Have you been looking for a quick way to start a medical career in Pennsylvania? Do you want a job that offers room for advancement? If you answered yes to both the questions, you should consider becoming a CNA. Not only can you train for a nurse aide career in just two months or less, but you can also use the experience you gain from a career as a CNA as a stepping stone towards a career as an LPN or RN.
Certification Requirements in Pennsylvania
In the state of Pennsylvania, Pearson Vue handles all certifications for aspiring CNAs. To be eligible for certification, you must be at least 16 years old and submit to a criminal background check. You will also need to complete an approved training program. Finally, you must sit for the Pearson Vue CNA competency evaluation and achieve passing scores on both portions of the exam.
How to Get Your CNA Certification in Pennsylvania
Obtaining certification as a nurse aide in Pennsylvania is amazingly easy. You merely need to succeed in achieving passing scores on both portions of your CNA evaluation. If you are able to do this, Pearson Vue will mail you a certification card and award you a place on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Initial CNA certifications in Pennsylvania are valid for a period of 24 months.
How to Verify Your CNA Certification in Pennsylvania
During your career as a CNA, there may be occasions when you need to verify your certification. In such a situation, just use the Nurse Aide Registry Online which allows facilities to use the Internet to check the status of any nurse aide on the registry.
How to Renew Your CNA Certification in Pennsylvania
According to Pearson Vue, nurse aides in Pennsylvania must renew their certification every two years. You are required to have worked at least eight hours within the last 24 months to be eligible for renewal. You can find the renewal application online by going to the Pearson Vue Uniform Licensing Solution for E-Government, or PULSE, website at pulseportal.com.
How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in Pennsylvania
In accordance with regulations set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, if you failed to work at least eight hours prior to your CNA certification renewal date, you will need to reinstate your certification. The current requirement for CNA reinstatement is to retake the nurse aide competency examination.
How to Transfer Your CNA Certification from Pennsylvania to Another State
If you have obtained employment as a CNA in another state and need to transfer your certification, you must fulfill the transfer requirements set by the other state. You can find your new state's CNA regulatory agency by utilizing the search tool offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Although transfer criteria may vary from one state to another, common requirements include CNA verification, transfer fees, and continuing education.
Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has partnered with Pearson VUE to offer its certified nursing assistant testing and registry services.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Nursing Care Facilities
Room 526, Health & Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 787-1816
Email: c-ncomplaistate.pa.us
Pearson VUE
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Phone: (800) 852-0518
Fax: (610) 617-9398
Registry Search
State-Approved CNA Programs in Pennsylvania
There are many great schools that offer approved training to prospective CNAs in Pennsylvania. Some of the top ones can be found listed here.
Allegheny General Hospital
320 E North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212American Red Cross
8580 Verree Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19111American Red Cross
4000 Powelton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104Beaver County Career & Technology Center
145 Poplar Ave, Monaca, PA 15061Bedford County Technical Center
195 Pennknoll Rd, Everett, PA 15537Berks Career & Technology Center
1057 County Rd, Leesport, PA 19533Carbon Career & Technical Institute
150 W 13th St, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229CareBridge Academy
448 N 10th St #401, Philadelphia, PA 19123Cedarbrook Nursing Home
350 S Cedarbrook Rd, Allentown, PA 18104Chester County OIC
22 N 5th Ave, Coatesville, PA 19320Community College of Allegheny County
808 Ridge Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212Community College of Allegheny County
8701 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15237Cornwall Manor Retirement Community
1 Boyd St, Cornwall, PA 17016Crawford County Career & Technical Center
860 Thurston Rd, Meadville, PA 16335Dauphin County Technical School
6001 Locust Ln, Harrisburg, PA 17109District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund
100 Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19110Fair Acres Geriatric Center
340 Middletown Rd, Media, PA 19063Fayette County Community Action Agency
108 N Beeson Blvd, Uniontown, PA 15401Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center
445 Schoolhouse Rd, Johnstown, PA 15904Health & Technology Training Institute
100 S Broad St 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19110HVA Senior Living Alliance
4631 W Lake Rd, Erie, PA 16505Johnson College
3427 N Main Ave, Scranton, PA 18508Keystone Job Corps Center
235 W Foothills Dr, Drums, PA 18222Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
1730 Hans Herr Dr, Willow Street, PA 17584Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
2740 Old York Rd, Warminster, PA 18974Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020Philadelphia Job Corps Center
2810 S 20th St #12, Philadelphia, PA 19145Pittsburgh Job Corps Center
7175 Highland Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15206Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center
2615 Warren Rd, Reading, PA 19605Southwinds, Inc.
1121 Boyce Rd #2000, Pittsburgh, PA 15241St. Anne Home
685 Angela Dr, Greensburg, PA 15601St. John Specialty Care Center
500 Wittenberg Way, Mars, PA 16046United Community Services for Working Families
1251 N Front St, Reading, PA 19601YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School
1231 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
