Initial Registration as a CNA
Requirements:
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The CNA Applicant must complete a 75-hour Board-approved nurse aide training program (NATP): Approved Program List
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The CNA Applicant must submit the Board's online application: CNA Initital Application
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The NATP's Program Director/Instructor must submit: NATP Completion Verification Form
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The NATP Program Director/Instructor will schedule the CNA Applicant to take Headmaster's CNA Knowledge Exam and Skills Exam: SDHCA
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Upon passing the Skills and Knowledge exams, with a minimum score of 75%, the Board will add the applicant to the CNA registry. Registration is valid for two years.
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Upon failing an exam, an applicant may re-take the exam two times. The applicant should review learning materials and the instructor may proceed to request the applicant retake the exam from SDHCA.
New Skills Evaluation Process Coming: Following the adoption of new rules that are effective September 8, 2025, the Board is implementing a new Skills Evaluation process that will replace the current Skills Exam from Headmaster. Beginning September 22, 2025, the NATP Program Director may have the CNA Applicant evaluated by an RN Skills Evaluator (all NATPs need to transition to this new process by May 1, 2026). The RN Skills Evaluator must evaluate the CNA Applicant's ability to safely perform 4 randomly selected skills, using Board-approved, randomly selected Skills Evaluation Forms. After evaluating the student, the RN Skills Evaluator provides the forms to the Program Director who will submit to the Board. The NATP Program Director will be able to access the Skills Evaluation Forms from a Board website.