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Becoming a CNA in Connecticut

Steps to Become a CNA in Connecticut:

If you’re looking to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Connecticut, there are a few important steps you’ll need to follow. This guide will walk you through the process, from meeting the state’s requirements to maintaining your certification once you’ve obtained it. Let’s get started!

1. Requirements: Learn about the basic eligibility and state-specific requirements to become a CNA in Connecticut.

1. Attend a school: Find out what to look for in CNA programs in Connecticut and factors to consider when choosing a school.

1. Test information: Get details about the CNA state exam and how to prepare for it.

1. Certification Registration and Upkeep: Understand the process of registering your certification and how to keep it active.

1. Requirements

To begin your career as a CNA in Connecticut, you must first ensure that you meet the basic eligibility requirements. These prerequisites ensure that you’re well-prepared to provide safe and effective care to residents in long-term care facilities and healthcare settings.

Key Requirements:

Age and Education: You need to be at least 18 years old. Additionally, most programs require that you have a high school diploma or GED, though this may vary slightly depending on the training provider.

Training Hours: Connecticut requires a minimum of 100 hours of training, including 75 hours focused on skills like basic nursing, personal care, and restorative services, and 25 hours of specialized training in responding to challenging behaviors.

Background Check: You’ll need to pass a state and federal background check, which is conducted as part of the certification process. This ensures that individuals working as CNAs have clean records, particularly concerning offenses related to healthcare or vulnerable populations.

Health Requirements: You may need to show proof of certain immunizations (e.g., COVID-19, tuberculosis) before beginning your clinical experience. This ensures the safety of both CNAs and the residents they care for.

Meeting these requirements is your first step toward becoming a CNA in Connecticut. Once you’ve confirmed that you’re eligible, it’s time to choose a training program.

2. Attend a CNA Program in Connecticut

Choosing the right CNA training program is crucial for building the necessary skills and ensuring you’re eligible to sit for the state certification exam.

Program Structure:

Total Hours: The state mandates a minimum of 100 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of classroom training before any direct resident contact. This initial training covers essential topics such as communication skills, infection control, and emergency procedures like the Heimlich maneuver.

Core Curriculum: Connecticut’s CNA programs include key training areas such as:

Basic Nursing Skills: Taking and recording vital signs, caring for residents’ environments, and recognizing abnormal body changes.

Personal Care: Bathing, grooming, dressing, and assisting with hydration and nutrition.

Cognitive Care: Addressing the unique needs of residents with dementia and other cognitive impairments.

What to Look for in a Program:

When selecting a CNA program, consider the following factors:

Accreditation: Make sure the program is approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. This ensures that the curriculum meets state requirements and that you’ll be eligible to take the certification exam.

Location and Schedule: Some programs are offered through community colleges, vocational schools, or nursing homes. Look for programs that fit your schedule, whether you need full-time, part-time, evening, or weekend options.

Cost: CNA training programs in Connecticut vary in cost, ranging from free programs at long-term care facilities (often with an employment commitment) to paid programs at community colleges, which may cost around $500 to $1,500. Be sure to ask about financial aid or scholarships.

Once you’ve completed the classroom and clinical portions of your training, you’re ready to take the CNA state exam.

Featured CNA Programs in Connecticut

3. CNA Test Information

After completing your training program, the next step is to pass the Connecticut Nurse Aide Competency Exam. This exam, administered by Prometric, is designed to assess your ability to perform the tasks required of a CNA.

Test Breakdown:

The Connecticut CNA exam consists of two parts:

Written (Knowledge) Exam: This portion consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have 90 minutes to complete it. The questions assess your knowledge of the material covered during your training, including patient care, safety procedures, and communication skills.

Clinical Skills Test: For this part, you will be asked to demonstrate five randomly selected skills from the state-approved list, such as hand washing, measuring vital signs, or helping a resident with mobility. You’ll have 30 minutes to complete this portion.

Important Details:

Retakes: Connecticut allows candidates to retake the exam as many times as needed within 24 months of completing the training program. However, if you don’t pass within that time, you will need to retake the training.

Registration: You’ll need to register for the exam through Prometric. Be sure to have your necessary identification and documents ready on test day. If you arrive without proper ID, you may have to reschedule and repay to take the exam.

CTA: Click here to access our practice test

Taking practice tests can help you feel more confident and prepared on exam day. Be sure to review key concepts and practice the skills you’ll be tested on to ensure success.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you’ve passed both the written and skills exams, you’ll be ready to register your certification with the state and start your career as a CNA. Here’s how to maintain your status and keep your certification active.

Certification Registration:

Application: Once you’ve passed the exam, Prometric will submit your results to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Your name will be added to the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry, and you’ll receive your CNA certificate.

Routes for Certification: Connecticut offers multiple routes for certification based on your training or background. These include:

New Nurse Aide Candidates: Those who completed a Connecticut-approved nurse aide program.

Lapsed CNAs: If your certification has lapsed, you must retake and pass both the written and skills exams to re-enter the registry.

Reciprocity: If you are certified in another state and in good standing, you may apply for reciprocity to be listed on the Connecticut registry without taking the exam.

Keeping Your Certification Active:

Once certified, you’ll need to maintain your status by meeting certain requirements:

Work Requirement: You must have worked at least one 8-hour shift as a CNA or in a nursing-related job for compensation within the 24 months preceding your certification’s expiration. This work must be verified by your employer through an employment verification form.

Renewal Period: CNA certification in Connecticut is valid for two years. There is no fee for renewal, but you must submit the employment verification form before your certification expires.

If you fail to meet the work requirement, your certification may lapse. If this happens, you will need to retake and pass the CNA exam to regain certification.

Recertification:

If your CNA certification has lapsed due to inactivity, but you’ve been working in a nursing-related role, you can submit an employment verification form for each two-year period since expiration. If you haven’t worked as a CNA during that time, you’ll need to retake the exam.

Keeping track of your work hours and renewal deadlines will help ens

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id	Name	Website	Street Address	City	State	Zip Code	plus_code	Phone	latitude	longitude	latlong	Category	Reviews	Rating	5star	4star	3star	2star	1star	Monday Hours	Tuesday Hours	Wednesday Hours	Thursday Hours	Friday Hours	Saturday Hours	Sunday Hours	Details
291	Ark Healthcare and Rehab Branford Hills	https://arkbranfordhills.com/	189 Alps Rd	Branford	CT	06405	7582+7V Branford, Connecticut	(203) 481-6221	41.27	-72.85	41.2656369-72.847776	Nursing home	7	2.7	3	0	0	0	4	7AM to 11PM	7AM to 11PM	7AM to 11PM	7AM to 11PM	7AM to 11PM	7AM to 7PM	7AM to 7PM	More details
292	Bullard-Havens Technical High School	https://bullard-havens.cttech.org/	500 Palisade Ave	Bridgeport	CT	06610	5RXP+WG Bridgeport, Connecticut	(203) 579-6333	41.20	-73.16	41.1998671-73.1636961	High school	21	4.3	15	3	0	0	3	6AM to 6PM	6AM to 6PM	6AM to 6PM	6AM to 6PM	6AM to 6PM	Closed	Closed	More details
293	Elim Park	https://www.elimpark.org/	150 Cook Hill Rd	Cheshire	CT	06410	F39X+7G Cheshire, Connecticut	(203) 272-3547	41.47	-72.90	41.4682135-72.901226	Retirement community	37	3.6	23	1	1	1	11	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
294	Enfield Adult Education	https://adulted.enfieldschools.org/	124 N Maple St	Enfield	CT	06082	2F26+73 Enfield, Connecticut	(860) 763-7032	42.00	-72.54	42.0006408-72.5397949	Adult education school	4	5.0	4	0	0	0	0	9AM to 3PM	9AM to 3PM	9AM to 3PM	9AM to 3PM	9AM to 1PM	Closed	Closed	More details
295	Noble Horizons	https://noblehorizons.org/	17 Cobble Rd	Salisbury	CT	06068	XHRH+MP Salisbury, Connecticut	(860) 435-9851	41.99	-73.42	41.9916444-73.4206446	Nursing home	12	4.1	8	1	1	0	2	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
296	CT State Community College: Quinebaug Valley	https://qvcc.edu/	742 Upper Maple St	Danielson	CT	06239	R4G5+FW Danielson, Killingly, CT	(860) 932-4020	41.83	-71.89	41.8261979-71.8902464	Community college	41	4.3	28	6	1	2	4	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4PM	Closed	Closed	More details
297	Tunxis Community College	https://tunxis.edu/	271 Scott Swamp Rd	Farmington	CT	06032	P44C+F6 Farmington, Connecticut	(860) 773-1300	41.71	-72.88	41.706144-72.8794757	Community college	29	4.3	20	5	1	0	3								More details
298	Village Crest Center for Health & Rehabilitation	https://villagecrestrehab.com/	19 Poplar St	New Milford	CT	06776	HHMR+57 New Milford, Connecticut	(860) 354-9365	41.58	-73.41	41.5829-73.409307	Rehabilitation center	81	4.4	64	6	1	0	10	8AM to 7PM	8AM to 7PM	8AM to 7PM	8AM to 7PM	8AM to 7PM	8AM to 7PM	8AM to 7PM	More details
299	Villa Maria Nursing & Rehab	https://www.villamarianursing.com/	20 Babcock Ave	Plainfield	CT	06374	M3HJ+HJ Plainfield, Connecticut	(860) 564-3387	41.68	-71.92	41.678902-71.918481	Rehabilitation center	35	3.3	17	2	2	1	13	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
300	Apple Rehab Avon	https://www.apple-rehab.com/	220 Scoville Rd	Avon	CT	06001	Q4GQ+HJ Avon, Connecticut	(860) 673-3265	41.78	-72.86	41.7763898-72.860978	Assisted living facility	18	4.2	13	2	0	0	3	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details