CNA License in Indiana

How to Get a CNA License in Indiana

The CNA certification process in Indiana is regulated by IDOH and administered by Ivy Tech Community College. Follow these steps to become certified.

Step 1: Complete a State-Approved Training Program

Enroll in an IDOH-approved Nurse Aide training program with a total of 105 hours of instruction. There are no age or education prerequisites. Training is divided as follows:

• 59 hours of classroom instruction
• 16 hours of supervised clinical experience
• 30 hours of laboratory or preparatory work

Keep your completion documentation for the exam application.

Step 2: Apply for the CNA Competency Examination

Submit your application through the Ivy Tech CNA Portal. Payment is required at submission by credit or debit card.

Step 3: Schedule Your Exam

Once your application is processed, Ivy Tech will email scheduling instructions. Exams are held at Ivy Tech campus testing centers or approved community sites.

Step 4: Take and Pass the CNA Competency Examination

The Indiana CNA exam includes two parts:

• Knowledge Exam: Written or oral test delivered at an Ivy Tech testing site
• Skills Evaluation: Manual skills performed in a lab or approved setting

Test Day Requirements:

• Arrive at least 15 minutes early
• Wear appropriate work attire for skills testing
• Bring a valid state-approved photo ID matching your application

Tests are scored on-site, and results are provided the same day. If you do not pass, Ivy Tech will issue documentation outlining the section(s) to be retaken.

Retesting Policy

Log back into the CNA application portal, select RETAKE, and submit payment. If the option is unavailable, wait for scores to post (may take up to two weeks) before rescheduling.

Testing Accommodations

Accommodated testing is available for candidates with a diagnosed need when supporting documentation is submitted with the application. A language barrier alone does not qualify for extra time or reader services.

Step 5: Get Listed on the Indiana Aides Registry

After passing both components, allow up to 90 days for your name to appear on the Registry. Employers may accept the Ivy Tech pass letter for up to 90 days while certification is processed. Verify your status using the Indiana License Verification page.

State-Approved CNA Programs in Indiana

The following CNA training programs are approved by IDOH. When choosing a program, consider tuition, location, schedule flexibility, clinical site access, and job placement support.

1. Atterbury Job Corps Center

   3129 Edinburgh St, Franklin, IN 46131
   (812) 314-6000

2. IndyPendence Job Corps Center

   222 E Ohio St #500, Indianapolis, IN 46204
   (317) 524-6788

3. Ivy Tech Community College

   1440 E 35th Ave, Gary, IN 46409
   (219) 981-1111

4. University of Saint Francis

   2701 Spring St, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
   (260) 399-7999

5. University of Southern Indiana

   8600 University Blvd, Evansville, IN 47712
   (812) 464-8600

6. Vincennes University

   850 College Ave, Jasper, IN 47546
   (812) 482-3030

How to Verify a CNA License in Indiana

Use the official lookup system maintained by IDOH to confirm your CNA license status, expiration date, and registry placement.

Step 1: Access the License Verification Page

Go to the Indiana License Verification page.

Step 2: Select Profession

From the dropdown, choose Nurse Aides.

Step 3: Select License Type

Choose Certified Nurse Aide.

Step 4: Enter Search Information

You may search by license number or by name.

Step 5: Submit Search

Click Search to display your record.

Step 6: Review Search Results

The results page will show:

• Full name
• License number
• Status — must be Active for employment eligibility
• Address

Step 7: View License Details

Click the licensee’s name to open the detailed record. This page shows:

• Full name and address
• License number and type
• Status, issue date, and expiration date
• Last renewal date and renewal reason
• Method of certification (e.g., Examination)
• Discipline information (if applicable)

How to Renew a CNA License in Indiana

CNA certification in Indiana must be renewed every two years through the Access Indiana portal. There is no renewal fee.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• You must have worked at least 8 hours in a paid nursing-related position within the last 24 months
• Private duty or independent work is not accepted

Step 2: Create or Log in to Your Access Indiana Account

1. Go to mylicense.in.gov from a computer (not a phone or tablet).
2. Select Register for an Access Indiana Account under Personal Licensing.
3. Once created, link your CNA certification:
   • Enter your certification number and date of birth, or
   • Enter your certification number and Social Security number
4. Click Search, then select Register.
5. You are now logged in to the Online Renewal System.

Step 3: Submit the Renewal Application

Click Renew License in the left-hand menu and complete the form. If you meet all requirements, your certification will be renewed within one business day. Certifications expired for up to 8 months may still be renewed online.

Step 4: Verify Your Certification

Confirm your renewal by using the Indiana License Verification tool or by downloading your updated certificate from your Access Indiana account.

How to Reinstate a CNA License in Indiana

The Indiana Department of Health requires CNAs to follow specific steps if their certification has lapsed. The process depends on how long your CNA license has been expired and your recent work history.

Step 1: Determine Your Status

Review your certification record:

• Expired 8 months or less: Renew online through your Access Indiana account.
• Expired more than 8 months: Your employer must complete the Expired Renewal Form and submit it to IDOH.
• Registry History: If expired for more than two years without renewal, you must complete a new 105-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program and pass the exams before returning to the registry.

Step 2: Verify Work Requirement

To reinstate, you must have performed at least 8 hours of paid CNA work within the past 24 months. This must be confirmed by your employing facility on the renewal form. Without this requirement, retraining and retesting are necessary.

Step 3: Employer Submission

Employers should return the completed renewal form directly to IDOH:

• Email: aides@health.in.gov
• Fax: (317) 233-7442

Step 4: Await Processing

Once reviewed and approved, your CNA license will be reinstated and your record updated on the registry. There is no fee for reinstatement.

Step 5: Confirm Active Status

After reinstatement, verify your certification using the Indiana License Verification tool or by checking your Access Indiana account.

How to Transfer a CNA License to Indiana

CNAs from another U.S. state may obtain Indiana certification through reciprocity. The process is administered by Ivy Tech Community College for the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• Current, active CNA certification in another U.S. state
• No verified complaints or substantiated findings on any state registry

Step 2: Submit the Reciprocity Application

Complete the online reciprocity application through Ivy Tech. Payment must be made online by credit or debit card.

• Fee: $90

Step 3: Upload Required Documentation

• Out-of-State CNA Certificate: Copy showing registry number and expiration date
• Employer Verification Letter: Required if your state (such as Illinois, Nebraska, or Alabama) does not issue expiration dates, or if your certification is more than two years old. The letter must:
  • Be on official company letterhead
  • Include facility address and employer contact details
  • List your name, CNA title, and dates of employment
  • Confirm at least one 8-hour shift worked in the last 24 months
  • Be signed, include employer title, and provide a contact email
• Out-of-State Validation Statement: Must accompany the employer letter. This statement must be on facility letterhead and signed by the facility representative who contacted the out-of-state registry.

Step 4: Take the Written Examination

All reciprocity applicants must pass the written competency exam. Once your application is approved, Ivy Tech will email scheduling instructions. Exams are in person only at Ivy Tech campus testing centers.

Step 5: Verify Your Indiana Certification

After you pass the exam, Ivy Tech submits your results to IDOH. Once processed, your name will appear on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry.

Indiana Nurse Aide Registry

The Indiana Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), is the official record of certified nurse aides authorized to work in Indiana. It includes certification status, renewal activity, disciplinary findings, and reciprocity approvals once processed. Employers must use the registry to verify work eligibility, while CNAs use it to check status, update personal information, and complete renewal steps.

Contact Information

• Agency: Indiana Department of Health – Consumer Services & Health Care Regulation Commission
• Division: Survey Supports & Guidance Division
• Address: 2 North Meridian Street, Section 4B, Indianapolis, IN 46204
• Phone: (317) 233-7442
• Fax: (317) 233-7750
• Email: aides@health.in.gov
• Registry Search: Indiana CNA Registry Lookup

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the test day rules for CNA candidates?

Arrive at least 15 minutes early, wear employer-approved work attire, and bring a valid state-issued photo ID. Children, visitors, electronic devices, notes, food, and drinks are not permitted in the testing area. Candidates who arrive late will not be admitted.

Are accommodated testing options available?

Yes. Candidates with a diagnosed disability may request accommodations by submitting documentation from a qualified professional with their application. A language barrier alone does not qualify for extended time or reader services.

Can I cancel or reschedule my CNA exam?

You must cancel at least 72 hours in advance to avoid forfeiting fees:

• Skills exams: Send written notice to cna_qma_testing@ivytech.edu. Late cancellations or failure to appear result in forfeited fees, and a $90 payment is required to reschedule.
• Written exams: Reschedule online through Ivy Tech’s scheduling portal. If you cancel late or do not appear, a $15 late cancel fee applies before rescheduling.

Will I receive a CNA certificate or pocket card after certification?

Yes. Upon initial placement on the registry, you will receive a paper certificate and pocket card. Replacements can be downloaded at no cost through your Access Indiana / MyLicense One account.

What does a status of “Finding” on the Nurse Aide Registry mean?

A status of Finding indicates a substantiated case of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. Aides with this status are not eligible for employment in Indiana.

What are employers required to verify before hiring me as a CNA?

Employers must verify that your certification is active on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry and confirm no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. They must also conduct a criminal background check through the Indiana State Police.

Are foreign-trained nurses eligible for CNA testing in Indiana?

Yes. Foreign-trained nurses must submit an official letter of eligibility from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or another IDOH-approved agency. Both the written and skills exams are required.

How do I update my name or address on the Nurse Aide Registry?

Log in to your MyLicense One account to update information. For a name change, upload official documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, along with your certification number. For an address change, update it through your MyLicense One account, email aides@health.in.gov, or fax (317) 233-7750.

Key Takeaways

• Complete state-approved training: Finish a 105-hour program (59 classroom, 30 lab, 16 clinical) approved by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).
• Pass the exams: Complete both the knowledge test (written/oral) and the skills evaluation administered by Ivy Tech Community College.
• Apply for certification: Submit your application through the Ivy Tech CNA Portal to be listed on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry.
• Maintain active status: Work at least 8 hours in a paid nursing-related role every 24 months in a qualifying facility.
• Renew every two years: Complete renewal through the Access Indiana portal.
• Transfer certification: CNAs from other states must provide verification, submit documentation, and pass the written exam for reciprocity.