How to Transfer Your CNA License to Another State

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Written by
Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Moving can be stressful enough without worrying about your career certification. For Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), transferring your license to a new state is a manageable process, but it requires careful attention to detail. This process is commonly referred to as reciprocity or endorsement. While nearly all states offer a pathway for out-of-state CNAs, the specific documents, fees, and requirements can vary widely.

Our goal is to guide you through the entire process, minimizing delays so you can quickly return to doing what you do best: providing essential care.

In this article:

Understanding Reciprocity and Endorsement

When you move, your CNA certification doesn’t automatically follow you. Certification is managed at the state level by a governing body, typically the Nurse Aide Registry, often overseen by the Board of Nursing (BON). To legally practice, your name must appear on the receiving state’s nurse aide registry.

The good news is that most states recognize the training and testing you’ve already completed. Reciprocity or endorsement means your license transfers from one state to another without having to repeat the full training course or retake the state competency CNA exam.

Each state may have its own specific requirements, but often, as long as your certification is active and in good standing in your “home” state, you are granted certification in the “receiving” state. Any findings of patient abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property recorded on your previous registry will likely prevent you from obtaining a license in a new state.

Step 1: Confirming Your Eligibility in the Receiving State

The very first action you should take is to research the specific requirements of the state you want to transfer your license to.

Follow these initial research steps to confirm your eligibility:

  1. Identify the Governing Body: Search for the new state’s official Board of Nursing or the state-run Nurse Aide Registry website. Look specifically for a section titled “CNA Endorsement,” “Reciprocity,” or “Transfer Application.”
  2. Verify Status and Good Standing: Confirm the new state accepts certification from your current state and that your certification is in good standing (active status, no disciplinary actions).
  3. Check the Employment Requirement: Many states have a minimum work experience requirement to qualify for reciprocity. You will typically need proof of paid CNA employment under a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) for a set number of hours within the last 24 months. This employment must be paid, facility-based work.
    • Example: Some states require only 8 hours of work, while others may require 40 or more. If you cannot meet this requirement, you may be required to challenge and pass the full competency exam of the new state instead.
  4. Determine Testing Requirements: Although rare, some states may require all reciprocal applicants to pass a state-specific written or clinical competency test, regardless of their status in another state. Confirm this early to avoid surprises.

Step 2: The Formal Reciprocity Application Process

Once you confirm your eligibility, the next phase involves submitting the required paperwork and payment to the receiving state’s registry.

The general steps for submission are:

  1. Obtain and Complete the Application: Download the correct “Reciprocity Application,” “Endorsement Application,” or “Interstate Endorsement Form” from the receiving state’s official website. Many states now use online portals for this.
  2. Pay the Required Fee: Fees vary significantly. Some states offer free reciprocity (e.g., Georgia, Minnesota), while others charge a non-refundable processing fee that can range from $20 to over $200 (Alaska).
  3. Request Verification from Your Home State: This is the most common cause of delays. You must often formally request that your original state’s registry (the state where you are currently certified) complete a Verification of Certification form and send it directly to the new state. If both states use a national verification system, such as Nursys (which handles RN/LPN verification and sometimes links to state CNA registries), or a vendor like Credentia, the process may be automatic.
  4. Complete Background Forms: Be prepared to fill out extensive background and disciplinary history forms honestly. Any past issues must be disclosed and may require additional explanation or legal documentation.

Step 3: Gathering Required Documentation (The Checklist)

A complete application package prevents major setbacks. Gather and scan all necessary documents before starting the application, making sure they are legible and formatted as required (PDFs are generally preferred).

Here is your essential document checklist:

  1. Completed reciprocity application.
  2. Proof of an active CNA certificate/license.
  3. Proof of successful completion of CNA training (certificate or transcript).
  4. Official documentation verifying minimum paid work hours within the last 24 months (if required).
  5. Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport).
  6. Social security card or equivalent proof of residency/status.
  7. Proof of legal name changes (if applicable).
  8. Fingerprint processing confirmation or Live Scan receipt (if required).

Note: If fingerprinting is required, an additional fee will be charged.

While reciprocity is the norm, certain states have unique rules that can function as roadblocks if you are unprepared.

Critical exceptions and state-specific pitfalls:

  • Mandatory Retesting: A few states, such as Kansas, require all reciprocal applicants to pass the state’s written competency exam, even if they have an active out-of-state certification.
  • The Tennessee/Florida Rule: Historically, Tennessee has not granted automatic reciprocity to CNAs certified in Florida due to differences in state training hour requirements. This means you would likely need to retrain and retest in Tennessee. Always check for similar, specific exceptions between your home state and the receiving state.
  • Minimum Training Hours: If your original CNA training program provided significantly fewer hours than the receiving state’s required minimum (e.g., a 75-hour program moving to a state requiring 120 hours), the receiving state might deny reciprocity and require you to make up the deficit or retest.
  • Mandatory Employment in State: Some states, like Alabama, require you to have secured a contract or job offer with a healthcare facility before they will process your reciprocity application.

Processing Time and Starting Work

Once all documents are submitted and fees are paid, your application will enter the review phase.

Here’s what to expect during the waiting period:

  • Processing Timeframe: Processing times can range from as little as one week to as long as 90 days (Alaska), depending on the state’s backlog and how quickly they receive verification from your home state.
  • Temporary Certification: To bridge this employment gap, some states offer a temporary or provisional certificate that allows you to work for a limited time (e.g., 90 or 120 days) while your full endorsement application is finalized. Check your new state’s rules to see if this option is available and apply for it immediately.
  • Final Confirmation: When approved, you will be officially listed on the new state’s Nurse Aide Registry, and you may be sent a new certificate. This registry listing is the definitive legal proof of your ability to work as a CNA in that state.

Stay Organized and Plan Ahead

Transferring your CNA license through reciprocity is a manageable administrative challenge. The key is organization and proactivity. Start collecting documents and reviewing the receiving state’s website as soon as you know you are moving.

Remember that every state is slightly different. Let this guide serve as a blueprint; however, always review the receiving state’s nurse aide registry directly to find the most current forms and fee schedules before submitting your application. With careful planning, you’ll ensure a smooth transition and a quick return to your essential work.

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Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM
Maegan Wagner is a registered nurse with over 10 years of healthcare experience. She earned her BSN at Western Governors University. Her nursing career has led her through many different specialties including inpatient acute care, hospice, home health, case management, travel nursing, and telehealth, but her passion lies in educating through writing for other healthcare professionals and the general public.