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CNA license lookup: how to check the nurse aide registry

Check a CNA on the state nurse aide registry's own search tool. Federal rules make nursing homes verify the registry before an aide starts work.

Checked November 15, 2026
A caregiver helping an older man at home
Photo: Pexels

Short answer: To check a certified nursing assistant (CNA), search the nurse aide registry of the state where the aide is certified, using that state's own online lookup tool. Every state must keep a registry under federal rules, and a nursing home must check it before an aide starts work and must look at every other state registry it believes holds information on that person.

A decision tree for a CNA registry lookup: search the state registry, then read the result as active, expired, or with a finding, or not listed

Federal rules call this list the nurse aide registry, so a "CNA license lookup" is usually a registry search. This page explains where to look and how to read the result. We do not show anyone's record, and we do not run a lookup tool. Always use the state's own site.

Where to look: five state examples

State Official lookup Who runs it
North Carolina https://ncnar.ncdhhs.gov/verify_listings1.jsp NC Department of Health and Human Services
Texas https://tulip.hhs.texas.gov/TULIP/s/public-search (Employability Status Check Search) Texas Health and Human Services
New York https://registry.prometric.com/registry/public Prometric, for the NYS Department of Health
Florida https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Home Florida Department of Health
California https://cvl.cdph.ca.gov/SearchPage.aspx California Department of Public Health

For any other state, search for "[state name] nurse aide registry" and choose the result on the state government's own website (it usually ends in .gov) or the page the state links to. Federal rules let a state hire a company to run its registry, so some official searches are on a company site. Prometric, for example, hosts the public searches for Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico and New York.

How to search

  1. Pick the right state. The aide is listed in the state where they were certified, and they may be listed in more than one state.
  2. Enter the name or certificate number, as the tool asks. Spelling matters, and a recent name change may not show yet.
  3. Match the person. Use the details the state shows to be sure you have the right person, not someone with the same name.
  4. Read the status and the dates. Then read any notes about findings.
  5. Keep a record. If you are an employer, save the dated result in line with your state's rules and your own policy.

What the result means

Words differ by state, but most results fall into these groups.

What you see What it means
Active, or in good standing The aide met the training and testing rules and the listing has not expired. North Carolina defines good standing as active (not expired) with no findings.
Expired, or lapsed The listing ran out, often because the aide did not report enough paid work. Texas says a registration expires if the aide did not do nursing-related work and 24 hours of in-service education in 24 months.
Finding, or substantiated finding The state survey agency found that the aide abused or neglected a resident or misappropriated a resident's property.
Not listed The person may be listed in another state, under another name, or may have passed so recently that the listing is not yet added.

About findings

Federal rules say only the state survey agency can place a finding of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of property on the registry. The finding must be added within 10 working days and stays permanently, unless it was made in error, a court found the person not guilty, or the person has died. The aide may add a statement disputing the finding, and the registry must give that statement to anyone who asks about the finding.

North Carolina says nursing homes may not hire nurse aides who have substantiated findings of this kind in a nursing home.

What employers must check under federal rules

Under 42 CFR 483.35, a nursing home that takes Medicare or Medicaid must:

  • receive registry verification that the person has met the competency requirements before letting them work as a nurse aide;
  • seek information from every state registry it believes will have information on the person;
  • follow up to make sure that a person who has just passed, but is not yet listed, actually becomes registered;
  • not use anyone as a nurse aide full time for more than 4 months unless that person is competent and has completed an approved program.

New York adds its own rule: from August 1, 2026, the state no longer issues paper certificates, and facilities must verify status directly on the New York registry.

If your own listing is wrong

Federal rules give every aide the right to correct mistakes in their registry entry, and the state must give you the information it holds on you when you ask. Contact your state registry directly. To keep your listing active, see CNA registry: how to get listed and stay active.

What to do next

  1. Use the official lookup for the aide's state from the table or the state's .gov site.
  2. If the aide has worked in other states, search those registries too.
  3. If you find an error in your own record, contact the registry in writing.

Common questions

Can I check by phone?

Some states allow it. New York's manual says its registry is open for verification 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone at 800.321.6443 or online.

Is there one national CNA lookup?

No official one. Each state keeps its own registry, which is why federal rules tell employers to check every state that may have information.

How soon does a new CNA appear?

Federal rules allow up to 30 days after the person passes. North Carolina says 2 to 5 business days after passing.

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