Do you want to become a Certified Nurse Assistant in New York?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
We are going to tell you exactly how to do that.
We’ll break it down for you in 4 simple steps.
But we’ll still be as comprehensive as possible so that you will have all the information you need in one place.
We’ll also answer some of the most common questions people ask, such as:
- What does a lapsed CNA certificate mean?
- What is the difference between in-facility exams, in-facility testing, and regional test sites?
- Where can I find employer-sponsored CNA classes in New York?
So, if you’re ready to know how to become a CNA in New York, then let’s get started!
How to Become a Certified Nurse Assistant in New York: A Simple 4-Step Guide
Here are the 4 steps on how to become a CNA in New York:
- Pursue Proper Training to Become a CNA in New York
- Get Your CNA Certificate from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
- Find Your First Job as a CNA in New York
- Keep Your New York CNA License Active
Let’s go through each step together!
How to Become a CNA in New York Step #1: Pursue Proper Training to Become a CNA in New York
There are many different paths that you can take to become a CNA in New York.
But the most straightforward path is to pursue CNA training in an accredited institution.
We will start with the most straightforward path, but we’ll also cover your other training options.
Enroll in a State-Approved CNA Program
To become a CNA, you need to have the knowledge and skills for it.
Enrolling in a state-approved CNA program will help ensure that you are fully equipped.
It will also increase your chances of passing the state examinations!
However, you must choose only those programs that have been approved by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) or the New York State Department of Education (NYSED).
There are more than 100 accredited programs!
You can find a list of accredited programs on this website. It is listed per region to make it easier for you.
These training programs are usually offered in community colleges, vocational schools, trade schools, career centers, and even nursing homes.
Each program will differ from the other, but they will all include at least 100 hours of training.
Out of these 100 hours, 70 hours will be dedicated to classroom instructions, while 30 hours will be dedicated to hands-on or clinical training.
Requirements for Enrollment
The requirements for enrollment may differ from program to program, but some of the basic requirements in New York are:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a criminal background check
- Be in good physical health
- Have an up-to-date immunization record
- Show a negative TB skin test result
For the criminal background check, a fingerprint scan will be done.
The specific convictions that can bar you from working as a CNA are stated in Department of Health Regulations Title 10, NYCRR Part 402:
- Any Class A felony defined in the Penal Law;
- Any Class B or C felony occurring within the 10 years preceding the date of the criminal history check;
- Any Class D or E felony listed in Article 120, Article 130, Article 155, Article 160, Article 178, or Article 220 of the Penal Law occurring within the 10 years preceding the criminal history check;
- Any crime defined in Sections 260.32 or 260.34 of the Penal Law occurring within the 10 years preceding the criminal history check; or
- Any comparable offense in any other jurisdiction. In addition to these specific categories, there are other criminal convictions or open charges that may affect your ability to work.
- For crimes that do not fall within the criteria above, the NYSDOH has the discretion to disapprove you for work.
Program Length and Curriculum
The length or duration of CNA programs is flexible because it highly depends on your timeframe and pace.
It can take you just a few weeks or a few months.
Some accelerated programs can be completed in 4 weeks!
Several schools offer classroom instruction online, allowing you to be more flexible with your schedule.
So, just make sure to check the curriculum and course offerings of the program you are interested in!
For the 70 hours of classroom instruction, you can expect some of the subjects to include:
- Introductory Curriculum;
- Basic Nursing Skills;
- Personal Care Skills;
- Mental Health and Social Service Needs;
- Care of Cognitively Impaired Residents;
- Basic Restorative Services; and
- Residents Rights
The 30 hours of hands-on training will be conducted in a state-approved nursing home, under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).
Some of the skills you will be taught include:
- Clear an obstructed airway
- Use a fire extinguisher
- Hand-washing
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Follow isolation procedures when disposing of soiled linen
- Make an occupied and unoccupied bed
- Provide mouth care when the patient has natural teeth, no teeth, and dentures
- Give a complete bed-bath
- Perineal care for a female and male, and incontinent patient
- Range of motion for upper and lower extremities
- Assist with feeding
- Measure and record food and fluid intake
- Provide ostomy care
- Urinary catheter care
- Care for and empty urinary drainage bag
- Assist with bedpan, urinal, or commode
- Collect urine and stool specimens
- Measure and record urinary output
- Transfer resident from bed to wheelchair and back using equipment like a mechanical lift and transfer belt
- Assist with the use of walkers, canes, and crutches
- Ambulate the resident
- Apply waist restraint
- Lift, move or transport patient using adaptive equipment, with or without positioning devices in bed or chair, or prosthetic/orthotic devices
- Measure and record height or weight
- Measure and record vital signs
- Postmortem care
Program Cost
The cost of CNA programs varies greatly, but you can expect to pay around $1000-$1500 in most of the New York schools.
Just make sure to double-check!
These costs may not include the cost of textbooks, uniforms, exams, etc.
Some institutions offer financial assistance for CNA trainees, and you can also apply for training grants.
Some long-term care facilities also offer the program for free.
Other Training Options to Become a CNA in New York
Aside from enrolling in a state-approved CNA program, there are other training paths that you can consider.
Graduate of a U.S. Nursing Program
If you graduated from a nursing program in the U.S., you do not need to get further CNA training.
You will, however, need to take the CNA exam in New York.
To apply for this, you will need to submit a completed application form and a copy of your nursing program diploma.
RN or LPN Licensed in the U.S.
If you are currently licensed as an RN or LPN in the US, then you do not need to complete further CNA training.
You will also not be required to take the CNA exam.
You will need to submit a completed application form and a copy of your current RN/LPN license.
Foreign-Trained Nurses
If you were trained in another country as a nurse and if your training is approved by the NYSDOH, then you will not need to complete further CNA training.
However, you will still need to take the CNA exam.
You will need to submit:
- A completed application form
- A copy of your Social Security card
- A copy of your nursing license
- A copy of your nursing school diploma
- Documentation of your nursing school coursework
- A copy of your admission letter or score report if you have taken or will take the NYS RN or LPN examination.
How to Become a CNA in New York Step #2: Get Your CNA Certificate from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
There are 2 main routes that you can take to obtain your CNA certification in New York:
- Examination
- Reciprocity
Let’s talk about each one!
Certification through Examination
This applies to all newly-trained nurse assistants, to U.S. nursing graduates, to foreign-trained nursing graduates, and to those with lapsed CNA licenses.
All these candidates need to obtain a certificate through the New York State Competency Examination for the Nursing Home Nurse Aide.
The New York State Department of Health partners with Prometric to administer this CNA exam.
What the CNA Exam is Like
The CNA exam in New York has two parts: the written/oral exam and the practical exam.
You must take the exam within 2 years from the time you completed your CNA program.
The written exam has 60 items of multiple-choice questions, to be finished in 90 minutes.
You can choose to take the written exam in English or Spanish.
If your first language is not English or Spanish, you can also request to have the written exam taken orally instead.
If you take the exam orally, you will have to answer 60 multiple-choice questions plus an additional 16 reading comprehension questions.
You will be given an additional 30 minutes to complete the reading comprehension questions.
Prometric offers some practice exams for a fee. You can check these offers here.
The practical exam requires you to perform 5 basic nursing skills out of a list of 34 skills.
All those who take the practical exam need to demonstrate the proper handwashing procedure, as well as indirect care.
The other 3 skills are randomly assigned.
The practical exam takes about 31-40 minutes to complete.
If you have a disability, you may request special arrangements with the test provider, but you need to do this in advance.
What Happens if You Pass Both Parts of the Exam
If you pass both parts of the exam, then you will be sent a New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Certificate and a wallet-size card. Your name will also appear in the Nurse Aide registry within 10 days after passing the exam.
What to Do if You Fail the First Time
If you failed both parts of the exam, you can retest the exam up to two times within 2 years.
If you failed only one part of the exam, you can retest that section only up to 2 times within 2 years.
If you fail on your third try or if you go beyond the 2 years, then you will need to retake the whole CNA training program before you can retake the exam.
How to Apply for the CNA Exam in New York
To apply for the CNA exam, you must:
- Fill up the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Registry (NYS NAR) application form.
- You can find this on the Prometric website.
- You may also get this form from your training program or from the nursing home where you are employed.
- Depending on the route you are taking, you may need to present other documentation at this point.
- Pay the appropriate fees.
Once your application has been processed and approved, Prometric will send you your admission letter, indicating the date, time, and location of your exam.
If you cannot make it on the scheduled date and time given to you, then you should contact Prometric immediately to reschedule the exam.
You will not need to pay any extra fees as long as you reschedule at least 5 business days before the exam.
Prometric will also email you if there is anything wrong with your application.
What to Bring to the Exam
Aside from reviewing and taking practice tests, you should also prepare the following items for the exam day:
- Identification card – government, employment, or school ID with your current photo and your signature.
- Identification card – can be a signature ID (such as a Social Security card or credit card)
- Admission letter – You must bring your admission letter from Prometric if you are taking your exam at a regional exam site.
- No.2 pencils and eraser
- A watch with a second hand
- Non-skid, closed-toe shoes (for the practical exam)
What the Exam Costs and Certification Costs Are
Exams costs vary, depending on if you are taking the whole exam or just one part. They will also vary based on whether you are going to take the written or oral test.
Here is a breakdown of costs.
- Clinical Skills and Written exams (first-time tester) $115
- Clinical Skills and Oral exams (first-time tester) $135
- Clinical Skills Retest $68
- Written Retest $57
- Oral Retest $67
- Reciprocity/CNA From Another State and RNs and LPNs $50
- Duplicate Certificate $15
- Recertification (paid by employer) $40
Certification through Reciprocity
This is for CNAs that are currently on the nurse aide registry of another state, as well as for RNs and LPNs currently licensed in another state.
You will not need to take the examination anymore, but instead, you can apply for a New York CNA certification through reciprocity.
For CNAs in other states, you can apply for reciprocity by:
- Completing and submitting the application form
- Providing a copy of your current out-of-state nurse aide certificate(s).
- If your certification does not have an expiry date, you must provide proof of employment that you have worked at least seven hours for pay in the past 24 months.
- This has to be signed by your supervisor.
- Paying the appropriate fees.
For RNs/LPNs in the Other States, you can apply for reciprocity by:
- Completing and submitting the application form
- Providing a copy of your current RN/LPN license
- Paying the appropriate fees
How to Become a CNA in New York Step #3: Find Your First Job as a CNA in New York
Once you are certified, you can start working as a CNA.
The great thing is that there are a lot of job opportunities for CNAs in New York!
Employment of CNAs in New York
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York has the second-highest employment of nurse assistants among the other states. There are currently 85,490 CNAs employed.
Most of the nurse aides work in nursing care facilities.
Many also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Mean Average Salary of a CNA in New York
New York offers an hourly mean wage of $19.56 and an annual mean wage of $40,680.
It is also the second top-paying state for nursing assistants, second only to Alaska.
You can see this table on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
The job outlook for a CNA in New York is great!
But aside from looking at the pay, try to find a job that will also put you in the best position to advance your career.
How to Become a CNA in New York Step #4: Keep Your New York CNA License Active
Just like in other states, you are expected to renew your New York CNA license every two years.
Your current certification is only valid for 24 months.
The status of your certification can be seen in the Nurse Aide Registry.
Requirements for Keeping Your CNA Certificate Active
To keep your CNA status active, you must have worked as a nurse aide with an approved nurse aide employer or nursing home for a minimum of seven hours within the prior two-year period.
NYSDOH approves facilities such as:
- Adult care facilities
- Assisted living facilities
- Clinics
- Diagnostic and Treatment Centers
- Emergency Medical Services
- Hospice
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Nursing homes
- Palliative care facilities
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a CNA in New York
Here, we will address some of the common questions:
- What does a lapsed CNA certificate mean?
- What is the difference between in-facility exams, in-facility testing, and regional test sites?
- Where can I find employer-sponsored CNA classes in New York?
What does a lapsed CNA certificate mean?
A lapsed certificate means that you were not able to work for pay as a nurse aide in a nursing home (or NYSDOH-approved employer) for a minimum of 7 hours during the last 24 months.
If your license has lapsed, you can no longer renew it.
You will need to apply for recertification by retesting. You will still be given three attempts within the two years of your application.
What is the difference between in-facility exams, in-facility testing, and regional test sites?
In-facility exams are taken at the same location where the examinee took your CNA classes.
In-facility testing refers to approved nursing homes that offer scheduled testing for examinees.
Regional exam sites are other facilities around the state that provide scheduled testing for examinees.
Where can I find employer-sponsored CNA classes in New York?
CNA training can be expensive, but some facilities pay for the training for their employees.
Here is a list of employer-sponsored CNA classes.
Conclusion
And there you have it!