Certified Nursing Assistant in New York

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NY. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$47,390
trending_up +19.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New York.

engineering
85,310

Jobs (NY)

monitoring Stable
+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments
$115

Licensing fees

schedule
4-15 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in New York

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in New York, you must complete a state-approved training program of at least 100 hours, including a minimum of 30 hours of supervised clinical experience. After completing the training and an additional online course on affirming care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, you must pass the Prometric CNA Exam, which includes a written and a skills portion. Certification must be renewed every two years, requiring proof of at least 7-8 hours of paid CNA work within the preceding 24 months and 12 hours of continuing education annually. New York offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other U.S. states or territories.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,480
25th percentile $41,010
50th (median) $47,390
75th percentile $50,720
90th (experienced) $59,240

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for New York. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist New York requirements

Licensing bodyNew York State Department of Health
State license Required
EducationMinimum 100 hours of state-approved training, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical experience. Some programs may require up to 120-160 hours total. An additional online training program, "Affirming Care for Older LGBTQIA+ Individuals Training," is also required.
ExamPrometric CNA Exam ($115)
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education12.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age to begin training is 16, and 17 to take the state certification exam. Candidates must pass a criminal background check. Renewal requires having worked for pay as a CNA for at least 7-8 hours in the past 24 months. Some sources indicate 6 hours of in-service education every six months (12 hours annually).

Source: New York State Department of Health

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+2.3%
Average
Annual openings
204,100
Nationwide per year
Total employment
1,441,500
Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

  • check_circleNew York license required — clearer credential signal to employers
psychology
Wondering if a certified nursing assistant career is the right fit?
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a certified nursing assistant in New York? expand_more
To become a certified nursing assistant in New York, you need to complete the required education (Minimum 100 hours of state-approved training, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical experience. Some programs may require up to 120-160 hours total. An additional online training program, "Affirming Care for Older LGBTQIA+ Individuals Training," is also required.), and pass the Prometric CNA Exam.
Is a certified nursing assistant license required in New York? expand_more
New York mandates state licensure for certified nursing assistants. New York State Department of Health oversees the process, which includes passing the Prometric CNA Exam.
How much do certified nursing assistants make in New York? expand_more
In New York, the median pay for certified nursing assistants comes to $47,390/year. That's 20% above the national median of $39,530. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $37,480, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $59,240.
What's the total cost to get certified nursing assistant certified in New York? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($115) and required training.
How quickly can I become a certified nursing assistant in New York? expand_more
Most candidates in New York complete the process in 4-15 weeks, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.
Does New York require continuing education for certified nursing assistants? expand_more
License renewal in New York requires completing 12.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.

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