State terminology: Licensed nursing assistant (LNA). New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
New Hampshire at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| 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 New Hampshire CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 4, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
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).[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?
- 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).[1] [2]
- The Board of Nursing approves LNA education programs; use the official education-program page to confirm current approval.[3]
Where can you find training programs?
New Hampshire Board of Nursing education-program entry point ↗[3] 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 program is Board-approved
Use the official education-program page and ask the program to confirm its current LNA approval.[3]
Complete 100 hours including 60 clinical hours
Ask your program to show you its schedule of theory hours, clinical hours and hours before patient contact.[1] [4]
Pass the competency evaluation and apply for the LNA license
Follow the Board’s current testing and licensing instructions.[2]
What should you confirm with the state?
- The Board of Nursing has proposed changes to its nursing assistant rules (Nur 700). The hours above come from the rule in effect now. If you're starting training soon, ask your program or the Board whether anything has changed.
- Confirm the current testing vendor, fees and program availability.
Where did this information come from?
- New Hampshire Board of Nursing rules, Nur 700: Nursing Assistants ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Rules in effect since April 17, 2014. Nur 704.09(e): 16 hours of instruction before you care for patients. Nur 704.09(i): at least 100 hours, with 40 hours of theory and 60 hours of clinical experience. Nur 702.03: you must pass the written and skills parts of the competency evaluation.
- New Hampshire Board of Nursing ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Board of Nursing home page on the OPLC website.
- New Hampshire Board of Nursing education programs ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Board-approved nursing and LNA education program information
- New Hampshire Board of Nursing Laws and Rules ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Lists Nur 700 (Nursing Assistants) under Proposed Rules; the public comment period closed March 5, 2026.
See reviewed CNA training programs →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to New Hampshire?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Board of Nursing. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
LNA endorsement — Holder of an active good-standing out-of-state nursing assistant credential
Key requirement: Current checklist requires an active out-of-state license, a criminal background check and uploaded license verification.
Reinstatement after shorter lapse — New Hampshire license expired less than one year
Reapply after longer lapse — New Hampshire license expired or lapsed more than one year
What are the first steps for LNA endorsement?
Apply using current LNA instructions
The current profession-specific page directs initial applications through the online portal. Do not use the 2016 packet requirements.
What else should you know?
- OPLC says it processes all endorsement applications for Plc 313 professions under the new rules.
What should you confirm?
- 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.
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)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in New Hampshire?
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. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | At least 200 hours of nursing-assistant activities under a licensed nurse's supervision in the 2 years before you apply. Passing the nursing assistant competency test within the past 2 years also meets this requirement. |
| CE or in-service | 24 contact hours of continuing education in the 2 years before you apply (at least 12 a year), such as workshops, lectures or in-service training. This is required in addition to the practice hours; passing the competency test within the past 2 years can also meet it. |
| Renewal window | Renew online. A license expired less than one year may use the paper renewal and reinstatement application; more than one year requires a new online application. |
| If the credential lapses | Expired less than one year: renewal plus reinstatement fee. Expired more than one year: reapply online. |
New Hampshire LNA licenses renew every two years. You need both at least 200 hours of nursing-assistant work under a licensed nurse in the 2 years before renewal and 24 contact hours of continuing education (at least 12 a year); passing the competency test within the past 2 years can satisfy either requirement. Renew online. A license expired less than one year may use the paper renewal and reinstatement application; after one year, reapply online.
Source: New Hampshire Board of Nursing: LNA renewal and continuing education ↗ Checklist: LNA License by Endorsement (Reciprocity) ↗
Open the official New Hampshire registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state