CNA Certification Alabama

How to Become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) in Alabama

If you are in Alabama and want to get CNA training there and to pursue state certification, there are several excellent institutions that can help you achieve your goal. There are technical schools, colleges, and local hospitals and retirement communities that offer suitable programs. The school that you choose must be approved by the Alabama Department of Health (link: http://www.adph.org/). Becoming a CNA is one of several ways for you to legitimately position yourself for other career opportunities in the healthcare field.

Enrollment and Completing CNA Classes

Step 1

Find an Approved Program in Alabama

There are a few prerequisites that you need to meet before enrolling for CNA classes. Becoming a nurse’s aide will require you to have a clean criminal record, particularly as regards a history of chemical or substance abuse. You also will need a high school diploma or GED in order to be considered a candidate for a program. A physical exam is also mandatory to determine whether or not you are physically capable of performing CNA duties. The position of CNA can be physically intensive, so it is important for you to understand and acknowledge your physical strengths and limitations when performing duties such as lifting and moving patients.

Step 2

Qualify for a State Licensing Exam

You will need to choose a program that provides you with a total of 120 hours of training before you can qualify to sit for a state licensing exam. Forty of these hours must be from hands-on training in an environment where you perform physical clinical procedures. Most programs that provide CNA training can be completed in six to eight weeks. The courses will cover topics like basic medical terminology, knowledge you will need for a CPR certification, recognizing changes in a patient’s status, signs of aging, and the process of caring for all the daily needs of the patients in your charge.

CNA Testing and Applying for CNA Certification

Step 1

In the state of Alabama, you receive your CNA certification after you successfully pass the CNA exam. You must get your CNA certification within two years of completing your classes. Begin the process to receive your certification by filling out an application through the NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) website. They will ask you to confirm your identity and to provide documentation of your CNA training completion. If a current employer is sponsoring you, then you should also include that information at the time of testing. The exam will test your CNA competency in two areas. The first portion of the exam will be a written examination while the second portion of the exam will be to assess your hands–on skills and your ability to perform practical care proficiently. The written section will be graded by a computer while the hands-on skill section will be graded by your proctor or exam monitor.

Step 2

Both the written and oral exams are each composed of 60 questions and are conducted via the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program or NNAAP. Your proctor will also take you through a hands-on skills portion of the test. Try out our free practice tests for CNA’s in Alabama.

Step 3

When you have completed your CNA training and have passed the nursing aide exam, you will be ready to explore available CNA positions in Alabama. You can check the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry here to ensure that you have been added to it.
Keep your CNA license current by renewing it every two years. This help employers who can easily verify your certification by visiting the above page.
Create a resume profile in our job database and start applying for jobs. We provide as many job opportunities to our CNA community as possible. Fill out a profile here.

Step 4

We encourage you not to discontinue your education. You might want to consider other areas in healthcare such as an RN (registered nurse) or an LVN (licensed vocational nurse) among other specialized areas like OB/GYN or becoming an ophthalmic nurse. Visit our Registered Nurse and LVN education page to see what options are available in Alabama to further your education and career.

For additional information visit:
Alabama Certified Nurse Aide Registry
The RSA Tower
Suite 600
201 Monroe Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 206-5169
https://ph.state.al.us/NurseAideRegistry/%28S%28ufo0kk55n4ihe245moqpkw55%29%29/Default.aspx
http://www.adph.org/