How to get a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Long Term Care Aide license in Oklahoma

Oklahoma nursing assistant licenses

Oklahoma issues 6 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 Oklahoma 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 6)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required⁴
Statutory barrier offenses (63 O.S. 1-1950.1(C), as amended effective Nov. 1, 2024): some convictions (e.g. abuse or neglect of a person in care, rape, any crime that led to sex-offender registration, murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, aggravated assault and battery) bar hiring permanently; others (e.g. assault, battery, burglary, robbery, drug distribution, larceny) bar hiring until five years after completion of sentence. The same list disqualifies certification.⁵

Fees

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

Renewal

Renew online

oklahoma.gov⁶⁵

2. Every license level except Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years²

When it expires

Renew every two years by sworn renewal application confirming at least 8 hours of paid nursing or health-related work in the preceding 24 months, with proof (administrative signature, paystub or W-2).²

3. Every license level except Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Long Term Care Aide, Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

US citizens and qualified aliens only: OSDH verifies lawful presence at initial certification and renewal.⁶

Social Security number

Proof of SSN at the test site, or a SSN Attestation Form.⁷⁸

Fees

Renewal

Renewal fee

$10²

From another state

4. Every license level except Certified Home Health Aide (Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry) and Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry

Renewal

If it expires

If you lack 8 hours of paid work in the 24 months before expiry (or up to 24 months after), or your certification has been expired over two but less than three years, you may file a Certified Nurse Aide Retest Application and retest; three years or more expired means retraining. Failing the retest also requires retraining.²
After 48 consecutive months without applying for renewal you are moved to the archive and must complete new training and competency testing (exception if you document 48 months of continuous work in a hospital, the DHS Advantage Program or another employer that does not require certification).²
Aides who completed an LPN or RN program after certification can ask for an exception to retraining.²

5. Every license level except Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Long Term Care Aide, Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry and Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry

How to apply

Processing time

OSDH enters successful completion of the competency examination on the registry within 30 days.²

6. Adult Day Care Aide, ICF/IID Care Aide and Residential Care Aide

Fees

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. Register at an HCP test site with the Training Verification Form and pay the testing fee to the site.⁷
2. Pass the written or oral exam (70%) and skills exam (80%); OSDH lists you within 30 days.²

From another state

7. Adult Day Care Aide and Residential Care Aide

How to apply

1. Complete an OSDH-approved program of at least 45 hours, or, if already certified as another aide type, document 16 hours of population-specific training and file a Deeming Application ($15).²

Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Long Term Care Aide license

Nursing care or health-related services for pay to residents of nursing facilities, specialized facilities, residential care homes, continuum of care facilities, assisted living centers and adult day care, without being a licensed health professional. Only certified aides may use the title Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).³

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Under a temporary emergency staffing waiver granted to a facility, a trainee enrolled in an approved program may work as a nurse aide but must complete training and testing within four months (one-time extension possible); trainees must finish the first required training before any resident contact, be supervised by at least an LPN and wear a trainee badge.¹
• A certified long term care aide is also deemed qualified to work as a home health aide under the Home Care Act.¹

Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Long Term Care Aide license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 75 clock hours²
An OSDH-approved long term care aide training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours (communication, infection control, safety and emergencies including the Heimlich manoeuvre, independence, residents' rights) before any resident contact, at least 16 hours of supervised practical training, the federal 42 CFR 483.152(b) subjects, and at least 10 hours on care of Alzheimer's patients.²
Who may teach it: Training and competency programs are approved and monitored by the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry; OSDH publishes a list of approved programs.⁵
Alternative: A certified home health aide becomes a long term care aide after 16 hours of training in residents' rights, end-of-life care, cognitive impairment, restraint avoidance and MDS/care plans (no fee).²

Exam

Oklahoma Long Term Care nurse aide certification exam (CareerTech code 7C): written or oral examination plus skills examination²
Given by: Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Testing Center, Health Certification Project; tests given at technology-center HCP test sites⁷
Passing score: At least 70% on the written or oral examination and at least 80% accuracy on the skills examination; both must be passed.²
When you can take it: After completing an OSDH-approved training program; bring the original Training Verification Form (or an approval letter from the Nurse Aide Registry), government photo ID and proof of SSN.⁷
Written or oral examination (candidate chooses)²
Skills examination (randomly selected nurse aide tasks)²
Retakes: You may retake the examination a total of two times without further training.²
Exam waived: US LPN/RN program graduates may be placed on the registry without training or testing; people with equivalent training (transcript) or foreign nursing graduates can get a training exception to sit the exam; certified aides from other states transfer by reciprocity.²

Residency or citizenship

US citizens and qualified aliens only: OSDH verifies lawful presence at initial certification and renewal (Affidavit of Lawful Presence).⁶

Social Security number

Proof of SSN (card, SSA letter, W-2 or tax return) at the test site, or a SSN Attestation Form.⁷

How to apply

1. Complete an OSDH-approved long term care aide training program (at least 75 hours, including 10 hours of Alzheimer's care).²
2. Get the original Training Verification Form from your program and contact an HCP test site (technology center) to register and pay the testing fee.⁷
3. Bring government photo ID and proof of SSN; pass the written or oral exam (70%) and the skills exam (80%).²
4. OSDH places you on the Nurse Aide Registry within 30 days; check your listing with "Verify A Nurse Aide". Report address changes within 10 days.²

Temporary or provisional license

No temporary certificate; a facility with a temporary emergency waiver may employ a trainee for up to four months while training.⁵

Processing time

OSDH enters successful completion of the competency examination on the registry within 30 days of the date the aide is found competent.²

Renewal and continuing education

Moving to Oklahoma with a license from another state

These are the routes OSDH publishes for the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Long Term Care Aide license. The other nursing assistant licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Adult Day Care Aide

Nurse aide services for pay to participants of adult day care centers.³

Requirements

Education or training

At least 45 clock hours²
An OSDH-approved training program of at least 45 hours of classroom and supervised practical training or the equivalent.²
Who may teach it: Programmes are approved by the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry.⁵
Alternative: Certified long term care, home health or ICF/IID aides qualify after 16 hours of training specific to the adult day care population (Deeming Application, $15); a certified residential care aide qualifies after 16 hours of training specific to the facility population.²

Exam

Oklahoma Adult Day Care Aide certification exam (CareerTech code 3A): written or oral examination plus skills examination²
Given by: Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Testing Center, Health Certification Project; tests given at technology-center HCP test sites⁷
Passing score: At least 70% on the written or oral examination and at least 80% accuracy on the skills examination; both must be passed.²
When you can take it: After completing an OSDH-approved training program; bring the original Training Verification Form (or an approval letter from the Nurse Aide Registry), government photo ID and proof of SSN.⁷
Written or oral examination (candidate chooses)²
Skills examination (randomly selected nurse aide tasks)²
Retakes: You may retake the examination a total of two times without further training.²
Exam waived: US LPN/RN graduates may be placed on the registry without training or testing ($15); people with equivalent training or foreign nursing graduates can get a training exception ($15).²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

Certified Home Health Aide

Nursing care or health-related services for pay to clients in their own homes as an employee or contractor of a home health or home care agency (or the Medicaid State Plan Personal Care Program).³

Requirements

Education or training

At least 75 clock hours²
An OSDH-approved home care aide program of at least 75 hours, with at least 16 classroom hours before supervised practical training and at least 16 hours of supervised practical training, covering vital signs, infection control, hygiene, transfers, range of motion and nutrition.²
Who may teach it: Programmes are approved by the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry and taught by or under a registered nurse with home-care experience.⁵
Alternative: A long term care aide on the registry may become a home health aide by passing an OSDH-approved home care skills examination after 16 hours of employer orientation.²

Exam

Oklahoma Home Health Care nurse aide certification exam (CareerTech code 5A): written or oral examination plus skills examination given by a registered nurse²
Given by: Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Testing Center, Health Certification Project; tests given at technology-center HCP test sites⁷
Passing score: At least 70% on the written or oral examination and at least 80% accuracy on the skills examination; both must be passed.²
When you can take it: After completing an OSDH-approved training program; bring the original Training Verification Form (or an approval letter from the Nurse Aide Registry), government photo ID and proof of SSN.⁷
Written or oral examination (candidate chooses)²
Skills examination (randomly selected nurse aide tasks)²
Skills portion includes at least vital signs, hygiene and grooming, transfers and ambulation, range of motion and positioning²
Retakes: You may retake the examination a total of two times without further training.²
Exam waived: US LPN/RN graduates may be placed on the registry without training or testing ($15); people with equivalent training or foreign nursing graduates can get a training exception ($15); home health aides from other states transfer by reciprocity ($15).²

Fees

How to apply

1. Complete an OSDH-approved home health aide program (at least 75 hours).²
2. Register at an HCP test site with the original Training Verification Form; pay the testing fee to the site.⁷
3. Pass the written or oral exam (70%) and the skills exam (80%); OSDH lists you within 30 days.²

Renewal

If it expires

If you lack 8 hours of paid work in the 24 months before expiry (or up to 24 months after), or your certification has been expired over two but less than three years, you may file a Certified Nurse Aide Retest Application and retest; three years or more expired means retraining. Failing the retest also requires retraining.²
After 48 consecutive months without applying for renewal you are moved to the archive and must complete new training and competency testing (exception if you document 48 months of continuous work in a hospital, the DHS Advantage Program or another employer that does not require certification).²
Aides who completed an LPN or RN program after certification can ask for an exception to retraining.²
Home care agencies must give each aide at least 12 hours of in-service training per calendar year (an employer duty, not a renewal condition).²

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Certified Medication Aide (CMA)

Under the supervision of a licensed nurse or physician, give medications, first aid treatments and nutrition by oral, rectal, vaginal, otic, ophthalmic, nasal, skin, topical, transdermal and nasogastric/gastrostomy routes, give inhalers and nebulizers, and (with advanced diabetes training) do fingerstick blood sugars and give diabetic medications including insulin, in nursing, specialized, continuum of care, assisted living, adult day care and residential care settings, veterans' facilities and correctional facilities and jails.²

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁸

High school diploma or GED

Required⁸

Education or training

At least 40 clock hours²
An OSDH-approved certified medication aide program of at least 40 hours of classroom and supervised practical training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Entry requires reading, writing and speaking English and current good-standing certification as a home health, long term care or ICF/IID care aide.²
Who may teach it: Programmes are approved by OSDH; instructors must be a physician, licensed nurse, pharmacist, respiratory therapist, speech therapist or certified diabetes educator with one year of experience.²

Experience

At least 6 months²
Six months of work experience as a certified nurse aide, with current Oklahoma long term care, home health or ICF/IID aide certification and no abuse notations.²

Exam

Oklahoma Certified Medication Aide written examination (CareerTech) plus skills demonstration (medication pass)²
Given by: Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Testing Center, Health Certification Project (written); skills scored by a physician, licensed nurse or pharmacist²
Passing score: At least 70% on the written examination (80% for the CMA-Insulin Administration exam) and 100% accuracy on the medication pass.²
When you can take it: After completing an approved CMA training program while currently certified as an Oklahoma long term care, home health or ICF/IID (developmentally disabled) care aide.⁸
Written competency examination²
Skills demonstration: 100% accuracy on a medication pass on at least 20 individuals under direct observation²
Retakes: Three consecutive failures of the written examination require retraining before retesting.²
Exam waived: Training exception (transcript) or LPN/RN graduate waiver, $15 each; you must already be certified as a long term care, home health or ICF/IID aide.²

Also required

Must be physically and mentally capable of safely performing the duties (attestation).²

Fees

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. Work at least six months as a certified nurse aide and keep a current Oklahoma LTC, HHA or ICF/IID certification.⁸
2. Complete an OSDH-approved CMA program (at least 40 hours, 16 supervised practical) including a 100% medication pass on at least 20 people.²
3. Register at an HCP test site with the Training Verification Form, attest to the prerequisites and pass the written exam (70%).⁸
4. For insulin/diabetes care, complete advanced training, pass the CMA-Insulin exam (80%) and send ODH Form 504 with the fee to OSDH.²

Application form

Form (PDF, oklahoma.gov)⁸

Renewal

How often

Every year²

When it expires

Renew every 12 months ($10) with proof of 8 hours of continuing education from a State-approved program for each 12 months of certification (not required in the first year), plus current LTC, HHA or ICF/IID aide certification and registry listing. Advanced endorsements renew with the CMA.²

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period²

Required topics

From a State-approved CMA continuing education program; advanced training classroom and practical hours may count.²

Exemptions

No CE in the first year of certification.²

If it expires

CE may be completed during the certification period or within one year after it.⁶
Expired more than one year: file the CMA Retest Application ($15) and retest. Expired three years or more, or failed the retest: retrain and test.²

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

ICF/IID Care Aide

Nurse aide services for pay to residents of intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID), formerly "developmentally disabled care".³

Requirements

Education or training

At least 75 clock hours²
An OSDH-approved training program of at least 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training or the equivalent.²
Who may teach it: Programmes are approved by the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry.⁵
Alternative: Certified long term care or home health aides qualify after 16 hours of training specific to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (Deeming Application, $15).²

Exam

Oklahoma ICF/IID Care Aide certification exam (CareerTech code 2A): written or oral examination plus skills examination²
Given by: Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Testing Center, Health Certification Project; tests given at technology-center HCP test sites⁷
Passing score: At least 70% on the written or oral examination and at least 80% accuracy on the skills examination; both must be passed.²
When you can take it: After completing an OSDH-approved training program; bring the original Training Verification Form (or an approval letter from the Nurse Aide Registry), government photo ID and proof of SSN.⁷
Written or oral examination (candidate chooses)²
Skills examination (randomly selected nurse aide tasks)²
Retakes: You may retake the examination a total of two times without further training.²
Exam waived: US LPN/RN graduates may be placed on the registry without training or testing ($15); people with equivalent training or foreign nursing graduates can get a training exception ($15).²

How to apply

1. Complete an OSDH-approved program of at least 75 hours, or, if already certified as another aide type, document 16 hours of population-specific training and file a Deeming Application ($15).²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Care Aide

Nurse aide services for pay to residents of residential care homes.³

Requirements

Education or training

At least 45 clock hours²
An OSDH-approved training program of at least 45 hours of classroom and supervised practical training or the equivalent.²
Who may teach it: Programmes are approved by the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry.⁵
Alternative: Certified long term care, home health or ICF/IID aides qualify after 16 hours of documented residential-care training (Deeming Application, $15).²

Exam

Oklahoma Residential Care Aide certification exam (CareerTech code 4A): written or oral examination plus skills examination²
Given by: Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Testing Center, Health Certification Project; tests given at technology-center HCP test sites⁷
Passing score: At least 70% on the written or oral examination and at least 80% accuracy on the skills examination; both must be passed.²
When you can take it: After completing an OSDH-approved training program; bring the original Training Verification Form (or an approval letter from the Nurse Aide Registry), government photo ID and proof of SSN.⁷
Written or oral examination (candidate chooses)²
Skills examination (randomly selected nurse aide tasks)²
Retakes: You may retake the examination a total of two times without further training.²
Exam waived: US LPN/RN graduates may be placed on the registry without training or testing ($15); people with equivalent training or foreign nursing graduates can get a training exception ($15).²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6 and group 7 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Adult Day Care AideNo local license: Oklahoma nurse aides are certified on the statewide OSDH Nurse Aide Registry.⁵

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

phin.state.ok.us⁵

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• 63 O.S. 1-1950.1, 1-1950.3, 1-1951 (Nursing Home Care Act: background checks, use of nurse aides, nurse aide certification and registry)
• OAC 310:677 (Nurse Aide Training and Certification), esp. 310:677-1-3, 3-9 to 3-13, 5-2, 5-4, 11-1 to 11-5
• OAC 310:677 (Nurse Aide Training and Certification), esp. 310:677-1-3, 3-9 to 3-12, 5-2, 5-4, 19-1 to 19-4
• OAC 310:677 (Nurse Aide Training and Certification), esp. 310:677-1-3, 3-9 to 3-12, 5-2, 9-1 to 9-5
• OAC 310:677 (Nurse Aide Training and Certification), esp. 310:677-13-1 to 13-12
• 63 O.S. 1-1950.3(E) (certified medication aide duties)
• OAC 310:677 (Nurse Aide Training and Certification), esp. 310:677-1-3, 3-9 to 3-12, 5-2, 5-4, 15-1 to 15-4
• OAC 310:677 (Nurse Aide Training and Certification), esp. 310:677-1-3, 3-9 to 3-12, 5-2, 5-4, 17-1 to 17-4

Common questions

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

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