How to get a Certified Nurse Aide license in Alabama
Alabama licenses nursing assistants statewide through the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).1 For the Certified Nurse Aide license you need at least 75 clock hours2 of education and a passing score on the Nurse aide competency evaluation (written or oral exam plus skills demonstration)2.
Who issues it
Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
Training and experience
Training: at least 75 clock hours2
Exam
Nurse aide competency evaluation (written or oral exam plus skills demonstration)2
On this page
Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide license
Provides nursing-related services to residents of nursing facilities as an unlicensed aide (not a licensed health professional). A facility may not use someone as a nurse aide for more than 4 months full-time unless they have passed a State-approved training and competency evaluation program or been found competent by the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry.1
Other rules on who may do this work:
- A new nurse aide may work in a facility for up to 4 months while enrolled full-time in a State-approved training and competency evaluation program before certification.1
Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide license
- Education or training
- At least 75 clock hours2
Complete an ADPH-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program: at least 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training and 16 hours of core training before any contact with residents.1
Who may teach it: Program approved by the State (ADPH) for no more than 2 years at a time; training by or under a registered nurse with 2 years' experience, at least 1 in long-term care.2 - Exam
- Nurse aide competency evaluation (written or oral exam plus skills demonstration)2
When you can take it: After completing a State-approved nurse aide training program (the only exception was aides hired before July 1, 1989 who passed by January 1, 1990).1
Written or oral examination (the candidate chooses), covering the required training subjects2
Skills demonstration of randomly selected nurse aide tasks, evaluated by a registered nurse2
Retakes: Federal law guarantees at least three attempts; a state may cap attempts but not below three.2 - Background check
- Findings of resident abuse, neglect or misappropriation of property are entered on the registry after notice and the chance of a hearing, and employers check the registry; a facility may not employ someone with such a finding.1
- Also required
- Employers must give every nurse aide a performance review every 12 months and at least 12 hours of in-service education a year.1
How to apply
- Enrol in an ADPH-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program (at least 75 hours, 16 supervised practical). If a nursing facility employs you or has offered you a job, the training must be free.1
- Pass the competency evaluation: a written or oral exam and a skills demonstration.2
- Your name is added to the Alabama Certified Nurse Aide Registry kept by ADPH (federal rule: within 30 days of passing). Employers must check the registry before letting you work as a nurse aide.1
- Questions about your registry status: call the ADPH Nurse Aide Registry at 334-206-5169.3
Renewal and continuing education
- When it expires
- A nurse aide who goes 24 consecutive months without paid nursing-related work must take a new training and competency evaluation program, and the registry removes inactive entries after 24 months unless they carry an abuse or neglect finding.1
- Continuing education
- At least 12 hours each renewal period1
- Required topics
- Based on the aide's annual performance review; dementia care for aides who work with cognitively impaired residents.1
- Approved courses
- Provided by the employing facility.1
- If it expires
- After 24 consecutive months with no paid nursing-related work, complete a new training and competency evaluation program.1
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Alabama Certified Nurse Aide license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
City and county rules
No local license: certification is through the ADPH Certified Nurse Aide Registry.4
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a nursing assistant in Alabama, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Alabama is on the Alabama license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- dph1.adph.state.al.us4
- File a complaint
- alabamapublichealth.gov3
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-10-.01(z), (uu) (nurse aide definition; Training and Abuse Registry)
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-10-.03(8)-(16) (required training of nurse aides, registry verification, retraining, 12 hours in-service)
- 42 CFR 483.35(d) (nurse aide competency, registry verification, retraining)
- 42 CFR 483.151-483.152 (training program approval; 75 hours)
- 42 CFR 483.154 (competency evaluation)
- 42 CFR 483.156 (registry of nurse aides)
Common questions
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- 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
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 420-5-10 Nursing Facilities (State Board of Health)Alabama Legislative Services Agency (Administrative Code)Checked November 7, 2026
- 42 CFR 483.35 and 483.151-483.158 (nurse aide training, competency evaluation and registry)Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)Checked November 7, 2026
- ADPH Guide to ServicesAlabama Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- ADPH Health Care Facilities (Bureau of Health Provider Standards)Alabama Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026