a nursing assistant in good standing in another state meeting Rhode Island's standards, plus documentation of at least three months of full-time work experience. Alternatively, completion of a 100-hour state-approved program (with at least 20 hours of clinical training) in another jurisdiction satisfies the training requirement. |
| South Carolina | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). South Carolina offers certification by reciprocity at no fee for nurse aides currently listed as active and in good standing on another state's registry who completed at least a 100-hour basic state-approved nurse aide course. Apply online via Credentia ('Submit Reciprocity Application'); the certification expiration date carries over from the original state. |
| South Dakota | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Registration by endorsement is available for aides who completed a Nurse Aide Training Program of at least 75 hours, are actively registered on another state's CNA registry, and have no findings or convictions of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property. Apply via the Board's online CNA Registration by Endorsement application. Endorsement page verified via archive snapshot [2026-05-12]. |
| Tennessee | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Tennessee accepts reciprocity from all states except Florida — an individual certified in Florida must retrain and retest in Tennessee. The applicant must hold an active certification with no abuse or derogatory findings in the transferring state. Applications are processed by the state testing agency (Credentia as of June 2026) with a $20 processing fee; processing typically takes no longer than one week once all required information is received. |
| Texas | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Texas instead runs its own Reciprocity route: a nurse aide with an active certification in another state completes a DPS criminal history check and a Request for Entry on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry through Reciprocity application in TULIP. A separate Military Spouse Stationed in Texas Waiver issues a 3-year Texas certificate to qualifying military spouses who hold an active out-of-state certification, without retesting. |
| Utah | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). An out-of-state CNA cannot work in Utah on an out-of-state certificate, even an active one — a Reciprocity Application ($50) must be submitted and approved, and the applicant must be current and active on the other state's registry. Individuals with foreign (non-US) certificates or licenses must instead complete Utah's 100-hour CNA course and pass both state exams. |
| Vermont | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers LNAs/CNAs — Vermont belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact for RNs/LPNs only, and it does not apply to LNA practice (Board rules explicitly note the NLC 'is not applicable to APRN or LNA practice'). Out-of-state nurse aides use licensure by endorsement: licensed/certified in good standing in a substantially equivalent jurisdiction, with at least 50 days (400 hours) of nurse assistant employment in the last two years (Rule 10-3); applicants continuously licensed elsewhere for 3+ years may use Fast Track Endorsement instead. A federal criminal background check is required for all routes. |
| Virginia | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Nurse aides certified in other states may obtain Virginia certification without retesting through CNA by Endorsement, submitted online through the Virginia Board of Nursing's website. Approval depends on the original state verifying the certification and confirming the applicant meets requirements comparable to Virginia's initial certification requirements; processing time varies with how quickly the other state responds. |
| Washington | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers nursing assistants (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Out-of-state CNAs apply for NAC certification by interstate endorsement: work history (professional training and experience) is required, verification of placement on the other state's OBRA registry is required, the applicant must list every state where they hold or held credentials, and each such jurisdiction must send a completed verification form directly to the Department of Health. Background check applies as with initial applicants. On 2026-07-01 the Washington State Board of Nursing assumed regulatory authority for certified nursing assistants from the Department of Health, and the DOH licensing-information page cited previously was retired; citations now point to the Board's own NA-C page. |
| West Virginia | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Nurse aides certified in another state may transfer to West Virginia by completing the Application by Reciprocity, available as an online form on the OHFLAC website (Registration by Reciprocity under Online Services). Per the Policy Manual, placement on the registry can occur through training+competency evaluation, RN/LPN challenge, or reciprocity from another state. |
| Wisconsin | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Active, good-standing out-of-state aides apply for registry placement with the Out-of-State application on the Wisconsin Headmaster (TMU) website, documenting completion of a minimum 75-hour state-approved training program (diploma/transcript or program letter with completion date) — or, lacking training proof, employer verification of at least 2,088 hours worked as a nurse aide under RN/LPN direction in the two years preceding application. Candidates who can document neither must retrain and retest in Wisconsin. Inactive-but-good-standing out-of-state aides must renew their home-state registry status or complete competency testing in Wisconsin. Alabama-trained applicants certified only in Alabama more than two years ago also need employment verification for the previous two years. |
| Wyoming | Yes | — | No interstate compact covers CNAs (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Certification by Endorsement is available for a CNA who is certified in another state, whose certification is current and in good standing, and who has never been certified in Wyoming; apply through the WSBN endorsement process (WYNAR Endorsement registry placement). |
"Endorsement available" reflects whether the destination state has a published route to transfer an active out-of-state license. Always confirm current rules with the issuing board before relying on endorsement to practice in a new state.