Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Registration Program

Program Overview

A certified nurse aide is a person who works primarily in long term care (nursing homes) assisting residents with activities of daily living under the supervision of a nurse. 

The ISDH Certified Nurse Aide Registration Program ensures that certified nurse aides meet the qualifications for a certified nurse aide and are appropriately registered on the Aide Registry.

Announcements / Current News

 

Contact the Program

Indiana State Department of Health
Division of Healthcare Education and Quality
2 North Meridian Street, 4B
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-7442 (Long Term Care Receptionist)
(317) 233-1325 (ISDH Main Switchboard)
Map

Aide Registry Program Manager
Darlene Jones
dkjones@isdh.in.gov
(317) 233-7351 
(317) 233-7750 [Fax]

Report a Complaint or Incident to the ISDH

Report a complaint regarding a health care facility
Individuals can call or email to make complaints about care provided at any licensed or certified Indiana health care providers or suppliers.

Report an incident regarding a health care facility
The Incident Report Form is for health care facilities to notify the Indiana State Department of Health of a reportable incident pursuant to the ISDH Reportable Unusual Occurrence Policy.  The Incident Report Form is also for health care facility staff (nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and hospice agencies) to report a reasonable suspicion of a crime against a resident pursuant to Federal regulations.  This form is not to be used to file a complaint.

Directories

Approved Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training Programs

Forms

Application for Approval to Operate a Nurse Aide Training Program

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Renewal Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about the certified nurse aide registration program.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide

A Certified Nurse Aide must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete a state approved nurse aide training program,
  • Pass the nurse aide competency evaluation consisting of both a written and a skills test, and
  • Be listed in good standing as a CNA on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry.

Training Requirements to Become a Certified Nurse Aide

A nurse aide training program consists of a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction and 75 hours of clinical training. The training program must be approved by Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). 

Nurse Aide Curriculum

The ISDH is responsible for providing oversight of nurse aide training and competency programs.  The nurse aide curriculum establishes the minimum course standards for approved nurse aide training programs.  This curriculum is required beginning January 1, 2014.  The Indiana Nurse Aide Curriculum is organized into thirty (30) “lessons”.  Each lesson provides objectives, terms, content, and review questions.  Each nurse aide training program is expected to include this content as part of their course.

Indiana Nurse Aide Curriculum (Updated 3/21/2014)
Lessons 2 & 30 updated

The link below is to the prior Nurse Aide Curriculum that was adopted in July 1998 and continues through December 31, 2013.  Nurse Aide Education Programs may elect to change to the new curriculum prior to that date. 

Nurse Aide Training Program Core Curriculum (July 1998 through December 31, 2013)

Nurse Aide Testing

Certified nurse aide (CNA) and qualified medication aide (QMA) competency evaluations are conducted through Ivy Tech Community College.  All CNA/QMA Competency Evaluation Applications should be sent to:

Ivy Tech Community College
CNA/QMA Testing
PO Box 1621
Indianapolis IN 46206

Ivy Tech Community College has a CNA/QMA Central Testing Office located in Indianapolis that processes all applications and schedules testing throughout the state.  Applications should only be sent to the above address.  This office is staffed by Central Coordinators.

The fee for both the written and skills test is $75.00.  A fee of $65.00 will be charged for only one test (written or skills).  Fees can be paid with facility checks, money orders, or credit cards.  No personal checks will be accepted.  Checks should be made payable to Ivy Tech Community College.
 
Any questions, please contact Ivy Tech at 317-917-5948.  Testing information is available at www.ivytech.edu/cna and www.ivytech.edu/qma

Nurse Aide Registry

Indiana Professional Licensing Agency

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) Online Licensing System is used for the aide certification and registration programs.  Individuals renew their aide certification and registration through the PLA Online Licensing System.  Health care facilities and agencies can search the online system to verify an individual’s certification or registration.

Laws and Regulations 

Federal Laws and Regulations

42 CFR 483  (beginning at 483.151)

State Laws and Rules

410 IAC 16.2; Licensure of Health Facilities

412 IAC 2; Qualified Medication Aides

Indiana Law and Rules Homepage

Indiana Register

Limited Criminal History Search