New York CNA Requirements and State Approved CNA Training Programs

The state of New York requires all prospective nurse aides to complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) and pass the Competency Evaluation Program (CEP) as a prerequisite to employment at licensed facilities and nursing homes. Upon completion of formal training, the nurse aide candidate can apply to challenge the state exam to earn CNA certification and listing on the Nursing Home Nurse Aide Registry. The New York State Department of Health regulates the certification and education of nurse aide within the state. According to Allied Health World, NY CNAs earn slightly more than the national average with annual salaries between $24,000 and $37,000. And with over 350 medical institutions across the state, there’s no better time to enter the field as an entry-level nurse aide.

CNA Training Classes in New York:

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

Certification Requirements

New York federal and state guidelines mandate that nurse aides obtain state certification as a prerequisite to employment. As such, the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Registry maintains an accurate record of all certified nurse aides in the state, so employers can verify a nurse aide’s status before employment. The registry maintains a database of nurse aides’ status, training, address, employment history and any reports of abuse or neglect.

Prerequisites to Training

There are no federal and state guidelines governing educational prerequisites for enrolling in a formal nurse aide training program. However, due to the nature of the coursework, most providers will expect applicants to demonstrate a minimum eight-grade reading and comprehension skills. High school graduates ultimately earn more than non-graduates, and they’re more likely to advance to other careers within the medical industry.

Other requirements:

  • High school diploma (recommended)
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Negative TB skin test and drug test
  • Up-to-date immunization records
  • Pass a criminal background check (live scan fingerprint)
  • Physical ability to lift at least 40 pounds unassisted.

New York’s Certified Nurse Aide Training Requirements

Student nurse aides must attend and graduate from a state-approved training program comprising of at least 100 hours. The training program should follow the guidelines of the state’s curriculum developed by a joint effort between the NY Department and Health and NY State Education Department. The curriculum outlines 70 hours of classroom and lab training plus 30 hours of clinical experience to ensure nurse aides receive the essential knowledge and skills to execute their duties on the job while protecting residents’ health, independence and wellbeing. Areas of studies include physiology, infection control, patients’ rights, anatomy, feeding, personal care, communication, observation and charting. The training prepares students for the certification exam, which they can challenge upon successful completion of the training program.

There are several colleges, universities and adult education programs across the state that received state-accreditation to provide CNA training. The state does not recognize online programs, and you may not qualify to take the state evaluation if you graduate from a non-accredited program. Refer to the list of programs below to ensure you enroll in a program recognized by the New York Department of Health.

Cost of Training

Nurse Aide Training in New York costs between $1200 and $2,500. There are also numerous opportunities for free nurse aide training across the state in places such as Buffalo, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Due to high demands for skilled nurse aides, many nursing facilities sponsor free training inclusive of materials, books and supplies. Always account for the costs of supplies, uniform and other expenses when comparing the costs of paid programs.

Nurse Aide Testing

The state’s competency evaluation, administered by Prometric, is the next step towards obtaining nurse aide certification in New York. As a prospective CNA, you must pass both the clinical skills performance evaluation and the written nurse aide competency exam within 24 months of completing the nurse aide training program.

The clinical component requires students to successfully execute five nurse aide skills, selected at random by the nurse aide evaluator. The written portion comprises of 60 multiple choice questions to complete in 2 hours. An oral exam option is available if you have a reading disability or speak another language. Submit your request for the oral option before the scheduled exam. Check the student handbook to review Prometric’s skills checklist with common mistakes in order to increase your chances of passing the exam. You can also review the list of approved testing sites to find a convenient location in your area.

Certification Costs

Prometric accepts payment in the form of cashier’s check, money order, credit card or nursing facility check. Testing fees are as follows:

  • $115 – Clinical Skills/written examination (first time)
  • $135 – Clinical Skills/oral examination (first time)
  • $68 – Clinical Skills/retesting only
  • $57 – Written Test/retesting only
  • $67 – Oral Test/retesting only
  • $50 – Reciprocity and New York State RNs and LPNs
  • $40 – Recertification (to be paid by employer)
  • $15 – Duplicate certificate
  • $15 – Duplicate score report

On exam day, you must walk with the following:

  • Two forms of identification – one with your photo
  • Non-skid, closed-toe, flat shoes for the clinical evaluation
  • A watch with a second hand
  • Admission letter if you’re taking the exam at a regional test site.

If you fail the evaluation, you’ll have to reregister with Prometric to retake the exam.

Out-of-State CNAs

Out-of-state CNAs can obtain a license to work in New York through reciprocity. If you’re a nurse aide listed on another state’s registry, you can apply for licensing in New York using the following process:

  • Visit Prometric online and download the application form
  • Submit the completed form with copies of your current nurse aide certificates
  • Pay appropriate fees
  • You may need to provide proof of employment if your home state does not keep a record of expiration dates on the state registry
  • A supervisor must sign your proof of employment letter, and it must demonstrate evidence that you’ve worked more than seven hours in the past 24 months.

Renewal

Your listing on the registry remains valid for two years, and you could renew your license if you worked for seven paid hours within the 2-year period. Ask your employer to fill out the renewal application and submit it with the renewal fee. If you did not work within the period, you’d need to apply to Prometric to retake the skills and written evaluations.

Contact the Registry: 

Prometric

NY Nurse Aide

7941 Corporate Dr.

Nottingham MD 21236

Phone: 800.805.9128

New York State Department of Health

Bureau of Professional Credentialing

875 Central Avenue

Albany, New York 12206

Phone: (518) 408-1297

Fax: (518) 408-1632

E-mail: profcred@health.state.ny.us

State Approved CNA Training Programs:

Central Region

Binghamton, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Broome Community College

P.O. Box 1017, Binghamton, NY 13902

(607) 778-5060

Syracuse, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

SUNY Syracuse EOC

100 New Street, Syracuse, NY 13202

(315) 472-0130

Utica, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Mohawk Valley Community College

1101 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501

(315) 792-5375

Genesee Valley Region

Corning, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Corning Community College

1 Academic Drive, Corning, NY 14830-3297

(607) 962-9241

Corning Community College Business Development Center

24 Denison Parkway West, Corning, NY 14830

(607) 962-9241

Geneva, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing (RN Students Only)

196 North Street, Geneva, NY 14456

(315) 787-4039

Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing

196 North Street, Geneva, NY 14456

(315) 787-4003

Newark, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Finger Lakes Community College

1100 Technology Parkway, Newark, NY 14513

(585) 785-1662

Rochester, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Rochester Educational Opportunity Center

161 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604

(585) 232-2730

Long Island Region

Brentwood, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Long Island EOC Farmingdale State College – Brentwood Campus

1090A Suffolk Avenue, Brentwood, NY 11717

(631) 434-3740

East Setauket, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

University Hospital at SUNY Stony Brook Department of Clinical Education

14 Technology Drive, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733

(631) 444-4319

Famingdale, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Long Island EOC Farmingdale State College – Hooper Hall

2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11731

(631) 420-2280

Hempstead, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Long Island EOC Farmingdale State College – Hempstead Campus

269 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550

(516) 489-8705

Metropolitan Region

Brooklyn, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

ASA College

81 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

(877) 470-9638

Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11235

(718) 368-5052

Medgar Evers College- Adult & Continuing Education

1650 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn NY, 11225

(718) 804-8846

NYC College of Technology Division of Continuing Ed

25 Chapel Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 552-1180

Bronx, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Hostos Community College, Department of Continuing Education

K 560 Exterior Street, Bronx, NY 10451

(914) 793-5882

Hostos Community College/ Lehman College Continuing Education

2501 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10468

(914) 793-5882

Jamaica, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

York College

94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica NY 11451

(718) 262-2790

Long Island City, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Fiorello H. LaGuardia Community College

31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

(718) 482-5351

New York, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

City College of New York Continuing & Professional Studies

160 Convent Ave, Shepard Hall 2, New York, NY 10031

(914) 843-7983

Hostos Community College

5030 Broadway, New York, NY 10034

(914) 793-5882

Mandl School College of Allied Health Nurse Aide Program
254 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

(212) 247-3434

Manhattan EOC – New York
163 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027

(212) 961-4320

Mid-Hudson Region

Ossining, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Westchester Community College CNA Program – Ossining Extension Site
22 Rockledge Ave., Ossining, New York 10562

(914) 606-7400

Spring Valley, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Westchester EOC
16 East Church Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977

(914) 606-7646

Yonkers, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Cochran School of Nursing Andrus Pavilions St. John’s Riverside Hospital

967 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701

(914) 964-4283

Westchester EOC Nurse Aide Program
26 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701

(914) 606-7646

Northeastern Region

Albany, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Capital District EOC

30 North Russell Rd, Albany, NY 12206

(518) 273-1900

Schenectady County Community College

NYS Department of Labor-One Stop

175 Central Ave, 3rd Flr, Albany, NY

(518) 621-4007

Schenectady County Community College

220 Green Street 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12202

(518) 621-4007

Johnstown, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Fulton-Montgomery Community College C.N.A. Class – Johnstown
Route 67, Johnstown, NY 12095

(518) 762-4651 x306

Schenectady, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Schenectady County Community College- Center City Campus

433 State Street 2R, Schenectady, NY 12305

(518) 621-4007

Troy, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Capital District EOC – Troy
145 Congress Street, Troy, New York 12180

(518) 273-1900

Utica, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Mohawk Valley Community College

Center for Corporate & Community Education

1101 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501

(315) 792-5305

Western Region

Buffalo, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Buffalo EOC

465 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 849-6737

Sanborn, NY Colleges and Universities offering CNA programs:

Niagara County Community College

3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn NY 14132

(716) 731-3271

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