CNA Classes in Claremont, NH

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Claremont?

Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($200 combined (written + skills) through Excel Testing of New Hampshire; Pearson VUE and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts charge their own scheduled fees as alternate OPLC-approved vendors), the application/registry fee ($63 LNA initial license fee paid through the NH Online Licensing Portal), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in New Hampshire typically falls around $1,000-$2,000 including tuition, the $49.75 NH State Police fingerprint check, the $200 Excel Testing exam, and the $63 OPLC LNA license fee.

How to Become a CNA in Claremont, NH

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility and obtain identity documents

   Verify you are at least 17 years old, gather a government-issued photo ID, and obtain proof of education (high school diploma, HiSET, or current high school enrollment). New Hampshire allows applicants who are still in high school to begin the LNA pathway, which is unusual compared with most states.

2. 2

   Enroll in an OPLC-approved 100-hour LNA program

   Select a Board of Nursing-approved training program offered by a community college, hospital, nursing home, or private school. The state-mandated curriculum is 40 classroom hours plus 60 clinical hours, and at least 16 hours of pre-clinical instruction must be completed before any direct patient contact.

3. 3

   Complete the criminal background check and fingerprinting

   Submit fingerprints through an OPLC-approved live-scan vendor or by hard card. The OPLC reviews state and FBI history; certain disqualifying offenses are codified in NH Admin Code Nur 402. Plan for two to four weeks for results to return.

4. 4

   Pass the two-part state competency exam

   Sit for the written (or oral) knowledge test and the manual skills evaluation administered by Excel Testing, Pearson VUE, or American Red Cross of Massachusetts. The vendor used is typically selected by your training program. A score of 70% or higher is required on the knowledge portion, and all assigned skills must meet critical-element standards.

5. 5

   Submit the LNA license application through the NH Online Licensing Portal

   Create an account on the OPLC online licensing portal, complete the LNA initial application, upload your training certificate and exam results, and pay the $63 license fee. Applications are typically reviewed within 5-10 business days once all documents are received.

6. 6

   Receive your LNA license number and enter the registry

   Once approved, your name is added to the New Hampshire Nurse Aide Registry and you receive a license number. You may not work in a paid nursing-assistant capacity in a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility until your name appears on the registry.

7. 7

   Maintain your LNA credential every two years

   Renew biennially through the OPLC portal. You must affirm either at least 200 hours of paid LNA practice, 24 contact hours of continuing education, or completion of a board-approved LNA program within the prior 24 months, and pass a new background check at each renewal.

Becoming a CNA in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of only a handful of states that licenses (rather than certifies) its nursing assistants and refers to them as Licensed Nursing Assistants, or LNAs. The credential is governed by the Board of Nursing operating within the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) in Concord, and the practice scope is defined under NH RSA 326-B and the associated Nur 700 administrative rules.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Claremont