Certified Nursing Assistant in North Carolina
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, North Carolina.
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route How to become a certified nursing assistant in North Carolina
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in North Carolina, you must complete a state-approved Nurse Aide I training program, which typically requires at least 75 hours of combined classroom and clinical instruction. Following training, candidates must pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam administered by Credentia. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHSR) maintains the Nurse Aide I Registry, and renewal requires at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related services every 24 months. North Carolina also offers reciprocity for out-of-state CNAs who meet specific criteria, including an application, fee, and background check.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist North Carolina requirements
| Licensing body | North Carolina Board of Nursing |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of a state-approved Nurse Aide I training program of at least 75 hours, with a minimum of 16 hours of practical (combined laboratory and clinical) training. Some sources indicate 115 hours, but 75 hours is consistently mentioned as the minimum state-approved program length. |
| Exam | National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia ($140) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age is not explicitly stated as a statewide requirement, but some training programs may have an age requirement (e.g., 18 years old). Renewal requires having worked for pay as a CNA for at least 8 hours in the past 24 months, with duties delegated and supervised by a Registered Nurse. A thorough background check is required for reciprocity and likely for initial listing. |
Source: North Carolina Board of Nursing
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- check_circleNorth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers