State terminology: Certified nurse aide (CNA). New York DOH nurse aide terminology ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
New York at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | New York State Department of Health; Prometric administers registry |
|---|---|
| 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 York CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 4, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
How do you become a CNA in New York?
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.[6] [3] [4] 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?
- Use both official lists: DOH publishes nursing-home programs; NYSED publishes education programs with approval dates. Check the relevant approving agency.[1] [2]
- 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.[4] [5]
- For Route 1, finish an approved training program and fill out the exam application; your training coordinator completes Section 3. Submit it through your coordinator or employer, or mail the application and fee to Prometric to test at a regional site.[5]
- You must pass both the clinical skills exam and the written or oral exam to be listed on the registry. On Route 1, you get three attempts at each exam, within two years of finishing training.[5]
Where can you find training programs?
DOH-approved nursing-home programs; also use the NYSED education-program directory ↗[1] [2] 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 should you confirm with the state?
- Confirm school status, availability and costs directly with the school.
Where did this information come from?
- NYS DOH Nurse Aide Training Programs open dataset ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · All 159 official DOH dataset API rows reconciled against names, program type, address, city, ZIP, county and published phone on November 4. Duplicate address text suppressed; Consortium for Worker Education second-floor address restored.
- NYSED Certified Nurse Aide Programs Approved by the Department ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · All 48 Office of the Professions program rows reviewed, including approval and expiration dates, embedded-program restrictions and source-address ambiguities. Page identifies additional NYSED program-listing channels; those are not yet reconciled.
- 10 NYCRR 415.26 Organization and administration ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · 10 NYCRR 415.26(i): training of at least 100 hours combined, including at least 30 hours of supervised practical experience in a nursing home.
- NYSED Nurse Assisting (Nurse Aide) ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · NYSED Nurse Assisting page: programs must be approved by NYSED or NYSDOH; NYSED's CTE office approves school-based (secondary and adult) programs; links a 10/2/2026 notice titled "Reduction of Minimum Supervised Clinical Experience Hours in Secondary Nurse Aide Training Programs."
- NYS DOH Certified Nurse Aide Manual / Prometric ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · PDF pp.2-3 and 5: standard Route 1, application coordinator section, exams and registry; paper application instructions.
- NYSED memo: Reduction of Minimum Supervised Clinical Experience Hours in Secondary Nurse Aide Training Programs ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Memo dated June 4, 2026 (linked on NYSED's nurse aide page as 10/2/2026). Effective immediately, secondary nurse aide training programs approved by NYSED's Office of CTE may reduce supervised clinical experience from 108 to 54 hours; students still complete 216 hours of health science core and 108 hours of nurse aide theory; districts and BOCES may require more clinical hours.
See the partial CNA program list →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to New York?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: New York State Department of Health; Prometric administers registry. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
Route 2 reciprocity — Currently active on another state registry
Key requirement: Provide current out-of-state certificates, training information and name-change proof if needed.
What are the first steps for Route 2 reciprocity?
Complete Route 2 application
List other states, certificates, training program/date and good standing. Applicable NY employer completes employment section.
Include fee/payment form
Sign application; use required payment form and accepted payment.
Mail materials
Prometric, ATTN NY Nurse Aide Program, 6211 Greenleigh Avenue Suite 400, Middle River MD 21220.
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.
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.
What should you confirm?
- Confirm whether the online Route 2 process applies to you; processing time is not guaranteed.
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)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in New York?
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 24 months. Your certification expires two years from the last day of the month you were certified. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | At least 7 hours of paid nurse aide work in a New York nursing home or at a NYS-approved nurse aide employer in the previous 24 months. |
| CE or in-service | The recertification instructions in New York's nurse aide bulletin don't list a continuing-education requirement. Ask your employer about any in-service training it requires. |
| Renewal window | Your employer submits the recertification form and the $40 fee to Prometric. You'll get a reminder about 45 days before your certification expires. |
| If the credential lapses | If you haven't worked for pay as a nurse aide in an approved New York setting in the past 24 months, you won't be recertified. You'll need to retest, or retrain and retest, through one of the certification routes in the bulletin. |
New York nurse aide certification lasts 24 months and expires two years from the last day of the month you were certified. To recertify, you need at least 7 hours of paid nurse aide work in a New York nursing home or at a NYS-approved nurse aide employer in the previous 24 months. Your employer submits the recertification form and the $40 fee, and you'll get a reminder about 45 days before expiration. The bulletin's recertification instructions don't list a continuing-education requirement. If you haven't worked in the past 24 months, you'll need to retest, or retrain and retest.
Source: NY State CNA Manual ↗ NY CNA Application revised 9/10/2026 ↗
Open the official New York registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state