How to Transfer Your CNA License to Another State

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Written by
Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

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. Nearly all states offer a pathway for out-of-state CNAs, but the specific documents, fees, and requirements vary.

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

Your CNA certification does not transfer automatically with you from state to state. 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 be 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 getting the license in a new state.

Step 1: Confirming Your Eligibility in the Receiving State

The first step 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 called “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 usually need proof of paid CNA employment under a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) for a set number of hours within the last 24 months. Accepted settings depend on state rules.
    • Example: Some states may require only 8 hours of work, while others may require 40 hours or more. If you can’t meet this threshold, you may be required to pass the full competency exam of the new state instead.
  4. Determine Testing Requirements: 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 delays and surprises.

Step 2: The Formal Reciprocity Application Process

After confirming your eligibility, the next step is to submit the application, supporting documents, and fees to the receiving state’s Nurse Aide 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 (for example, Minnesota), while others charge fees that can exceed $200. For example, Alaska lists $275 total for CNA endorsement ($100 application, $100 certification, $75 fingerprint).
  3. Request Verification from Your Home State: This is the most common cause of delays. You often have to formally request that your current state’s registry complete a Verification of Certification form and send it directly to the new state. If the sending and receiving state nurse aide registries or their vendors (for example, Credentia or Headmaster) support electronic verification, the registry-to-registry check may be faster.
  4. Complete Background Forms: Fill out extensive background and disciplinary history forms honestly. Any past issues should be disclosed and you may be asked to provide additional explanation or legal documentation.

Step 3: Gathering Required Documentation (The Checklist)

Refer to the following checklist to ensure you are prepared to submit a complete application and all required documents to avoid delays.

  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 standard, some states enforce state-specific rules that may delay approval if you are not prepared.

Critical exceptions and state-specific pitfalls:

  • Mandatory Retesting: Some states, such as Kansas, require out-of-state CNAs to pass the Kansas Nurse Aide Test to be listed by reciprocity, 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. Make sure to check for similar, specific exceptions between your home state and the receiving state.
  • Minimum Training Hours: If your original CNA training program provided substantially 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, use employer-initiated placement on the Nurse Aide Registry, that means an Alabama employer must submit your information.

Processing Time and Starting Work

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

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 processed. If you want to avoid delays, check your new state’s rules to see if this option is available and apply for it as soon as possible.
  • Final Confirmation: When you are approved, you will be listed on the new state’s Nurse Aide Registry. You may also be sent a new certificate. This registry listing is the definitive legal proof of your ability to work as a CNA in your new state.

Stay Organized and Plan Ahead

Transferring CNA certification by reciprocity can be a time-consuming administrative process. Stay organized and act early. As soon as you plan to move or work in another state, gather required documents and review the receiving state’s Nurse Aide Registry website.

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.

References

  1. Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; Health Occupations Credentialing. Applications & Forms. Accessed October 2025. https://www.kdads.ks.gov/licensing-policy/health-occupations-credentialing/applications-forms
  2. State of Alaska; Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Application for Certified Nurse Aide by Endorsement (Form 08-4070). Accessed October 2025. https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/nua4070.pdf
  3. State of Alaska; Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Online Application Instructions: Certified Nurse Aide by Endorsement. Accessed October 2025. https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/OnlineApp/NUAEndorseInstructions.pdf
  4. Tennessee Department of Health, Health Care Facilities. Nurse Aide Programs and Registry. Accessed October 2025. https://www.tn.gov/hfc/division-of-licensure-and-regulation/nurse-aide-information.html
  5. U.S. Office of the Federal Register. 42 CFR §483.156 — Registry of nurse aides. Accessed October 2025. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-D/section-483.156
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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.