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 are 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

• Complete a state approved Nurse Aide Training Program.
  • Nurse Aide Training Program listing (PDF).
  • See the map of training programs.
• Review the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (PDF).
• Pass the competency exam, which includes a written knowledge test and a skill test.

WisCaregiver Careers

WisCaregiver Careers offers free training to learn more about the rewards of a caregiving career.

Visit the WisCaregiver Careers website

I'm a student nurse

If you are a student nurse, you can apply to take the State of Wisconsin Nurse Aide competency examinations if you meet the following criteria:

• You are currently enrolled in a Wisconsin Board of Nursing approved pre-licensure program of nursing education, or you are enrolled in an approved program of nursing schools in another state. DSPS's list of approved nursing schools.
• You have successfully completed a fundamentals of nursing course or equivalent and can provide a transcript.

To apply for approval to take the Wisconsin Nurse Aide competency examinations, you must complete a Nursing Student Training Requirement Waiver 1101 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 nursing student training requirement waiver form. Your request cannot be processed if it is incomplete, illegible or includes false statements.

Completing the online application form requires the following attachments:

• Transcript showing passing grade for fundamentals of nursing course (does not need to be official)

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

Once you have been approved to test, please review the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (PDF).

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).

If you are a graduate nurse that has not completed the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN you can apply to take the State of Wisconsin Nurse Aide competency examinations if you meet the following criteria:

• You have successfully completed a fundamentals of nursing course or equivalent and can provide a transcript.

To apply for approval to take the Wisconsin Nurse Aide competency examinations, you must complete a Nursing Student Training Requirement Waiver 1101 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 nursing student training requirement waiver form. Your request cannot be processed if it is incomplete, illegible or includes false statements.

Completing the online application form requires the following attachments:

• Transcript showing passing grade for fundamentals of nursing course (does not need to be official)

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

Once you have been approved to test, please review the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (PDF).

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 (registered nurse) or LPN (licensed practical nurse).

If you are a graduate nurse that has not completed the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN you can apply to take the State of Wisconsin Nurse Aide competency examinations if you meet the following criteria:

• You have successfully completed a fundamentals of nursing course or equivalent and can provide a transcript.

To apply for approval to take the Wisconsin Nurse Aide competency examinations, you must complete a Nursing Student Training Requirement Waiver 1101 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 nursing student training requirement waiver form. Your request cannot be processed if it is incomplete, illegible or includes false statements.

Completing the online application form requires the following attachments:

• Transcript showing passing grade for fundamentals of nursing course (does not need to be official)

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

Once you have been approved to test, please review the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (PDF).

I'm a currently a practicing RN or LPN

If you are a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse in good standing in Wisconsin, you may apply for approval to take the Wisconsin Nurse Aide competency examinations for inclusion on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. You must complete a Nursing Student Training Requirement Waiver 1101 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 nursing student training requirement waiver form. Your request cannot be processed if it is incomplete, illegible or includes false statements.

Completing the online application form requires the following attachments:

• Copy of Wisconsin RN or LPN license

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

Once you have been approved to test, please review the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (PDF).

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.

Financial support

In accordance with 42 CFR 483.152(c) a nurse aide who is employed by a skilled nursing facility, or who has an offer of employment from a skilled nursing facility on the date they begin a nurse aide training program, cannot be charged for any portion of the program (including testing).

If a nurse aide becomes employed by a skilled nursing facility within 12 months after completing a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, they are eligible to be reimbursed by the facility for their training and testing cost at a rate that is determined by Wisconsin Medicaid. For more information please visit ForwardHealth Nurse Aide Training and Testing Reimbursement.

Need assistance with training costs? Below are programs that may be available to assist with costs.

• WisCaregivers Careers is a free training program to become a nurse aide through employment with participating skilled nursing facilities.
• Wisconsin FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) is a free program that helps FoodShare members build their job skills and find jobs.
• Job Center of Wisconsin - WIOA and TAA participants maybe able to access funds for nurse aide training. Participants must receive approval from their career planner to receive training funds.

Related topics

• See our nurse aide frequently asked questions for more information.
• Read our nurse aide statistics.
• Learn about Wisconsin Nurse Aide Training Programs (PDF).
• View the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry on Wisconsin TestMaster Universe.