Becoming a CNA in Pennsylvania

What is Involved in Completing CNA Programs in Pennsylvania?

CNA certification in Pennsylvania begins with CNA training in a Pennsylvania Department of Health approved program. From there, you must pass a state Nurse Competency Exam. After passing the state certification exam, you will then be place on the Pennsylvania State Nurse Aide Registry as required by federal law in order to be employed at a health care facility in the state of Pennsylvania.

You many find that working in a facility as a CNA can be very exciting as you get to work closely and learn with registered nurses whose main goal is to provide care to patients and ensure their safety. Also, the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reports a national growth rate of phenomenal proportions for the certified nurse aide which means this will be a very promising career to be involved with for years to come.

Enrollment and Completion of CNA Classes in Pennsylvania

Step 1:

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

You can get an approved CNA training in Pennsylvania program list from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Make sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements for enrolling in a CNA training program.

Although some program coordinators have a set age limit of 18, the age limit under state law is 16 for programs and test eligibility. Other requirements include proficiency in English and basic math.

It will also be necessary for you to obtain a criminal background investigation from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI). A physical checkup, in which you will be tested for infectious illnesses prior to being registered with any program, is also required. 
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Step 3:

Complete your CNA training.

The training program must contain a federally set minimum of 75 class hours and an additional state added 45 hours, which will include a portion of both in-class teaching and clinical skills teaching in a medically supervised facility.

CNA classes in Pennsylvania will teach a nurse aide how to care for patients on a daily basis, including how to recognize choking and administer CPR; feeding, bathing and changing patients’ bedding; interacting with patients; and maintaining a clean and safe environment for the patients.

CNA Testing Procedures and Applying for CNA Certification in Pennsylvania

Step 1:

Register to take the PA CNA certification exam.

The testing process that follows completion of your training is done through Pearson VUE. You will need to apply within 24 months of completing your training to take the test. Fees are associated with registering for the licensing examination, so be prepared to deal with those financial aspects.

Step 2:

Prepare for the CNA certification exam. You can do this by reviewing what you’ve learned in your CNA training. There are also a number of practice tests available for you to test your knowledge.

Step 3:

Take the CNA certification exam. On the day you are assigned to take the test, arrive a bit early for paperwork processing, and bring along your state issued photo ID.

The exam is made up of a written knowledge exam and a manual skills exam. You will have 70 questions and a time limit of 90 minutes on the written portion.

There are also 24 basic nurse aide skills in which you may be tested on, with five chosen by randomly by your evaluator. Four of the five tested skills must be passed with 100% accuracy in order to pass the skills test.

CNA certification and addition to the Pennsylvania registry is immediate with passing scores. Your certificate will be mailed to you within a reasonable time frame.

Step 4:

Once you pass the CNA certification exam in Pennsylvania, you will then be ready for an exciting and rewarding career as a CNA in this state. Before you can land a job, however, it is usually recommended that you create a resume highlighting your qualifications.

As stated by the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce, there is a predicted rate of growth of 14% over the next decade. Additionally, the CNA Salary in Pennsylvania is  $25,000 a year, on average, but salary will increase with experience and additional training.

For more information on becoming a CNA in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Division of Nursing Care Facilities
Room 526, Health & Welfare Building
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
800-852-0518
717-787-1816