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Nurse Aide Program: Becoming a CNA in Wisconsin

We include every CNA (certified nurse aide) in our state on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. This meets state and federal regulations. We include a nurse aide in the registry after they successfully complete both:

  1. A nurse aide training program, or basic nursing course for professional nurses or licensed practical nurses.
  2. A competency evaluation program.

The state of Wisconsin must approve both programs.

A person can transfer from another state registry if that person meets all requirements of the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry.

We provide links to forms and other materials below. Email any required materials to dhswidqa_natcep@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Become a CNA in Wisconsin

Thank you for your interest in working as a nurse aide in Wisconsin. We're here to help you get started and maintain your eligibility. Contact us if you have questions.

Find the scenario below that applies to you and follow the steps.

I'm a new student or would like to find a training program.

I'm a student nurse.

I'm a graduate nurse who hasn't taken the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.

You must pass the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) to work as an RN (registered nurse) or LPN (licensed practical nurse).

I'm a graduate nurse who hasn't passed the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.

You must pass the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) to work as an RN or LPN.

I'm a currently a practicing RN or LPN.

I'm a military veteran.

  • Complete military training, education, and experience that satisfies all nurse aide training requirements.
  • Complete at least 16 hours of hands-on clinical experience as described in the Nurse Aide Testing Requirements for Military Personnel, P-00225A (PDF).
  • Submit Military Training Verification, F-00657.
  • Submit:
    • Service school academic reports.
    • Certificates of training for specific programs completed.
    • Training document signed by your unit's training non-commissioned officer.
    • A written narrative explaining how your military education, training, and experience has prepared you to be a nurse aide.
  • Pass the competency exam on the first attempt, including a written knowledge test and a skill test.

I trained as a nurse aide in another state, and I'm active and in good standing.

If you are a candidate from another state, you can apply to work as a nurse aide in Wisconsin. To apply for placement on the Wisconsin Nurse Aid Registry, you must complete an Out-of-State application. You can find a fillable application form on the Wisconsin Headmaster website.

Please carefully read the application directions before you complete and submit the out of state application form. Your request for reciprocity cannot be processed if it is incomplete, illegible or includes false statements.

Completing the online application form requires the following attachments:

  1. Proof of Training and/or Employment Verification
  2. Image of your social security card
  3. Image of your valid US government issued photo identification (state driver’s license, passport, or other signed, current, photo identification).

Your application is not complete until the required information is included, then select "Send Application."

Training proof: You must have completed a minimum 75-hour state-approved nurse aide training program to be considered for the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. The date of completion must be noted. State registry printouts and certificates that do not provide training program names or dates of completion are not acceptable.

Acceptable proof of training includes: a copy of diploma or transcripts from training program with date of completion, or letter from the training program stating where and when you completed training.

If you are unable to provide proof of training, you may instead include proof of qualifying employment. Your employer must verify you worked as a nurse aide under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) for at least 2,088 hours in the two years preceding your application to the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. Please use the Headmaster Wisconsin website employer verification form.

  • You must retrain and test in Wisconsin if you cannot provide documentation that you completed a state-approved minimum 75-hour nurse aide training program or do not have employer verification that you worked as a nurse aide under the direction of a RN or LPN for at least 2,088 hours in the two years preceding your application to the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry.
  • Alabama applicants: If you originally trained in Alabama more than two years ago and are only certified in Alabama, you must also include employment verification that you worked as a nurse aide under the direction of RN/LPN during the previous two years.

I'm an out-of-state trained nurse aide who is inactive, but in good standing.

If you are a candidate from another state, but not active on another registry, you can apply to work as a nurse aide in Wisconsin. You will need to either renew your state's registry status or complete competency testing in Wisconsin. To apply to test, you must have completed a state-approved training program of 75 hours, including 16 hours of clinical work.

To apply for placement on the Wisconsin Nurse Aid Registry, you must complete an Out-of-State application. You can find a fillable application form on the Wisconsin Headmaster website.

Please carefully read the application directions before you complete and submit the out of state application form. Your request for reciprocity cannot be processed if it is incomplete, illegible or includes false statements.

Completing the online application form requires the following attachments:

  1. Proof of Training and/or Employment Verification
  2. Image of your social security card
  3. Image of your valid US government issued photo identification (state driver’s license, passport, or other signed, current, photo identification).

Your application is not complete until the required information is included, then select "Send Application."

Training proof: You must have completed a minimum 75-hour state-approved nurse aide training program to be considered for the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. The date of completion must be noted. State registry printouts and certificates that do not provide training program names or dates of completion are not acceptable.

Acceptable proof of training includes: a copy of diploma or transcripts from training program (with date of completion), or letter from the training program stating where and when you completed training.

You must retrain and test in Wisconsin if you have not completed a state-approved minimum 75-hour nurse aide training program.

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Last revised January 30, 2024