Welcome to the gateway for becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Oklahoma! The Oklahoma CNA Registry serves as the authoritative hub, ensuring the qualification, competence, and adherence to standards for all CNAs in the state. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get on the Oklahoma CNA Registry and essential details for maintaining an active status.
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In Oklahoma, a CNA is categorized into six distinct types: Long-Term Care Aide (LTC), Home Health Aide (HHA), Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Care Aide (ICF/IIDCA), Residential Care Aide (RCA), Adult Day Care Aide (ADCA), and Certified Medication Aide (CMA).
The application fees to apply for the Nurse Aide training and competency and evaluation program vary by type:
You must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for registration. However, some training schools may require you to be at least 18 years old.
Training school may require to have a high school diploma or a GED.
To qualify you must complete a state-approved Nurse Aide training and competency examination program.
To be certified on the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry, you must pass the relevant competency test (links see in section where to apply).
Many programs as well as employers require you to submit a clear criminal background check.
To apply as a Nurse Aide in Oklahoma, you will need to fill out and follow the instructions in the relevant application form for a Nurse Aide training program, upon which successful completion you will be placed on the registry.
You will need to upload the required documentation during the application process.
If you have any findings against you, these will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and you must provide all information required by the Registry.
Processing time varies. While it can take a few weeks, it often goes faster.
The certification period is for 24 months, and you must renew every 2 years. Additionally, you need to have completed at least eight hours of compensated nursing or health-related services in the previous 24 months. Upon request, you might need to provide documentation of these hours.
To renew your application, you must:
Note: As an LTC you can also submit the following digital application.
If you cannot provide evidence of at least 8 hours of work within the 24-month validity period of your certification (or up to 24 months following your certification’s expiry), or if your certification has lapsed for over two years but not more than three, you are required to retest. Should your certification be expired for three years or more, you will need to undergo retraining.
Retest:
To retest as a CNA, you need to fill out the following retest application and pay the $15 application fee (except as an LTC CNA). As a CMA, you need to fill out the following retest application form for CMAs and pay the $15 application fee. Then, send the retest form by email to nar@health.ok.gov or by mail (incl. the money order) to NAR-OSDH, PO Box 268816, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8816.
Upon approval of your application, you’ll get a letter authorizing you to take the written and skills exams at your chosen testing facility. You must present the original letter to be allowed to test; duplicates won’t be reissued. The testing entity has 30 days to send your results to the Nurse Aide Registry. Once your scores are received, you’ll be added to the registry’s database.
Retrain:
If your certification has been expired for more than three years, you will need to undergo retraining (see the training requirements above).
For those seeking reciprocity, additional information can be found on our Oklahoma CNA Reciprocity page.
Contact information:
Email: NAR@health.ok.gov
Phone: (405) 426-8150
Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Nurse Aide Registry
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK