Key Points
- Becoming a CNA in New York means finishing a state-approved 100-hour training program, passing the Prometric exam, and getting listed on the state Nurse Aide Registry.
- Training includes at least 30 hours of supervised clinical practice in a licensed nursing home, and programs are approved by both NYSED and the Department of Health.
- The median wage for CNAs in New York is $48,590 a year, or $23.36 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data.
- Many New Yorkers train for free through employer-sponsored programs, federal tuition reimbursement, or WIOA funding.
- As of August 1, 2026, New York no longer issues paper CNA certificates, so employers verify your status directly on the Nurse Aide Registry.
How to Become a CNA in New York
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
You can start a training program at 16, though you must be at least 17 to take the state exam. Most programs also ask for a high school diploma or GED, though some accept students still finishing one. Before clinical hours, you complete a criminal background check and health clearances, typically a physical, updated immunizations for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B, and a negative TB test. Programs tied to nursing homes tend to enforce these strictly, since you work with residents during training.
Once you are ready, compare CNA classes near you on Dreambound by cost, length, and schedule.
Step 2: Complete a State-Approved 100-Hour Training Program
New York requires a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program approved by both the New York State Education Department and the Department of Health. The program runs at least 100 hours, including a minimum of 30 hours of supervised clinical practice in a licensed nursing home. Classroom time covers infection control, patient safety, resident rights, nutrition, mobility, and basic nursing skills, while clinical hours give you hands-on practice taking vital signs, assisting with bathing and feeding, and repositioning residents. Most programs take 4 to 12 weeks, depending on whether you attend full or part time.
Step 3: Pass the Prometric Competency Exam
After training, you take the New York competency exam, which Prometric administers for the state. It has two parts: a written or oral knowledge test, and a clinical skills test where you perform a set of randomly selected nurse aide tasks, such as handwashing, measuring blood pressure, and helping a resident move safely. You get a limited number of attempts on each part, and you must pass both within the state's testing window, so schedule your exam soon after finishing your program.
Step 4: Get Listed on the Nurse Aide Registry
Passing both parts adds you to the New York State Nurse Aide Registry, and employers must confirm your active status there before hiring you. This step matters more than ever: as of August 1, 2026, New York no longer mails paper CNA certificates, so the registry is the official record of your certification. To stay active, you generally need to perform paid nursing-related work within each two-year period, and if you let that lapse, you may have to test again.
How to Get CNA Training for Free in New York
Paying out of pocket is often avoidable in New York. Many nursing homes and hospitals, including large systems like NYC Health + Hospitals, run their own free CNA training and hire you afterward in exchange for a work commitment. Federal rules add another layer: if a Medicaid- or Medicare-certified nursing home hires you within 12 months of finishing an approved program, the facility must reimburse your training costs. Eligible residents can also use workforce funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) at their local career center. If you would rather pay and start right away, compare the cheapest and fastest CNA programs on Dreambound to keep costs down.
Already a CNA in Another State? Transferring to New York
If you already hold an active CNA certification in another state, you usually do not have to retake the 100-hour course to work in New York. Instead, you apply for reciprocity through Prometric to be added to the New York registry. New York generally expects your out-of-state certification to be current and in good standing, with recent paid nursing-related work and no disciplinary findings on your record. Because the exact requirements and fee can change, confirm the current reciprocity steps on Prometric's New York nurse aide page before you apply.
CNA Salary and Job Outlook in New York
CNAs in New York earn a median wage of $48,590 a year, or $23.36 an hour, as of May 2025 BLS data, well above the national median of $39,530. Employers span the state, from large systems like Northwell Health, NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone in the New York City metro to Rochester Regional Health upstate. Nationally, the outlook is flat, with the BLS projecting 2% growth from 2024 to 2034, but it still expects about 211,800 openings each year, mostly as workers move into other roles or leave the field. Many CNAs use the role as a first step, then move into a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse path.
