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 Ohio CNA Requirements as of February 2023.

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

Ohio CNA Requirements

    • Eligibility/Screening Requirements
      • 16 years of age.
      • Be in good physical health.
      • Up-to-date immunization records.
      • High-school diploma or GED.
      • Pass a criminal background check.
      • Graduate from a Certified Nursing Assistant school in Ohio.
    • 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
      • In-service requirements are the same as federal.
      • For renewal, a person must submit documentation showing that he or she has provided at least seven and one-half consecutive hours or eight hours in a forty-eight-hour period of nursing and nursing-related services for compensation during that twenty-four month period; or successfully complete additional training and competency evaluation by complying with paragraphs (D)(1) and (D)(2) of rule 3701-17-07.1  of the Ohio Administrative Code.
  • Hours
    • A NATCEP must be no less than 75 hours in length. Training will consist of at least 59 hours of classroom experience and skills training and at least 16 hours of supervised resident care in a long-term care facility (nursing home only).
  • Curriculum
    • The orientation program is distinct from the training must include, but is not limited to:
      • An explanation of the organizational structure of the LTCF;
      • Policies and procedures;
      • A discussion of the LTCF’s philosophy of care;
      • A description of the resident population; and
      • An enumeration of the facility’s employee rules.
    • The training must include a minimum of seventy-five hours divided between skills training and classroom instruction in the following topic areas:
      • (1) Basic nursing skills;
      • (2) Personal care skills;
      • (3) Recognition of mental health and social service needs;
      • (4) Care of cognitively impaired residents;
      • (5) Basic restorative services;
      • (6) Residents’ rights;
      • (7) Needs of various groups of long-term care facility residents and patients;
      • (8) Other topic areas specified by rule of the director.
    • Specific Curriculum
      • Topic Area I – Introduction to TCEP Standard
        • 1 Program Overview
      • Topic Area II – Communication and Interpersonal Skills Standard
        • 1 Work Environment Standard
        • 2 Role and Responsibility of the Nurse Aide Standard
        • 3 Policy and Procedure Manuals Standard
        • 4 Behavior and Appearance Standard
        • 5 Communication and Interpersonal Skills Standard
        • 6 Communicating and Interacting with Residents with Impairments Standard
        • 7 Resident Comprehensive Assessment, Care Plan and Care Conference Standard
        • 8 Legal Responsibilities Standard
        • 9 Medical Records
      • Topic Area III – Infection Control Standard
        • 1 Infection Control Standard
        • 2 Practices that Prevent the Growth and Spread of Pathogenic Microorganisms Standard
        • 3 Signs and Symptoms of Infection
      • Topic Area IV – Safety and Emergency Procedures Standard
        • 1 General Safety Practices and Procedures Standard
        • 2 The Use of Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment and Safety Procedures Standard
        • 3 Fire Prevention and Procedures to Follow in Case of a Fire Disaster Standard
        • 4 Natural Disaster Preparedness Standard
        • 5 Principles of Ergonomics, Body Mechanics, and Body Alignment Standard
        • 6 Alternatives to Restraints and Safe Restraint Use Standard
        • 7 Mobility and Ambulation Techniques
      • Topic Area V – Promoting Residents’ Independence Standard
        • 1 Promoting the Residents’ Independence
      • Topic Area VI – Respecting Residents’ Rights Standard
        • 1 The Resident’s Rights Resident Contact Topic Area VII – Basic Nursing Skills Standard
        • 1 Observational Skills Standard
        • 2 Recognizing Changes in Body Functioning Standard
        • 3 Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Common Diseases Standard
        • 4 The Long-term Care Facility as Home Standard
        • 5 Bed-making Techniques and Comfort Measures Standard
        • 6 Admission and Discharge Standard
        • 7 Mealtime Standard
        • 8 Nutrition and Fluid Needs Standard
        • 9 Height and Weight Standard
        • 10 Observing and Measuring Vital Signs
      • Topic Area VIII – Personal Care Skills Standard
        • 1 Oral Hygiene Standard
        • 2 Bathing Standard
        • 3 Additional Personal Care Skills Standard
        • 4 Special Skin Care Standard
        • 5 Urinary Elimination/Catheters Standard
        • 6 Toileting Standard
        • 7 Intake and Output Standard
        • 8 Bowel Elimination
      • Topic Area IX – Mental Health and Social Service Needs Standard
        • 1 Basic Facts and Misconceptions about the Elderly Standard
        • 2 Meeting the Basic Emotional Needs of Residents Standard
        • 3 Rest and Sleep Standard
        • 4 Sexuality in Aging Standard
        • 5 Special Needs Populations Standard
        • 6 Care of the Confused Resident Standard
        • 7 Care of the Resident with Depression
        • Standard IX.8 Care of the Dying Resident
      • Topic Area X – Basic Restorative Services Standard
        • 1 Preventing Complications of Immobility Standard
        • 2 Bowel and Bladder Program Standard
        • 3 Prosthetic Devises
      • Topic Area XI – Resident Rights Standard
        • XI.1 Summary of Residents’ Rights