CNA Requirements in Oregon
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Oregon: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Oregon CNA Training ProgramsOregon CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
16
Training Hours
155 hours minimum (more than double the federal 75-hour OBRA standard)
(Federal minimum: 75)
Time to Certification
10-16 weeks (155-hour program completion plus 2-4 weeks for OSBN application processing and fingerprint clearance)
Exam Vendor
D&SDT-Headmaster
Becoming a CNA in Oregon
Oregon has one of the most rigorous CNA pathways in the United States, set and enforced by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) - the same board that regulates RNs and LPNs. The Oregon CNA program requires 155 training hours (80 classroom/lab + 75 clinical), more than double the federal OBRA 75-hour minimum, reflecting Oregon's strong emphasis on geriatric care and patient safety.
Effective July 1, 2025, OSBN consolidated the previous CNA 1 (basic) and CNA 2 (advanced acute-care) tiers into a single unified Certified Nursing Assistant credential, streamlining the pathway for both new applicants and existing CNAs. OSBN contracts with D&SDT-Headmaster to deliver the two-part competency evaluation - a 75-question multiple-choice knowledge test and a 5-skill hands-on skills evaluation - and applicants apply directly through the Oregon Nurse Portal at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/orbn.
Oregon CNAs work in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, residential care, assisted living, adult foster homes, hospice, and home health agencies. Because the OSBN application requires Fieldprint fingerprint-based background clearance and a $106 application fee in addition to the Headmaster testing fees, the total cost to become a CNA in Oregon typically runs between $900 and $1,800 - though many employer-sponsored programs cover the tuition portion in exchange for a short post-certification work commitment.
Detailed Oregon CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) - Certified Nursing Assistant Program
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to begin CNA training in Oregon.
Education Requirement
Oregon does not require a high school diploma or GED, but candidates must be able to read, write and communicate in English at a level adequate for safe patient care; individual programs may add their own requirements.
Training Hours
155 hours minimum (more than double the federal 75-hour OBRA standard) required.
80 hours of classroom and lab instruction + 75 hours of supervised clinical practice in an OSBN-approved setting (skilled nursing, hospital, residential care, or assisted living)
Background Check
Fingerprint-based criminal history check through Fieldprint Inc. (approximately $70.50) submitted to OSBN before certification is issued
Competency Exam
Administered by D&SDT-Headmaster. Two-part Oregon CNA exam: a 75-question multiple-choice knowledge test (90 minutes, 75% passing score) plus a 5-skill hands-on skills evaluation (35-minute time limit), administered by D&SDT-Headmaster
Cost: $106 OSBN application fee paid through the OSBN Nurse Portal, which covers initial exam authorization with D&SDT-Headmaster; retake fees are $25 knowledge, $45 skills, or $70 for both
Application Fee
$106 OSBN CNA application fee
Total Cost Estimate
$900-$1,800 including 155-hour tuition, OSBN application fee, Fieldprint background check (~$70.50), Headmaster exam fees, and required supplies
Where You Can Work
Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, residential care, assisted living, adult foster homes, hospice, and home health agencies under RN supervision throughout Oregon
What's Different About Oregon
Effective July 1, 2025, Oregon consolidated its former CNA 1 and CNA 2 tiers into a single unified CNA certification, while still requiring 155 training hours - more than double the federal minimum.
How to Become a CNA in Oregon: Step by Step
Confirm OSBN eligibility
You must be physically and mentally able to perform CNA duties safely, able to communicate in English, and free of disqualifying criminal history. The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) reviews each application individually under OAR Chapter 851 Division 062.
Enroll in an OSBN-approved 155-hour CNA program
Choose a program approved by OSBN. Approved programs include community colleges (PCC, Chemeketa, Lane), private vocational schools (e.g., Caregiver Training Institute), and employer-sponsored classes at hospitals and long-term care facilities. The curriculum must include 80 classroom/lab hours and 75 supervised clinical hours under an RN instructor.
Complete the 80 hours of classroom and 75 hours of clinical
Topics include human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, vital signs, communication, personal care, resident rights, nutrition, and the geriatric-care emphasis Oregon places on its curriculum. Clinical hours take place in skilled nursing, hospital, residential care, or assisted living settings under direct RN supervision.
Submit Fieldprint fingerprints and OSBN application
Complete fingerprint-based criminal history check through Fieldprint Inc. (approximately $70.50) and submit your $106 CNA application to OSBN through the Oregon Nurse Portal at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/orbn. OSBN reviews your training documentation and approves you to test.
Register for the Headmaster Oregon CNA exam
Once OSBN approves you to test, register with D&SDT-Headmaster at hdmaster.com. The knowledge test is 75 multiple-choice questions over 90 minutes with a 75% passing score, and the skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected hands-on skills within 35 minutes for a Headmaster evaluator.
Get added to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry
After you pass both portions of the Headmaster exam, results are reported to OSBN. Once fingerprint clearance is also received, OSBN issues your CNA certificate and lists your name on the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry, which employers verify through the OSBN license-lookup tool.
Renew every two years
Oregon CNA certifications are valid for 24 months. You must renew through the Oregon Nurse Portal, document at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work in the prior 24 months, and pay the renewal fee. OSBN does not require continuing education for CNA renewal, but employers may.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Oregon require 155 training hours instead of the federal 75?
The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) sets the 155-hour minimum under OAR 851-062 to ensure CNAs are prepared for Oregon's strong geriatric and long-term-care workforce needs. The 155 hours break down to 80 classroom and lab hours plus 75 hours of supervised clinical practice - more than double the federal OBRA minimum and roughly twice what neighboring states such as Idaho or Nevada require.
What changed when Oregon merged CNA 1 and CNA 2 in July 2025?
Effective July 1, 2025, OSBN consolidated the former CNA 1 (basic long-term care) and CNA 2 (advanced acute care) tiers into a single unified Certified Nursing Assistant certification. New applicants now follow one 155-hour pathway, and existing CNA 1 and CNA 2 license holders were transitioned to the unified credential. This eliminates the need to complete a separate CNA 2 upgrade course to work in hospitals.
How much does the Oregon CNA exam cost through Headmaster?
Oregon bundles its exam fee into the $106 OSBN application paid through the Nurse Portal, which serves as both your initial registry application and your first attempt at the D&SDT-Headmaster knowledge and skills exam. Retakes are billed separately at $25 for the knowledge test, $45 for the skills test, or $70 if you need to retake both. You will also pay a Fieldprint fingerprint background check of approximately $70.50. Oral exams are available for candidates needing reading accommodations.
Where do I take the Oregon CNA exam?
D&SDT-Headmaster operates Regional Test Sites (RTS) throughout Oregon for the skills evaluation, including Portland, Salem, Eugene, Medford, and Bend, with additional sites at OSBN-approved training programs that have agreed to host the test. The knowledge test can be taken at a Headmaster test center or online with remote proctoring.
How do I verify someone's Oregon CNA license?
Use the OSBN License Lookup tool at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup. Search by name, license number, or city. The results show the CNA's certification number, current status (active, expired, suspended), expiration date, and any disciplinary action. OSBN also offers primary source verification for out-of-state employers.
Can I transfer my CNA license from another state to Oregon?
Yes. CNAs in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry can apply to OSBN by endorsement. You must submit the CNA application through the Oregon Nurse Portal, complete the Fieldprint fingerprint background check, and have your home-state registry send verification directly to OSBN. If your training did not include at least 155 hours, OSBN may require additional coursework before adding you to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry.
Free Study Materials for the Oregon CNA Exam
The D&SDT-Headmaster exam used by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) - Certified Nursing Assistant Program tests both knowledge and hands-on skills. Use these free study guides to prepare for the topics most commonly tested in Oregon:
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and biohazard handling for the Oregon CNA exam.
Basic Nursing Skills
Vital signs, intake/output, positioning, transfers, and range of motion — the largest block on the D&SDT-Headmaster skills test.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, oral care, toileting, and incontinence management — heavily tested D&SDT-Headmaster skills in Oregon.
Safety & Emergencies
RACE/PASS fire safety, fall prevention, choking, CPR, and seizure care — required knowledge for Oregon CNA candidates.
Communication Skills
SBAR handoff, therapeutic communication, and adaptations for hearing, vision, and dementia residents — tested throughout the D&SDT-Headmaster exam.
Patient Rights
OBRA '87 resident rights, HIPAA, advance directives, and freedom from restraints — graded on every Oregon CNA practical exam skill.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective data, pain scales, what to report immediately, and documentation rules used on the Oregon exam.
Body Systems & Conditions
Cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine basics, plus pressure-injury staging — frequently tested on the Oregon written exam.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, Kübler-Ross stages, and postmortem care for Oregon CNAs working in long-term care.
Mental Health & Dementia
Delirium vs dementia, sundowning, validation therapy, and de-escalation — frequently tested on the D&SDT-Headmaster written exam in Oregon.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, the four elements of negligence, mandatory reporting, and ethical principles every Oregon CNA must know before working.
Test yourself for the Oregon CNA exam
Free D&SDT-Headmaster Practice Tests
The D&SDT-Headmaster written exam used in Oregon 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 Oregon CNA Career?
Find approved training programs, free study materials, and license verification tools for Oregon.