New Jersey CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry.
Visit Official Registry2 years
Renewal Period
7 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related services in a licensed health care facility or agency within the prior 24 months
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your New Jersey CNA License
Open the NJ Nurse Aide Registry
Go to the official PSI-hosted New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry, which is the public registry operated under contract with the NJ Department of Health.
NJ Nurse Aide RegistryChoose the Public Registry search
Select the Online Public Registry option to look up an individual nurse aide without needing a login. This is the free public-facing verification tool used by employers and the public.
Enter search criteria
Search by last name and first name, date of birth, or by certification number. Provide enough information to uniquely identify the individual.
Review certification status and findings
Review the results to confirm the aide's current certification status, expiration date, and whether the registry shows any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property. For verification help or questions, contact NJ DOH at 866-561-5914 or [email protected].
About the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry
The New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry is administered by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJ DOH), Health Facilities Certification & Licensing program, rather than by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. NJ DOH oversees training program approval (NATCEP), competency evaluation, certification, and registry listing for nurse aides who work in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. PSI Services LLC operates the registry and administers the competency examination under contract with NJ DOH, with general inquiries handled at 866-561-5914 and [email protected].
To qualify for certification in New Jersey, candidates must complete 90 hours of state-approved training, which is 15 hours above the federal minimum of 75 hours required by OBRA. The 90-hour curriculum is broken down into 50 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed long-term care facility. After completing the NATCEP, candidates take the New Jersey Nurse Aide Examination, consisting of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation administered by PSI.
It is important to distinguish the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) credential from the Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA) credential, as the two are often confused. CNAs are regulated by the NJ Department of Health and work primarily in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and other licensed facilities. CHHAs, by contrast, are regulated by the New Jersey Board of Nursing within the Division of Consumer Affairs and work in patients' homes through licensed home health agencies. The two credentials have different training, application, renewal, and oversight pathways.
Contact Information
Official Website
https://www.nj.gov/health/healthfacilities/certification-licensing/nurse-aide-pc-assistant/Phone Number
866-561-5914Mailing Address
New Jersey Department of Health Certified Nurse Aide Program P.O. Box 358 Trenton, NJ 08625-0358
New Jersey CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
New Jersey uses PSI Services LLC to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit PSI Services LLCTraining Requirements
New Jersey requires 90 hours total (50 classroom + 40 clinical) through a state-approved Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find New Jersey CNA ClassesNew Jersey CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
New Jersey CNA certification is valid for 2 years from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least 7 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related services in a licensed health care facility or agency within the prior 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
Who regulates Certified Nurse Aides in New Jersey?
Certified Nurse Aides in New Jersey are regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJ DOH), Health Facilities Certification & Licensing. PSI Services LLC operates the Nurse Aide Registry under contract with NJ DOH. The Board of Nursing does NOT regulate CNAs in New Jersey, though it does regulate Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aides (CHHAs). You can reach the NJ DOH CNA program at 866-561-5914 or [email protected].
What is the difference between a CNA and a CHHA in New Jersey?
These are two separate credentials with different regulators. The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is overseen by the NJ Department of Health and primarily works in long-term care facilities and other licensed health care facilities. The Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA) is overseen by the NJ Board of Nursing (Division of Consumer Affairs) and works in patients' homes through home health agencies. The training programs, applications, fees, and renewal processes are administered separately, and a CNA certification does not automatically confer CHHA status (or vice versa).
How do I update my name or address on the New Jersey CNA Registry?
New Jersey CNAs can update name and address information through the PSI-hosted New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry at njna.psiexams.com or by contacting the NJ Department of Health CNA program at 866-561-5914 or [email protected]. Name changes require legal documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Address updates are typically processed within 2 weeks. Keeping your contact info current ensures you receive your renewal notice 45 to 60 days before expiration.
How often must I renew my New Jersey CNA certification, and what does it cost?
New Jersey CNA certifications must be renewed every 2 years. The renewal fee is $30. To renew, you must show at least 7 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work in a licensed health care facility or agency within the 24 months preceding your expiration date, and your employer must verify your work on the renewal form. Renewal reminders are typically sent 45 to 60 days before the expiration date.
What is the difference between the PSI registry and the NJ Board of Nursing?
PSI Services LLC operates the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry under contract with the NJ Department of Health (NJ DOH). All CNA certifications, renewals, exams, and verifications run through PSI at njna.psiexams.com. The New Jersey Board of Nursing — a separate state body within the Division of Consumer Affairs — does NOT regulate CNAs at all. The Board of Nursing regulates RNs, LPNs, and Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aides (CHHAs), but CNAs are exclusively under NJ DOH and PSI. Confusing the two is a common mistake when applying for NJ CNA certification.
Does New Jersey offer reciprocity for out-of-state CNAs?
Yes. New Jersey offers two reciprocity pathways. Route 1 requires 24 hours of approved continuing education within the prior 24 months, including 12 hours on Alzheimer's/dementia care plus 12 hours on infection control, emergency procedures, abuse/neglect, resident rights, and pharmacy topics. Route 2 requires 24 months of full-time employment (at least 35 hours per week) as a CNA in a nursing home in the other state, with recent work within 24 months of application; Route 2 applicants must also pass New Jersey's skills evaluation and written/oral exam.
Becoming a CNA in New Jersey?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in New Jersey, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.