Rhode Island CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry.
Visit Official Registry2 years
Renewal Period
At least 8 hours of paid CNA work under licensed nurse supervision in the prior 24 months
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Rhode Island CNA License
Open the Rhode Island license verification portal
Go to healthri.mylicense.com/verification/ in any web browser. The portal is public and free, requires no account, and is available 24/7 for license and registry verification.
Choose Nursing Assistant from both dropdown menus
Select Nursing Assistant from the Profession dropdown and Nursing Assistant from the License Type dropdown to limit the search to CNA records only.
Enter the licensee's name or license number
Type the CNA's last name, first name, or license number into the appropriate field. Partial matches are supported, but more specific searches return faster results.
Review the result and document the check
The system returns active and inactive CNA records, with status, expiration date, original issue date, and any disciplinary actions. Print or save the verification page for your personnel file as documentation of the pre-employment registry check required by federal regulation.
About the Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry
The Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), specifically the Center for Health Facilities Regulation in the Division of Healthcare Quality, Regulation and Licensure. RIDOH is the CMS-designated state survey agency and is the sole authority for adding, renewing, suspending, or revoking CNA certifications in the state.
Because Rhode Island contracts with Credentia as its sole NNAAP testing vendor, passing exam scores flow directly from the Credentia Platform to RIDOH's licensing database. This integration helps RIDOH maintain one of the more responsive registry systems in New England, with new CNAs typically appearing on the public verification portal within 2 to 4 weeks after their application is submitted with the $35 fee.
Verification is delivered through the Rhode Island healthri.mylicense.com portal, which also serves as the state's single point of license verification for nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other regulated health professionals. Searches return current status, expiration, original issue date, and any board orders entered against the licensee.
Contact Information
Official Website
https://health.ri.gov/nursing-assistantPhone Number
(401) 222-5888Mailing Address
Rhode Island Department of Health\nCenter for Health Facilities Regulation\nThree Capitol Hill, Room 105\nProvidence, RI 02908
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET
Rhode Island CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Rhode Island uses Credentia to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit CredentiaTraining Requirements
Rhode Island requires 100 hours, including at least 20 hours of supervised clinical practice. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Rhode Island CNA ClassesRhode Island CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Rhode Island 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 CNA work under licensed nurse supervision in 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
How do I look up a Rhode Island CNA on the registry?
Visit healthri.mylicense.com/verification/ and select Nursing Assistant in both the profession and license-type dropdowns. Enter the CNA's full name or license number and click Search. The system returns active, inactive, or revoked records along with expiration date and any disciplinary actions.
What is the Rhode Island CNA renewal work requirement?
RIDOH rules require at least 8 hours of paid CNA work under licensed nurse supervision in the 24 months prior to your expiration date. The work must occur in a Rhode Island-licensed facility or for a RIDOH-recognized employer. If you fall short, you must retake the Credentia NNAAP exam to be reinstated to the registry.
How does Rhode Island handle CNA reciprocity?
RIDOH accepts endorsement from CNAs in good standing on another state's registry whose training totaled at least 75 hours and included a CMS-compliant competency exam. Apply directly through health.ri.gov/licensing/ with your out-of-state verification, BCI background check, and the $35 application fee. Processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Who administers the Rhode Island CNA exam?
Credentia is the sole authorized NNAAP testing vendor for Rhode Island. Candidates create a Credentia Platform account, pay the $165 combined fee, and choose either a test center or a live-proctored online exam. Rhode Island does not use Prometric, Pearson VUE, or Headmaster for nurse aide testing.
Does the Rhode Island registry show disciplinary actions?
Yes. Final orders entered by RIDOH-including substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property-appear in the public verification record. Findings are also reported to the federal Nurse Aide Registry Identifier system maintained by CMS, so they follow the individual into other states.
How long does it take to be added to the Rhode Island registry?
Once your complete application, BCI background check (dated within the last 4 months), Credentia score reports, and $35 fee are on file with RIDOH, you typically appear on the public verification portal within 2 to 4 weeks. You may not begin paid nursing-assistant work in a long-term care facility until the registry shows your active status.
Rhode Island CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your Rhode Island certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the Rhode Island Nurse Aide 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 Rhode Island CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for Rhode Island nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on Rhode Island CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by Rhode Island CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in Rhode Island.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active Rhode Island CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any Rhode Island CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for Rhode Island CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by Rhode Island CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for Rhode Island CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in Rhode Island?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Rhode Island, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.