Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Wisconsin.
Jobs (WI)
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route How to become a certified nursing assistant in Wisconsin
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Wisconsin, individuals must complete a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of clinical experience. After completing the training, candidates must pass the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Competency Exam, which consists of a knowledge test and a skills test. The licensing body is the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and certification must be renewed every two years by demonstrating at least 8 hours of paid work as a CNA under supervision within the renewal cycle. Wisconsin also offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Wisconsin. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Wisconsin requirements
| Licensing body | Wisconsin Department of Health Services |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 75-hour state-approved training program, including at least 16 hours of clinical experience. |
| Experience | 8.0 hours |
| Exam | Headmaster CNA Exam ($138) |
| Application fee | $25 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age for enrollment in a training program is 15 years old, though some clinical facilities may require students to be at least 16. Renewal requires having worked for pay as a CNA for at least 8 hours under the supervision of an RN or LPN in a healthcare setting within the past 24 months. A background check is required for training and certification. The exam includes a knowledge test (75 multiple-choice questions) and a skills test (3-4 skills tasks). The knowledge test can be taken orally. Military personnel and nursing students may have alternate routes to eligibility. |
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balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleWisconsin license required — clearer credential signal to employers