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NORTH CAROLINA

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CNA Schools in North Carolina

Home of the first English colony in Roanoke, North Carolina has a surprisingly rich history dating back to the beginning of Western European settlements. Today, it is known for historical markers dedicated to the Wright brothers, inventors of the airplane, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, the oldest state university. CNAs who make North Carolina home can enjoy the beautiful outdoor environment with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west and the Outer Banks in the east. Nearly 10 million people live here; many of them, especially the 1.5 million people over the age of the 65, will soon need the skilled help that CNAs give.

About North Carolina

– Capital: Raleigh
– Minimum Wage: $7.25
– Number of Hospitals: 117
– Number of Nursing Homes: 44,598

Population

– Total Population: 9,943,964
– Population (ages 45-64): 2,610,157
– Population (ages 65+): 1,463,362
– Population (ages 85+): 170,382

Top Colleges

– Reed College
– Willamette University
– Lewis & Clark College

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in NC

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CNA Training Requirements

Taking the Test (Procedure)

Out-of-State Applicants

Renewing & Expired Certification

Applications & Forms

Contacts & Additional Resources

North Carolina has several different nurse aide levels. The level that is most similar to CNAs throughout the United States is known as Nurse Aide 1. Nurse Aide 2 requires additional training; these individuals can perform some of the same tasks that licensed practical nurses can perform in other states. Two other certifications are the Geriatric Nurse Aide and Medication Aide, which require more training. Nurse Aide 1 requires 75 total hours of training of which 16 hours must be spent at clinicals.

However, Nurse Aide 1 is the initial qualification that all CNAs must meet before moving on to their training. To being training, individuals must be at least 16 years old and hold a driver’s license. They are not required by the state to have a high school diploma, but some programs may make this a requirement or may require students to take an entrance examination or produce SAT scores. Additionally, potential students must take a drug test, have a negative tuberculosis test, have a doctor’s physical and have a complete and up-to-date immunization record. Finally, they will need to have an FBI criminal background check and fingerprints taken.

CNAs can be hired for training while they are still in training programs and before they have tested. They can work for up to 120 days before passing the examination. In addition, nursing students can waive the training and head right to the examination. North Carolina does not allow individuals to challenge the certification examination without going through training.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services regulates CNA examinations. The Department contracts out the test through the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program through Pearson VUE. The test can be taken at many CNA training facilities, or it may be taken at one of several regional testing sites.

The test must be taken within 24 months of completing CNA training. It includes two parts that test CNA theory and clinical knowledge. The written knowledge examination can also be taken orally by those who have a documented disability or have difficulty reading English. The written options have 70 multiple-choice theory questions while the oral version has 60 multiple-choice theory questions and ten basic comprehension questions. Testers are given two hours for this section.

The second part is the skill evaluation during which applicants will need to demonstrate four CNA skills chosen at random by the evaluator in addition to hand washing. Testers will also have to perform one measurement, such as taking a blood pressure or measuring a client’s weight. Testers will have 30 minutes to complete the skills section. The skills will be performed on a volunteer actor.

Those who pass the examination will be added to North Carolina’s CNA registry within at least five days. Those who fail only need to retake the section that was failed and may take each section a total of three times before having to retrain. The fee to take both parts of the examination is $101 for both written and oral versions.

North Carolina does not practice endorsement or reciprocity for CNAs, who are currently licensed by another state but are moving to North Carolina. Instead, CNAs moving to the state will need to attend a state-approved training program and take the entire certification examination just as new CNAs do. As of February 2016, CNA applicants are no longer allowed to challenge the examination without training. Fees for out-of-state applicants will be the same as for new applicants for taking the examination; the cost is $101 for both parts of the examination. They will also need to have a background check and have fingerprints, a driver’s license and two additional photographs on file with the state.

North Carolina CNAs must renew their certifications every two years. The Nurse Aide 1 Registry sends renewal notices approximately two months before expiration. It is vital that CNAs keep their addresses up-to-date with the registry. To renew, CNAs must have worked for pay under the supervision of a registered nurse performing nursing-related duties for at least eight hours in the previous two years. Those who fail to renew by the expiration date or who do not meet the work requirements will need to retake a training course and retake the certification examination. Renewal is free for the Nurse Aide 1 Registry except in the case of those required to retrain and retest.

Links
NC Department of Health and Human Services
North Carolina Board of Nursing
North Carolina Nurses Aide Registry
Verify your CNA licenses here

Contacts
North Carolina Board of Nursing
4516 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: (919) 782-3211
Fax: (919) 781-9461

Employment Information for NC

Average Salary for CNAs in NC

CNAs in North Carolina, who are on the Nurse Aide 1, Registry make on average $10.89 per hour as of 2014. This totals an average of $22,650 per year, which is approximate $3,000 shy of the income per capita. CNAs who want to make additional money can attend training to receive other certifications because those with medication aide or geriatric aide training make more on average.

Job Outlook in NC

Because North Carolina has numerous hospitals and nursing homes, 117 and 44,598 respectively, CNAs here have plenty of opportunities to find work. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that this occupation will grow 17 percent by 2024. With nearly 15 percent of the population older than 65 and another 2.6 million residents between the ages of 45 and 65, North Carolina will be needing thousands of new CNAs in the coming years.

Employment Opportunities

Top Hospitals in NC
Hospital NameAddressCityStateZipPhoneWebsite
Duke University Hospital2301 Erwin RoadDurhamNC27705919-684-8111Website
Wake Forest Baptist Medical CenterMedical Center BoulevardWinston-SalemNC27157336-716-2011Website
University Of North Carolina Hospitals101 Manning DriveChapel HillNC27514919-966-4131Website
Carolinas Medical Center1000 Blythe BoulevardCharlotteNC28203704-355-2000Website
Mission Hospital509 Biltmore AvenueAshevilleNC28801828-213-1111Website
Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital1200 North Elm StreetGreensboroNC27401336-832-7000Website
Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital155 Memorial DrivePinehurstNC28374910-715-1000Website
Duke Regional Hospital3643 North Roxboro RoadDurhamNC27704919-470-4000Website
Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center200 Hawthorne LaneCharlotteNC28204704-384-4000Website
Vidant Medical Center2100 Stantonsburg RoadGreenvilleNC27834252-847-4100Website
Rex Hospital4420 Lake Boone TrailRaleighNC27607919-784-3100Website
Duke Raleigh Hospital3400 Wake Forest RoadRaleighNC27609919-954-3000Website
Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital800 North Justice StreetHendersonvilleNC28791828-696-1000Website
Novant Health Matthews Medical Center1500 Matthews Township ParkwayMatthewsNC28105704-384-6500Website
New Hanover Regional Medical Center2131 South 17th StreetWilmingtonNC28401910-343-7000Website
Carolina East Medical Center2000 Neuse BoulevardNew BernNC28560252-633-8111Website
Carolinas Medical Center-Lincoln433 McAlister RoadLincolntonNC28092980-212-2000Website
Caromont Regional Medical Center2525 Court DriveGastoniaNC28054704-834-2000Website
Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center10030 Gilead RoadHuntersvilleNC28078704-316-4000Website
Wakemed Health And Hospitals3000 New Bern AvenueRaleighNC27610919-350-8000Website

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