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 Nevada CNA Requirements as of February 2023.

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

Nevada CNA Requirements

  • Eligibility/Screening Requirements
    • (a) Is of good moral character;
    • (b) Is in good physical and mental health;
    • (c) Is at least 16 years of age;
  • Education & Training Requirement
    • Individuals must complete a state approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program.
  • Testing Requirement
    • Individuals must pass both a written and skills test.
  • Renewal & In-Service Requirements
    • Twenty-four hours of continuing training in the immediately preceding 2 years; and
    • At least 40 hours of employment as a nursing assistant under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse during the 2 years immediately preceding the date of the renewal of the certificate.
  • Hours
    • 75 hours
  • Curriculum
    • An approved program must enable each trainee to:
      • Learn to react in a sensitive manner to the emotional, social, and mental health needs of patients.
      • Communicate and interact competently on a one-to-one basis with patients.
      • Assist patients in attaining and maintaining independence.
      • Learn to exhibit behavior in support and promotion of the rights of patients.
      • Learn skills in observation and documentation.
    • Each approved program must provide at least 75 hours of instruction which must include:
      • (a) Instruction in the classroom and clinical practice in:
        • (1) The roles and responsibilities of a nursing assistant;
        • (2) Basic nursing;
        • (3) Personal care;
        • (4) The needs of patients concerning mental health and social services;
        • (5) Basic restorative services; and
        • (6) Interrelationships with patients.
      • (b) At least 16 hours of instruction in the classroom, completed before a trainee is directly involved with a patient, in the areas of:
        • (1) Communication and interpersonal skills;
        • (2) The control of infections;
        • (3) Safety and emergency procedures, including, but not limited to, the Heimlich maneuver;
        • (4) Promoting the independence of patients; and
        • (5) Respecting the rights of patients.
      • Units of instruction in basic nursing skills must include instruction in the classroom and clinical practice in:
        • Assisting in the care of the patient when death is imminent.
        • Taking and recording vital signs.
        • Measuring and recording height and weight.
        • Caring for the environment of the patient.
        • Measuring and recording the intake and output of fluids and food.
        • Observing, reporting, and recording changes in condition, abnormal signs and symptoms.
        • Procedures for noninvasive elimination, including:
          • (a) The care of the external part of the catheter;
          • (b) Emptying the drainage bag for the catheter;
          • (c) Perineal care of the bladder and the bowel;
          • (d) Cleansing enema; and
          • (e) The external care of an established colostomy.
        • The collection of specimens (stool and urine).
        • The application of unsterile warm and cold.
        • Reporting and recording incidents.
        • Reporting and recording patient care provided.
      • Units of instruction in personal care skills must include instruction in the classroom and clinical practice in:
        • Bathing, including the care of the mouth;
        • Grooming;
        • Dressing;
        • The use of the toilet;
        • Assisting with eating and hydration;
        • Proper feeding techniques; and
        • The care of the skin.
      • Units of instruction in the needs of patients concerning mental health and social services must include instruction in the classroom and clinical practice in the identification of the psychosocial characteristics of a patient, including training in:
        • Modifying the trainee’s behavior in response to the behavior of the patient;
        • Identifying the developmental tasks associated with the aging process;
        • Providing patients with the opportunity and training to care for themselves, according to their capabilities;
        • Using the family of the patient as a source of emotional support;
        • Reality orientation; and
        • The principles of managing behavior by reinforcing appropriate behavior and reducing or eliminating inappropriate behavior.
      • Units of instruction in the care of cognitively impaired persons must include instruction in the classroom and clinical practice in:
        • Techniques for meeting the needs and managing the behavior of persons with dementia, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease;
        • Communicating with cognitively impaired persons;
        • Understanding the behavior of cognitively impaired persons;
        • Appropriate responses to the behavior of cognitively impaired persons; and
        • Methods for reducing the effects of cognitive impairments.
      • Units of instruction in basic restorative services must include instruction in the classroom and clinical practice in:
        • The use of devices which assist in ambulation, eating and dressing;
        • Maintenance and range of motion;
        • Proper turning and positioning in a bed and chair;
        • Transferring patients;
        • Assisting in bowel and bladder training; and
        • Assisting in the care and use of prosthetic devices, such as hearing aids, artificial eyes, and artificial limbs.
      • Units of instruction in the rights of patients must include instruction in the classroom and clinical practice in:
        • Providing privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of a patient;
        • Promoting the right of a patient to make personal choices to accommodate his or her needs;
        • Providing assistance in resolving grievances;
        • Providing for the care and security of the possessions of a patient;
        • Recognizing, reporting, and preventing the abuse, neglect or exploitation of a patient; and
        • Maintaining the environment of a patient and providing care to minimize the need for physical and chemical restraints.