State terminology: Certified nurse aide (CNA). Colorado Board of Nursing rules ↗ · Colorado nurse aide program description ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Colorado DORA Division of Professions and Occupations, Board of Nursing.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to Colorado?
Review the agency instructions and the details that still need confirmation before choosing a pathway.
What does CNA reciprocity mean?
States use the terms reciprocity, endorsement and transfer to describe how they review nurse aide credentials from another state. Each state defines its own process, so use the term your new state uses. Approval is not automatic. The destination state decides whether your training, testing, work history and registry status meet its rules.
A nurse aide registry is an official state list used to check nurse aide status. A competency evaluation is the state-approved nurse aide exam. Its format varies by state. This guide explains the published instructions, but the agency decides whether you qualify.
How do you become a CNA in Colorado?
Colorado nurse aide training programs must be at least 75 hours, with at least 16 classroom hours and 16 clinical hours supervised by an RN or LPN. The first 16 hours come before you work with clients (3 CCR 716-1, Rule 1.11).
- DORA’s CNA education tab publishes approved nurse-aide programs separately from RN, LPN and psychiatric-technician programs.
- Credentia administers the Colorado NNAAP nurse-aide examination and links its current handbook.
Official training directory: DORA nurse aide approved programs by name ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
CNA endorsement
Out-of-state applicants seeking Board assessment.
- The guide requests all non-Colorado healthcare licenses, another-state CNA verification, name-change evidence if needed, screening disclosures and the Healthcare Professions Profile.[3]
Use DORA Online Services
Choose CNA initial license by endorsement; Credentia processes examination applications, not this endorsement route.[2]
Supply the guide’s evidence
Follow the licensing checklist in the CNA Licensing Guide.[3]
Official route: DORA Online Services. [2] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in Colorado?
The guide has a separate reinstatement route, including an attestation to eight paid nursing-care hours with active certification or a qualifying written/skills exam within 24 months.[3]
Who sends registry verification?
Follow the receiving agency’s verification instructions.
What exceptions apply?
No additional exception is listed in the reviewed sources.
What fees does the state publish?
The reviewed source does not publish an amount for the following item: Application and third-party charges. Confirm the current charge with the agency before paying.
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm the current application fee and portal steps with DORA.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the Colorado planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (CNA endorsement)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Colorado? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- Colorado Credentia program ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Colorado Board of Nursing contact responsibilities
- Colorado Nursing Applications and Forms ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · CNA section of the current applications page.
- CNA Licensing Guide - Feb 2025, linked by DORA ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Licensing Checklist p.5; Expired License Reinstatement p.8
- Colorado Board of Nursing FAQ: renewal and continued competency ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Nurse aide continuing competency; 8 hours of paid service; no CE requirement; refresher and reinstatement
- 3 CCR 716-1 Nursing Rules and Regulations (effective March 17, 2026) ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · 3 CCR 716-1. Rule 1.10(F): late fee during the 60-day grace period; attestation of at least 8 paid hours of nursing care activities in the 24 months before renewal; reinstatement under and over two years; renewal without work requires passing the competency evaluation within 24 months. Rule 1.11(E)(2): at least 75 hours, with 16 classroom and 16 supervised clinical hours, and the first 16 hours pre-clinical.