CNA Classes in New York (Top Schools)

In New York, the State Department of Health (NYSDOH) holds jurisdiction over the training and examination of Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs).

And so, the department has set the criteria for you to become a CNA in the state, which are:

• Complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP)
• Pass the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination (NYS NACE)

Once you meet these criteria, your information will be added to NYS Nursing Home Nurse Aide Registry (NYS NAR).

It will be Prometric that’ll oversee the NYS NACE and NYS NAR under the approval of the NYSDOH.

Taking on a CNA Training Program in New York State

To be a CNA in NYS, you will have to enroll in a state-approved NATP from an approved training facility.

In this way, you will receive the minimum nurse aide education required by federal and state standards.

During the program, you will spend 100 hours of training, comprising of:

• 70 hours of classroom and lab instructions
• 30 hours of supervised clinical training at a nursing home

After training completion, you will gain knowledge and skills that enable you to show competency in the field.

Also, you’ll embody the core values which build the foundation of all aspects of care of your nurse aide career.

Per the NYSDOH, these core values are:

• Dignity and worth of each resident as an individual
• Respect for the range of diversity of individuals
• Demonstration of a therapeutic relationship

Further, the training facility will issue you a Certificate of Successful Completion as proof of your CNA training.

Here’s a list of some of the CNA training facilities in NYS that you can check out.

CNA Candidates Eligible for NYS NACE

Per the NYSDOH, you can only qualify for the NYS NACE if you belong to any of the following certification routes.

The table below shows which certification route will take the NYS NACE and who is exempt.

For the NYS NACE and NAR application requirements, refer to the Candidate Information Bulletin found at https://www.prometric.com/nurseaide/ny.

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

After training, you will take the NYS NACE which will evaluate your competency as a nurse aide.

In this exam, you will take two assessments: a clinical skills test and a written/oral test.

You have to pass both tests within two years of NATP completion.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each test assessment.

Clinical Skills Test

This test assesses your competency in performing nurse aide skills to nursing home residents.

On the day your test is scheduled, you will know the five skills that you’ll have to perform on the test date.

Two of these are mandatory skills to be tested: handwashing and indirect care, while the other three are randomly selected.

How long the test will be depends on the skill you are performing.

But usually, it takes 31 to 45 minutes to complete all five tasks.

To pass the clinical skills test, you must show competency on all five skills, completing all of their checkpoints.

If you want to know these checkpoints, refer to the Clinical Skills Checklist at http://www.prometric.com/nurseaide/ny.

Written/Oral Test

This test assesses your knowledge and skills in providing safe and competent nursing care.

In this test, you will have 90 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions following the content outline.

You can review the content outline in the Candidate Information Bulletin.

Generally, this test will be in written format and in English.

But you can opt for an oral test upon request if you:

• Have a reading disability
• Have marginal reading skills
• Consider English as your second language

In the oral test, in addition to the knowledge test, you will answer 16 reading comprehension questions.

Also, you’ll have an additional 30 minutes to complete the test.

Exam Fees

Along with your application, you must remit to Prometric the corresponding exam fees.

• Initial exam fee
  • Written and clinical skills test – $115
  • Oral and clinical skills test
    • Submitting an ADA packet – $115
    • With reading comprehension – $135
• Retake exam fee
  • Written test – $57
  • Oral test – $67
  • Clinical skills test – $68
• Reciprocity and NYS RNs and LPNs fee – $50
• Rescheduling fee (no show)
  • Written test – $57
  • Oral test – $67
  • Clinical skills test – $68

At times, nursing homes will cover your exam fees if you’re their employee.

Should you become employed or receive a job offer within one year of training or exam completion, NYS will repay part of the fee/s you paid.

Exam Results

You will receive your exam results within days of completing the clinical skills and written/oral tests.

Typically, you can access your score report online within 48 hours of test completion at https://tcnet.prometric.com/NYCNA.

Once both tests are checked, Prometric will release your results to NYSDOH and your training facility.

If you pass…

Passing both test assessments means that you’ll:

• Receive your CNA certificate and wallet card
• Be added to the NYS NAR

It takes at least 10 business days after passing the NY NACE for you to receive the wallet card.

Also, within that period, your name will show up in the NYS NAR.

If you fail…

Failing one or both tests would mean you have to retake them.

You will be notified via email within five business days of your official score report.

Included in the report are as follows:

• Areas you need to improve on and your strengths
• Retesting information

Note that you’re only given three attempts for each test assessment to pass NYS NACE.

And if you’re an employed nurse aide, 120 days from the first day of training or employment.

Otherwise, you’ll have to retrain in NATP to be eligible to take the NYS NACE.

Potential Salary

The salary of a CNA in New York State depends on many factors, such as:

• Education and training
• Skill level
• Working experience
• Work location

Investing more in these factors will give you a higher chance of earning more income.

Currently, you can expect to receive an average salary of about $33,000 in a year.

Take a look at the table below for the salary information across the state.

CNA Schools by City

• Albany
• Buffalo
• New York City (NYC)
• Rochester