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How to get a Certified Nurse Aide license in District of Columbia

District of Columbia licenses nursing assistants statewide through the Board of Nursing.1 For the Certified Nurse Aide license you need at least 125 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $100 for the application5. You renew every 2 years6 and complete at least 24 hours of continuing education7.

Last checked · 18 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Nursing

Training and experience

Training: at least 125 clock hours2

Exam

National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $1005
Exam fee: $558

Renewal

Every 2 years6, at least 24 hours of continuing education7

From another state

License by endorsement and Temporary license or permit96 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 District of Columbia with a license from another state
  7. City and county rules
  8. Check a license or report a problem
  9. Laws and rules
  10. Rule changes since January 2024
  11. Common questions
  12. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide license

Under supervision of an RN, LPN or other authorized licensed professional: communication, infection control, safety/emergency procedures, vital signs, height/weight, personal care, mental-health and restorative care, and residents' rights tasks listed in 17 DCMR 9615.1; home-care services only with RN competency attestation and RN supervision.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • A nurse aide may work up to 4 months from hire before being certified and registered; time at a previous long-term care facility counts toward the 4 months.10
  • Title protection: no one may call themselves a nurse aide, nursing assistant or CNA unless certified.1

Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide license

Minimum age
18 years old11
Education or training
At least 125 clock hours2
Complete a CNA (or bridge) program approved by the DC Board of Nursing, or by another US nursing board with substantially equivalent standards, within the past 24 months.3
Who may teach it: Board-approved program using the Board model curriculum, coordinated by a DC-licensed RN with 2+ years' experience; clinical ratio no more than 1 instructor to 8 trainees; programs must keep a 75% first-year pass rate.2
Alternative: A PN or RN "Fundamentals of Nursing" course with at least 40 clinical hours covering the 9615 skills.3
Exam
National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)3
Given by: Credentia12
When you can take it: After completing an approved program within the past 24 months (or the alternative routes in 9605.2).3
Written exam6
Skills exam6
Time limit: If the exam is not taken or passed within 24 months of becoming eligible, the applicant must again meet the 9605.1(a) requirements.3
Background check
Background check required4
Fingerprints required5
The Board reviews positive background-check results; further checks after certification follow 17 DCMR ch. 85.4
Social Security number
Applicants without a Social Security number upload the Social Security affidavit form.5
Also required
Before enrolling, trainees take a Board-approved pre-admission test of reading, writing and math; English literacy at least 5th-grade level (CASAS, GAIN-Wonderlic or TABE).13
Also required
Trainees must show vaccination or immunity to communicable diseases before admission.13
Also required
Application upload items: government photo ID, passport-type photo, training certificate and CNA Attestation Form, proof of any name change.5
Also required
Incomplete applications may be closed after 90 days.11

How much a Certified Nurse Aide license costs

You pay the Board of Nursing (3 fees) and Credentia (exam fee).

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1005Board of NursingCertification by examination; combined application + criminal background check; Visa/Mastercard only. Not refundable
Exam fee$558Credentia–
License by endorsement or reciprocity$10014Board of NursingCertification by endorsement (reciprocity). Not refundable
Temporary license or permit ((temporary 90-day certification))$506Board of NursingCNAs in good standing in Maryland or Virginia (fast-track)

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Complete a Board-approved CNA training program (Board model curriculum: 65 classroom + 20 lab + 40 clinical hours).3
  2. Register and pay for the NNAAP written and skills exam with Credentia.6 credentia.com6
  3. After passing both parts, submit the initial CNA application in the DC Health licensure portal (Salesforce): upload ID, photo, training certificate and attestation, and pay the $100 application + background check fee.5 dohenterprise.my.site.com12
  4. Schedule fingerprints with Fieldprint using the emailed code, then allow about 30 business days for processing.5
Temporary or provisional license
Temporary 90-day certification for CNAs in good standing in Maryland or Virginia ($50, background check), converted to full certification by endorsement.6
Processing time
Allow 30 business days after applying before checking status; MD/VA fast-track temporary applications reviewed within 5 business days.6

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years6
Continuing education
At least 24 hours each renewal period7
Required topics
2 hours cultural competency / specialized clinical training for LGBTQ patients7
10% of hours in DC public health priority topics set by the Director15
Work requirement: at least 8 hours of paid CNA tasks in the prior 24 months, attested by the supervising nurse7
Criminal background check clearance at renewal7
Approved courses
In-service training or continuing education relevant to nurse aide functions; Board may audit.7
Exemptions
Board may change required CE hours for good cause or extraordinary circumstances; licensees whose term was shortened by the birth-month transition complete 50% of standard CE.6
If it expires
Expired certification can be reinstated within 5 years (24 CE hours in past 2 years, current certification/registration, 8 work hours in 24 months, CBC); after 5 years you must qualify again by examination.16
Inactive status available: no renewal fee while inactive; reactivation needs 24 CE hours and 8 work hours in the past 2 years.17

Renewal planner

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

Moving to District of Columbia 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
CNAs working in another jurisdiction apply by endorsement: current unencumbered CNA certification/registration elsewhere plus the general 9604 requirements (age 18, background check, passing a Board/CMS-recognized exam).9
Conditions
Upload the training and competence form completed by employer and supervising nurse.14
Fee
$10014
Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
Fast-track: 90-day temporary certification for CNAs in good standing in Maryland or Virginia while endorsement is processed.6
States on District of Columbia's list
Maryland and Virginia6
This is the list of states whose licenses District of Columbia accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a District of Columbia license.
Fee
$506

City and county rules

No local layer: the DC Board of Nursing certifies CNAs District-wide.1

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a nursing assistant in District of Columbia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in District of Columbia is on the District of Columbia license lookup page.

Look up a license
cna365.examroom.ai12
File a complaint
dchealth.dc.gov18

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • August 16, 2024: 17 DCMR 9600 amended (71 DCR 010370), adding home-setting CNA practice conditions.1
  • June 16, 2024: DC Health moved credentials issued on or after this date to birth-month expiry.6

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Certified Nurse Aide license in District of Columbia?

The rules set at least 125 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Allow 30 business days after applying before checking status; MD/VA fast-track temporary applications reviewed within 5 business days.6

Can I transfer my nursing assistant license to District of Columbia?

The Board of Nursing publishes these routes for the Certified Nurse Aide license: license by endorsement9 and temporary license or permit6. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Certified Nurse Aide license in District of Columbia?

Every 2 years6. Continuing education: at least 24 hours7.

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. 17 DCMR 9600 GENERAL PROVISIONSOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 16, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 17 DCMR 9627 NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTSOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  3. 17 DCMR 9605 REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSE AIDE CERTIFICATION BY EXAMINATIONOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 20, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  4. 17 DCMR 9603 CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Certified Nurse Aide Checklist - Pre-Registry by ExaminationDC Health, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Board of NursingDC Health, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  7. 17 DCMR 9607 NURSE AIDE CERTIFICATION RENEWALOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 20, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Certified Nursing Aide - Department of Employment ServicesDC Department of Employment ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  9. 17 DCMR 9606 REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION BY ENDORSEMENTOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  10. 17 DCMR 9601 NURSE AIDE CERTIFICATIONOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 20, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  11. 17 DCMR 9604 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATIONOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  12. Certified Nurse Aide - dchealthDC HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  13. 17 DCMR 9628 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINEESOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  14. Certified Nurse Aide Checklist - Endorsement (Reciprocity)DC Health, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
  15. Director's Public Health Priorities for Continuing Education (February 13, 2025)DC HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  16. 17 DCMR 9609 REQUIREMENTS FOR REINSTATEMENT OF EXPIRED NURSING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATIONOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  17. 17 DCMR 9608 REQUIREMENTS FOR INACTIVE STATUS AND REACTIVATION OF CERTIFICATIONOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  18. DC Board of Nursing COMPLAINTS | dchealthDC HealthChecked November 7, 2026