CNA License in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health uses Pearson Vue to administer its CNA examinations. Students have up to one year to pass the test before they need to redo CNA training. Therefore, getting a testing date set up as soon as possible at the end of training is to one’s advantage.

The test is composed of two sections, which test written knowledge as well as clinical skills. The written test may be taken orally if students indicate this on their applications. The written version has 70 multiple-choice questions while the oral version has 60 multiple-choice questions plus ten additional comprehension questions. Students are given two hours to complete this section. The skills section tests five CNA tasks. One task is always hand washing, and another is taking a measurement, such as a blood pressure. The other three skills are randomly selected on test day. Students will perform the tasks in front of a Nurse Aide Evaluator and will perform them on a volunteer actor. Students have 30 minutes to complete this section. The fee for both sections is $115 whether students choose the written or oral version.

Applicants will receive their scores at the testing site shortly after completing the test. Those who fail one or both sections will receive information about how to retake the section they failed. Individuals may take the test as many times as necessary to receive a passing grade as long as it is completed within the one-year timeframe required.

Wisconsin does endorse CNAs from other states who are moving to Wisconsin. To be eligible for endorsement, CNAs must have completed a training program with at least 120 hours and passed a competency examination in another state. Those who have not completed the examination will be required to test in Wisconsin. Those who completed a training program with fewer than 120 hours will need to have their prior employers fill out an Employment Verification Form that states that the CNA worked at least 2,088 hours within the past 24 months. The process is free, and those who are approved will be listed on the registry within ten days and receive a certificate in the mail within three weeks.

Wisconsin CNAs must renew their certifications every two years. To be eligible for renewal, they must have worked for pay as a CNA under the supervision of a licensed nurse for at least eight hours in the past two years. CNAs will be required to list their employment history on the renewal form. The application is sent through the mail, and the renewal forms take two weeks to process. Wisconsin CNAs who allow their certifications to lapse will be required to retake the competency examination successfully before they are recertified. The renewal process is free except in the case of those required to sit for the examination.

CNA Application
Application for CNA by Reciprocity
Application for Renewal

Links
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Board of Nursing
Wisconsin Nurses Aide Registry
Check your CNA License here

Contacts
Office of Caregiver Quality
PO Box 2969
Madison, WI 53701-2969
Phone: 608-261-8319