CNA in New York 2026: Training, Certification, Salary, and Requirements
New York requires 100 hours of CNA training. Learn about Prometric exam, NYSDOH registry, 1199SEIU union, and NY CNA salaries up to $55,000 in 2026.
New York Key Facts and Figures
New York Important Details
New York State regulations under 10 NYCRR Part 415 set the minimum at 100 hours, but NYSDOH-approved programs routinely exceed this — many run 120–160 hours to better prepare candidates for the Prometric skills exam. The curriculum must cover basic nursing skills, anatomy and physiology, infection control, resident rights, mental health and social service needs, personal care, and safety and emergency procedures. All programs must be NYSDOH-approved before graduates can sit for the Prometric exam. Programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, and nursing homes throughout the state.
- Classroom Instruction: Minimum 60 hours
- Clinical Training: Minimum 40 hours supervised
- Many Programs Offer: 120+ hours for thoroughness
- Total Required: 100 hours (federal minimum)
New York uses Prometric to administer the two-part CNA competency exam. The written knowledge test consists of 70 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit — a minimum of 70% correct is required to pass. The clinical skills evaluation tests 5 randomly selected skills from the NYSDOH skills checklist in approximately 30 minutes. Both parts must be passed within 24 months of training program completion. Candidates who fail one part can retake that component; retake fees apply. Prometric test centers are located throughout New York State, with the heaviest concentration in NYC and Long Island.
- Written Exam: 70 questions, 90 minutes
- Skills Evaluation: 5 randomly selected skills
- Passing Score: 70% written; all skills passed
- Exam Fee: ~$101 (written + skills)
New York requires a Level 1 criminal background check for all CNA candidates before clinical placement and registry listing. This involves fingerprinting processed through the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs and cross-referencing with the NYSDOH Nurse Aide Registry for any prior findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. The NYSDOH also checks the OIG Exclusion List. Many employers — particularly NYC Health + Hospitals and Northwell — run their own additional background screenings independent of the state process.
- Check Type: Level 1 (fingerprint-based)
- Agency: NYS Justice Center / OPMC
- OIG Check: Nurse Aide Registry abuse check
- Disqualifiers: Abuse, neglect, exploitation findings
The NYSDOH Nurse Aide Registry is completely separate from the New York State Board of Nursing — a key distinction for CNA candidates and employers alike. After passing the Prometric exam, expect a wait of 8–12 weeks for your certification to be processed and your name added to the registry. This is among the longest processing times of any state. Employers in New York are legally required to verify registry status before hiring any CNA. The registry is searchable online at health.ny.gov. Renewal requires working a minimum of 8 hours of paid nursing-related work within each 24-month period — the clock resets with each renewal.
- Registry Manager: NYSDOH (not NY Board of Nursing)
- Processing Time: 8–12 weeks (notoriously slow)
- Verification: health.ny.gov online lookup
- Renewal: Every 24 months; must work 8 hrs paid
New York Detailed Breakdown
New York City is the largest CNA job market in the country, driven by NYC Health + Hospitals — the nation's largest public health system, with 11 acute care hospitals and over 70 clinics across all five boroughs — and NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian. A substantial portion of NYC CNAs are members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the country, which negotiates contracts covering wages, benefits, and free CNA training through the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds. Many union-affiliated NYC hospitals offer sponsored CNA training programs at no cost in exchange for a term of employment. CUNY community colleges including Bronx Community College, Kingsborough Community College, and LaGuardia Community College offer NYSDOH-approved programs for $800–$2,500. NYC CNAs earn the highest wages in the state, with experienced hospital CNAs under 1199SEIU contracts earning $22–$28/hour including differentials. Home health agency CNAs in NYC typically earn $18–$22/hour under Medicaid-funded programs. The city's sheer density of hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies means that certified CNAs in any borough can typically find employment within days of certification.
New York Costs and Pricing
New York Step-by-Step Process
Find a NYSDOH-Approved Program
Meet Prerequisites and Health Requirements
Complete 100+ Hours of Training
Register with Prometric
Pass the Prometric CNA Exam
Wait for NYSDOH Registry Processing
Receive NY CNA Certification
New York Essential Checklist
New York CNA Reciprocity — Notarized Application Required
New York's reciprocity process is one of the most bureaucratic in the country. Out-of-state CNAs who wish to transfer their certification to New York must submit a notarized reciprocity application directly to NYSDOH — a requirement unique to New York among most states. The process involves:
- Step 1: Obtain a certified copy of your current out-of-state nurse aide registry listing (not just a printout — must be official)
- Step 2: Complete the NYSDOH nurse aide reciprocity application with notarized signature
- Step 3: Provide proof of training program completion and passing exam scores
- Step 4: Submit a Level 1 criminal background check
- Step 5: Mail the complete notarized application package to NYSDOH Office of Long Term Care
- Processing time: 8–12 weeks — among the slowest in the nation
Important: The NYSDOH Nurse Aide Registry is entirely separate from the New York Board of Nursing. Sending your application to the wrong office will delay processing by weeks. All correspondence should go to NYSDOH's Office of Long Term Care, not the BON. New York does NOT participate in the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), so compact licenses do not apply to CNAs here. See the full CNA reciprocity guide for state-by-state transfer requirements.
New York Advantages and Disadvantages
- +Highest average CNA salaries in the nation — $36,000–$45,000+ statewide
- +NYC hospital CNAs under 1199SEIU contracts earn $22–$28/hour with strong benefits
- +1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds offer free or subsidized CNA training
- +NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health employer in the US — massive job availability
- +Defined-benefit pension plans available through 1199SEIU-covered positions
- +Diverse patient population and career growth in one of the world's top healthcare markets
- +Strong CNA to RN bridge pathways at CUNY, SUNY, and Northwell
- +New York City transit makes car-free healthcare commuting feasible for many CNAs
- −NYSDOH Nurse Aide Registry takes 8–12 weeks to process — slowest in the country
- −Notarized application required for reciprocity — unusually bureaucratic process
- −NYC cost of living among the highest in the US — high salary may not stretch as far
- −Level 1 background check can take 3–4 weeks, delaying clinical placement
- −Most programs run 120+ hours (longer than federal minimum), extending time to certification
- −Rental costs in NYC and Long Island can consume 40–50% of a CNA's take-home pay
- −High patient acuity and understaffing in NYC public hospitals creates demanding work environment
- −Reciprocity from NY to other states can be delayed by NY's slow registry documentation
About the Author
Registered Nurse & Healthcare Educator
Johns Hopkins University School of NursingDr. Sarah Mitchell is a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science at Johns Hopkins University and has taught NCLEX preparation and clinical skills courses for nursing students across the United States. Her research focuses on evidence-based exam preparation strategies for healthcare certification candidates.