CNA Requirements and State Approved CNA Programs in New Jersey

Due to OBRA-87 regulations (Omnibus Reconciliation Act), New Jersey is one of the many states that established a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) curriculum for all nurse aides. Aspiring nurse aides within the state must complete formal long-term care training followed by the Competency Evaluation Program (CEP) to obtain state certification. They must take those steps prior to taking up employment as entry-level nurse aides at assisted-living and long-term care facilities.

More than just meeting state requirements, nurse aide training and the competency evaluation program give individuals the basic knowledge and skills required to execute their duties on the job. Nurse aides and personal care assistants must ensure that a program meets the New Jersey Department of Health’s (NJDOH) requirements before enrolling.

CNA Classes in New Jersey:

  • Other cities in New Jersey: Please scroll down below or use CTRL+F (Command+F on Mac) to search this page.

Certification Requirements

The Department of Health and Senior Services serves as the governing body for the Nurse Aide Registry in New Jersey. Employers at long-term care and assisted-living facilities must visit the Department of Health’s registry in order to confirm a candidate’s status before extending an offer of employment. The registry maintains current data on CNAs status as well as their background verification, address, certification, health check and employment history. Current CNAs can use the information listed below to contact the registry for renewals and duplicate licenses. Out-of-state CNAs must contact the registry to initiate a request to transfer their licenses.

Prerequisites to Training

Nurse Aide Training Providers use different criteria for admitting candidates into their nurse aide training programs. Candidates must be at least 18 years, possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Providers may administer an entry evaluation in order to determine a candidate’s mental and physical ability to meet the program’s requirements.

Note: Nursing students, graduate nurses and foreign nurses can skip formal training once they provide evidence of successful completion in nursing fundamentals. These candidates can proceed to the written and skills exams. Out-of-state nurses who do not meet the requirements for equivalency can also skip training and apply for the state competency exam. Individuals who earn training as a nurse aide in the military or as home-health aides may also apply for exemption from formal training.

Other prerequisites include:

  • Criminal background check (fingerprint method)
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Physical exam
  • Proof of immunization
  • Negative TB test
  • High school diploma (recommended)
  • Current Healthcare Provider CPR card.

New Jersey’ Certified Nurse Aide Training Requirements

NATCEP training programs cover at least 90 hours of training including 50 hours in the classroom and 40 clinical hours at a licensed long-term care facility within the state. Nurse aides working at acute care hospitals do not need certification. However, only licensed CNAs can work in the hospital’s long-term care unit – if there’s one available at the hospital. Candidates can contact the Board of Nursing at (973) 504-6430 to find out more about specific requirements.

Training programs last for 4 to 8 weeks and may have flexible hours to accommodate students’ schedules. Areas of study include food and nutrition, patient transfers, recording keeping, observation and charting, medical terminology, physiology and anatomy, personal care, communication, residents’ rights and ethics. Course graduates are eligible to take the state’s nurse aide competency exam, within 24 months, in order to receive certification. A list of approved training programs is provided below.

Cost of Training

Nurse aide training providers charge $800 to $1,600 for the 90-hour training. Free or low-cost training may be available at Educational Opportunity Centers and other locations across the state. Some employers provide free training for prospective candidates, and in some cases, you may qualify for reimbursement of your training costs. Apart from the cost of tuition, you should allocate funds for textbooks, uniform, supplies, and the state testing fee.

Nurse Aide Testing

The New Jersey NNAAP, administered by Pearson Vue, serves as the next step towards earning nurse aide certification. The evaluation consists of two parts: the Skills test and the Written (or Oral) test. Candidates must take the Skills Evaluation first. After successfully passing the skills test, you can proceed to the Written (or Oral) test. In order to obtain a listing on the state registry, you must pass both the Written and Skills component of the NNAAP.

For the Skills evaluation, you’ll have to perform five (5) nurse aide skills selected at random. The evaluator will rate and assign a score based on your performance. You must pass the five assigned skills in order to proceed to the Written Evaluation.

Both the Written and Oral components are administered electronically on a computer. You should give advanced notice if you prefer the Oral option. The Written exam comprises of 70 multiple choice questions, which you must complete within two hours. Administrators will review your scores and provide your official scores before you leave the testing site.

Certification Costs

First-time Testing Fees:

  • Skills Evaluation and Written Exam – $76
  • Skills Evaluation and Oral Exam (English) – $86
  • Skills Evaluation and Oral Exam (Spanish) – $86

Retest Fees:

  • Written retest only – $56
  • Skills retest only – $20
  • English Oral Exam only – $66
  • Spanish Oral Exam only – $66

On exam day, you must walk with the following:

  • Two forms of identification – one with your photo
  • Your confirmation number
  • Your passing Skills evaluation report
  • Three No. 2 pencils and eraser
  • Failing score report (if you’re retesting)

Out-of-State CNAs

As an out-of-state CNA, you could apply for Nurse Aide Certification through equivalency or reciprocity if you:

  • Request the out-of-state Registry to forward appropriate documentation to the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry. The registry should confirm that you’ve successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program that is equivalent to the one offered in NJ.
  • Have no criminal convictions. The out-of-state registry should have no documented reports of neglect, abuse, or misappropriation of resident property.

You must also consent to a criminal background check, which includes a criminal background investigation and fingerprinting taken via live scan.

To request an application for Reciprocity, contact PSI toll-free at 1-877-774-4243.

Renewal

New Jersey requires CNAs to renew their licenses and complete fingerprinting every two years. The PSI mails out the renewal application 45 days prior to your license’s expiration.

In order to obtain recertification, you must:

  • Have an existing nurse aide certificate
  • Provide proof of employment of at least seven paid hours of work within the 2-year period
  • Have a certificate in active status – revoked or suspended licenses will result in denied applications for renewal
  • Pass a criminal history check and fingerprinting before your existing certificate expires.

Contact the Registry

Certification Program

PO Box 358

Trenton, NJ 08625-0358

Nationwide Toll-Free Number: 866-561-5914

Fax: 609-633-9087

Email: ltc@doh.state.nj.us

Registry managed by New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry PSI

3525 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 1000

Hamilton Township, New Jersey 08619

Phone: 1-877-774-4243

State approved CNA programs:

Atlantic County CNA Programs

Atlantic City, NJ CNA programs:
Atlantic Cape Community College
1535 Bacharach Boulevard, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401
Phone: (609) 343-4863

Bridgeton, NJ CNA programs:
PRN Training Center, LLC
60 Lebanon Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone: (856) 459-3222

Linwood, NJ CNA programs:
Karing with Kindness
700 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221
Phone: (609) 601-2150

Pleasantville, NJ CNA programs:
Academy of Healthcare Excellence
927 N. Main St. Pleasantville, NJ 08232
Phone: (856) 213-6756

Northfield, NJ CNA programs:
Allied Health Training Institute
1750 Zion Road, Suite 106, Northfield, NJ 08225
Phone: (609) 241-8486

West Atlantic City, NJ CNA programs:
Prism Career Institute
8025 Black Horse Pike, Suite 250, West Atlantic City, NJ 08232
Phone: (609) 407-7476

Bergen County CNA Programs

Hackensack, NJ CNA programs:
Bergen Home Care and Nursing –
136 Essex Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07666
Phone: (201) 342-3402

Paramus, NJ CNA programs:
Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: (201) 447-7164

Lincoln Technical Institute
240 Bergen Town Center, Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: (201) 845-6868

Wyckoff, NJ CNA programs:
Christian Health Care Center
301 Sicomac Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481
201-848-5200

Burlington County CNA Programs

Bordentown, NJ CNA programs:
Moe Shea Corporation
Three 3rd Street, Suite 202, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Phone: (609) 324-9911

Burlington, NJ CNA programs:
Genesis Burlington Woods
115 Sunset Rd, Burlington, NJ 08016
Phone: (732) 677-8823

Merit Training Institute
2501 Burlington-Mt Holly Rd, Burlington NJ 08016
(609) 386-6400

Maple Shade, NJ CNA programs:
American Training Center
794 Forklanding Rd, Maple Shade NJ 08052
Phone: (856) 417-6882

Westampton, NJ CNA programs:
Burlington County Institute of Technology
695 Woodlane Road, Westampton, New Jersey 08060
Phone: (609) 267-4226

Camden County CNA Programs

Atco, NJ CNA programs:
Angels of Mercy Nursing Skills School
505A White Horse Pike, Atco NJ 08004
Phone: (856) 809-6012

Blackwood, NJ CNA programs:
Camden County College
207 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Phone: (856) 968-1296

Camden, NJ CNA programs:
A1 Allied Health Training Institute
231 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey 08102
Phone: (856) 203-3526

Broadway Vocational Technical School
442 South Broadway, Camden, New Jersey 08103
Phone: (856) 365-1707

Camden County College
200 North Broadway, Suite 228, Camden, NJ 08102
Phone: (856) 968-1296

Cherry, NJ CNA programs:
Prism Career Institute
3 Executive Campus, Suite 280, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Phone: (856) 317-0100

Pennsauken, NJ CNA programs:
Camden County Technical School
6008 Browning Road, Pennsauken, NJ 08109
Phone: (856) 663-1040

Prep Institute, Inc.
6500 Madison Avenue, Suite 13, Pennsauken, NJ 08109
Phone: (856) 910-7650

Sicklerville, NJ CNA programs:
Camden County Technical School Allied Health Program
343 Berlin Cross Keys Road, Sicklerville, NJ 08081
Phone: (856) 767-7000

Voorhees, NJ CNA programs:
Brooks Alternative Technical School
701 Cooper Road, Suite 11, Voorhees, NJ 08043
Phone: (856) 282-3371

Cape May County CNA Programs

Court House, NJ CNA programs:
PRN Training Center
4 Moore Rd, Cape May Court House, New Jersey 08302
Phone: (856) 459-3222

North Cape May, NJ CNA programs:
Cape Training Center
3305 Bayshore Road Suite 3, North Cape May, New Jersey 08204
Phone: (609) 435-5358

Cumberland County CNA Programs

Bridgeton, NJ CNA programs:
Cumberland County Technical Educational Center
601 Bridgeton Avenue, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone: (856) 451-9000

PRN Training Center
60 Lebanon Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302
Phone: (856) 459-3222

Millville, NJ CNA programs:
Medical Consultants Instructional Training Center
207 Bogden Boulevard, Millville, NJ 08332
Phone: (856) 457-9551

Vineland, NJ CNA programs:
Touchstone Institute
313 West Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360
Phone: (856) 457-6100
Essex County

East Orange, NJ CNA programs:
4 Tees Healthcare Training School
70 Long Street, East Orange, NJ 07017
Phone: (973) 444-6512

Best Care Training Institute
68 South Harrison Street, East Orange, New Jersey 07018
Phone: (973) 673-3900

Divine Tec Institute
60 Evergreen Place, Suite 501, East Orange, NJ 07018
Phone: (973) 395-9501

Nurses Vue Careertek Training Institute
134 Evergreen Place, East Orange, NJ 07018
Phone: (973) 678-6886

Exodus Training and Employment
134 Evergreen Place, East Orange NJ 07018
Phone: (908) 656-1275

Irvington, NJ CNA programs:
C and C Nurse Aide Training School
1068 Clinton Avenue, Suite 201, Irvington, NJ 07111
Phone: (973) 373-6667

Unique Medical Training Center
1230 Springfield Avenue, Irvington, NJ 07111
Phone: (973) 371-0012

Maplewood, NJ CNA programs:
ALFA Health Care Training Institute
1691 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Phone: (917) 806-6710

Newark, NJ CNA programs:
Academy of Training and Employment
936 Broad Street, Suite 1, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 733-2727

Catholic Charities of ARCH of Newark
321 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103
Phone: (973) 596-4100

Divine Medical Services
15 William Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 621-2200

Essex County College
303 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 877-3220

Essex County Vocational Technical Schools
91 West Market Street, Newark, NJ 07103
Phone: (973) 412-2294

Samuel Morris Career Institute of New Jersey
701-703 McCarter Highway, Suite 201, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 648-8000

Gloucester County CNA Programs

Sewell, NJ CNA programs:
Rowan College at Gloucester County
1492 Tanyard Rd, Sewell, New Jersey 08080
Phone: (856) 415-2216

Hudson County CNA Programs

Jersey City, NJ CNA programs:
Hudson County Community College
870 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
Phone: (201) 360-4284

The Institute for Health Education
600 Pavonia Avenue, Suite 1, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: (201) 217-1113

Secaucus, NJ CNA programs:
Academy of Training and Employment
595 County Ave Secaucus, NJ 07094
Phone: (973) 733-2727

Union City, NJ CNA programs:
Workforce Advantage
3608 Bergenline Avenue, Union City, NJ 07087
Phone: (201) 865-1199

Hunterdon County CNA Programs

Flemington, NJ CNA programs:
Hunterdon County Polytech
8 Bartels Corner Road, Suite 2, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: (908) 788-1119

Mercer County CNA Programs

Lawrenceville, NJ CNA programs:
Fortis Institute Nurse Aide Training Program
2572 Brunswick Pike, Suite 100, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
Phone: (609) 512-2560

Trenton, NJ CNA programs:
Berkel Training Institute
320 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618
Phone: (609) 392-1855

Mercer Med Tech
1418 South Broad Street, Trenton NJ 08610
(609) 712-5499

New Life Healthcare Academy
827 East State Street, Trenton NJ 08609
(609) 638-1169

West Windsor, NJ CNA programs:
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Phone: (609) 570-3241

Middlesex County CNA Programs

Edison, NJ CNA programs:
Middlesex County College
2600 Woodbridge Ave West Hall, Edison NJ 08818
Phone: (732) 548-6000

Iselin, NJ CNA programs:
Param Institute of Education
200 Middlesex Essex Tpk, Suite #105, Iselin, NJ 08830
Phone: (732) 404-1415

Lincoln Tech Institute
675 Route One South Iselin NJ 08830
Phone: (732) 548-8798

North Brunswick, NJ CNA programs:
Impetus Systems and Careers
850 Route 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Phone: (732) 246-4555

Excel Career Training
97 Bayard St New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-8100

Perth Amboy, NJ CNA programs:
Universal Training Institute, Inc
174 Jefferson Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Phone: (732) 826-0155

Monmouth County CNA Programs

Eatontown, NJ CNA programs:
Genesis Jersey Shore
3 Industrial Way East Eatontown, NJ 07724
Phone: (732) 677-8823

Nursesvue Career Tech Institute
1 Main St, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Phone: (201) 618-3706

Lincroft, NJ CNA programs:
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Phone: (732) 842-1900

Matawan, NJ CNA programs:
New Era Health Care Training
92 Main Street Matawan NJ 07747
Phone: (732) 441-2273

Neptune, NJ CNA programs:
LTC Career Training
444 Neptune Boulevard, Neptune, New Jersey 07753
Phone: (732) 988-1700

Morris County CNA Programs

Dover, NJ CNA programs:
Ace Healthcare Training Institute Inc. CNA Training Course
8 South Morris Street, Dover, NJ 07801
Phone: (973) 366-7171

Berkeley College
1 West Blackwell Street, Dover NJ 07801
Phone: (973) 366-6700

Randolph, NJ CNA programs:
County College of Morris
214 Center Grove Rd, Randolph NJ 07869
Phone: (973) 328-5187

Succasunna, NJ CNA programs:
Merry Heart Health Care Center
200 Route 10 West Succasunna NJ 07876
Phone: (973) 584-4000

Ocean County CNA Programs

Beachwood, NJ CNA programs:
Karing with Kindness
245 Atlantic City Boulevard, Beachwood, NJ 08722
Phone: (732) 341-4500

Lakewood, NJ CNA programs:
LTC Career Training
700 Rt. 70, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701
Phone: (732) 364-9600

NR Training School
1200 River Ave, Lakewood NJ 08701
Phone: (732) 886-0096

Manahawkin, NJ CNA programs:
Genesis Southern Ocean Center
1361 Route 72 Manahawkin, New Jersey 08050
Phone: (732) 677-8823

Toms River, NJ CNA programs:
Ocean County Vocational Technical School
1299 Old Freehold Road, Toms River NJ 08753
(732) 473-3100

Passaic County CNA Programs

Haskill, NJ CNA programs:
Wanaque Center
1433 Ringwood Ave Haskill NJ 07420
Phone: (973) 839-2119

Paterson, NJ CNA programs:
AMG Medical Institute Nursing Assistant Course
175 Market Street, 4th Floor, Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 278-0500

Branford Institute Nurse Aide Training Program
302 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (908) 352-1004

Anderson Health Institute
305 Broadway Patterson NJ 07501
Phone: (973) 684-5024

ATC Academy
680 Broadway Paterson NJ 07514
Phone: (973) 714-3370

Workforce Advantage
1433 Ringwood Ave Haskill NJ 07420
Phone: (908) 342-1073

Wayne, NJ CNA programs:
Passaic County Technical Institute
45 Reinhardt Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
Phone: (973) 389-4100

Fortis Institute
201 Willowbrook Boulevard, Wayne, NJ 07470
Phone: (201) 532-6995

Salem County CNA Programs

Woodstown, NJ CNA programs:
Salem County Vocational Technical School
890 Route 45, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Phone: (856) 769-0101 x 346

Somerset County CNA Programs

Somerset, NJ CNA programs:
Maries Allied Health and Technical Institute
863 Hamilton Street, Somerset, New Jersey 08873
Phone: (732) 565-0898

Somerville, NJ CNA programs:
Fellowship Academy
1 E. High St, Somerville NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 580-9425

Raritan Valley Community College
PO Box 3300 Somerville NJ 08876
Phone: (908) 526-1200

Sussex County CNA Programs

Newton, NJ CNA programs:
Homestead Rehabilitation
129 Morris Turnpike Newton NJ 07860
Phone: (973) 948-5400

Union County CNA Programs

Elizabeth, NJ CNA programs:
Admiral William Halsey Health and Public Safety Academy
641 South Street Elizabeth NJ 07202
Phone: (908) 436-6600

B&M Career Center
214 Commerce Place, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201
Phone: (908) 355-9315

Branford Institute Nurse Aide Course
570 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208
Phone: (908) 352-1004

E & S Academy
40 Parker Road Elizabeth NJ 07208
Phone: (908) 866-6662

Workforce Advantage
49 Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201
Phone: (908) 355-2288

Union, NJ CNA programs:
Ace Healthcare Training Institute Nurse Aide Training
930 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (908) 851-2700

Healthcare Training Institute
1969 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083
Phone: (908) 851-7711

Health Promotions Information
979 Lehigh Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083
Phone: (908) 687-0808

Humane Concepts Healthcare School
1767 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (908) 688-8184

Warren County CNA Programs

Stewartville, NJ CNA programs:
JKB Education Resources, Inc.
800 Fanning Mill Road, Stewartsville, NJ 08886
Phone: (917) 763-8124

Phillipsburg, NJ CNA programs:
Warren County Community College
445 Marshall Street Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: (908) 835-2333

Phillipsburg Center
843 Wilbur Ave Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Phone: (908) 454-2627

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