CNA Requirements in New Hampshire
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in New Hampshire: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find New Hampshire CNA Training ProgramsNew Hampshire CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
17
Training Hours
100 hours minimum
(Federal minimum: 75)
Time to Certification
10-16 weeks
Exam Vendor
Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies
Becoming a CNA in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of only a handful of states that licenses (rather than certifies) its nursing assistants and refers to them as Licensed Nursing Assistants, or LNAs. The credential is governed by the Board of Nursing operating within the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) in Concord, and the practice scope is defined under NH RSA 326-B and the associated Nur 700 administrative rules.
Because New Hampshire requires 100 hours of training rather than the 75-hour federal minimum, graduates often find that their preparation is accepted easily for endorsement into surrounding New England states. The state's curriculum places heavy emphasis on resident rights, infection control, and dementia-specific care, reflecting the aging demographic profile of much of rural New Hampshire.
The competency exam is unusual in that it is delivered by multiple approved vendors-Excel Testing (the largest provider), Pearson VUE, and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts-rather than a single statewide contractor. This vendor flexibility lets training programs partner with whichever agency best fits their schedule and location, and it gives candidates more options for test dates across the state.
Detailed New Hampshire CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Board of Nursing (OPLC)
Minimum Age
You must be at least 17 years old to begin CNA training in New Hampshire.
Education Requirement
Applicants must have a high school diploma, HiSET/GED, or be at least 17 years old and currently enrolled in or have completed an approved LNA training program.
Training Hours
100 hours minimum required.
40 hours classroom theory + 60 hours supervised clinical practice
Background Check
State and federal criminal background check with fingerprinting through the NH State Police, processed via the OPLC
Competency Exam
Administered by Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies. Two-part competency exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test of 60 multiple-choice questions and a hands-on skills evaluation of 3-5 randomly assigned skills, including hand hygiene
Cost: $200 combined (written + skills) through Excel Testing of New Hampshire; Pearson VUE and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts charge their own scheduled fees as alternate OPLC-approved vendors
Application Fee
$63 LNA initial license fee paid through the NH Online Licensing Portal
Total Cost Estimate
$1,000-$2,000 including tuition, the $49.75 NH State Police fingerprint check, the $200 Excel Testing exam, and the $63 OPLC LNA license fee
Where You Can Work
Hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living residences, home health agencies, residential care facilities, hospice agencies, and rehabilitation centers across New Hampshire
What's Different About New Hampshire
New Hampshire uses the title Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) rather than CNA, and is one of the few states requiring a full 100 hours of training rather than the federal minimum of 75.
How to Become a CNA in New Hampshire: Step by Step
Confirm eligibility and obtain identity documents
Verify you are at least 17 years old, gather a government-issued photo ID, and obtain proof of education (high school diploma, HiSET, or current high school enrollment). New Hampshire allows applicants who are still in high school to begin the LNA pathway, which is unusual compared with most states.
Enroll in an OPLC-approved 100-hour LNA program
Select a Board of Nursing-approved training program offered by a community college, hospital, nursing home, or private school. The state-mandated curriculum is 40 classroom hours plus 60 clinical hours, and at least 16 hours of pre-clinical instruction must be completed before any direct patient contact.
Complete the criminal background check and fingerprinting
Submit fingerprints through an OPLC-approved live-scan vendor or by hard card. The OPLC reviews state and FBI history; certain disqualifying offenses are codified in NH Admin Code Nur 402. Plan for two to four weeks for results to return.
Pass the two-part state competency exam
Sit for the written (or oral) knowledge test and the manual skills evaluation administered by Excel Testing, Pearson VUE, or American Red Cross of Massachusetts. The vendor used is typically selected by your training program. A score of 70% or higher is required on the knowledge portion, and all assigned skills must meet critical-element standards.
Submit the LNA license application through the NH Online Licensing Portal
Create an account on the OPLC online licensing portal, complete the LNA initial application, upload your training certificate and exam results, and pay the $63 license fee. Applications are typically reviewed within 5-10 business days once all documents are received.
Receive your LNA license number and enter the registry
Once approved, your name is added to the New Hampshire Nurse Aide Registry and you receive a license number. You may not work in a paid nursing-assistant capacity in a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility until your name appears on the registry.
Maintain your LNA credential every two years
Renew biennially through the OPLC portal. You must affirm either at least 200 hours of paid LNA practice, 24 contact hours of continuing education, or completion of a board-approved LNA program within the prior 24 months, and pass a new background check at each renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does New Hampshire call its nursing assistants LNAs instead of CNAs?
New Hampshire is one of only a few states (alongside Vermont and a small number of others) that issues a formal license rather than a certification to nurse aides. The Board of Nursing under the OPLC oversees the LNA credential, which gives the state direct disciplinary authority over individual practitioners under NH RSA 326-B. Functionally, LNAs perform the same direct-care duties as CNAs in other states.
How long does it take to become an LNA in New Hampshire?
Most candidates complete the full pathway in 10 to 16 weeks. A typical OPLC-approved 100-hour LNA program runs 4 to 8 weeks (full-time programs can be as short as 3 weeks; part-time evening programs may take 12 weeks). After graduation you must schedule and pass the two-part competency exam, then allow another 1 to 2 weeks for the OPLC to review your application and issue the license.
Who administers the LNA competency exam in New Hampshire?
The OPLC has approved three competency testing agencies: Excel Testing, which is the largest provider and is headquartered in Manchester, NH; Pearson VUE through the NNAAP program; and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. Your training program will tell you which vendor it partners with. All three deliver a written/oral knowledge test plus a clinical skills evaluation.
Can I work as an LNA in New Hampshire while my application is being processed?
No. Federal OBRA-87 rules and NH Nur 402 require that you be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry before being employed by a Medicare or Medicaid certified facility. New nursing-home or assisted-living hires may, however, work in a non-aide support role (such as a feeding assistant or unit aide) while completing training and waiting for licensure.
Is New Hampshire's LNA license accepted in other states?
Generally yes. Because New Hampshire requires 100 hours of training and a two-part competency exam, most other states will accept the credential through reciprocity or endorsement, provided your registry status is in good standing and you have worked at least 8 hours for pay in the previous 24 months. You typically apply directly to the receiving state's nurse-aide registry to transfer.
What does it cost in total to become an LNA in New Hampshire?
Tuition is the biggest variable. Community-college programs run roughly $900-$1,500, while hospital and nursing-home programs are often free or tuition-reimbursed in exchange for a work commitment. On top of tuition you should budget for the $63 OPLC application fee, the approximately $49.75 background check, scrubs, a stethoscope, and roughly $200 in combined exam fees-bringing the typical out-of-pocket total to between $1,000 and $2,000.
Free Study Materials for the New Hampshire CNA Exam
The Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies exam used by the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Board of Nursing (OPLC) tests both knowledge and hands-on skills. Use these free study guides to prepare for the topics most commonly tested in New Hampshire:
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and biohazard handling for the New Hampshire CNA exam.
Basic Nursing Skills
Vital signs, intake/output, positioning, transfers, and range of motion — the largest block on the Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies skills test.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, oral care, toileting, and incontinence management — heavily tested Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies skills in New Hampshire.
Safety & Emergencies
RACE/PASS fire safety, fall prevention, choking, CPR, and seizure care — required knowledge for New Hampshire CNA candidates.
Communication Skills
SBAR handoff, therapeutic communication, and adaptations for hearing, vision, and dementia residents — tested throughout the Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies exam.
Patient Rights
OBRA '87 resident rights, HIPAA, advance directives, and freedom from restraints — graded on every New Hampshire CNA practical exam skill.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective data, pain scales, what to report immediately, and documentation rules used on the New Hampshire exam.
Body Systems & Conditions
Cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine basics, plus pressure-injury staging — frequently tested on the New Hampshire written exam.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, Kübler-Ross stages, and postmortem care for New Hampshire CNAs working in long-term care.
Mental Health & Dementia
Delirium vs dementia, sundowning, validation therapy, and de-escalation — frequently tested on the Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies written exam in New Hampshire.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, the four elements of negligence, mandatory reporting, and ethical principles every New Hampshire CNA must know before working.
Test yourself for the New Hampshire CNA exam
Free Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies Practice Tests
The Excel Testing (primary), Pearson VUE, and American Red Cross of Massachusetts are all OPLC-approved competency testing agencies written exam used in New Hampshire 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.
Ready to Start Your New Hampshire CNA Career?
Find approved training programs, free study materials, and license verification tools for New Hampshire.