North Carolina CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.
Visit Official Registry2 years
Renewal Period
8 hours of nursing-related services
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your North Carolina CNA License
Visit the NC NAR Website
Go to the official North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry verification page.
Go to NC NAREnter Search Information
Search by Social Security Number, registry number, or by first and last name.
Complete Verification
Enter any additional required information and submit your search request.
View Results
Review certification status, expiration date, and check for any findings on record.
About the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry
The North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry (NC NAR) is maintained by the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR). The registry contains records of all individuals certified as Nurse Aide I or Nurse Aide II in the state.
North Carolina is unique in having two levels of nurse aide certification. Nurse Aide I certification allows you to perform basic nursing assistant duties, while Nurse Aide II certification requires additional training and allows for more advanced clinical skills.
The registry maintains records of any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. These findings are permanent and are shared with other states through the national database.
Contact Information
Official Website
https://www.ncnar.orgPhone Number
(919) 855-3969Mailing Address
NC DHSR - Health Care Personnel Registry 2709 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2709
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
North Carolina CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
North Carolina uses Pearson VUE to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit Pearson VUETraining Requirements
North Carolina requires 75 hours of state-approved nurse aide training for NA I certification. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find North Carolina CNA ClassesNorth Carolina CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
North Carolina CNA certification is valid for 2 years from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least 8 hours of nursing-related services 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 North Carolina CNA certification?
North Carolina Nurse Aide I certification must be renewed every 2 years. You must have worked at least 8 hours performing nursing-related services for pay during your certification period. Submit your renewal application online through the NC NAR website along with employer verification of your work hours.
How long does it take to get listed on the NC Nurse Aide Registry?
After passing your competency evaluation, it typically takes 1-2 weeks for your information to appear on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. Your testing results are sent electronically from Pearson VUE to the registry. Contact the registry if your name doesn't appear within 3 weeks of passing.
Can I transfer my CNA certification to North Carolina from another state?
Yes, North Carolina accepts reciprocity from other states. You must submit a Reciprocity Application, have your current state send verification directly to the NC registry, pass a criminal background check, and pay the required fee. Your certification must be active and in good standing with no findings.
How do I renew or maintain my NA II certification in North Carolina?
Nurse Aide II certification is regulated by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (separate from DHSR, which handles NA I). NA II renewal requires you to maintain active NA I status and verify continued practice of NA II skills, typically through employer verification. Renewal is on a 2-year cycle aligned with your NA I expiration. If your NA II credential lapses, you may need to complete a refresher course or repeat the NA II competency evaluation. Contact the NC Board of Nursing for current NA II renewal requirements at ncbon.com.
My NC CNA certification expired. What should I do?
If your certification has been expired for less than 24 months and you can document employment within the last 24 months, you may be able to reinstate. If expired longer or without qualifying work history, you'll need to retake the competency evaluation. Contact the registry to determine your specific requirements.
How do I report a change of name or address in North Carolina?
To update your personal information on the NC Nurse Aide Registry, log in to your account on the NCNAR website or submit a written request. Name changes require legal documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Address changes can be made online through your account.
North Carolina CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your North Carolina certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the North Carolina Nurse Aide I 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 North Carolina CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for North Carolina nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on North Carolina CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by North Carolina CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in North Carolina.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active North Carolina CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any North Carolina CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for North Carolina CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by North Carolina CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for North Carolina CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in North Carolina?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in North Carolina, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.