CNA Exam and Certification Alabama

Any individual who plans to work as a Nurse Aide in an Alabama Nursing Home must take the steps to obtain and maintain an active status on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry. Candidates for certification must complete a state-approved nurse assistant training program and pass both the knowledge and clinical skills components of the CNA exam to be added to the Registry. The state gives each candidate a maximum of three attempts within 24 months of completing the nurse aide training to pass the exam. Further attempts to take the exam will require retraining. To maintain certification, Alabama’s CNAs must work at least 8 hours every 24 months in a nursing home, hospice agency, home health agency, or hospital. The work must be for paid compensation – volunteer service does not count. CNAs who do not fulfil the minimum 8 hours of work must retrain and retest to be eligible for employment. Prometric has been approved by the Alabama Department of Health to administer the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation.

CNA Classes in AL:

How to Apply for the Alabama CNA Exam – Prometric

To take the CNA exam through Prometric, you must have completed state approved nurse aide training and apply to take the test within two years of the training completion date. You have three attempts to take the Written (Oral) Test and the Clinical Skills Test. You must pass both the Written (Oral) Test and the Clinical Skills Test in the same eligibility period for the test results to be forwarded to the Nurse Aide Registry.

You must retake a state-approved training program is you do not successfully complete the tests within two years of your training completion date.

If you fail one or both parts of the test three times, you are must retake a state-approved training program for eligibility to test again.

Applying for and scheduling your CNA Exam:

CNA training programs and nursing homes that are approved test sites with Prometric may administer the exam. You must contact the test center directly to schedule your exam.

Once you make contact with the test, you will receive instructions for scheduling an appointment. It will include directions to pay the test fees to the center before receiving confirmation of your appointment. At this point, you will also need to provide evidence of completing a state approved training program. You must schedule both tests with the same testing company.

Approved test center locations

The Nurse Aide Academy of Clanton
310 4th Ave N,
Clanton, AL 35045
205.602.6265

Saad’s CNA School
1515 South University Blvd,
Mobile, AL 36609
251.343.9600

Northeast Alabama Community College
138 Hwy 35 West,
Rainsville, AL 35986
256.228.6001, Ext 2214

Candidates with documented disabilities can apply for reasonable testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for special accommodations must be submitted at least 30 days before the desired test date. Submit a specialist’s note on official letterhead and a description of the accommodations being request with the application.

Tests and Related Fees

The exam costs at the regional testing centers are as follows:

  • $40 – Clinical Skills Test
  • $35 – Knowledge or Oral Test
  • $40 – Test Site Administration Fee

Test fees are not refundable and nontransferable. If you do not take the exam within the eligibility period, you will lose your payment and must pay to schedule another appointment. Fees are payable using a credit card, money order, or cashier’s check payable to the test site. Your employer must pay your fee, by federal law, if you’re employed with a Medicaid/Medicare funded facility.

Rescheduling and Retesting

Contact the test site directly if you need to reschedule an appointment. You will forfeit your test tests if you arrive late or do not show up for the exam. You will be required to repay fees to reschedule another appointment.

You have three opportunities to take and pass both parts of the competency exam. Each attempt requires the payment of a new test fee. You are required to retake the test you failed.

If you fail the test, and remain eligible to retest, you may retake the test on the same day at the discretion of the test site based on availability of testing appointments and ability to pay the required testing fees.

CNA Exam Overview Alabama – Prometric

There are two parts to the Nurse Aide Competency Exam. One test is the written (knowledge) test, and the other is a clinical skills evaluation. You can take the test in any order, but if you’re taking the test for the first time, you must take both on the same day. It is important that you pass both parts to receive certification in Alabama.

The Written Exam

Prometric’s exam is administered as a computerized test. However, you don’t need computer experience to take the exam. A brief tutorial before the test starts will cover the critical areas for taking the test and submitting your responses. You’ll learn how to move the mouse and use it to select answers, mark a question for later review, view a summary of questions including answered and unanswered questions, and submit your test for scoring. If you wish, you can take the free or paid practice tests on Prometric’s website to prepare for the exam. The 90-minute written test contains 55 multiple-choice questions in the following categories:

  • Role of the Nurse Aide – 18%
  • Promotion of safety – 18%
  • Promotion of Function and Health of Residents – 24%
  • Basic Nursing Care Provided by the Nurse Aide – 26%
  • Providing Specialized Care for Residents with Changes in Health – 14%

The Oral Test

The oral test is a replica of the written test and is helpful to candidates who consider English as a second language or have difficulty reading. The questions will be read on the computer with the options to play, rewind, and pause. To take the oral exam, you must indicate your preference on the application you submit to the regional test site. The request for the oral test cannot be made on the day of testing.

The Skills Exam

A Nurse Aide Evaluator will provide a copy of General Instructions for the Nurse Aide Clinical Skills Test that you should read while you wait to take the exam. The timed exam is approximately 31 to 40 minutes based on the skills you’re asked to perform. There will be a total of five skills scored; three of them will be assigned randomly, and the other two skills, Handwashing and Indirect Care, will be scored during your execution of the other three skills. You must pass all five skills to pass the exam. Although you’re not required to perform the skills perfectly, you must complete the critical steps for each skill. You can make corrections but not after you’ve moved on to a new skill on the list. Dress appropriately for the clinical as you will be expected to volunteer for the role of the client for another candidate. Appropriate clothing includes loose-fitting scrub top and pants and flat, non-skid, closed-toe shoes. For a list of the skills you may be asked to perform and the critical steps, check the Candidate Handbook.

What To Bring To The Exam

Late arrival could jeopardize your admission to the exam. It is necessary that you arrive 30 minutes before the exam starts for check-in and instructions.

Exam personnel will check:

  • Your two forms of ID. One of them should be a photo ID with your signature and name exactly as it appears on the appointment. Examples include a passport or driver’s license.
  • Your Social Security card or a letter from the Social Security Administration that includes your name and Social Security number

Failure to provide appropriate identification at the time of the test is considered a missed appointment and you will be required to pay another exam fee before scheduling another exam appointment.

Dress appropriately or you will not be admitted to the exam. Scrubs, facility uniform, and flat, non-skid shoes are recommended.

Receiving Your Scores

Exam results are confidential and not issued over the phone. The score report will be available at the test center after you take the exam. The report will indicate whether you passed or fail. It will also include your percentage for each section of the test. This will help you to strengthen your weak areas if you must retest. Site employees cannot answer questions about the exam content. Prometric will send your results to the Nurse Aide Registry if you pass the exam. Your name should be listed within 2 to 4 business days thereafter.

Instructions for retaking the exam will be outlined in the score report if you fail a component of the exam.

NACES Plus Foundation, Inc.

Alabama NNAAP
8501 North Mopac Expressway, Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78759
Phone: (877) 889-0939
Fax: 1 (866) 95NACES

Prometric
AL Nurse Aide
7941 Corporate Dr.
Nottingham MD 21236
Phone: 800.805.9128

Alabama Nurse Aide Registry
1000 N.E. 10th Street, Room 1111
Alabama City, OK 73117
Phone: (405) 271-4085 or toll-free 800-695-2157
E-Mail: nar@health.ok.gov

Crystal G

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.