How to get a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - nursing assistant certificate in Oregon

Oregon nursing assistant licenses

Oregon issues 2 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 every Oregon nursing assistant license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Social Security number

SSN and date of birth are entered in the OSBN account and must match ID for exam scheduling.⁶

Fees

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

How to apply

Apply online

osbn.boardsofnursing.org⁷

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

Renew online

osbn.boardsofnursing.org⁷

Who needs a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - nursing assistant certificate

Follows the plan of care as directed and supervised by a licensed nurse (may not work independently) and performs the authorized duties in OAR 851-063-0030; an RN at the employer may teach and validate additional duties under OAR 851-063-0035. Medication administration is limited to a few OTC items (suppositories, barrier creams, anti-fungals, pediculicides).⁵

Work that does not need this license:

• Unlicensed persons performing tasks delegated by an RN under OAR 851-047 are exempt.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Students in a Board-approved training program may perform nursing assistant duties with supervision.¹
• RNs, LPNs and student nurses need an active CNA certificate to work as a CNA.¹

Requirements for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - nursing assistant certificate

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 105 clock hours²
Complete a Board-approved nursing assistant education program of at least 105 hours: at least 37 classroom hours (may be live virtual), 28 supervised lab hours before client care, and 40 supervised clinical hours in a hospital, nursing facility, residential care or assisted living facility with an RN on duty; adult CPR certification is also required to complete the program. Online programs have the same hour split.²
Who may teach it: Program must be approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN publishes a finder for NA/MA programs); facility-based programs may not charge students employed or offered employment by the facility.²
Alternative: Instead of an Oregon program: a non-Oregon program approved in that state; a Joint Services transcript for military medic/corpsman training; an active RN/PN/VN license; or current enrollment in an approved nursing education program.¹

Exam

Oregon Board-approved nursing assistant competency examination: written (knowledge) test and manual skills test, scheduled through TMU (or.tmutest.com)¹
Given by: TMU testing system (or.tmutest.com), as named by OSBN⁶
When you can take it: After completing training (Oregon schools set up your TMU login once you graduate); apply to OSBN, then schedule with TMU.⁶
Written/Knowledge test (oral administration available for $35)⁴
Manual skills test⁴
Retakes: Retake by submitting the "CNA Exam - Retake" application and paying OSBN ($45 skills, $25 written), then rescheduling in TMU; no limit on attempts is stated. Walking out after receiving the test counts as a failure; no-shows pay re-exam fees.⁸
Time limit: Incomplete applications expire 12 months after submission; facilities may use an aide for no more than 4 months before certification under federal rules.¹
Exam waived: An active nursing assistant certificate from another state or U.S. territory may count as proof of passing the competency exam.¹

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required³
The Board makes a fitness determination (ORS 181A.195, OAR 125-007); a conviction that bears a demonstrable relationship to nursing may lead to denial, considering nature of the crime, time passed, age at the time and other factors.⁹
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁴

How much a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - nursing assistant certificate costs

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 nursing assistant program (105+ hours) - find one in the OSBN NA/MA program finder.⁷
2. Create an OSBN online account (computer, not phone), validate your email, then select and submit the CNA exam application, answer background questions and upload your training certificate; pay $106.⁶
3. After applying, book Fieldprint fingerprints with code FPORBoardNursingDAS.⁶
4. Request testing accommodations in TMU if needed, then sign in to TMU (or.tmutest.com) and pick a test date.⁶
5. Pass both tests; OSBN issues the certificate and lists you on the CNA Registry. Also complete 2 hours of cultural competency CE before your first renewal cycle ends (every 48 months).¹⁰

Temporary or provisional license

No general temporary certificate; temporary certificates exist only for military spouses/domestic partners ($50) and limited certificates during a Governor-declared emergency.¹

Processing time

Test results reach OSBN within up to 7 business days; FBI fingerprint results can take up to 4 weeks; you are notified in the Message Center when the CNA is granted.⁶

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Valid two years from issue; renew online by 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date, no more than 90 days early; complete the OHA workforce survey first.¹

Renewal fee

$60⁴

Continuing education

At least 2 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

Cultural competency (2 hours every 48 months).¹

Approved courses

Cultural competency CE may come from any organization, free or through the employer; OHA keeps a list of suggested courses.¹¹

Exemptions

BLS/first aid is not required for renewal.¹⁰

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $5⁴
Surcharge to Support the Workforce Data Analysis Fund at Renewal: $8⁴

If it expires

Expired over 90 days: reinstatement (application, $60, fingerprints, 2 h cultural competency CE). Expired over 2 years: reinstatement plus passing the competency exam; failing means retraining before a retake.¹

Moving to Oregon with a license from another state

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

Certified Medication Aide (CMA)

Under licensed-nurse supervision, gives oral, sublingual, buccal, eye, ear, nasal, rectal, vaginal, topical/transdermal, G/J-tube, nebulised and metered-inhaler medications, PRN medications (including controlled substances) to stable clients, and fingerstick blood glucose tests.⁵

Requirements

Education or training

At least 80 clock hours²
Board-approved medication aide program of at least 80 hours: 45 didactic, 11 supervised lab and 24 hours of 1:1 supervised clinical medication administration in a hospital, nursing facility, residential care or assisted living facility.²
Who may teach it: Board-approved program (or one approved by another state's agency).¹
Alternative: Military medic/corpsman Joint Services transcript, active RN/PN/VN license or nursing-student enrollment may substitute.¹

Experience

At least 6 months²
Admission to a CMA program requires graduation from a basic NA program at least six months earlier and at least six months full-time (or equivalent part-time) work as a nursing assistant since then.²
Supervision: Work as a nursing assistant (CNA).¹

Exam

Board-approved medication aide examination¹
Given by: Administered by the Board or a Board-approved entity¹
When you can take it: After completing an approved medication aide program while holding a current Oregon CNA.¹
Retakes: Re-examination fee $25; no attempt limit stated.⁴
Time limit: Incomplete applications expire after 12 months.¹

Background check

Background check required⁹
Board fitness determination under OAR 851-001-0115.⁹
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁴

Also required

Must hold a current Oregon CNA certificate.¹

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. Hold a current Oregon CNA, work 6 months full-time as an NA, then complete an approved medication aide program.²
2. Submit the medication aide application with the $60 fee and pass the Board-approved medication aide exam.¹

Renewal

When it expires

Renew by 11:59 p.m. on the expiry date, up to 90 days early; expired over 90 days needs reinstatement.¹

Renewal fee

$15⁴

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

Medication aide authorized duties.¹

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $30⁴

If it expires

Expired over 2 years: reapply and pass the exam; failing requires retraining.¹

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military medic/corpsman Joint Services transcript may substitute for CMA training; fees waived on active duty where DoD policy allows.¹

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Certified Medication Aide (CMA)No local license: certification is statewide through the Oregon State Board of Nursing.¹³

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

osbn.boardsofnursing.org⁷

File a complaint

oregon.gov¹⁴

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• OAR 851-062 (Standards for Certification of the Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide)
• OAR 851-061 (Standards for Education Programs for Nursing Assistants and Medication Aides)
• OAR 851-063 (Standards and Authorized Duties for the CNA and CMA)
• OAR 851-002
• OAR 851-001-0115 (Criminal Background Checks for Applicants)
• ORS 678.010-678.448 (Oregon Nurse Practice Act; nursing assistants ORS 678.440-678.445)
• 42 CFR 483.150-483.158 (nurse aide training, competency evaluation and registry)

Common questions

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states

• Alabama
• 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
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wyoming