CNA Requirements in Colorado
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Colorado: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Colorado CNA Training ProgramsColorado CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
16
Training Hours
80 hours minimum (state rule above the federal 75)
(Federal minimum: 75)
Time to Certification
4-8 weeks
Exam Vendor
Credentia (NNAAP)
Becoming a CNA in Colorado
Colorado's CNA pathway is unusual in that it spans three state entities. The Colorado State Board of Nursing, housed under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations, issues the CNA license and maintains the public registry. Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs) are reviewed and approved separately by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). And competency testing is administered through approved third-party vendors, with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia operating the most widely used exams in the state.
Colorado requires 80 hours of state-approved training — 5 hours above the federal minimum — and is one of the few states where most full-time programs can be completed in just 2 to 4 weeks. The state also offers a uniquely flexible pathway through CDPHE's Parent-CNA program, which allows parents of medically complex children to become certified specifically to provide paid, Medicaid-billable care to their own child. This option exists in only a handful of states and is administered separately from the standard NATCEP pipeline.
Once certified, Colorado CNAs work in nursing facilities, skilled nursing centers, hospitals across the Front Range and Western Slope, hospice programs, home health agencies, and assisted living communities. Demand is especially strong in metro Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction. Reciprocity into Colorado is available for nurse aides currently active in another state, though the Board of Nursing requires a fingerprint background check and may require additional documentation if your original training was below 80 hours.
Detailed Colorado CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Colorado State Board of Nursing, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), with NATCEP approval by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to begin CNA training in Colorado.
Education Requirement
No statewide minimum education set by the State Board of Nursing; individual programs typically require a high school diploma or GED, English proficiency, and a basic reading assessment.
Training Hours
80 hours minimum (state rule above the federal 75) required.
Minimum 64 hours of classroom theory and skills lab + 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care setting
Background Check
State and FBI fingerprint criminal history check submitted through the Colorado Board of Nursing as part of the initial CNA application
Competency Exam
Administered by Credentia (NNAAP). Two-part NNAAP-style competency exam: a written or oral test (60 multiple-choice items plus 10 unscored pretest items, 90 minutes) and a skills evaluation of 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills, including mandatory hand hygiene
Cost: $145 total first-time ($50 written or oral knowledge exam + $95 skills evaluation); retakes priced separately at $50 written, $50 oral, or $95 skills per attempt
Application Fee
$80 initial state application fee paid to the Colorado Board of Nursing (verify current amount at dpo.colorado.gov/Nursing/CNAApplications)
Total Cost Estimate
$700-$1,800
Where You Can Work
Nursing facilities, skilled nursing centers, hospitals, hospice programs, home health agencies, assisted living residences, and as a parent-CNA caring for a medically complex child under Colorado's PCP/Parent-CNA program
What's Different About Colorado
Colorado is one of the only states that allows parents to become certified CNAs specifically to provide paid, billable care to their own medically complex child through the CDPHE Parent-CNA program.
How to Become a CNA in Colorado: Step by Step
Confirm Colorado eligibility
To enroll in Colorado CNA training you should be at least 16 (most schools require 18), be physically capable of performing direct resident care, and be able to read and write English. The Colorado State Board of Nursing requires a state and FBI fingerprint background check; convictions involving abuse, neglect, theft, or controlled substances may bar you from certification. A TB screening and current immunizations are typically required before clinicals.
Choose a CDPHE-approved training program
Colorado-approved Nurse Aide Training Programs are reviewed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and must deliver at least 80 hours of instruction — 5 hours above the federal minimum. Options include community colleges (such as Front Range, Arapahoe, and Pikes Peak), Red Cross chapters, vocational schools, hospitals, and many long-term care facilities offering free training in exchange for an employment commitment.
Complete 80 hours of training including 16 hours of clinicals
Your program must include at least 64 hours of classroom theory and supervised lab plus 16 hours of clinical experience in a long-term care setting. Curriculum covers basic nursing skills, personal care, mental health and social needs, residents' rights, infection control, communication, and care of cognitively impaired residents. Most full-time programs run 2-4 weeks; evening or weekend programs can extend to 8 weeks.
Apply to the Colorado State Board of Nursing
After training, submit a CNA application to the State Board of Nursing through the DORA Online Services portal at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing. The state application fee is approximately $80 (verify current amount). The application triggers the fingerprint background check and authorizes you to register for the competency exam. Some applicants are required to complete the background check before scheduling the exam.
Pass the two-part competency exam
Colorado uses D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia as approved testing vendors. The written exam includes 60 multiple-choice questions (90-minute limit) and you must achieve the passing score set by the vendor. The skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected hands-on skills, always including hand hygiene. Most candidates pay roughly $50 for the written and $85 for the skills test, totaling $135.
Be added to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both portions and your background check clears, the State Board of Nursing issues your CNA certificate and adds you to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry maintained by DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations. Your status is publicly verifiable through the DORA license lookup at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx. You are now legally eligible to work as a CNA anywhere in Colorado.
Renew every two years with documented work
Colorado CNA certification renews on a 2-year cycle. To renew, you must document at least 8 hours of paid nursing services under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the prior 24 months. The State Board of Nursing does not currently mandate formal CEU hours, though many employers require 12 hours of annual in-service training under federal OBRA-87. Renewal is done through DORA Online Services and an expired certificate can be reinstated with a $30 fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours of training do I need to become a CNA in Colorado?
Colorado requires at least 80 hours of state-approved training — 5 hours above the federal minimum. The 80 hours must include at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care setting, with the remaining 64 hours covering classroom theory and skills lab. Most Colorado community college programs run 2-4 weeks full-time; many local nursing facilities offer free training in exchange for a 90-day or 1-year employment commitment.
Who regulates CNAs in Colorado?
Three agencies share responsibility. The Colorado State Board of Nursing, under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations, issues the CNA license and maintains the registry. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) approves training programs (NATCEPs). And competency testing is delivered by approved vendors such as D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Colorado?
Plan for $700 to $1,800 total. The Board of Nursing application fee is approximately $80, the competency exam runs about $135 ($50 written plus $85 skills), and the fingerprint background check costs roughly $40. Tuition is the biggest variable: community college programs typically charge $700-$1,200, private vocational programs can hit $1,500, and employer-sponsored programs at Colorado nursing facilities are often free if you commit to working for them after passing the exam.
Can a parent become a CNA in Colorado to care for their own child?
Yes. Colorado offers a special Parent-CNA pathway through CDPHE that allows parents of medically complex children to become certified specifically to provide paid, Medicaid-billable care to their own child at home. This program follows a modified curriculum focused on the child's specific needs and is one of the most flexible parent-caregiver programs in the U.S. — only a handful of states offer anything similar.
How do I renew my Colorado CNA certification?
Colorado CNAs renew every 2 years through the DORA Online Services portal. To qualify for renewal, you must document at least 8 hours of paid nursing services for compensation under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the previous 24 months. The State Board of Nursing does not currently require a specific number of CEU hours, but most employers expect 12 hours of in-service training annually to satisfy federal OBRA-87 rules. Lapsed certificates can be reinstated with a $30 fee.
Where can I verify a Colorado CNA license?
Use the DORA license lookup at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx. Select 'Nursing' under license type and 'NA' (Nurse Aide) under license profession, then search by name or by license number. The lookup is free, publicly available 24/7, and is the official source of record maintained by the Colorado State Board of Nursing under DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations.
Free Study Materials for the Colorado CNA Exam
The Credentia (NNAAP) exam used by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), with NATCEP approval by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) tests both knowledge and hands-on skills. Use these free study guides to prepare for the topics most commonly tested in Colorado:
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and biohazard handling for the Colorado CNA exam.
Basic Nursing Skills
Vital signs, intake/output, positioning, transfers, and range of motion — the largest block on the Credentia (NNAAP) skills test.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, oral care, toileting, and incontinence management — heavily tested Credentia (NNAAP) skills in Colorado.
Safety & Emergencies
RACE/PASS fire safety, fall prevention, choking, CPR, and seizure care — required knowledge for Colorado CNA candidates.
Communication Skills
SBAR handoff, therapeutic communication, and adaptations for hearing, vision, and dementia residents — tested throughout the Credentia (NNAAP) exam.
Patient Rights
OBRA '87 resident rights, HIPAA, advance directives, and freedom from restraints — graded on every Colorado CNA practical exam skill.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective data, pain scales, what to report immediately, and documentation rules used on the Colorado exam.
Body Systems & Conditions
Cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine basics, plus pressure-injury staging — frequently tested on the Colorado written exam.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, Kübler-Ross stages, and postmortem care for Colorado CNAs working in long-term care.
Mental Health & Dementia
Delirium vs dementia, sundowning, validation therapy, and de-escalation — frequently tested on the Credentia (NNAAP) written exam in Colorado.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, the four elements of negligence, mandatory reporting, and ethical principles every Colorado CNA must know before working.
Test yourself for the Colorado CNA exam
Free Credentia (NNAAP) Practice Tests
The Credentia (NNAAP) written exam used in Colorado has 60 scored multiple-choice questions. Drill our free NNAAP-style practice tests until you can consistently score above 80%, then walk into the testing center confident.
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Find approved training programs, free study materials, and license verification tools for Colorado.