How to Get Certified in Other States as a Traveling CNA
We’ve compiled an easy guide to get started as a traveling CNA.
Each state has their own rules and procedures when it comes to getting licensed, but it doesn’t need to be confusing. Some are free, some have fees attached, and some can be easily done online! The process of getting your license transferred is called “Reciprocity” or “Endorsement”.
Find the state you are interested in below and click on the state name to find the official state documents.
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Alabama
$0 fee for Permanent and Temporary
Processing times vary
Process is a lot different than other states in that your current employer must contact the Alabama Nurse Aid Registry
Evaluated on a case by case basis
Alaska
$275 fee for permanent and can take up to 90 days to process
$0 for temporary – valid for 120 days and takes about 30 days to piorcess
Fingerprints required
Proof of nursing program is required
Mail only to:
PO Box 110806 Juneau AK 99811
Arizona
$50 Fee for Permanent – Processing Time Varies
No temporary allowed
Fingerprints required (card will be mailed after submission of application)
Online application at https://azbn.boardsofnursing.org/azbn
Arkansas
$0 Fee for Permanent – takes about 2 weeks to process
No temporary allowed
Fill out the DMS-798 form
Send it to:
Office of Long Term Care | AR Nurse Registry | PO Box 8059 Slot S405 | Little Rock AR 72203-8059
California
Fingerprints Required ($32 fee out of state)
Mail application and forms to Attn: Healthcare Workforce Branch (HWB) | PO Box 997416, MS 3301 | Sacramento, CA 95899-7416
Will need proof of employment
Will not give a definitive processing timeframe
No temporary allowed
Permanent is $0
Colorado
$10 Fee for Permanent
Background check / fingerprints required
CNA Endorsement Checklist – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v6rBUcAfDI08Zmma1o5RegcNSHkmkmWW/view
Create an account and follow the instructions for CNA Certification by Endorsement. An Application Specialist will review your application based on the information you supply. If your application is
incomplete, you will be contacted via the email address you provided. To monitor the status of your application,
visit Online Services: https://apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/
Connecticut
$55 – Online Portal
No proof of GED or diploma required – but may be needed by some facilities
Application is only allowed online and by mail
$55 fee for permanent and usually takes around 3 weeks to process
Follow – Certified in another state route 7
You would select this route if you are currently active and in good standing on a registry in another state.
Please complete an online application.
Send paper application and documents to:
CT Nurse Aide Program 7941 Corporate Drive Nottingham, MD 21236
Delaware
$30 Fee for Permanent
Paper application send to Office of Long Term Care Residents Protection:
Attn: CNA Registry/Reciprocity
24 NW Front Street, Suite 100
Milford, Delaware 19963
Online application at https://oap.prometric.com/CandidateWeb/Login/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fCandidateWeb%2fforms%2fDENURS%2fDelawareNurseAideExamApplication.aspx
Copy of current CNA license
Copy of ID that has picture and DOB
Florida
$0 for Permanent
Perm takes between 30 – 45 days
Fingerprints are required – has varying fees
No proof of GED / diploma needed
Georgia
$0 Fee For Perm – processed in 10 business days
No temp allowed
Application by mail only send to Alliant Health Solutions:
Attn: Nurse Aide Registry
PO Box 105753, Atlanta, GA 30348
Will need copy of SSN, government ID (license), copy of current state certification, and proof of employment.
Hawaii
No temporary allowed
Perm costs $25 to process and takes up to 60 business days
Application by mail only send to:
Prometric, Nurse Aide Program,
354 Uluniu Street, Suite 308, Kailua, HI 96734
Idaho
$0 fee for both perm and temp
Temp takes between 2-3 weeks and perm takes between 2-4 weeks
Application can be sent by either fax, email, or mail
Mail to ATTN:
Idaho Nurse Aid Registry | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Division of Licensing & Certification -Bureau of Family Standards
PO Box 83720 PTC 6th Floor Boise ID 83720-0009
Fax to (208) 334-6629
Email to IDNAP@dhw.idaho.gov
Illinois
$25 fee for Perm – Processing time varies and will not give a definitive answer
No temp allowed
Paper application only to:
Southern Illinois University Nurse Aide Testing
1840 Innovation Drive, Suite 103, Carbondale, IL 62903
Fingerprint card will be sent after completion of application / sent
Possibility of having to take CNA exam
Indiana
$0 Fee for Perm and Temp
Paper application only must be sent to:
Ivy Tech Community College | CAN/QMA Testing | 50 W Fall Creek Pkwy N Drive | Indianapolis, In 46208
Temp is valid for 120 days
Wont say how long it takes to process
Exam must be taken for reciprocity administered by the Ivy Tech Community College
Scheduling the exam:
Ivy Tech Community College will contact the candidate by email with instructions to schedule their exam at any Ivy Tech Campus Testing Center through an online scheduling system. Candidates will be able to select any Ivy Tech Campus Testing Center that works best for their location and date/time available.
Iowa
$0 fee for permanent
Online application at https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/
Fax application to (515) 281-6259
Mail the application to:
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals | 321 East 12th Street-3rd Floor | Des Moines, IA 50319-0083
Applicant must take a mandatory 75 hour course for training purposes even through reciprocity
Kansas
$20 fee for permanent and will not give a definitive timeframe for processing
SSN required
Email form and credit card form and fee to Kimberly.garrett@ks.gov
Paper application to:
Health Occupations Credentialing, KDADS, 503 S Kansas Topeka KS 66603-3865
Decision to take Kansas Nurse Aide Test will be made after submitting an application
Kansas Nurse Aide Test must be taken and must have a 75% or higher
Kentucky
$0 fee for perm – Haven’t given an official answer for processing time
Online application only at https://kybn.boardsofnursing.org/kybn
Additional documents will need to be sent to kbn.knar@ky.gov
SSN, drivers license, state certification, and possibly a paystub will be needed
Verification portal https://kybn.boardsofnursing.org/kybn
Louisiana
https://www.prometric.com/nurseaide/la
$35 Fee for Permanent – Processing time varies
Temp is Allowed – $0 Fee – processing time is about a week
Online application at https://oap.prometric.com/Candidateweb/Login/Login.aspx
Mail application to:
Prometric, ATTN: LA Nurse Aide Program, 7941 Corporate Drive, Nottingham, MD 21236
Will need copy of SSN and government ID (drivers license)
Maine
$0 Fee Both Temporary and Permanent – Processing times vary
Fingerprints required (background check)
Online application at https://licensing.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/licensing/begin.pl?board_number=6719
Fax application to (207) 287-9325
Mail application to Division of Licensing and Certification | Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers | 41 Anthony Ave; 11 State House Station | Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Email application to dlrs.cnaregistry@maine.gov
Maryland
$20 Fee for Permanent – usually takes up to 45 days to process
No temp allowed
Maryland is picky about endorsements and some states are easier than others
To begin the application process applicant must either call the CNA program at (410) 585-2044, fax a request at (410) 764-8042, or email a request at anitaj.williams@maryland.gov
Massachusetts
$0 fee for temp and permanent and processing times vary
Application by Mail Only:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health | ATTN: MA Nurse Aide Registry Program | 67 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752
Michigan
Online application only at: https://milogintp.michigan.gov/eai/tplogin/authenticate?URL=/
$20 Fee for Permanent – Haven’t given a definitive answer on processing time
Minnesota
$0 Permanent – can take up to 30 days to process
Application must be emailed to health.FPC-NAR@state.mn.us
Will need SSN and employer verification.
If you need additional help completing these forms, please contact the Nursing Assistant Registry by telephone or in writing:
Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, contact the Nursing Assistant Registry by calling 651-215-8705 or long distance within Minnesota 1-800-397-6124 or by emailing health.FPC-NAR@state.mn.us.
Mississippi
Permanent Costs $26 – takes between 7-8 days to process.
Online application at https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,1285,83,74.html
Or Mail Application to:
Credentia Attn: MSNA Registry | 14248 Collections Center Drive | Chicago, IL 60693-0142
No temporary allowed
Missouri
Fill Out Both Forms (Proof of their current Certified Nursing Assistant certificate)
Proof of Nursing Assistant Certification and work history
Send both forms to cnaregistry@health.mo.gov
Montana
$0 Fee for both Perm and Temps
Perm takes between 2-4 weeks and temp takes between 2-3
No paper applications only online is allowed now through https://mt-reports.com/portal/CertificateList.aspx
Nebraska
https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/nurse-aide.aspx
No temporary
Permanent does not cost anything – however a 1 hour abuse training course is required which is $20
Fingerprints are NOT required
Application can be done online
PO BOX – 94986 Lincoln NE
Fax – (402) 742-1151
No proof of GED or Diploma required
$20 Abuse Class
Abuse Class Link – Online Version
All nurse aides coming into Nebraska from another state must also have Nebraska’s one-hour in-service on reporting abuse and neglect. If your first Nebraska employer will not give you this in-service, it can be obtained at some of the community colleges or online.
“We process applications in the order received and it can take up to 30 days to process your application after receipt. If your application is not complete, we will send the application back to you with a deficiency letter.
We do not issue licensure cards for Nurse Aides and we do not send you any notification that we have issued your registration number. You can print your registration information from the website which is updated every day at about 8:00 am.”
Nevada
Temporary is Allowed – Usually around 3 weeks but they said it depends
$50 charge
Fingerprints are required – charge of around $50 as well
No proof of GED or Diploma
Transcripts are Required
Will need to provide either a paycheck stub or w-2
Online application at https://nvbn.boardsofnursing.org/nvbn
Fax to (702) 486-5803
Mail to:
4220 S Maryland Pkwy | #B300 Las Vegas NV 89119-7524
Email to nursingboard@nsbn.state.nv.us
New Hampshire
Fingerprints are required (fees possible)
Temp – $25 and takes 2 business days
Perm costs $83 and can take between 4 – 6 weeks
Only Application Method is Online: https://forms.nh.gov/license/Login.aspx
New Jersey
Permanent costs $30 – processing time varies greatly
Fingerprints required
Before applying you must call 1 (877) 774-4243 to even get an application
There can be a fee but you have to ask them
No temporary allowed
New Mexico
Permanent Costs $0 – takes about three weeks to process
No temporary
Mail application to:
CNAR Coordinator | Division of Health Improvement | 5300 Homestead Road NE | Suite 300-3116 | Albuquerque, NM 87110
Fax to (505) 841-6551
Email to CNA.Registry@doh.nm.gov
New York
Permanent costs $50 – takes between 60-90 days to process
Transcripts Are Required
Mail forms and application to:
Prometric | Attn: NY Nurse Aide Program | 7941 Corporate Drive | Nottingham, MD 21236
North Carolina
https://www.ncbon.com/licensure-listing-apply-nurse-aide-ii-na-ii
Permanent costs $120 – Processing time varies greatly.
Temp is $0 – Processing time also varies.
Mail application to:
2709 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2709
Or fax it to (919) 733-9764
Will need SSN and government ID.
North Dakota
Free – Online Application
No temporary allowed
$0 fee – takes 3 – 5 business days to approve
Application has to be done on a computer (NO CELL PHONE)
Background checks are done by the facilities – so no fingerprints
Ohio
Free – Mail or Fax
Permanent and temps cost $0 – have varying processing times
Mail application to:
246 N High Street 3rd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Fax application to (614) 564-2461
Email application to NAR@odh.ohio.gov
Will need SSN and government ID (drivers license)
Oklahoma
Online application only at https://osdhphs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9XFZYNoVcJ6EOGO
No temporary is allowed
$0 charge for permanent – Processing time is around 30 days
Fingerprints are done via OKscreen
Fingerprints are required
Oregon
$60 fee for permanent – Processing time varies
No temporary allowed
By mail only must be sent to:
Oregon State Board of Nursing 17983 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd | Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
Must send endorsement application, nursing assistant work history form, fingerprint documents, copy of certificate training
You are eligible to apply for an Oregon CNA certification by endorsement if you:
- Have never been certified as a CNA in Oregon; and
- You completed an approved nurse aide training program in another or jurisdiction that met federal OBRA standards; and
- Hold a current, unencumbered CNA certificate in another state or US jurisdiction; and
- Have at least 400 hours of paid work history doing CNA authorized duties (if it has been more than two years since you completed your training program).
Fingerprint FAQ ($64.50 fee) – https://www.oregon.gov/osbn/documents/FAQ_FingerprintBackgroundChecks.pdf
Pennsylvania
Free – Online
Temporary allowed
$0 Fee for Both Temporary and Permanent – Processing times vary
Application online at https://cna365.examroom.ai/login/?RoleId=1&TenantCode=CD&StateCode=PA
Everything needed is within the online application
Rhode Island
$35 Fee
Perm takes up to 8 weeks to process
Temp costs $0 – varies processing time – valid for 120 days
Will need to provide SSN
Will need copy of state ID (Drivers License)
Proof of licensure in every state
Will need to either have 100 CNA training program hours OR 3 months employed as a CNA
South Carolina
Online Application Only at: https://cna365.examroom.ai/login/?RoleId=1&TenantCode=CD&StateCode=SC
$0 Fee For Permanent – Processing time is around 15 days
No temporary allowed
Fingerprints are required PRIOR to arrival
Proof of GED or diploma is required
South Dakota
Online application only at: https://www.sduap.org/CNA/apply/endorse/info.asp
$0 Fee for both permanent and temporary
Temp is offered (60 days)
Tennessee
$20 Fee for Permanent – takes about a week to process
No temporary allowed
The challenge application must be used to “challenge” having to take CNA exam in Tennessee
Mail Application to:
Tennessee Department of Health: Nurse Aide Registry | 665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor |Nashville, TN 37243
Email application to can.health@tn.gov
Texas
$0 Fees for Both Temporary and Permanent
Fingerprints are required (background check is done by the Texas Department of Safety)
Application must be sent to nurseaideregistry@hhs.texas.gov
Utah
$30 Fee
Copy of SSN card, driver’s license, copy of present state approved certification or card, copy of proof of employment as a CNA in the past two years are required
Online application only at: https://forms.davistech.edu/form.aspx?pid=1dddb55a-4a5d-4e76-9648-ee5084e587ef&formid=634a16b9-5e6e-44ef-b386-cc51b4128aac&nohome=0&completepageprompt=1&completepage=&completetext=&skipsaml=1
Vermont
$20 Fee for Permanent – Can take between 4 – 6 weeks
Temporary is allowed valid up for 90 days
Fingerprints required – can take between 4 – 6 weeks
Fast track endorsement is allowed as well – https://sos.vermont.gov/nursing/apply-renew/
Virginia
$0 fee for Permanent can take between 30 – 45 business days
No temporary offered
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ApplicantResources/ApplyforLicense/NurseAide/index.html
Washington
$32 Fee for Permanent
Fingerprints required
Paper application send to:
Department of Health
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
Additional documents will need to be sent to:
Nursing Assistant Credentialing
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
Washington D.C
$15 – Mail
Mail this application and a $15 money order made payable to Pearson VUE, along with copies of your social
security card, your current out-of-state nurse aide certificate/license, and signature-bearing photo identification, to:
Pearson VUE
DC Nurse Aide Endorsement
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785
West Virginia
$0 Fee for Permanent – takes about two weeks
Online application only at https://ohflac.wvdhhr.org/Apps/Forms/NAReciprocity
Proof of training is required
Wisconsin
$25 Fee for Permanent – takes about 3-5 days to process
No temporary allowed
No fingerprints
Paper application
Must be sent to:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services | Office of Caregiver Quality | PO Box 2969 | Madison, WI 53701
Online application at https://wi.tmuniverse.com/apply?form=1
Wyoming
$120 Fee for Permanent – takes about two weeks to process
No temporary allowed
Mail application to:
Wyoming Department of Health | Aging Division – Healthcare Licensing and Surveys | Hathaway Building, Suite 510, 2300 Capitol Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82002
Fax application to:
(307) 777-7127
Reciprocity needs to be established with the board at (307) 777-7601 before submission
https://wsbn.wyo.gov/licensing
