CNA Certification in Arkansas

How to Become a CNA in Arkansas

In Arkansas, you need to find and enroll in a training program 100% fully accredited by the State in order to get your CNA certification.  Before becoming a  licensed CNA, you must also pass the state issued certification exam and be added to the Arkansas Nursing Assistant Registry. Arkansas currently has a fairly big need for certified nursing assistants. If you have a CNA certification in Arkansas, you can expect strong job security as growth for these professionals is projected to keep rising in the state and the nation.

Enrollment and Completing CNA Classes

Step 1

Find an Approved CNA Training Program in Arkansas

CNA classes in Arkansas will teach and acclimate you to the basic skills of a nurse aide.  These skills include interpersonal communication skills, restorative procedures, providing residential care, controlling the spread of infectious illnesses, practicing safety, recognizing a patient’s emotional needs, and basic medical terminology. You will also need CPR training and knowledge.

Step 2

Approved courses are a minimum of 90 class hours over a period of several weeks. A portion of those hours will be spent gaining nurse’s aide skills through hands-on training in a care facility or other medical establishment. After enrollment, students must submit to a health and criminal screening. Some schools may require a high school degree or equivalent before enrolling with them for CNA training.

A CNA student is expected to have a minimum of 120 hours of clinical and classroom time in Arkansas. Much of this time will be clinical rotations to get you the experience you need in hands-on training.

Step 3

After completing your coursework, you will be ready to take the state licensing exam for your certification. Finding work probably will not be a problem as you will qualify for work in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, hospice facilities, and other medical facilities.

 

CNA Testing Procedures and CNA Certification

Step 1

Once you have passed the CNA training classes, you can then attempt the Arkansas Department of Human Service nurse aide certification examination. The test is contracted through Pro-metric. It includes a written and oral examination as well as a hands-on skills test. In the written test, you have two hours to complete 60 multiple-choice questions. The clinical skills exam takes thirty-five minutes and tests you in five nurse’s aide skills. The fee to take the exam is $89, and you can find testing sites and a list of the aforementioned five skills on the Pro-metric website.

Step 2

If you pass the exam, you will receive a wallet card as well as a certificate. Your name will also be added to the Arkansas Nurse Assistant Registry.  You can check your certification status here.

You will need to renew your license every 2 years along with any CE’s and CPR certifications that might be required.

Step 3

After receiving your certification, you can become employed as a CNA in Arkansas.  Filling out a job profile in our resume database makes it easy to connect to employers in your area.

Step 4

Some CNAs choose to discontinue their education after receiving their certification, but it is good advice to continue your education in healthcare so you are more versatile and have more opportunities available to you in Arkansas in fields such as Registered Nursing and LPN programs.

For additional information regarding CNA Certification In Arkansas visit:

Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry
PO Box 8059, Slot S405
Little Rock, AR 72203
Phone: (501) 682-1807