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 Utah CNA Requirements as of February 2023.

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

Utah CNA Requirements

  • 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.
    • 200 hours of paid nursing assistant related work in the past 24 months.
  • Hours
    • 100 hours of supervised and documented training by a licensed nurse.
    • 24 hours of supervised practical training in a long-term care facility, and complete all skill curriculum and skill competencies before training in any facility.
  • Curriculum
    • Curriculum Units:
      • Unit 1: Certification
      • Unit 2: Intro to Healthcare & Resident’s Rights
      • Unit 3: Communication
      • Unit 4: Infection Prevention
      • Unit 5: Basic Safety & Emergencies
      • Unit 6: Positioning & Ambulation
      • Unit 7: Resident Environment
      • Unit 8: Basic Human Needs
      • Unit 9: Vital Signs
      • Unit 10: Hygiene & Grooming
      • Unit 11: Nutrition
      • Unit 12A: Body Systems – Integumentary System
      • Unit 12B: Body Systems – Musculoskeletal System
      • Unit 12C: Body Systems – Cardiovascular System
      • Unit 12D: Body Systems – Respiratory System
      • Unit 12E: Body Systems – Nervous System
      • Unit 12F: Body Systems – Gastrointestinal System
      • Unit 12G: Body Systems – Genitourinary System
      • Unit 12H: Body Systems – Endocrine System
      • Unit 13: Mental Health & Mental Illness
      • Unit 14: Cognitive Impairment & Dementia
      • Unit 15: Rehabilitation & Restorative Care
      • Unit 16: End of Life Care
    • The curriculum of the training program must include the following subjects:
      • (i) communication and interpersonal skills;
      • (ii) infection control;
      • (iii) safety and emergency procedures;
      • (iv) promoting resident independence;
      • (v) respecting resident rights; and
      • (vi) basic nursing skills.
    • The trainee must complete at least 24 hours of supervised practical training in a long-term care facility, and complete all skill curriculum and skill competencies before training in any facility. The skills training must ensure that each nurse aide demonstrates competencies in the following areas:
      • (i) Basic nursing skills:
        • (A) taking and recording vital signs;
        • (B) measuring and recording height;
        • (C) caring for residents’ environment; and
        • (D) recognizing abnormal signs and symptoms of common diseases and conditions.
      • (ii) Personal care skills:
        • (A) bathing that includes mouth care;
        • (B) grooming;
        • (C) dressing;
        • (D) using the toilet;
        • (E) assisting with eating and hydration;
        • (F) proper feeding techniques; and
        • (G) skin care.
      • (iii) Basic restorative services:
        • (A) use of assistive devices in ambulation, eating, and dressing;
        • (B) maintenance of range of motion;
        • (C) proper turning and positioning in bed and chair;
        • (D) bowel and bladder training;
        • (E) care and use of prosthetic and orthotic devices; and
        • (F) transfer techniques.
      • (iv) Mental Health and Social Service Skills:
        • (A) modifying one’s behavior in response to the resident’s behavior;
        • (B) identifying developmental tasks associated with the aging process;
        • (C) training the resident in self-care according to the resident’s ability;
        • (D) behavior management by reinforcing appropriate resident behavior and reducing or eliminating inappropriate behavior;
        • (E) allowing the resident to make personal choices, providing and reinforcing other behavior consistent with the resident’s dignity; and
        • (F) using the resident’s family as a source of emotional support.
      • (v) Resident’s rights:
        • (a) providing privacy and maintaining confidentiality;
        • (b) promoting the resident’s right to make personal choices to accommodate the resident’s needs;
        • (c) giving assistance in solving grievances;
        • (d) providing needed assistance in getting to and participating in resident and family groups and other activities;
        • (e) maintaining care and security of resident’s personal possessions;
        • (f) providing care that keeps a resident free from abuse, mistreatment, or neglect, and reporting any instances of poor care to appropriate facility staff; and
        • (g) maintaining the resident’s environment and care through appropriate nurse aide behavior to minimize the need for physical and chemical restraints.