State terminology: Certified nurse aide (CNA). Louisiana nurse aide rules ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Louisiana at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section |
|---|---|
| Official state hub | Open the official state page ↗ |
| Training guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Transfer guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Renewal guidance | See Louisiana CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 4, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
How do you become a CNA in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires an LDH-approved Nurse Aide Training Program. LDH’s current program change form lists minimums of 24 classroom/theory hours, 16 lab/skills hours, 40 clinical hours and 4 orientation hours; the approved total is program-specific, so confirm it rather than treating a single number as universal.[4] [1] Completing training alone does not give you a state credential. Before enrolling, check the state’s testing requirements and what it takes to get the credential or be listed on the registry.
What else should you know about training?
- Prometric and LCTCS administer the Louisiana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation. Route 1 covers new aides who completed an LDH-approved program within the last 12 months.[1] [2] [3]
- Pass both the clinical skills and knowledge tests. Prometric then sends the applicant’s information to LDH for final review and registry placement.[3]
Where can you find training programs?
LDH CNA registry and approved NATP entry points ↗[1] Before you enroll, confirm with the state that the exact program and training site are currently approved. Check the total hours, clinical placement and costs as well.
What are the steps?
Confirm the LDH-approved program and total hours
Ask the program to state its approved classroom, lab and clinical hours in writing.[1]
Complete the approved program
Keep the completion documentation required for testing.[2]
Pass the competency evaluation
Use Prometric or LCTCS Route 1 and complete both components.[3]
What should you confirm with the state?
- LDH’s public pages do not state one universal total training-hour number. Confirm the approved program’s current total before enrolling.
- Program availability, costs and approval vary. Confirm them directly with the school.
Where did this information come from?
- Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) registry ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · NATCEP requirement; competency exam; approved testing vendors; registry
- LDH Approved CNA Certification Testing Vendors ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Prometric and LCTCS administer Route 1 new-aide competency evaluation
- Prometric Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide bulletin ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Route 1 new nurse aide: approved program within 12 months; clinical skills and knowledge tests; registry review
- LDH Nurse Aide Training Program Change Form ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Program hours fields: classroom/theory minimum 24, lab/skills minimum 16, clinical minimum 40, orientation minimum 4; total program-specific
See reviewed CNA training programs →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to Louisiana?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
Route 8 reciprocity — Active CNA in good standing in every currently held state
Key requirement: Provide Social Security card and Louisiana-issued ID or military ID; Louisiana ID is waived for addresses within 30 miles of Louisiana.
Recertification testing — Louisiana CNA lapsed less than 24 months
Key requirement: Route 2 permits one attempt at both test portions; failure requires approved retraining.
What are the first steps for Route 8 reciprocity?
Send Route 8 application to Prometric
Prometric verifies and forwards the file to LDH for final registry approval.
What else should you know?
- Continuing certification requires eight qualifying work hours each 24 months; work history must come from an approved employer, not the CNA.
What should you confirm?
- Confirm the current application route and testing procedure with the agency.
- Exact route at precisely 24 months after lapse and longer lapses needs registry confirmation.
What will the Louisiana planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Route 8 reciprocity, Recertification testing)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Louisiana? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in Louisiana?
The state sets the renewal cycle and any requirements for work hours and continuing education. This section summarizes the sources we reviewed. Follow the official instructions if they differ.
| Renewal cycle | Every two years from your certification date. You're recertified automatically at midnight on your expiration date if your required work history has been reported to the registry. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | At least 8 hours of nursing or nurse-related work in every 24-month period, in an approved licensed setting such as a nursing home, hospital or home health agency. Private sitting and staffing-agency work don't count. |
| CE or in-service | LDH's certification maintenance instructions list work hours, not continuing education. |
| Renewal window | Your employer reports your work history to the Nurse Aide Registry. Nursing homes must report it; other approved settings aren't required to, but LDH recommends they do. If your hours weren't reported, ask the provider to submit them. |
| If the credential lapses | If you don't have the required work history, you can retest once within two years after your certification expires. If you fail either part of the test, or don't test within those two years, you must retrain. |
Louisiana CNA certification lasts two years from your certification date. You need at least 8 hours of nursing or nurse-related work in every 24 months, in an approved setting; private sitting and staffing-agency work don't count. You're recertified automatically if your employer reports your work history before expiration, so make sure it's reported. LDH's instructions don't list continuing education. Without the work history, you get one chance to retest within two years after expiration; otherwise you must retrain.
Source: Louisiana Department of Health: Nurse Aide Training and Certification Maintenance ↗ CNA Registry FAQ ↗
Open the official Louisiana registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state