Key Points

• STNA stands for State Tested Nursing Assistant, which is Ohio's official title for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
• You must complete a 75-hour state-approved training program to be eligible for certification.
• You must pass the two-part Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) exam.
• You must be listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry to work legally.
• The average salary for STNAs in Ohio is $39,840 per year ($19.16 per hour).
• The job outlook shows 2% projected growth through 2032.

Step 1: Meet the Ohio STNA Requirements

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED (required by most programs)
• Pass a fingerprint-based criminal records check conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI)
• Be in good physical and mental health
• Provide proof of immunizations and a recent TB screening

Step 2: Complete a State-Approved STNA Training Program

Ohio requires you to complete a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) approved by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

• Minimum 75 total hours of instruction are required.
• Training begins with 16 hours of classroom and lab instruction before any direct patient contact.
• The remaining 59 hours cover topics like basic nursing skills, personal care, and residents' rights, and include 16 to 25 hours of supervised clinical experience.
• Coursework covers infection control, basic nursing skills, patient rights, communication, and assisting with daily living activities.
• Recent legislative updates allow for ODH-approved hybrid programs that combine online classes with required in-person clinical training.

Find accredited STNA classes near you:

• STNA classes in Columbus, OH
• STNA classes in Cincinnati, OH
• STNA classes in Toledo, OH
• STNA classes in Akron, OH
• STNA classes in Cleveland, OH

Step 3: Pass the State Competency Exam (NATCEP)

After completing your training, you must pass the NATCEP exam to earn your certification. The exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and has two parts.

The exam includes two parts:

1. Knowledge Test: A 79-question, multiple-choice test that you have 90 minutes to complete. A passing score of 70% is required.
2. Skills Evaluation: A 35-minute test where you must demonstrate five randomly selected nursing skills. You must achieve a score of at least 80% on each of the five tasks to pass.

You have up to three attempts to pass each component of the exam within 24 months of finishing your training program. If you fail a component three times, you must complete a new state-approved training program before you can test again.

Step 4: Get Listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry

Once you pass both parts of the NATCEP exam, your name will be added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. This official listing is required to work legally as an STNA in the state.

To maintain your active status on the registry:

• You must work for pay in a nursing-related role for at least 7.5 consecutive hours or 8 hours within a 48-hour period every 24 months.
• If you work in a long-term care facility, you must also complete 12 hours of in-service education each year.

There is no state fee to renew an active certification. However, if your certification lapses, you will need to retake and pass the NATCEP exam, which involves paying vendor fees for the knowledge and skills tests.

View details on the official Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.

Step 5: Start Working as an STNA in Ohio

With an active listing on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, you can begin your job search. STNAs are in demand in a variety of healthcare settings.

Common employers include:

• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Assisted-living facilities
• Rehabilitation centres
• Home health agencies

Many employers offer benefits such as paid training, tuition reimbursement, and career ladder programs to help you advance from an STNA to a licensed nurse (LPN or RN).

Explore STNA jobs near you and start your healthcare career today.