New York CNA Requirements

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 New York CNA Requirements as of February 2023.

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

Certification Requirements

Eligibility/Screening Requirements
- Pass a criminal background check.
- 16 years old to train, 17 to test.
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.
- The trainee shall have three opportunities to pass the clinical skills examination; and
- (ii) after passing the clinical skills examination, the trainee shall have three opportunities to pass the written or oral competency examination. The nurse aide trainee will obtain certification and be listed in the Registry upon passing the written or oral examination.
Renewal & In-Service Requirements
- Each nurse aide trainee and certified nurse aide shall attend and be compensated for at least six hours of inservice education in every six-month period.
- A portion of each individual’s annual inservice education shall be based upon the outcome of the individual’s annual performance review and address the areas of weakness in the individual’s performance.
- Renewal requires 8 hours of nursing or nursing-related duties every 24 months.

Training Program Requirements

Hours
- The nurse aide training program shall include classroom and clinical training which enhances both skills and knowledge and, when combined, shall be of at least 100 hours’ duration. The clinical training shall as a minimum include at least 30 hours of supervised practical experience in a nursing home.
- Minimum required hours: 120 total hours: 90 class, 30 supervised clinical in a long-term care facility.
Curriculum
- The curriculum shall otherwise include, but not be limited to the following:
  - (a) normal aging:
    - (1) anatomical changes;
    - (2) physiological changes;
    - (3) psychosocial aspects:
      - (i) role changes;
      - (ii) cultural changes;
      - (iii) spiritual needs; and
      - (iv) psychological and cognitive changes; and
    - (4) concept of wellness and rehabilitation.
  - (b) psychological needs of the resident:
    - (1) adjustment to institutional living;
    - (2) working with resident and family during admission/transfer/discharge;
    - (3) residents’ rights:
      - (i) respect and dignity;
      - (ii) confidentiality;
      - (iii) privacy; and
      - (iv) self-determination; and
    - (4) sexual adjustments in relation to illness, physical handicaps, and institutional living;
  - (c) communication in health care facilities:
    - (1) relating to residents, families, visitors, and staff;
    - (2) methods of communication in overcoming the barriers of language and cultural differences; and
    - (3) communicating with residents who have sensory loss, memory, cognitive or perceptual impairment;
  - (d) personal care needs:
    - (1) care of the skin, mouth, hair, ears, and nails; and
    - (2) dressing and grooming;
  - (e) resident unit and equipment:
    - (1) bed-making; and
    - (2) care of personal belongings such as clothing, dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids and prostheses;
  - (f) nutritional needs:
    - (1) basic nutritional requirements for foods and fluids;
    - (2) special diets;
    - (3) meal services;
    - (4) assistance with eating:
      - (i) use of adaptive equipment; and
      - (ii) feeding the resident who needs assistance; and
    - (5) measuring and recording fluid and food intake;
  - (g) elimination needs:
    - (1) physiology of bowel and bladder continence:
      - (i) maintaining bowel regularity; and
      - (ii) physical, psychosocial, and environmental causes of incontinence;
    - (2) nursing care for the resident with urinary and/or bowel incontinence:
      - (i) toileting programs;
      - (ii) care of urinary drainage equipment;
      - (iii) use of protective clothing; and
      - (iv) enemas;
    - (3) measuring urinary output;
    - (4) bowel and bladder training programs; and
    - (5) care of ostomies including but not limited to colostomy and ileostomy;
  - (h) mobility needs:
    - (1) effects of immobility; and
    - (2) ambulation and transfer techniques:
      - (i) use of assistive devices;
      - (ii) use of wheelchairs; and
      - (iii) use of mechanical lifters;
    - (i) sleep and rest needs:
      - (1) activity, exercise, and rest; and
      - (2) sleep patterns and disturbances;
      - (j) nursing care programs for the prevention of contractures and decubitus ulcers (pressure sores);
      - (1) body alignment, turning and positioning;
      - (2) individualized exercise programs;
      - (3) special skin care procedures;
      - (4) use of special aids; and
      - (5) maintenance of individualized range of motion;
    - (k) observing and reporting signs and symptoms of disability and illness:
      - (1) physical signs and symptoms:
        
        (i) determination of temperature, pulse, respiration;
        
        (ii) testing urine;
        
        (iii) measuring height and weight;
      - (2) behavioral changes; and
      - (3) recognizing and reporting abnormal signs and symptoms of common diseases and conditions, including but not limited to:
        
        (i) shortness of breath;
        
        (ii) rapid respirations;
        
        (iii) coughs;
        
        (iv) chills;
        
        (v) pain and pains in chest or abdomen;
        
        (vi) blue color to lips;
        
        (vii) nausea;
        
        (viii) vomiting;
        
        (ix) drowsiness;
        
        (x) excessive thirst;
        
        (xi) sweating;
        
        (xii) pus;
        
        (xiii) blood or sediment in urine;
        
        (xiv) difficult or painful urination;
        
        (xv) foul-smelling or concentrated urine; and
        
        (xvi) urinary frequency;
      - (l) infection control:
        
        (1) medical asepsis;
        
        (2) handwashing; and
        
        (3) care of residents in isolation;
      - (m) resident safety:
        
        (1) environmental hazards;
        
        (2) smoking;
        
        (3) oxygen safety; and
        
        (4) use of restraints;
      - (n) nursing care needs of resident with special needs due to medical conditions such as but not limited to:
        
        (1) stroke;
        
        (2) respiratory problems;
        
        (3) seizure disorders;
        
        (4) cardiovascular disorders;
        
        (5) sensory loss and deficits;
        
        (6) pain management;
        
        (7) mentally impairing conditions:
        
        (i) associated behavior disorders; and
        
        (ii) characteristics of residents such as wandering, agitation, physical and verbal abuse, sleep disorders, and appetite changes;
        
        (o) mental health and social service needs:
        
        (1) self-care according to the resident’s capabilities;
        
        (2) modifying behavior in response to the behavior of others;
        
        (3) developmental tasks associated with the aging process; and
        
        (4) utilizing the resident’s family as a source of emotional support;
        
        (p) resident rights; and
        
        (q) care of the dying resident including care of the body and personal effects after death.
        
        (r) care of cognitively impaired residents:
        
        (1) techniques for addressing the unique needs and behaviors of individuals with dementia;
        
        (2) communicating with cognitively impaired residents;
        
        (3) understanding the behaviors of cognitively impaired residents;
        
        (4) appropriate responses to the behaviors of cognitively impaired residents; and
        
        (5) methods of reducing the effects of cognitive impairments

Statutes, Regulations, & Guidance

Certification Requirements

Training Program Requirements

Statutes, Regulations, & Guidance

Certification Requirements

Training Program Requirements

Statutes, Regulations, & Guidance