State terminology: Certified nurse aide (CNA). New York DOH nurse aide terminology ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. New York State Department of Health; Prometric administers registry.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to New York?
Route to review: Route 2 reciprocity. Check all the conditions for this route. 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 York?
Use both official lists: DOH publishes nursing-home programs; NYSED publishes education programs with approval dates. Check the relevant approving agency.
- New York's nurse aide training rule requires at least 100 hours of classroom and clinical training combined, including at least 30 hours of supervised practical experience in a nursing home (10 NYCRR 415.26). High school (secondary) programs approved by NYSED follow a separate structure: 216 hours of health science core instruction, 108 hours of nurse aide theory, and supervised clinical experience. A June 4, 2026 NYSED memo lets these high school programs lower the clinical minimum from 108 hours to 54 hours, though districts and BOCES may still require more.
- Prometric runs New York's nurse aide exam and registry for the state Department of Health. Its candidate bulletin explains each certification route, including Route 1 for new nurse aides.
Official training directory: DOH-approved nursing-home programs; also use the NYSED education-program directory ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
Route 2 reciprocity
Currently active on another state registry
- Provide current out-of-state certificates, training information and name-change proof if needed.[3]
Complete Route 2 application
List other states, certificates, training program/date and good standing. Applicable NY employer completes employment section.[2]
Include fee/payment form
Sign application; use required payment form and accepted payment.[2]
Mail materials
Prometric, ATTN NY Nurse Aide Program, 6211 Greenleigh Avenue Suite 400, Middle River MD 21220.[2]
Official route: Mail; confirm whether the online registry route also applies. [2] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in New York?
Lapsed prior NY: Route 6 (NY-approved training on/after July 1, 1989) requires testing; Route 7 (deeming/waiver/reciprocity or prior training) requires retraining/testing. Confirm overlap with active other-state status.[3]
Who sends registry verification?
Route 2 asks applicant for out-of-state certificate copies; no direct-source-state verification instruction established in reviewed public route.[3]
What exceptions apply?
Current registry has no expiration date
Supervisor-signed facility-letterhead evidence must show seven paid nurse-aide hours within previous 24 months.[3]
What else should you know?
NY stopped issuing paper certificates August 1, 2026; facilities use registry verification. This does not erase the out-of-state-copy requirement.[1]
What fees does the state publish?
| Item | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Route 2 reciprocity: Reciprocity processing | $50[2] |
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm whether the online Route 2 process applies to you; processing time is not guaranteed.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the New York planner ask?
- Is your current nurse aide credential active? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in New York? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
- Does your current registry provide an expiration date? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- NY Nurse Aide ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Application links; August 1, 2026 paper-certificate notice
- NY CNA Application revised 9/10/2026 ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Pages 1-4 route/training, page 5 fee, page 7 submission
- NY State CNA Manual ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · PDF pages 5 Route 2; 8 Routes 6-7