Colorado CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Colorado Nurse Aide Registry (maintained by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, DORA Division of Professions and Occupations).
Visit Official Registry24 months
Renewal Period
At least 8 hours of paid nursing services under the supervision of a licensed nurse during the previous 24 months
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Colorado CNA License
Open the DORA license lookup
Navigate to the official Colorado DORA license lookup at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx. This is the only authoritative source for verifying a Colorado CNA — third-party verification sites do not show real-time State Board of Nursing data.
Filter to Nurse Aide
Under 'License Type(s)' select 'Nursing,' and under 'License Profession' select 'NA' (Nurse Aide). This narrows the search to only CNAs and excludes RNs, LPNs, and APRNs from the results.
Search by name or license number
Enter the first and last name of the CNA, or enter the NA license number directly if you have it. Click Search to display the matching record. You can refine results by city if the name is common.
Review status, expiration, and board actions
The detail page shows the CNA's full name, license number, current status (active, inactive, expired, or with board action), license issue date, expiration date, and any disciplinary history. Print or save the detail page as a PDF for employer documentation or personal records.
About the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry (maintained by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, DORA Division of Professions and Occupations)
The Colorado Nurse Aide Registry is the official record of every certified nurse aide eligible to work in the state. It is maintained by the Colorado State Board of Nursing under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO). Unlike most states where the public health department runs the registry, Colorado places the registry under the same Board of Nursing that licenses RNs and LPNs — which is why CNA lookups are performed through the DORA license lookup tool at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx.
Training program approval is handled separately by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and competency testing is delivered through approved third-party vendors — most commonly D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia. Once a candidate passes both the written and skills portions and clears a state and FBI fingerprint background check, the State Board of Nursing issues a CNA license and the registry record becomes publicly visible.
Colorado's registry tracks each CNA's license number, current status (active, inactive, expired, or with disciplinary action), the date of original certification, the next renewal date, and any board actions. Renewal is on a 2-year cycle and requires documented paid nursing work; reinstatement of an expired credential costs $30. Reciprocity from other states is processed through the same Board of Nursing application portal at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing.
Contact Information
Official Website
https://dpo.colorado.gov/NursingPhone Number
(303) 894-2430Mailing Address
Colorado State Board of Nursing\nDivision of Professions and Occupations\n1560 Broadway, Suite 1350\nDenver, CO 80202
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mountain Time
Colorado CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Colorado uses Credentia (NNAAP) to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit Credentia (NNAAP)Training Requirements
Colorado requires 80 hours minimum, including 16 hours of supervised clinical experience. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Colorado CNA ClassesColorado CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Colorado CNA certification is valid for 24 months from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least At least 8 hours of paid nursing services under the supervision of a licensed nurse during the previous 24 months during your certification period to be eligible for renewal.
Employer Verification
Your employer verifies your work hours directly through the registry system. Keep your contact information current with your employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I verify a Colorado CNA?
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 enter the aide's name or license number. The lookup is free, public, and available 24/7. It is the official record of the Colorado State Board of Nursing under DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations.
Who maintains the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry?
The Colorado State Board of Nursing, housed under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), maintains the official Colorado Nurse Aide Registry. Training programs are approved separately by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and exams are delivered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia — but the registry itself sits with the Board of Nursing.
What information does the DORA lookup show?
A Colorado CNA lookup displays the aide's name, NA license number, current status (active, inactive, expired, or with disciplinary action), original certification date, license expiration date, and any board actions such as suspensions, revocations, or substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation.
How often do I renew my Colorado CNA license?
Colorado CNAs renew every 2 years through the DORA Online Services portal. To qualify, 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 require formal CEU hours, but most employers expect 12 hours of annual in-service training to meet federal OBRA-87 rules. Reinstating an expired CNA credential costs $30.
Does Colorado accept out-of-state CNAs through reciprocity?
Yes. Out-of-state CNAs who are currently active and in good standing on another state's registry can apply for endorsement through the Colorado Board of Nursing using the DORA Online Services portal. You must clear a state and FBI fingerprint background check and may be required to take the competency exam if your original training was shorter than Colorado's 80-hour minimum. Processing typically takes 2-6 weeks.
What if my Colorado CNA license is shown as expired?
An expired status means you did not renew within the 24-month window or did not document the required 8 hours of paid nursing work. You can reinstate an expired Colorado CNA credential by submitting a Reinstatement application to the State Board of Nursing with a $30 fee, paid as a money order or check made payable to 'State of Colorado.' If your license has been expired for an extended period, the Board may require retesting through Headmaster or Credentia.
Colorado CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your Colorado certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry (maintained by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, DORA Division of Professions and Occupations) reinstatement exam, these free guides cover the topics most commonly tested:
Patient Rights & HIPAA
OBRA '87 resident rights, mandatory reporting, advance directives — essential for any Colorado CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for Colorado nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on Colorado CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by Colorado CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in Colorado.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active Colorado CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any Colorado CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for Colorado CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by Colorado CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for Colorado CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in Colorado?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Colorado, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.