CNA Classes in North Carolina
Begin your medical career in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina mandates a minimum of 75 training hours through DHSR-approved programs. Our comprehensive guide helps you find state-approved classes in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, prepare for the Credentia competency exam, and secure your placement on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.
Steps to Certification in North Carolina
75 Hours of Approved Training
Enroll in a program approved by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR). You must complete at least 75 hours, including theory and clinical skills practice.
Criminal Background Screening
North Carolina requires a state-mandated background check and fingerprinting. You must clear this process before participating in clinical rotations at nursing facilities.
Pass the Credentia Exam
Register for the NNAAP exam through Credentia. You must successfully pass both the written (or oral) knowledge test and the 5-task manual skills demonstration.
Registry Placement
Once you pass, your name is added to the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. Certification is required for employment in any DHSR-licensed nursing home.
Biennial Renewal
Keep your status active every 24 months by providing proof of at least 8 hours of paid nursing work performed under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
NC Salary Guide
CNAs in North Carolina earn an average salary of $36,450. Explore our comprehensive guide to see how pay scales fluctuate across Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham, including data on shift differentials for night and weekend rotations.
NNAAP Exam Skills
Prepare for the Credentia clinical evaluation. You must demonstrate proficiency in 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills—ranging from catheter care to range of motion exercises—to earn your certification in North Carolina.
Certification & Registry Guide
Reciprocity & Transfers
If you are a CNA in good standing in another state, you can apply for reciprocity to be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. You must submit a verification form to the DHSR. Testing is typically waived if your original training meets federal standards and your license is currently active.
Background Check Requirements
North Carolina requires a state-mandated criminal background check and fingerprinting for all registry applicants. Disqualifying offenses related to patient abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property will prevent you from obtaining certification or working in DHSR-licensed facilities.
The 120-Day Rule
Under federal and state regulations, a "Nurse Aide in Training" can work in a licensed nursing facility for up to 120 days while completing their training and testing. You must be actively pursuing certification to remain eligible for hire during this grace period.
Lapsed License Recovery
If your North Carolina certification has been expired for more than 24 months, you cannot simply renew. You are required to retake a state-approved 75-hour training program and pass both the written and skills portions of the state competency exam again.
North Carolina CNA Frequently Asked Questions
Candidates must be at least 16 years of age. While a high school diploma isn't a state board requirement for the exam, most community colleges require one for enrollment.
North Carolina allows three attempts to pass both the written and skills portions of the Credentia NNAAP exam within two years of completing training.
Yes, hybrid programs are approved for the classroom theory portion, but the 16 mandatory clinical hours must be performed in-person at a DHSR-licensed facility.
Tuition at community colleges typically ranges from $200 to $600, while private academies may charge between $800 and $1,200.
The competency evaluation is administered by Credentia. You must pass both the written knowledge test and the clinical skills demonstration.
Yes. All applicants must undergo a mandatory criminal background check and TB screening before beginning the clinical portion of their training.
Renewal is required every 24 months. You must prove at least 8 hours of paid nursing work under supervision during the two-year period.
You must achieve a passing score on the written exam and successfully perform 5 clinical skills. Failing any "critical step" in a skill results in an automatic fail.
Yes. CNAs in good standing on another registry can apply for reciprocity through the DHSR to join the NC registry without re-testing.
Under the 120-day rule, you may work in a licensed facility for up to 4 months while you finish your training and testing requirements.