How to find CNA Certification Number

There are many instances when a certified nursing assistant will have a need to provide their CNA certificate number. The most common is when applying for a job in as a CNA. An application for reciprocity when relocating to another state is another. Many times, LPN’s and RN’s work as certified nursing assistants while attending school, and must include their CNA certification number when applying for state professional nursing licensure. Also, don’t forget that many professional secondary organizations require a CNA certification number such as professional nursing support groups and in states where nursing unions are popular.

It’s easy to find your CNA certification number on the hard copy certification certificate issued by the state. It will be obvious and distinctly printed on the certification itself. There are instances when the original certificate is misplaced or lost, and in cases where an employee has been with the same employer for years and has no need to resubmit the original certificate to HR – it’s easy to just forget about it. So what’s a person to do when you need access to your CNA certificate number and you have misplaced your original certificate? Depending where you took your CNA test and the state you live in, there are a number of options.

Your first option is to contact the agency, technical school or college at which you took your CNA test and ask if they might be able to provide a certified copy of your certificate. Many times copies of original certificates are kept on file by the school or agency at which you took your CNA classes and tested. In some cases, usually when a person challenges the certified nursing assistant test, you must contact the issuing state directly. With the advent and use of the Internet, most states now provide easy public access to your certification number and information via a simple keyword and name search.

If you need a copy of your certificate, or to locate your CNA certification number, most states allow free online access to basic public information about your professional certification. This information will be on file with one of three state entities depending on the state in which you practice: The state board of nursing, the state department of business and professional regulation, or the state department of health and rehabilitation.

Every state has a board of nursing which establishes rules and regulates the practice of professional and practical nursing applicants, but not every state board of nursing regulates the practice and certification of certified nursing assistants. Many states do not view occupational certifications as “professional”. In this care, the state department of business and professional regulation controls CNA certification approvals and maintains basic individual information. Because prevention is the key to success in statewide public health systems, other states mandate certified nursing assistants work under their authority. Your first option is to contact the agency, technical school or college at which you took your CNA test and ask which entity regulates CNA certification for your specific state.

Below are links to specific state entities at which anyone with an Internet connection can find a CNA number by providing the requested data. Please note that some states charge for access to this information or may require hard copy registration.

Alabama: https://ph.state.al.us/NurseAideRegistry/(S(mk1qje214htqup455zy51xux))/Default.aspx

Alaska: http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pnua.htm

Arizona: http://www.azbn.gov/onlineverification.aspx

Arkansas: https://registry.prometric.com/registry/publicARK

California: http://www.apps.cdph.ca.gov/cvl/SearchPage.aspx

Colorado: https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php?action=INDIV&profession=9999

Connecticut: https://registry.prometric.com/registry/publicCT

Delaware: https://registry.prometric.com/registry/publicDE

District of Columbia: http://www.asisvcs.com/services/registry/search_generic.asp?CPCat=0709NURSE

Florida: http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/irm00praes/praslist.asp

Georgia: https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/portal/PubAccess.Nurse%20Aide/tabId/69/Default.aspx

Hawaii: http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/vieworgpagelink.asp?orgkey=1561&linkkey=12942