Welcome to our comprehensive guide on CNA reciprocity. Dive into the process of transferring your Certified Nursing Assistant (or Nurse Aide) license between states, understand the details and costs of reciprocity requirements, and discover which states offer free reciprocity. On this page, you’ll find all the up-to-date information on CNA license reciprocity, including application forms & fees.
To have your CNA certification recognized in another state through reciprocity, you must already possess a CNA license. If you’re seeking to obtain your first CNA license and be placed on your state’s CNA registry, please explore our CNA License Registration page for comprehensive guidance and requirements.
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CNA reciprocity is a process that allows Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to transfer their certification and work credentials from one state to another. This means that if you are a CNA certified in one state and you wish to work in another state, you can apply for reciprocity to have your certification recognized and accepted in the new state without the need for additional training or testing. This makes it convenient to continue your CNA career in a new state. In the event that the states do not have the same requirements, candidates will need to fulfill some additional requirements before being eligible to work in that state.
Transferring or changing your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license to another state involves reciprocity. Here’s how it usually works:
The table below shows an overview of the reciprocity procedures in all US States, including their fees and application type. Click on the individual state to view all the relevant information and links to successfully submit your reciprocity application in that state.
State | Application fee | Application type |
---|---|---|
Alabama | Free of charge | Through Employer |
Alaska | $275 | |
Arizona | $50 | Online |
Arkansas | $25 | Online |
California | Only fingerprint fees | Mail or Fax |
Colorado | $10 | Online |
Connecticut | $55 | Mail or Fax |
Delaware | $30 | |
Florida | Only fingerprint fees | Online |
Georgia | Free of charge | |
Hawaii | $27 | |
Idaho | Free of charge | Email, Mail or Fax |
Illinois | $25 | |
Indiana | $65 Written exam retake | |
Iowa | Free of charge | Mail or Fax |
Kansas | $20 | Mail or Email |
Kentucky | Free of charge | Online |
Louisiana | $35 | Online or Mail |
Maine | Free of charge | Online or Mail |
Maryland | $20 + Fingerprint fees | |
Massachusetts | Free of charge | |
Michigan | $20 | Online |
Minnesota | Free of charge | |
Mississippi | $26 | |
Missouri | Free of charge | Online |
Montana | Free of charge | Online |
Nebraska | $25-$30 for Abuse Training | |
Nevada | $50 + Fingerprint fees | Online |
New Hampshire | $63 | Online |
New Jersey | Depends | Phone, Mail |
New Mexico | Free of charge | Email, Mail or Fax |
New York | $50 | Online or Mail |
North Carolina | $188 | Online |
North Dakota | Free of charge | Online |
Ohio | Free of charge | Mail, Email or Fax |
Oklahoma | Free of charge | Online |
Oregon | $60 | Online |
Pennsylvania | Free of charge | Online |
Rhode Island | $35 | |
South Carolina | Free of charge | Online |
South Dakota | Free of charge | Online |
Tennessee | $25 | Online |
Texas | Only criminal history check fees | |
Utah | $50 | Online |
Vermont | $38.25 | Online |
Virginia | Free of charge | Online |
Washington | $85 | Online or Mail |
West Virginia | Free of charge | Online |
Wisconsin | $25 | Online |
Wyoming | $120 | Online |
There are various reasons why you would want to transfer your CNA license to another state. Whether it’s due to a move or the desire to work as a travel CNA, transferring your license enables you to work in a new state. It’s important to understand that CNA licenses are state-specific, necessitating the transfer to practice elsewhere. This transfer process, called reciprocity, differs by state, so it’s essential to consult the nursing board in your new state for specific requirements.
Transferring your CNA license to another state is free for some states, but typically comes with a fee, which varies depending on the state. Additionally, in states where you need to send your fingerprints, it incurs additional costs which vary by state. An overview of the application fees can be seen in the table above or can be checked at the specific state’s nursing board.
The states without any application fees for CNA reciprocity are Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Florida (only fingerprint fees), Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas (only criminal history check fees), Virginia, and West Virginia.
The time it takes to transfer your CNA license can vary. On average, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Factors such as the state’s processing time, completeness of your application, and any additional requirements can influence the timeline.
To ensure a smooth and timely transfer, it’s advisable to start the process well in advance of your planned move or job change. Additionally, reaching out to the nursing board in both your current and future states can provide you with a more accurate estimate of the timeframe involved.
How you submit your CNA license transfer request depends on the state. While in some states it can be done online via an online application or by email, most of the states require you to send the request by mail or fax. See the CNA reciprocity table above for an overview.