CNA license reciprocity and transfer, state by state
Moving with a nursing assistant license? Here is what each state's board says it accepts from other states, with the partner lists exactly as the boards publish them.
On this page
How nursing assistant licenses move between states
No license is valid nationwide: the board in the state you move to decides whether it accepts yours. Across the 45 states and DC we cover, the routes boards publish for the main nursing assistant license are license by endorsement (44), military service members and spouses (6), exam waiver (5), temporary license or permit (4) and universal license recognition (1). 3 boards name the states whose licenses they accept; those lists are one-way, so a state on the list does not necessarily accept a license from the listing state. What each route means.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) reciprocity by state
| State | License | Routes the board publishes | States the board lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Certified Nurse Aide | No route published | – |
| Alaska | Certified Nurse Aide | License by endorsement1 Temporary license or permit1 | – |
| Arizona | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement2 | – |
| Arkansas | Certified Nursing Assistant (listed on the Certified Nursing Assistant/Employment Clearance Registry) | License by endorsement3 Universal license recognition3 Military service members and spouses3 | – |
| California | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement4 Exam waiver5 | – |
| Colorado | Certified Nurse Aide | License by endorsement6 Military service members and spouses6 | – |
| Connecticut | Certified Nurse Aide (registered nurse's aide) | License by endorsement7 | – |
| Delaware | Certified Nursing Assistant | License by endorsement8 | – |
| District of Columbia | Certified Nurse Aide | License by endorsement9 Temporary license or permit10 | Maryland and Virginia10 |
| Florida | Certified Nursing Assistant | License by endorsement11 Temporary license or permit12 | – |
| Georgia | Certified Nurse Aide | License by endorsement13 | – |
| Hawaii | Certified Nurse Aide (Medicare/Medicaid nursing facility) | License by endorsement14 | – |
| Idaho | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA certificate) | License by endorsement15 | – |
| Illinois | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement16 | – |
| Iowa | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / nurse aide, listed on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry | License by endorsement17 | – |
| Kentucky | State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) | License by endorsement18 | – |
| Louisiana | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | License by endorsement19 | – |
| Maine | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), listed on the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers | License by endorsement20 | – |
| Maryland | Certified Nursing Assistant-I (CNA-I) | License by endorsement21 Military service members and spouses22 | – |
| Massachusetts | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | License by endorsement23 | – |
| Michigan | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) — certificate of registration as a nurse aide | License by endorsement24 | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming24 |
| Minnesota | Certified Nurse Aide (listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry; "nursing assistant" in statute) | License by endorsement25 | – |
| Mississippi | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | License by endorsement26 | – |
| Missouri | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement27 | – |
| Montana | Certified Nursing Assistant (certificate issued by the Department of Public Health and Human Services) | No route published | – |
| Nebraska | Nurse Aide (Nurse Aide Registry) | License by endorsement28 | – |
| Nevada | Certified Nursing Assistant (certificate to practice as a nursing assistant) | License by endorsement29 Military service members and spouses30 | – |
| New Hampshire | Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) | License by endorsement31 | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming32 |
| New Jersey | Certified Nurse Aide (Nurse Aide in Long-Term Care Facilities) | License by endorsement33 | – |
| New Mexico | Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.), listed on the New Mexico Health Care Authority nurse aide registry | License by endorsement34 | – |
| New York | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), listed on the New York State Nurse Aide Registry (nursing home / RHCF nurse aide) | License by endorsement35 | – |
| North Carolina | Nurse Aide I (listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry; "CNA" is not the NC title) | License by endorsement3637 | – |
| North Dakota | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | License by endorsement38 | – |
| Ohio | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry | License by endorsement39 | – |
| Oklahoma | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Long Term Care Aide, Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry | License by endorsement40 Exam waiver40 | – |
| Oregon | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Oregon nursing assistant certificate | License by endorsement41 Military service members and spouses41 | – |
| Pennsylvania | Nurse Aide (enrolled on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry); Pennsylvania does not use the title "certified nursing assistant" on its official pages | License by endorsement42 | – |
| Rhode Island | Nursing Assistant (N.A.) license, Rhode Island Department of Health | License by endorsement43 | – |
| South Carolina | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), listed on the South Carolina Registry of Certified Nurse Aides | No route published | – |
| South Dakota | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) | License by endorsement44 | – |
| Texas | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA): certificate of registration and active listing on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) | License by endorsement45 Military service members and spouses46 Exam waiver46 | – |
| Utah | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), listed on the nurse aide registry kept by the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR) | License by endorsement47 Exam waiver47 | – |
| Virginia | Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) | License by endorsement48 | – |
| Washington | Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C / NAC) | License by endorsement49 | – |
| West Virginia | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) — registered nurse aide on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry | License by endorsement50 | – |
| Wyoming | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement51 Temporary license or permit52 No reciprocity53 | – |
Each state's own board decides whom it accepts. Before you move, read the conditions on the state page and confirm with the board.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 12 AAC 44 NursingAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- A.R.S. 32-1648Arizona State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- 20 CAR Part 403. Rules for the Arkansas Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Assistant Training ProgramArkansas Secretary of State, Code of Arkansas Rules (rules of the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care)Checked November 7, 2026
- How to Complete Your Reciprocity Application PackageCalifornia Department of Public HealthDated May 19, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Health & Safety Code sec. 1337.2California Legislative CounselDated January 1, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- 3 CCR 716-1 Nursing Rules and Regulations (effective 03/17/2026)Colorado Secretary of State (Code of Colorado Regulations); rule of the State Board of NursingDated March 17, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Certified in Another U.S. State (Route 7)Connecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- 16 DE Admin. Code 3220 Training and Qualifications for Certified Nursing AssistantsDelaware Division of Research, Registrar of Regulations (Delaware Administrative Code)Dated August 11, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- 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
- Board of NursingDC Health, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Florida Board of NursingFlorida Board of Nursing (Florida Department of Health)Checked November 7, 2026
- Fla. Stat. 400.211 Persons employed as nursing assistants; certification requirementFlorida Legislature (Online Sunshine)Checked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity Form (Transfer Form) 10-2025Georgia Department of Community Health Nurse Aide Program (portal operated for DCH by Alliant Health Solutions)Checked November 7, 2026
- HAR Title 16 Chapter 89A Nurse AideHawaii DCCADated February 12, 2009Checked November 7, 2026
- About the Certified Nurse Assistant RegistryIdaho Department of Health and WelfareDated April 9, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- CNA FactsIllinois Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
- KBN SRNA reciprocityKentucky Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- LDH CNA Informational SectionLouisiana Department of Health, Health Standards SectionChecked November 7, 2026
- CNA Registry (Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers)Maine DHHS Division of Licensing and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
- COMAR 10.39.01.05Maryland Division of State Documents (COMAR)Checked November 7, 2026
- Military Service Members and VeteransMaryland Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Learn how to become a certified nurse aide in MassachusettsMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Professions LicensureChecked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Registry (BCHS)Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health SystemsChecked November 7, 2026
- Minn. Stat. 144A.61 Nursing assistant trainingMinnesota Office of the Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
- CNA Reciprocity Form - MS TMUMississippi State Department of Health (registry operated by D&SDT-Headmaster)Checked November 7, 2026
- What is Reciprocity in MissouriMissouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Application for Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry by Interstate EndorsementNebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Licensure UnitChecked November 7, 2026
- CNA Application Requirements for EndorsementNevada State Board of NursingDated September 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Servicemember Civil Relief ActNevada State Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Checklist for LNA License by Endorsement (Reciprocity)New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (Board of Nursing)Checked November 7, 2026
- New Changes to Reciprocity in New HampshireNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
- Apply for a Certification (nurse aide)New Jersey Department of HealthDated August 14, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Certified Nurse Aide Registry (NM Health Care Authority)New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health ImprovementChecked November 7, 2026
- 10 NYCRR 415.13 Nursing servicesNew York State Department of HealthDated December 7, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity ApplicationNC DHHS Division of Health Service RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity Application FAQNC DHHS Division of Health Service RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- N.D. Admin. Code ch. 33-43-01 Nurse Aide Training, Competency Evaluation, and RegistryNorth Dakota Legislative BranchChecked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Registry RequirementsOhio Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- OAC 310:677 Nurse Aide Training and Certification (OSDH PDF 09.2023)Oklahoma State Department of HealthDated September 11, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- OAR 851-062 Standards for Certification of the Nursing Assistant and Medication AideOregon Secretary of State (Oregon State Board of Nursing rules)Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Enrolling and Testing (PA DOH)Pennsylvania Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- 216-RICR-40-05-22 Nursing Assistants, Medication Aides, and the Approval of Nursing Assistant and…Rhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations); rule of the RI Department of HealthDated February 1, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- ARSD ch. 20:48:16 Certified Nurse Aide and Medication Aide RegistrySouth Dakota LegislatureDated September 8, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- NAR Credentialing FAQsTexas Health and Human Services CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Become a Certified Nurse Aide in TexasTexas Health and Human Services CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
- Rule R432-45: Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation ProgramUtah Office of Administrative Rules (Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Facility Licensing)Dated May 8, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC90-25 Regulations Governing Certified Nurse AidesVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information SystemChecked November 7, 2026
- Nursing Assistant (NA) LicenseWashington State Board of Nursing (WABON)Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Program Policy ManualWV Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC)Dated May 2016Checked November 7, 2026
- WSBN Rules Chapter 2: Licensing and Certification RequirementsWyoming State Board of NursingDated December 17, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Wyoming Statutes Title 33 (chapter 21, Nurse Practice Act)Wyoming State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- WSBN - LicensingWyoming State Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026