Missouri CNA Program Basics
In order to obtain CNA certification in the state of Missouri, individuals are required to complete an intensive training program with a training duration of at least 75 hours. Also required is an additional 100 hours of on the job training. There are some people who are not required to take a training course. But instead, they may opt to challenge the CNA certification assessment right away. Those who have previously worked or taken training courses that are relevant to the field of nursing or healthcare and which are composed of certain sections of a typical CNA training program may challenge the certification assessment without undergoing a nurse aide training course. Nursing students who have failed to pass the nursing board exam may also challenge the state assessment for CNA certification.
Missouri CNA Certification Reciprocity
- CNAs from other states may only transfer their license or certification if they can submit a proof that they have been employed as certified nurse aides in the past two years.
- The certification must be in good standing with the CNA registry from the state they are transferring from.
- Reciprocity applicants must also have a clean criminal background.
- After a thorough review and evaluation, the CNA may take the Missouri Final Nurse Aide entrance assessment exam.
- A CNA license may not be transferred without taking the final CNA assessment.
Missouri CNA Examination Requirements
- The CNA certification assessment in Missouri consists of two portions, a written and a manual skills evaluation.
- The examinee must pass both parts of the examination to obtain a Missouri CNA certificate.
- If the examinee has difficulty in reading, the test administrator may read the written portion of the test.
- Missouri’s federal regulations require the test questions as well as the instructions be read in a neutral tone of voice with no additional wording (only what is on the test).
- If the examinee fails to pass the exam, he or she may retake the assessment during the same day if the test facilitator agrees.
Missouri CNA Certification Renewal
- All CNAs throughout Missouri must renew their license every two years.
- To maintain an active license status, the nurse aide must prove they have been paid to work for at least 8 hours in the preceding 24-month period.
- 12 hours of in-service (on the job) training must be accomplished every year if the nursing assistant works in a facility.
- All nurse aides that are employed in a private setting are not required to complete any in-service training requirements.
- Not being able to work in an entire 5-year period will render the CNA’s certification as expired.
- Inactive nurse aides or those with more than 2 years lapsed license status but not more than 5 years may still challenge the state assessment to regain active status.
- If the license has expired, the nursing assistant will be required to undergo the training course again to be permitted to retake state examination.
