CNA Classes in New York | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs
NYSDOH-Approved Programs

CNA Classes in New York

Launch your healthcare career in the Empire State with comprehensive training programs. New York offers competitive wages and abundant opportunities across major metro areas and upstate communities.

Find CNA Schools View Requirements
100
Training Hours
$115
State Exam Fee
$47,530
Average Salary
4-12 Wks
Program Length

Become a CNA in New York

New York offers one of the most robust healthcare job markets in the nation for Certified Nursing Assistants. With over 84,550 CNAs employed across the state, the Empire State provides exceptional earning potential, with CNAs earning an average of $22.85 per hour—significantly above the national average. Major healthcare systems in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and upstate cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany maintain constant demand for qualified nursing assistants in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home health settings.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) regulates CNA certification through a partnership with Prometric, which administers the competency examination and maintains the New York Nurse Aide Registry. New York requires a minimum of 100 hours of training—higher than the federal minimum of 75 hours—ensuring CNAs receive comprehensive preparation. Programs are offered throughout the state at CUNY and SUNY community colleges, vocational schools, American Red Cross chapters, and facility-based training programs at nursing homes and healthcare facilities.

Quick Facts
Regulatory Body NYSDOH
Exam Provider Prometric
Training Hours 100 minimum
Clinical Hours 30 minimum
Exam Fee $115 (combined)
Renewal Period 24 months
Renewal Fee $40

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Compare training programs throughout New York State, from NYC to Buffalo. Review costs, schedules, and start your certification journey.

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How to Become a CNA in New York

Follow these three steps to earn your CNA certification and join the New York Nurse Aide Registry

1

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in a New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) approved nurse aide training program that provides at least 100 hours of instruction, including a minimum of 30 hours of supervised clinical practice in a nursing home setting. Programs are available throughout the state at CUNY colleges such as City College, Queensborough Community College, Lehman College, and Hostos Community College, as well as SUNY campuses including Schenectady, Dutchess, and Rockland community colleges. Many nursing homes and healthcare facilities offer facility-based training programs, some at no cost to students who commit to employment after certification. Programs typically take 4-12 weeks to complete depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time, with evening and weekend options available to accommodate working students.

2

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing your training program, you must pass the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination administered by Prometric. The exam consists of two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation. The written exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions, with 90 minutes to complete—you must score at least 70% to pass. The skills exam requires you to demonstrate 5 randomly selected clinical skills within 31-40 minutes while being observed by a nurse aide evaluator. The combined exam fee for both written and skills portions is $115, or $135 for the oral/skills combination. Testing is available at regional test sites across New York or through in-facility testing arrangements. You have three attempts to pass each exam component within 24 months of completing your training.

3

Get Listed on the Registry

Upon successfully passing both portions of the competency exam, Prometric will add your name to the New York Nurse Aide Registry, which is maintained in partnership with the NYSDOH. Your certification status will show as "Active" and you will receive a certificate and wallet card confirming your credentials. All employers in New York are required to verify your active registry status before you can begin working as a CNA. You may not work as a nurse aide until your name appears as active on the registry. New York requires candidates to pass a criminal background check as part of the certification process. Registry status can be verified online at registry.prometric.com or by phone at 1-800-918-8818, available 24 hours a day. Your certification is valid for 24 months from the date of initial certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about CNA certification in New York

The timeline to become a CNA in New York typically ranges from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on your chosen program format and schedule. Full-time accelerated programs at institutions like ASA College in Brooklyn or ABC Training Center in Manhattan can prepare students for certification in as little as 4 weeks with intensive daily instruction. Part-time evening or weekend programs at CUNY schools like Queensborough Community College or City College extend over 10-16 weeks, accommodating students who work during the day. SUNY Schenectady offers an 8-week program combining 90 classroom hours with 30 clinical hours. After completing training, you'll need to schedule and pass the Prometric exam, which can be done within 1-2 weeks depending on testing site availability. Processing your results and registry listing typically takes 5-10 business days. In total, most students can complete the entire process—from enrollment to active registry status—within 6-16 weeks.
CNA training costs in New York typically range from $800 to $2,700 depending on the institution and program format. CUNY community college programs like those at Queensborough Community College ($1,218), Hostos Community College ($1,218), and Lehman College offer competitive pricing with some financial aid options available. Private vocational schools such as ABC Training Center charge approximately $1,850, while CUNY College of Staten Island's comprehensive program costs $2,310 but includes textbooks, training materials, certification exam fees, and BLS certification. In addition to tuition, budget for the $115 state competency exam fee (paid directly to Prometric), scrubs and uniforms ($50-$100), required immunizations and physical exam, and CPR certification if not included in your program. Several free CNA training options exist in New York City through organizations like Mosholulu Montefiore Community Center (partnered with Lehman College) for ages 18-24, NYC SBS Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center, and Commonpoint Queens scholarship programs. Many nursing homes also offer free training with a work commitment.
New York offers hybrid CNA programs that combine online classroom instruction with mandatory in-person components. NYSDOH requires all CNA programs to include hands-on clinical training, so fully online certification is not permitted. However, many programs now offer the theoretical/didactic portion online for flexibility. City College of New York offers a hybrid program with 122.5 hours of online instruction plus 30 hours of in-person clinical rotations in NYC facilities. Lehman College's hybrid CNA program provides online didactic coursework with in-person skills labs at their Concourse campus and clinical rotations at off-site healthcare facilities. Dutchess Community College offers hybrid training for students in the Poughkeepsie area, combining online theory classes with in-person clinical experience at local nursing homes. CUNY College of Staten Island provides a hybrid format with 135 lecture hours (blend of online and in-person) plus 30 clinical hours. These hybrid formats allow students to study course material on their own schedule while still meeting the essential hands-on training requirements mandated by the state.
The New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination, administered by Prometric, consists of two parts that must both be passed for certification. The written exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes; a score of at least 70% is required to pass. Content areas include Role of the Nurse Aide (20% of questions), Promotion of Safety (22%), Promotion of Function and Health of Residents (20%), Basic Care Provided by the Nurse Aide (25%), and Provision of a Healthy Environment (13%). An oral exam option is available for candidates who request it, which contains 60 questions plus 10 reading comprehension questions. The clinical skills exam requires you to demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills from a checklist of approximately 25 possible tasks. You'll have 31-40 minutes total depending on which skills are selected. Skills include handwashing (tested with your first three skills), vital signs measurement, positioning and transfers, personal care tasks, and communication with residents. Both exam components are administered on the same day at regional test sites or through in-facility testing.
New York accepts CNA reciprocity for nurse aides certified in other U.S. states through an endorsement process managed by Prometric. To transfer your certification, complete the NY CNA Exam Application and select Route 2 (Reciprocity). You must submit a copy of your current, valid out-of-state CNA certification showing an expiration date, or provide proof of employment (at least 7 hours of paid work as a CNA within the past 24 months) on facility letterhead if your state's registry doesn't show expiration dates. The reciprocity processing fee is $50, payable by certified check or money order to NY Commissioner of Health, NYNA. No exam is required for reciprocity candidates with valid certification. Processing typically takes 10-14 business days. Your name must appear as Active on the New York Nurse Aide Registry before you can legally work as a CNA in the state. Mail completed applications to: Prometric, ATTN: NY Nurse Aide Program, 7941 Corporate Drive, Nottingham, MD 21236. You can also apply online through the Prometric candidate portal. For questions, contact Prometric at 1-800-321-6443.

CNA License Renewal in New York

New York CNA certification must be renewed every 24 months to maintain active status on the Nurse Aide Registry. The NYSDOH requires all certified nursing assistants to demonstrate continued competency through paid employment in a nursing-related role. To be eligible for renewal, you must have worked at least 8 consecutive hours for pay as a nurse aide performing nursing or nursing-related services under the supervision of a registered nurse within the previous 24-month period. This work must be performed at a NYSDOH-approved healthcare facility such as a nursing home, hospital, or home health agency.

To renew your certification, download and complete the NY CNA Registry Renewal Form from the Prometric website. Your employer must complete Section 2 of the form, verifying your employment. Submit the original completed form (photocopies are not accepted) along with a $40 nonrefundable renewal fee payable by certified check or money order to NY Commissioner of Health, NYNA. Upon approval, your certification will be renewed for another 24 months, and you will receive a new certificate and wallet card. If you did not work the required hours during the 24-month period, your certification will lapse and you must retake both portions of the state competency exam to be recertified. New York does not require continuing education units for CNA renewal, though you must complete at least 6 hours of in-service training every six months as required by your employer.

Renewal Requirements
  • Work at least 8 consecutive paid hours as a CNA within 24 months
  • Complete NY CNA Registry Renewal Form with employer verification
  • Submit original form (no photocopies accepted)
  • Pay $40 nonrefundable renewal fee by certified check or money order
  • No continuing education units required for renewal
  • 6 hours of in-service training required every 6 months by employers

Career Outlook in New York

New York offers exceptional opportunities for CNAs with competitive wages and diverse healthcare settings

Above-Average Wages

New York CNAs earn a median salary of $47,530/year ($22.85/hour), significantly above the national average of $39,430. NYC metro area CNAs can earn up to $49,600+ annually.

Major Healthcare Systems

Work at renowned institutions including NYC Health + Hospitals, Northwell Health, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, NewYork-Presbyterian, and major systems throughout upstate New York.

Career Advancement

Bridge programs at CUNY and SUNY schools help CNAs advance to LPN and RN roles. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement and support for continuing education.

CNA Requirements in Neighboring States

Explore certification requirements in nearby states

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Official Resources

Access official links and contact information for New York CNA certification

NY State Dept. of Health

State regulatory agency overseeing CNA certification and nurse aide training program approval.

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NY Nurse Aide Registry

Search the official registry to verify CNA certification status and employment eligibility.

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Prometric Testing

Official exam administrator for the New York State Nurse Aide Competency Examination.

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Schedule Your Exam

Apply online to take the New York CNA competency examination at a regional test site.

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Registry Contact

Bureau of Professional Credentialing
875 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206

Call: (877) 877-1827

Email Support

Contact NYSDOH Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management for assistance.

profcred@health.ny.gov