State terminology: Licensed nursing assistant (LNA). New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Board of Nursing.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to New Hampshire?
Compare the reviewed application routes to see which one fits your situation. An out-of-state credential alone does not establish eligibility.
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 New Hampshire?
New Hampshire LNA programs must include at least 100 hours of training: 40 hours of theory and 60 hours of clinical experience. You get 16 hours of instruction before you work with patients (Nur 704.09).
- After you finish an approved program, you must pass both the written and skills parts of the competency evaluation before you can apply for your license (Nur 702.03). New Hampshire calls nursing assistants Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs).
- The Board of Nursing approves LNA education programs; use the official education-program page to confirm current approval.
Official training directory: New Hampshire Board of Nursing education-program entry point ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
LNA endorsement
Holder of an active good-standing out-of-state nursing assistant credential
- Current checklist requires an active out-of-state license, a criminal background check and uploaded license verification.[2]
- OPLC lists every U.S. state and DC as qualifying LNA jurisdictions; an encumbered credential disqualifies the universal-recognition route.[3]
Apply using current LNA instructions
The current profession-specific page directs initial applications through the online portal. Do not use the 2016 packet requirements.[1] [2]
Official route: Online portal linked from current Applications for LNA page. [1] Open agency instructions ↗
Reinstatement after shorter lapse
New Hampshire license expired less than one year
Mail the two required applications
Use the Universal Application for License Renewal and LNA Reinstatement Application with the fee.[1]
Official route: Mail OPLC per current LNA page. [1] Open agency instructions ↗
Reapply after longer lapse
New Hampshire license expired or lapsed more than one year
Reapply online
Follow the current application portal instructions for the existing history.[1]
Official route: Online portal. [1] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in New Hampshire?
The current page distinguishes expiry under one year (paper reinstatement plus universal renewal) from over one year (online reapplication).[1]
Who sends registry verification?
For incoming universal recognition, a licensing-board portal printout or screenshot showing active/good-standing status is allowed; the current LNA checklist asks the applicant to upload verification.[3] [2]
What exceptions apply?
No additional exception is listed in the reviewed sources.
What else should you know?
OPLC says it processes all endorsement applications for Plc 313 professions under the new rules.[3]
What fees does the state publish?
The reviewed source does not publish an amount for the following item: Application and background check. Confirm the current charge with the agency before paying.
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Exact one-year lapse boundary is not stated by the current LNA page.
- Confirm current fees and whether the OPLC VeriDoc page applies to outgoing LNA verification.
- The general recognition page also describes a mail option, while the LNA page directs initial applications online. Confirm which applies.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the New Hampshire planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (LNA endorsement, Reinstatement after shorter lapse, Reapply after longer lapse)
- Have you previously held a New Hampshire LNA license? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- Applications for LNA ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Apply for a New License; Reinstatement less than 1 year and more than 1 year.
- Checklist: LNA License by Endorsement (Reciprocity) ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Current one-page LNA endorsement checklist.
- New Changes for Reciprocity in New Hampshire ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Board of Nursing qualifying-jurisdictions table; application process; FAQ says Plc 313 applications follow the new rules.
- New Hampshire Board of Nursing: LNA renewal and continuing education ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Board of Nursing education and training requirements. LNA practice: at least 200 hours of nursing-assistant activities under a licensed nurse's supervision in the 2 years before applying, or passing the competency test within 2 years. LNA continuing education: 24 contact hours in the 2 years before applying (Nur 403.02: at least 12 per year), or passing the competency test within 2 years. MNA: 8 of the 24 hours on medication administration.