Becoming a CNA in Oregon

What is Involved in Completing a CNA Program in Oregon?

The requirements to become a certified nurse aide in the state of Oregon differs from any other state in the US, mostly because each state has its own set of state regulations. They all share one thing in common though – a set of federal regulations that they must follow.

The first requirement toward becoming a CNA in this state is to finish CNA training in Oregon that has been approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Later you must pass an evaluation exam governed by the state. After training and the test are completed, you will be listed on the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry. At that point, you will then qualify to work in any extended period care or nursing center in the state of Oregon.

Enrollment and Completion of CNA Classes in Oregon

Step 1:

Find and enroll in an approved program in your state:
Find a CNA Training Program

The CNA classes in Oregon that you will be taking should require you to attend training for at least 150 hours. Programs that will qualify you to sit for the exam will require at least 51 hours of classroom training.

To enroll in a state approved CNA training program in Oregon, you need to be prepared to meet a few prerequisites, including being at least 18 years old and having earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. Because you will be working directly with people during the course of performing your job duties, you will be required to submit to an extensive background check as well as an in-depth physical examination to ensure you are in good health.

Step 2:

Complete your CNA training program.

During your classroom training, you will learn all about communicating with patients, such as how to handle assisting them with grief, as well as a variety of additional subjects, such as medical terminology.

The second part of the training will involve at least 75 hours of hands-on training where you learn how to perform the physical aspects of the job. Another 24 hours will spent in a lab setting where students can learn basic phlebotomy techniques and receive CPR certification. During the course of the program, students will learn how to handle a number of emergency situations such as heart attacks, stroke incidents, falls, and choking.

CNA Testing Procedures and Applying for CNA Certification in Oregon

Step 1:

Find a testing site, and apply to take the Oregon CNA certification exam.

The test is administered by Headmaster Testing Services through the D&S Diversified Technologies Company. You will need to fill out an application and send it to Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). The fees for taking the exam are approximately $106. After you have registered, you will be given a specific date for testing through the mail.

Step 2:

Prepare for the CNA certification exam by reviewing what you’ve learned in your training program. You might also wish to take practice exams to help you gain a better understanding of which areas you may need to study more.

Step 3:

Take the Oregon CNA certification exam. Be sure to arrive early at the testing site so that you can be processed by the testing administrators.

The exam is split into two separate sections, one of which is  a multiple choice written knowledge or oral test. Primarily, this portion is designed to test your knowledge on the entirety of what you learn in your training classes. The written portion will contain 77 questions for which you will have 90 minutes to complete. You must get at least 65% of the answers correct to pass written test.

The second testing section is a clinical skills test and consists of properly demonstrating five nurse aide skills with 80% accuracy for each one. The time limit for each task is 45 minutes.

Results will be sent by mail after verification. Once passing both portions, you will officially enjoy CNA certification and have your name listed on the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry. The CNA certification is valid for 2 years, and you will need to renew your license at this time.

Step 4:

After you pass the CNA certification exam in Oregon, you should then create your resume. This will be an instrumental part of finding a CNA job, and it should highlight your training, certification, skills, and experience.

The annual salary for a certified nurse aide at level I in Oregon is an average of $27,131. The Oregon Labor Market expects a 24.2% rate of acceleration in this position till the year 2016. This means that you can expect that there will plenty of job openings for you once you complete training and conquer the exam.

For additional information, feel free to contact the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry at:

Oregon Nurse Aide Registry
Oregon State Board of Nursing
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 465, Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (503) 731-3459
License Verification: (503) 731-3459
Fax: (503) 731-4755