CNA Requirements in New York
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in New York: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find New York CNA Training ProgramsNew York CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
17
Training Hours
100 hours minimum
(Federal minimum: 75)
Time to Certification
6–12 weeks (training is typically 4–8 weeks, then 2–4 weeks for exam and registry listing)
Exam Vendor
Prometric
Becoming a CNA in New York
Becoming a CNA in New York means committing to 100 hours of state-approved training — 25 hours above the federal minimum. Most full-time programs run 4 to 8 weeks; part-time evening and weekend programs may run 8 to 12 weeks. The 100 hours split into a minimum of 70 hours of classroom and skills-lab instruction plus at least 30 hours of supervised clinical training inside a New York-licensed nursing home. Approved programs are run by nursing homes themselves, BOCES centers (especially in the suburbs and upstate), CUNY and SUNY community colleges, and private career schools across the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, and the rest of the state.
One feature that makes New York unusually friendly to no-experience candidates: federal OBRA rules let you start working as a paid nurse aide for up to four months after completing your training, while you finish the Prometric exam and registry process. In practice, many New York nursing homes will hire you before your registry listing posts, especially in the New York City and upstate networks facing acute staffing shortages. This means you can start earning a CNA wage 4 to 8 weeks into your training rather than waiting another 4 weeks for registry processing.
Plan to budget for the Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) fingerprinting before you start. NYSDOH requires fingerprint-based criminal background checks for nurse aides working in any NYSDOH-licensed facility, and fingerprinting is completed through IdentoGO or a similar approved vendor. Disqualifying offenses cover most violent felonies, theft, sexual offenses, and vulnerable-adult abuse — recent non-automatic-disqualifier offenses can add 2 to 4 weeks to your timeline while NYSDOH reviews. The minimum age for most New York training programs is 17 (some require 18); NYSDOH does not require a high school diploma, though most programs do.
Detailed New York CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Bureau of Professional Credentialing
Minimum Age
You must be at least 17 years old to begin CNA training in New York.
Education Requirement
Most NYSDOH-approved training programs require a high school diploma or GED, though it is not strictly required by state regulation. Basic English reading and writing ability is required to complete training and the exam.
Training Hours
100 hours minimum required.
Minimum 70 hours of classroom and skills-lab instruction plus at least 30 hours of supervised clinical training inside a New York State licensed nursing home
Background Check
Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) fingerprinting required for all nurse aides working in NYSDOH-licensed facilities
Competency Exam
Administered by Prometric. Two-part Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation at a Prometric test center
Cost: Approximately $115 total (varies; check Prometric's current NY fee schedule)
Application Fee
Included in the Prometric application packet (APPCNANY)
Total Cost Estimate
$0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,500 (community college or private program)
Where You Can Work
New York State Article 28 licensed nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. CNAs work under RN supervision and may not work outside facilities approved under Article 28 to recertify under 10 NYCRR 415.26(d)(6).
What's Different About New York
New York requires 100 hours of training (25 above the federal minimum) and recertification requires paid work at a New York Article 28-licensed facility specifically — not just any healthcare setting
How to Become a CNA in New York: Step by Step
Confirm you meet basic prerequisites
Most NYSDOH-approved nursing-home nurse aide training programs require students to be at least 17 (some require 18), able to read, write, and speak English, and able to pass a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC). A high school diploma or GED is preferred by many programs and required by some, though not by NYSDOH regulation.
Find a NYSDOH-approved Nursing Home Nurse Aide Training Program
Locate a 100-hour state-approved program. NYSDOH publishes a list of approved programs run by nursing homes, BOCES centers, community colleges, and private schools across the state. The program must include the required 70 hours of classroom/skills and 30 hours of clinical experience inside a NY-licensed nursing home.
Complete the 100-hour training program
Finish all classroom theory, skills laboratory practice, and clinical experience. Some students complete the program in as little as 4 weeks full-time; part-time programs may run 8–12 weeks. You must complete the program within a defined time window before testing.
Submit the Prometric APPCNANY application and schedule your exam
Your training program or you submit the New York Nurse Aide Application (APPCNANY) to Prometric at prometric.com/nurseaide. Schedule both the written (or oral) knowledge test and the skills evaluation at a Prometric-approved New York test center. You have up to two years from training completion to test.
Pass both portions of the Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination
The written exam is multiple-choice (or oral by request for English-language-learner accommodations). The skills exam asks you to perform a hands-on set of nurse aide skills. Passing both adds you to the New York State Nurse Aide Registry. Prometric candidate services: 1-800-805-9128.
Verify your listing on the NYS Nurse Aide Registry
After you pass, your information is added to the Prometric-hosted New York State Nurse Aide Registry at registry.prometric.com/public, updated daily. You can verify your active status by searching by name or certification number. You are now authorized to work as a CNA in any New York-licensed nursing home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in New York?
You must complete a NYSDOH-approved Nursing Home Nurse Aide Training Program of at least 100 hours (70 classroom/skills + 30 clinical in a NY-licensed nursing home), pass a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC), and pass both the written and skills portions of the Prometric Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination. Most programs require you to be at least 17 and able to read and write English.
How long does it take to become a CNA in New York?
Full-time programs typically run 4 to 8 weeks. Part-time evening or weekend programs may run 8 to 12 weeks. After training, schedule the Prometric exam (often within 2–4 weeks of completion). Total time from program start to registry listing is typically 6 to 12 weeks.
How much does CNA training cost in New York?
Costs range from $0 (employer-sponsored training at a nursing home) to about $1,500 at community colleges and private career schools. Add Prometric's competency exam fee (approximately $115) and fingerprinting costs for the CHRC. Many New York nursing homes pay for training in exchange for a post-certification work commitment, especially in the New York City and upstate nursing-home networks facing acute staffing shortages.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in New York?
Not strictly — NYSDOH does not require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification. However, most approved training programs require either a diploma, a GED, or current enrollment in a high school program. If you are still in high school, BOCES dual-enrollment programs are widely available in New York.
What is the Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) requirement?
New York requires fingerprint-based criminal history checks for nurse aides working in NYSDOH-licensed nursing homes and other regulated facilities. Fingerprinting is completed through IdentoGO or a similar approved vendor. NYSDOH reviews the results and approves or denies the candidate based on findings; certain felony convictions, particularly those involving violence, theft, or vulnerable-adult offenses, are disqualifying.
Can I begin working as a CNA in New York before I pass the exam?
Yes — federal OBRA rules allow you to work as a nurse aide in a nursing home for up to four months after completing approved training, while you complete the competency evaluation. You must pass both the written and skills portions of the Prometric exam and be added to the New York State Nurse Aide Registry within those four months to continue working.
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