Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training & certification requirements vary considerably across the U.S. In some states, the requirements go beyond the federal minimum while in other states requirements are nearly identical to the federal standards.

This page displays Delaware CNA Requirements as of February 2023.

To see requirements in other states, visit nursinghome411.org/cna-reqs.

Delaware CNA Requirements

  • Education & Training Requirement
    • Individuals must complete a state approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program.
    • Students who fail to obtain a passing score may repeat the test two additional times.
    • Students who fail to obtain a passing score after testing three times must repeat the CNA training program before retaking the test.
  • Testing Requirement
    • Individuals must pass both a written and skills test with 24 months of the training.
  • Renewal & In-Service Requirements
    • 24 hours of in-service training in 24 months.
    • For renewal, 64-hours of paid CNA work within each 24 month recertification period, and 24 hours of continuing education which includes:
      • A minimum of 6 hours of dementia training;
      • A minimum of 2 hours of patient abuse prevention/maltreatment training.
  • Hours
    • 150 hours of education (½ classroom, ½ clinical)
  • Curriculum
    • Training Curriculum Requirements:
      • MODULE: The Nursing Assistant Role and Function
        • Introduces the characteristics of an effective nursing assistant including but not limited to: personal attributes, on-the-job conduct, appearance, grooming, health and ethical behavior.
        • Presents the responsibilities of the nursing assistant as a member of the resident/patient care team.
        • Teaches legal aspects of resident/patient care and rights.
        • Relevant Federal and State statutes are reviewed.
      • MODULE: Environmental Needs of the Resident/Patient
        • Introduces the nursing assistant to the need to keep residents/patients safe from injury and infection in the long term care setting.
        • The nursing assistant is taught why and how to use infection control and isolation techniques.
        • Safety through prevention of fires and accidents, and emergency procedures for fire and other disasters are presented.
      • MODULE: Psychosocial Needs of the Resident/Patient
        • Focus is placed on the diverse social, emotional, recreational, and spiritual needs of residents/patients in a long-term care setting.
        • The curriculum shall describe some of the physical, mental, and emotional changes associated with aging and institutionalization, and present ways in which the nursing assistant may effectively communicate with residents/patients and their families.
      • MODULE: Physical Needs of the Resident/Patient
        • Presents the basic skills which nursing assistants use in the physical care of residents/patients.
        • The nursing assistant will learn basic facts about body systems and what is needed to promote good functioning.
        • The nursing assistant will learn to provide physical care to residents/patients safely and to keep the residents/patients nourished, hydrated, clean, dry, and comfortable.
        • The nursing assistant will also learn to make observations regarding residents/patients and to record and/or report observations.
        • The nursing assistant will be introduced to the basics of range of motion and learn to integrate range of motion into routine personal care activities.
      • Mandatory orientation program requirements:
        • Tour of the facility and assigned residents’ rooms
        • Fire and disaster plans
        • Emergency equipment and supplies
        • Communication (including the facility chain of command) and documentation requirements
        • Process for reporting emergencies, change of condition and shift report
        • Operation of facility equipment and supplies, including scales, lifts, special beds, and tubs
        • Review of the plan of care for each assigned resident/patient including:
          • ADL/personal care needs
          • nutrition, hydration and feeding techniques and time schedules
          • bowel and bladder training programs
          • infection control procedures
          • safety needs
        • Role and function of the CNA
        • Resident/patient rights; abuse reporting
        • Safety and body mechanics; transfer techniques
        • Vital signs
        • Psychosocial needs
        • Facility policies and procedures