CNA Classes & Training Programs in Alabama

CNA Certification Renewal in Alabama

Alabama maintains an employment-based renewal system rather than requiring traditional periodic renewal with fees. To keep your CNA certification active on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry, you must complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work within every 24-month period. This employment must occur in a qualifying healthcare setting: Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice agencies, or mental health facilities. Employment in assisted living facilities, private homes, or physician offices does not qualify for maintaining your registry status. The Alabama Department of Public Health does not require CNAs to submit renewal applications or pay renewal fees—your employer reports your work status to the registry, which automatically maintains your active certification. While Alabama does not mandate specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for individual CNAs, federal regulations require skilled nursing facilities to provide at least 12 hours of annual in-service training to their CNA staff. If you do not meet the 8-hour work requirement within 24 consecutive months, your certification becomes inactive, and you cannot work as a CNA until you recertify. To regain active status after a lapse, you must retake and pass both the written and skills portions of the competency exam. If your certification has been inactive for more than 24 months, you may need to complete a new training program before retesting.