Are you a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who needs to renew your license? Completing the requirements and submitting paperwork can seem daunting. Renewing your CNA license doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
If you’re a previous license holder and just want to renew your license, the process differs from the first time you applied for your CNA license. In this blog post, we'll discuss some easy steps to help make the renewal process smoother and update your credentials quickly.
Most states require license renewal every two years to keep you active on the Nurse Aide Registry. The procedure of renewing a CNA license might also differ from state to state, so it’s best to check this out on your state's Official Nurse Aide Website, but they generally have the same pattern.
When you receive your CNA license, it will have an expiration date when you get it. Most states expire every two years. If you need clarification on your license's expiration date, look it up through your state's nursing board or certification verification website.
You must have consistently worked as a CNA for the appropriate number of hours per week as needed by the state to renew your license before it expires. Additionally, there must be no reports of abuse or neglect on your record.
If you haven’t been active in service before the expiry of your license, you will need to undergo a background check. Some states also mandate a minimum number of hours for continuing education. In addition, your license must not be delinquent.
Most states require a certain number of Continuing Education Units (CEU) or hours before renewing. If your license just expired and you want to renew it, you might need to do some refresher courses in order for you to update your license. Each state may have different CEU topics for renewal. Some facilities will provide them for you in their education requirements to work. If not, you may have to find an approved CEU vendor to ensure you stay up-to-date. You can find your state information in the nursing aide registry.
If your license is expired, you will need to retake the CNA certification exam to show that your knowledge is still up to date if you still need to fulfill the criteria for continuing education. You might need to enroll in another CNA program if you don't pass the exam. To avoid this, keep an eye on your state’s continued education requirements and complete the required hours.
If your state provides online license renewal, you can utilize that if you don't need to modify your license's status or any of its information (such as your name). Payment with a credit or debit card is also necessary for online license renewal. Contact your state’s nursing board or licensing authority for additional requirements and instructions.
Once you have renewed that license, you are now ready to expand your experience and maintain your career as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Good luck on your journey, and remember, Dreambound is here for all your CNA educational needs.
Venice Nuyda is a student-support representative at Dreambound. She is responsible for helping students through their training journey in the allied health space. She is passionate about helping others and writing informative articles to aid candidates in advancing their vocational careers.