CNA Programs in Alaska

Alaska uses the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program through Pearson VUE for its CNA competency testing. Applicants are allowed to work for up to 120 days as non-certified nurse aides in the state while they train and wait to take the test. The test must be passed within 24 months of completing training; those who do not complete it in this period will be required to retrain.

The competency evaluation consists of a knowledge section and a skills section. The knowledge section is typically taken with pencil and paper, but it may be taken orally by students who have difficulty reading English. The written version has 70 multiple-choice questions testing CNA theory while the oral version has 60 multiple-choice theory questions and an additional 10 English reading comprehension questions. This section must be completed within two hours or less.

The skills section tests five hands-on CNA skills. Each student will perform these skills in front of an evaluator and will perform them on a volunteer actor. Students will always have to demonstrate hand washing; the other four skills will be randomly selected on test day. Students will have up to 25 minutes to complete this section.

Students will learn their results by mail approximately ten days later. If they have failed a section, they will have up to three attempts to pass it before needing to retrain. The cost for testing is $260 total, which includes an application fee, fingerprint processing fee, certification fee and examination fee.

CNAs moving to Alaska from a different state have a chance to transfer their certifications to Alaska without having to retrain or retest if they meet several qualifications. They must have an active and unencumbered license without accusations of patient abuse or neglect. They must have completed a training program that provided at least 60 classroom hours and 80 clinical hours. They must have successfully passed their former state’s competency evaluation. CNAs who meet these requirements can fill out the Endorsement Application, have it notarized and send in a check or money order for the $260 endorsement fee. They will also need to have fingerprints taken for a criminal background check. CNAs who are approved will be notified in writing in approximately ten days.

Alaska CNAs must renew their certifications every two years to remain active. The state sends out renewal notices approximately two months before expiration. All licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years except for new CNAs who were certified within 90 days of the expiry date. To renew, CNAs must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education every year except during the first renewal period, in which they must complete only 12 hours total. CNAs must also work at least 160 hours for pay every two years except for newly certified CNAs. CNAs who allow their certifications to lapse may need to retrain and retest. Renewal fees are $100 for certification numbers 1 to 14767 and $50 for 14768 and higher.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE BY EXAMINATION
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE BY Endorsement
Biennial Nurse Aide Renewal
Prorated Biennial Nurse Aide Renewal

Links
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska Board of Nursing
Alaska Nurse Aide Registry
License Verification

Contacts
Danielle Curry, Licensing Examiner
Phone: (907) 269-8169
Fax: (907) 269-8196
Email: [email protected]
550 W. 7th Avenue., Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567