State terminology: Nurse aide. Pennsylvania nurse aide testing and registry ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Pennsylvania Department of Health; Credentia manages day-to-day registry.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to Pennsylvania?
Route to review: Online 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires 80 training hours, including 37.5 supervised clinical hours.
- Choose a PDE-approved program; PDE publishes age, criminal-history and health prerequisites. Confirm program admissions and start dates directly.
- After approved training, register through Credentia. The official state service page links its Pennsylvania candidate handbook and registry.
Official training directory: PDE approved nurse aide training programs and map ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
Online reciprocity
Active good-standing other-state registry
- Must be active and in good standing under federal nursing-home nurse-aide statutes.[1]
Use Pennsylvania account
Follow PA page to the state-specific Credentia account; existing other-state account is not the PA application.[2] [3]
Complete reciprocity request
In Registry section open nurse-aide reciprocity request, enter certification details, attach requested records and submit for review.[3]
Monitor status
Use PA account for reciprocity status and registry details.[2]
Official route: online. [2] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in Pennsylvania?
A lapsed PA listing due to 24 months without documented nursing work is a testing route. Use existing PA registry record; do not assume new reciprocity.[1]
Who sends registry verification?
The current online guide requests certification details and supporting documents. Confirm the current authority-sender instructions with the agency.[3]
What exceptions apply?
Other-state listing lapsed through 24 months without work
PA state page lists this as testing eligibility, separate from active-registry reciprocity.[1]
What else should you know?
PA renewal work requirements are continued-enrollment rules. Confirm whether they affect an initial reciprocity application.[1]
What fees does the state publish?
The reviewed source does not publish an amount for the following item: Reciprocity. Confirm the current charge with the agency before paying.
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm the current portal steps, attachments and verification-sender rules with the agency.
- Confirm the reciprocity fee and processing time with the agency.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the Pennsylvania planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Online reciprocity)
- Have you previously been listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- Nurse Aide Testing ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Eligibility; Reciprocity; Renewal and lapse
- Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Testing ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Enrolling through reciprocity; registry section
- How to Apply for Reciprocity ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Steps 1-6; state-specific account and supporting documentation
- Pennsylvania NNAAP Handbook: Frequently Asked Questions ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Registry renewal; 8 consecutive hours of paid work; no registry CE; 12 hours of facility in-service