How to get a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in Arizona

Arizona nursing assistant licenses

Arizona issues 3 nursing assistant credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Arizona nursing assistant licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

Applicants must document lawful presence in the US (A.R.S. 41-1080).⁵

How to apply

Processing time

Board rule time frames: initial applications decided within 150 days (270 if investigated); renewals within 120-150 days.⁵

2. Every license level except Certified Medication Assistant (CMA)

What it covers

Provide or assist in nursing-related services (e.g. bathing, dressing, feeding) under a licensed nurse's supervision; LNAs and CNAs have the same scope.⁵

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old²

Education or training

Complete the basic curriculum of a Board-approved nursing assistant training program and receive a valid certificate from it.²

Who needs a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license

Other rules on who may do this work:

• CNA is a registry listing (federal OBRA credential); the separate Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) is a state license with extra requirements such as fingerprints.²

Requirements for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Exam

Nursing assistant competency examinations (written and manual skills)²
When you can take it: After completing a Board-approved training program.⁶
Written competency examination⁶
Manual skills competency examination⁶
Time limit: Pass both exams within 2 years of finishing the program, or retrain in an approved program before retesting.⁶

Background check

No fingerprints required⁵
Board investigates abuse, neglect or misappropriation and notes substantiated complaints on the registry.⁷

How to apply

1. Complete a Board-approved nursing assistant training program and get its certificate.²
2. Pass the written and manual skills competency exams within 2 years of finishing the program.⁶
3. File the Board form for placement on the Arizona nursing assistant registry with proof of training and exams, plus lawful presence documents.⁵

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

At renewal, CNAs attest to at least 8 practice hours within the past 24 consecutive months.⁵

Moving to Arizona with a license from another state

These are the routes AZBN publishes for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license. The other nursing assistant licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Certified Medication Assistant (CMA)

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁴

High school diploma or GED

Required⁴

Education or training

Complete a Board-approved medication assistant training program (or an equivalent portion of an approved nursing program).⁴

Experience

At least 6 months⁴
At least 6 months working as an LNA or CNA before starting the training program, and a current LNA license with no complaints or restrictions.⁴
License you must hold first: Current Arizona Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) license⁴

Exam

Medication assistant competency examination (written and manual skills)⁸
Time limit: Pass within 1 year of finishing training or retrain before retesting.⁸

Background check

Background check required⁴
Felony convictions and absolute-discharge dates must be disclosed.⁴

How to apply

1. Work at least 6 months as an LNA or CNA and hold a current LNA license.⁴
2. Complete a Board-approved medication assistant training program.⁴
3. Pass the written and manual skills exam within 1 year of training.⁸
4. File the Board application with the fee and felony statement.⁴

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁴

When it expires

Expires with the holder's LNA license.⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

Requirements

Exam

Competency examination (written and manual skills)²
Written competency examination⁶
Manual skills competency examination⁶

Background check

Background check required²
Fingerprints required⁵
No license for anyone with a felony conviction who has not had an absolute discharge from all felony sentences at least 3 years before applying.⁷

How to apply

1. Complete a Board-approved nursing assistant program and get its certificate.²
2. Pass the written and manual skills competency exams.⁶
3. File a verified LNA application with the fee, a felony-conviction statement, fingerprints and lawful presence documents.²

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary LNA license for qualified applicants, valid 6 months, renewable at Board discretion.⁷

Renewal

When it expires

At renewal, LNAs attest to 160 practice hours every 2 years since the last license was issued, and disclose discipline and criminal history.⁵

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Certified Medication Assistant (CMA)No local license: Arizona credentials nursing assistants statewide through the Arizona State Board of Nursing.⁵

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• A.R.S. 32-1645 (qualifications)
• A.R.S. 32-1646 (board powers)
• A.R.S. 32-1647 (examination)
• A.R.S. 32-1648 (out-of-state)
• A.R.S. 32-1649 (title)
• A.R.S. 32-1643
• A.A.C. R4-19-801 to R4-19-815 (Title 4, Ch. 19, Art. 8)
• 42 CFR 483.152, 483.154
• A.R.S. 32-1650.02 (qualifications)
• A.R.S. 32-1650.03 (exam)
• A.R.S. 32-1650.04 (reciprocity)
• A.R.S. 32-1650.05 (recertification)
• A.A.C. R4-19-806 to R4-19-809

Common questions

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• 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