Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get a Certified Nurse Aide license in Alaska

Alaska licenses nursing assistants statewide through the Board of Nursing.1 For the Certified Nurse Aide license you need at least 140 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Nurse Aide Examination (NNAAP): written or oral test plus skills test3 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $100 for the application4 and $100 for the initial license4, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years3 and complete at least 24 hours of continuing education2.

Last checked · 10 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Nursing

Training and experience

Training: at least 140 clock hours2

Exam

Nurse Aide Examination (NNAAP): written or oral test plus skills test3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $1004
Initial license fee: $1004
Fingerprint and state background check: $755

Renewal

Every 2 years3, at least 24 hours of continuing education2

From another state

License by endorsement and Temporary license or permit2 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide license
  2. Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide license
  3. How much a Certified Nurse Aide license costs
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to Alaska with a license from another state
  7. City and county rules
  8. Laws and rules
  9. Common questions
  10. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide license

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Title protection: only certified persons may call themselves "certified nurse aide" or "C.N.A."; knowing violation is a class B misdemeanor.1

Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide license

Education or training
At least 140 clock hours2
The board's words

“(c) In addition to the requirements of (b) of this section, a certified nurse aide training program must consist of at least 140 hours of training that”


Who may teach it: Program approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing under 12 AAC 44.835 (or equivalent in content).2
Alternative: An unencumbered nursing license (current or lapsed) from a US state/territory or Canadian province/territory.2
Alternative: One year or more of nursing education with clinical and classroom fundamentals, completed within 2 years.2
Alternative: US military corpsman or medic training plus service as a corpsman or medic, both within 5 years.2
Alternative: A nursing training program in a foreign country other than Canada (certified English translations; English proficiency proof if not taught in English).2
Exam
Nurse Aide Examination (NNAAP): written or oral test plus skills test3
Given by: Credentia Nurse Aide Credentialing Services (CNA365 account)3
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application and sends an Approval to Test (ATT) letter.3
Written or oral examination (applicant chooses)2
Practical (skills) examination, done in person3
Retakes: Retake only the failed portion on paying the exam fee again; after three failed attempts a Board-required remedial course is needed.2
Time limit: Training (or nursing education) must have been completed within 2 years before the application.2
Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required3
Fingerprints go to Alaska DPS and the FBI; reports with criminal history are referred to the Board. Board may deny for a crime substantially related to CNA duties. Applicants answering "yes" to fitness questions submit court documents.2
Social Security number
A US Social Security Number must be on file before a certificate is issued; applicants without one can request an exemption.3
Also required
Applicants educated abroad in a language other than English must show English proficiency (exam, CGFNS course-by-course report, or ICHP VisaScreen).2

How much a Certified Nurse Aide license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1004Board of NursingNot refundable
Initial license fee$1004Board of Nursing–
Fingerprint and state background check$755Board of NursingNot refundable
Total Fees Due$2753Board of NursingTotal paid to the State of Alaska with an exam or endorsement application (application + certification + fingerprint)
Temporary license or permit$506Board of NursingEmergency courtesy certification (only when the Board declares an urgent situation, 12 AAC 44.806). Not refundable

Each line is a separate charge, except the line “Total Fees Due”, which is the board’s own combined figure for other charges; do not add it to the other lines.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Finish a Board-approved CNA training program (140+ hours) or qualify through a nursing license, nursing school, military medic training or foreign nursing training.3
  2. Apply for Certified Nurse Aide by Examination online (credit card only) or on paper form 08-4069 and pay $275 to the State of Alaska.7 Form (PDF, commerce.alaska.gov)3
  3. Have your training program send the Verification of Nurse Aide Training form (08-4069b) directly to the Nurse Aide Registry (or send nursing school transcripts).3
  4. Mail one FD-258 fingerprint card to the Alaska Board of Nursing for the state and FBI background check.3
  5. When you get the Approval to Test letter, create a Credentia CNA365 account and schedule the NNAAP written/oral and skills exams.3
  6. After passing both parts, your certificate is issued.3
Temporary or provisional license
Temporary certification (valid 6 months or until the permanent certificate is issued/denied) for exam or endorsement applicants waiting only on the criminal background report; emergency courtesy certification (up to 120 days) only in a Board-declared urgent situation.2
Processing time
Applicants are told in writing about two weeks after a complete application is received; renewals take 4-6 weeks.3

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years3
When it expires
Expires March 31 of even-numbered years; certificates issued within 90 days of that date run to the next expiry. No grace period.3
Renewal fee
$1004
Continuing education
At least 24 hours each renewal period2
Exemptions
First renewal: 12 contact hours if certified at least 1 year of the period; no CE if certified less than 1 year.2
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $1008 (lapsed certificate; plus $75 nonrefundable fingerprint fee (total $175))
Renewal fee: $509 (certificates first issued on or after April 1, 2025 (2026-2028 renewal))
If it expires
Work requirement: at least 160 paid hours performing CNA duties in the 2-year period, or pass a new competency evaluation (not required if first certified under 12 months before renewal).2
Lapsed 1 day to under 2 years: reinstate with renewal and fingerprint fees, missed CE and work hours (or a competency evaluation within 24 months).2
Lapsed 5 years or more: cannot reinstate; must apply again for initial certification.2

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Alaska Certified Nurse Aide license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Alaska with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Nursing publishes for the Certified Nurse Aide license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Certification by endorsement for aides with a current, unencumbered CNA certification/registration from another US state/territory or Canadian province/territory, who completed federally compliant training and a competency evaluation.2
Conditions
Training program meeting 42 CFR 483.1522
Verification from the state of original certification and the current state2
Without a current certificate but with a CNA program in the last 2 years, apply by examination instead10
Fee
$27510
Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
Endorsement applicants waiting only for the background report may get a 6-month temporary certification.2

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military corpsman/medic training and service within the last 5 years qualifies for the exam route.2

City and county rules

No local license: Alaska certifies nurse aides statewide through the Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Registry.3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Certified Nurse Aide license in Alaska?

The rules set at least 140 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Applicants are told in writing about two weeks after a complete application is received; renewals take 4-6 weeks.3

Can I transfer my nursing assistant license to Alaska?

The Board of Nursing publishes these routes for the Certified Nurse Aide license: license by endorsement2 and temporary license or permit2. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Certified Nurse Aide license in Alaska?

Every 2 years3. Continuing education: at least 24 hours2. The renewal fee is $1004.

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. AS 08.68 NursingAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  2. 12 AAC 44 NursingAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  3. CNA application by examination 08-4069State of Alaska, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing)Dated November 5, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  4. 12 AAC 02.282 CNA feesAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  5. 12 AAC 02.105 general feesAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  6. CNA emergency courtesy 08-4835State of Alaska, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing)Dated September 23, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Online CNA exam instructionsState of Alaska, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing)Dated November 17, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  8. CNA reinstatement 08-4365State of Alaska, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing)Dated January 8, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  9. Nurse Aide Certification Renewal 08-4188State of Alaska, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing)Dated December 30, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  10. CNA certification by endorsement 08-4070State of Alaska, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing)Dated June 18, 2025Checked November 7, 2026