Kentucky CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (State Registered Nurse Aide / SRNA Registry).
Visit Official Registry2 years
Renewal Period
At least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the 24-month certification period
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Kentucky CNA License
Visit the KBN License Lookup
Go to the Kentucky Board of Nursing License Lookup, the official tool for verifying SRNA status.
Go to KBN LookupChoose the SRNA credential type
Select 'State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA)' from the credential type dropdown menu to narrow your search to nurse aides.
Enter the aide's search information
Search by the SRNA's first and last name or by registration number. You can also filter by city or county for common names.
Review the SRNA's status
View the SRNA's current status (Active or Inactive), expiration date, registration number, and any findings or disciplinary actions on record.
About the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (State Registered Nurse Aide / SRNA Registry)
The Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry — formally the State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) Registry — is maintained by the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) in cooperation with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services' Department for Medicaid Services. The registry began in October 1990 following passage of the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) and tracks every SRNA in Kentucky along with any abuse, neglect, or misappropriation findings.
Kentucky is unique in calling its nurse aides 'SRNAs' rather than CNAs. Functionally an SRNA is the same role as a CNA in other states — the credential satisfies federal OBRA requirements — but you'll see 'SRNA' on Kentucky job postings, on the registry lookup, and on Kentucky Board of Nursing communications. Training programs are officially known as Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEP).
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is the sole approved testing administrator for the Kentucky Nurse Aide Test (KNAT), using the TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform. Whether you train at a KCTCS college, a hospital, or a private school, your exam is scheduled through a KCTCS KNAT Coordinator. Employers verify SRNA status through the KBN License Lookup at kybn.boardsofnursing.org, and the Cabinet's Office of Inspector General investigates any allegations of misconduct.
Contact Information
Official Website
https://kbn.ky.gov/state-registered-nurse-aide/Pages/default.aspxPhone Number
(502) 429-3300Mailing Address
Kentucky Board of Nursing 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300 Louisville, KY 40222-5172
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM ET
Kentucky CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Kentucky uses Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) via TestMaster Universe (TMU) to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) via TestMaster Universe (TMU)Training Requirements
Kentucky requires 75 hours, including 59 hours of classroom instruction and at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice in a Medicaid-approved long-term care facility. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Kentucky CNA ClassesKentucky CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Kentucky CNA certification is valid for 2 years from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least At least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the 24-month certification period 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
How do I renew my Kentucky SRNA registration?
Kentucky SRNA registrations must be renewed every 2 years through the Kentucky Board of Nursing Nurse Portal. To qualify for renewal you must have completed at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the 24-month certification period. Submit your renewal application online and upload any required supporting documents. Renewal notices are mailed to the address on file.
How do I look up a Kentucky SRNA?
Visit the KBN License Lookup at kybn.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup, which lets the public and employers verify current SRNA status. You can search by name or registration number to confirm whether an aide is in good standing and check for any findings on record. The lookup is maintained by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Can I transfer my CNA certification to Kentucky from another state?
Yes — Kentucky accepts reciprocity through the Kentucky Board of Nursing's SRNA reciprocity process. Submit a reciprocity application via the KBN Nurse Portal with copies of your driver's license, Social Security card, and current state certification. Your home-state registry must verify that you are in good standing with no findings and have recent work experience in the field.
Who administers the Kentucky Nurse Aide Test (KNAT)?
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is the sole approved testing administrator for the KNAT, using the TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform. KCTCS Nurse Aide Testing can be reached at (877) 528-2748 or [email protected]. You may test at any approved Kentucky testing site regardless of where you trained, and the combined fee for both written and skills portions is approximately $115.
What happens if my Kentucky SRNA status lapses?
If you go 24 months without completing at least 8 hours of paid nursing work, your SRNA status becomes inactive. To return to active status you must retake and pass the Kentucky Nurse Aide Test (KNAT) through KCTCS — you do not need to repeat the full 75-hour training program if you were previously certified. Contact the Kentucky Board of Nursing to confirm your specific reinstatement requirements.
How do I update my name or address with the Kentucky Board of Nursing?
Log in to your Kentucky Board of Nursing Nurse Portal account to update your address online. Name changes require supporting legal documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order and must be submitted through the portal or by mail to the KBN at 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222-5172. Updates typically process within 2-4 weeks.
Kentucky CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your Kentucky certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (State Registered Nurse Aide / SRNA Registry) 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 Kentucky CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for Kentucky nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on Kentucky CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by Kentucky CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in Kentucky.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active Kentucky CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any Kentucky CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for Kentucky CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by Kentucky CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for Kentucky CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in Kentucky?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Kentucky, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.