To work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), your credentials need to be active. Additionally, if you're hiring a CNA, every offer should be contingent on the status of the candidate's license.
So how can you tell whether your CNA license is valid? And how can you stay on top of license expiration dates, potential disciplinary actions, and updating your contact information?
The process is simple. In this guide, we'll outline the CNA license verification process for all 50 U.S. states.
Table of Contents[hide]
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Alabama CNA License Verification
- Go to the official Alabama Department of Public Health's (ADPH) Certified Nurse Aide Registry page
- Enter the CNA's Social Security number in the Social Security Number box.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
Alaska CNA License Verification
- Go to the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development's (DCCED) Professional Licensing page
- Enter the CNA's license number in the License Number box. If you do not have the license number, you can search by name or other criteria.
- From the Program drop-down menu, select Nurse Aides.
- From the License Type drop-down menu, select Certified Nurse Aide.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
Arizona CNA License Verification
- Go to the Arizona State Board of Nursing's License/Certificate Verification Portal.
- Select CNA/LNA from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's last name and first name in the Last name and First name boxes.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Search button to verify your license.
Arkansas CNA License Verification
- Navigate to Arkansas Registry Search page, managed by Headmaster.
- From the Search By drop-down menu, select Registration Number.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Look For box. You can also search by name or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to initiate the verification process.
California CNA License Verification
- Go to the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) L & C Verification Search page.
- Select Certified Nurse Assistant from the Certificate/License Type drop-down menu.
- Check the Certificate/License Number box.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the provided box.
- Click the Search button to begin the verification.
Colorado CNA License Verification
- Go to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies' (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations License Verification page.
- Under License Type(s), select Nursing.
- Choose NA from the License Prefix & Number dropdown and enter the CNA's license number in the provided box.
- Click the Submit button to view the license details.
Connecticut CNA License Verification
- Go to the Connecticut State Nurse Aide Registry page, managed by Prometric.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Certificate # link.
- Enter the CNA's license number.
- Click the Search button verify if your license is active.
Delaware CNA License Verification
- Go to the Delaware CNA Registry page, managed by Prometric.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Certificate # link.
- Enter the CNA's license number.
- Click the Search button to view the license details.
Florida CNA License Verification
- Go to the Florida Department of Health's License Verification page.
- Under Board/Council, select BOARD OF NURSING.
- Under Profession, select Certified Nursing Assistant.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the License Number box.
- Click the Search button to check your license.
Georgia CNA License Verification
- Go to the official Georgia Nurse Aide Registry's (DCH) license verification tool.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certification Number box. You can also search by name or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to look up your license.
Hawaii CNA License Verification
- Navigate to the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry, managed by Prometric.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certificate # box. You can also search by name.
- Click the Search button to check the status of your license.
Idaho CNA License Verification
- Navigate to the official Idaho Nurse Aide Registry, managed by Prometric.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certificate # box. You can also search by name or SSN.
- Click the Search button to find out if your license is still active.
Illinois CNA License Verification
- Go to the Illinois Department of Public Health's (IDPH) Health Care Worker Registry portal.
- Enter the CNA's last name and first name in the search boxes.
- Click the Search button to begin the verification process.
Indiana CNA License Verification
- Go to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency's (PLA) Web Lookup/Verification page.
- Select Nurse Aides from the Profession drop-down menu.
- Select Certified Nurse Aide from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the License Number box.
- Click the Search button to verify your license.
Iowa CNA License Verification
- Go to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing's Direct Care Worker Registry page.
- Click on the DCW Search link on the left side of the page.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Identification Number box. You can also search by name or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to view the license details.
Kansas CNA License Verification
- Go to the Kansas Department for Aging & Disability Services' (KDADS) Kansas Nurse Aide Registry page.
- Enter the individual's credential number, SSN, and date of birth, or their first and last name in the corresponding search fields.
- Click the Search button to begin the verification.
Kentucky CNA License Verification
- Go to the Kentucky Board of Nursing's License Verification Portal.
- Enter the SRNA's last name and first name in the corresponding fields. (You can also search by License Number or NCSBN ID.)
- Select SRNA Certification from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Search button to check your license status.
Louisiana CNA License Verification
- Go to the official Louisiana Department of Health's CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) Registry.
- Select CNA from the Employee Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's social security number in the Social Security # box. You can also search by name or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to verify your license.
Maine CNA License Verification
- Go to the Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation's (PFR) Regulatory Licensing & Permitting portal (CNA Verification).
- Select HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES from the Department drop-down menu.
- Select DIV OF LICENSING AND REG. from the Agency drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's name and/or license number in the Search bar.
- Click the Search button to check if your license is active.
Maryland CNA License Verification
- Go to the Maryland Board of Nursing's License Verification portal.
- Select Nursing Assistant from the Profession drop-down menu.
- Select CNA from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's last name and first name in the search fields.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the License Number box.
- Click the Search button to look up your license.
Massachusetts CNA License Verification
- Go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's License Verification Site.
- Select Nurse Aide Registry from the License Board drop-down menu.
- Select Nurse Aide Certification from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's name in the First Name and Last Name box. You can also search by license number.
- Click the Search button to find out if your license is still active.
Michigan CNA License Verification
- Navigate to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry, managed by Prometric.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certificate # box. You can also search by name.
- Click the Search button to verify your license.
Minnesota CNA License Verification
- Go to the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry Search page.
- Enter the CNA's certificate number in the Certificate Number box. You can also search by name.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
Mississippi CNA License Verification
- Go to the Mississippi State Department of Health's Credential Management System.
- Enter the CNA's Name or Registration number in the search fields.
- Click the Search button to view the license details.
Missouri CNA License Verification
- Go to the Missouri CNA Registry, managed by Headmaster.
- Select Registration Number from the Search By drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's certificate number in the Look For box. You can search by name, SSN, or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to verify.
Montana CNA License Verification
- Go to the Montana Nurse Aide Registry's License Verification portal.
- Enter the CNA's first and last name or certificate number, or use other criteria.
- Select Certified Nurse Aide from the Certificate Type drop-down menu.
- Click the Search button to view the license information.
Nebraska CNA License Verification
- Go to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services's License Information System Search.
- Click on the Individual Search link.
- Enter the CNA's name or license number in the search fields.
- Select Nursing Support from the Profession drop-down menu.
- Select Nurse Aide from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Search Individuals button to initiate the verification process.
Nevada CNA License Verification
- Go to the Nevada State Board of Nursing's CNA License/Certificate Verification Portal.
- Enter the CNA's first name and last name in the First name and Last name boxes.
- Select CNA from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Click the Search button to check your license.
New Hampshire CNA License Verification
- Go to the New Hampshire Online Licensing page.
- Select Nursing Assistants from the Profession drop-down menu.
- Select Licensed Nursing Assistant from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the LNA's name and/or license number in the search box.
- Click the Search button to look up your license.
New Jersey CNA License Verification
- Go to the New Jersey Department of Health's Online Public Registry.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certification Number box.
- Click the Search button to initiate the verification process.
New Mexico CNA License Verification
- Navigate to the New Mexico State Nurse Aide Registry, managed by Prometric.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certificate # box. You can also search by SSN or name.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
New York CNA License Verification
- Navigate to the New York Nurse Aide Registry, managed by Prometric.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certificate # box. You can also search by name.
- Click the Search button to check the status of your license.
North Carolina CNA License Verification
- Go to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Nurse Aide I Registry portal.
- Enter the Nurse Aide I Listing Number (6 digits) and fill in all other required fields.
- Click the Submit button to begin the verification.
North Dakota CNA License Verification
- Go to the North Dakota Department of Health's Nurse Aide Registry.
- Enter the CNA's Last Name and First Name.
- Click the Search button to verify if your license is active.
Ohio CNA License Verification
- Go to the official Ohio Department of Health's Nurse Aide Search page.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Registry Number box. You can also search by name or SSN.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
Oklahoma CNA License Verification
- Go to the Oklahoma State Department of Health's Nurse Aide Registry Search portal.
- Enter the CNA's last name and first name in the Last name and First name boxes.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Certification Number box.
- Click the Search button to begin the verification.
Oregon CNA License Verification
- Go to the Oregon State Board of Nursing's License Verification portal.
- Enter the CNA's last name and first name in the Last Name and First Name boxes.
- Select CNA from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Search button to initiate the verification process.
Pennsylvania CNA License Verification
- Go to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Credential Management System.
- Enter the CNA's first name and last name in the First Name and Last Name boxes. You can also search by Registration Number.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
Rhode Island CNA License Verification
- Go to the Rhode Island Department of Health's Online Verification portal.
- Select Nursing Assistant from the Profession drop-down list.
- Select Nursing Assistant from the License Type drop-down list.
- Enter the CNA's name and license number in the provided boxes.
- Click the Search button to check your license status.
South Carolina CNA License Verification
- Go to the South Carolina Department of Health's Credential Management System.
- Enter the CNA's first and last name in the First Name and Last Name boxes. Or, enter the license number in the Registration Number box.
- Click the Search button to verify.
South Dakota CNA License Verification
- Go to the South Dakota Registry's Registration Verification page.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Registry Number box. You can also search by name or SSN.
- Click the Submit & Continue button to view the license details.
Tennessee CNA License Verification
- Go to the Tennessee Department of Health's License Verification portal.
- Enter the CNA's first and last name in the provided boxes. You may also search by License Number.
- From the Profession drop-down menu, select Nurse Aide.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Search button to initiate the verification process.
Texas CNA License Verification
- Go to the Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal.
- From the Select one Program drop-down list, select Nurse Aide.
- Enter the CNA's first and last name in the provided boxes. Or, search by license number or SSN.
- Click the Search button to verify your license.
Utah CNA License Verification
- Go to the Utah Registry Search.
- From the Search By drop-down menu, select Certification Number.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Look For box. You can also search by name or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to check your license.
Vermont CNA License Verification
- Go to the Vermont State Board of Nursing's Office of Professional Regulation page.
- Enter the LNA's license number in the License Number box. You can also search by name.
- Click the Display Results button to verify if your license is active.
Virginia CNA License Verification
- Go to Virginia Department of Health Professions' License Verification tool.
- Enter the LNA's license number in the License Number box. You can also search by SSN or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to check your license status.
Washington CNA License Verification
- Go to Washington State Department of Health's Provider Credential Search.
- Select Nursing Assistant Certification - NC from the Credential Type drop-down list.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Credential Number box. You can also search by name.
- Complete the Captcha.
- Click the Search button to initiate the verification process.
West Virginia CNA License Verification
- Go to West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure & Certification's Nurse Aide Verification page.
- Enter the CNA's license number in the Search By Registration Number box. You can also search by name.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
Wisconsin CNA License Verification
- Navigate to Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry page, managed by Headmaster.
- Select Registration Number from the Search By drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's certificate number in the Look For box. You can search by name, SSN, or other criteria.
- Click the Search button to find out if your license is still active.
Wyoming CNA License Verification
- Go to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing's Certification Verification Portal.
- Select CNA from the License Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the CNA's last name and first name in the Last name and First name boxes.
- Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Click the Search button to view the license status.
Conclusion
Expired CNA credentials can derail your career. Imagine landing your dream job, only to be denied due to a lapsed license. Even worse, expired credentials put patients at risk and damage your reputation.
Don't let your CNA license become a barrier. Be proactive: set reminders, use online portals, and renew early. Addressing errors promptly with the licensing authority demonstrate commitment and avoid unnecessary hurdles.
By prioritizing your license, you build a future of opportunity, trust, and exceptional patient care. Isn't that the most impactful outcome of all?
FAQs
How can you determine if your CNA license is active?
You can verify the status of your license by calling or emailing your state’s licensing board. Most states also offer online verification systems, similar to the ones mentioned above.
How often do you need to renew your CNA license?
Most CNA licenses need to be renewed either annually or every other year. Be sure to check your state’s specific requirements.
What should you do if your CNA license has expired?
If your CNA license is inactive, you should cease working immediately and contact your state’s licensing board. From there, submit your renewal application and await approval.
How can you update the contact information associated with your CNA license?
Generally, you can update your personal information directly on your state licensing board’s online portal. In some cases, you may need to submit a request form directly to the board.
Is it necessary to keep your personal information up-to-date?
Yes, it is. If your information is outdated or incorrect, you could miss important notifications about the status of your CNA license.