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CNA license verification

Verifying a certified nursing assistant works differently from verifying an RN or LPN — and knowing why is the whole answer. A CNA is listed on a state nurse aide registry, not usually on Nursys.

How do I verify a CNA or nursing assistant certification?

A CNA (certified nursing assistant) holds a certification on a state nurse aide registry, not a nursing license, so you verify it through that state’s nurse aide registry — usually run by the state health department or board of nursing — rather than through Nursys, which covers RN and LPN/LVN licenses. Look up your state’s nurse aide registry and search by name or certificate number to confirm the certification is active and in good standing. CompactStates.com is an independent guide and does not store or look up individual records.

Last reviewed 2026-06-17

Why CNA verification is different

The words “license” and “verification” get used loosely, but the distinction matters here:

  • RN and LPN/LVN hold a license from a board of nursing, verified on Nursys QuickConfirm or the board.
  • CNA / nurse aide holds a certification listed on a state nurse aide registry. Federal rules require states to maintain these registries for nurse aides who work in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities.

Because the registry is a separate system, a CNA usually will not appear on Nursys. A few states surface some nurse aide records there, but the registry is the authoritative source.

How to find your state’s nurse aide registry

Registries are state-run and organised differently from state to state, but the path is consistent:

  • Search for your state’s nurse aide registry — it is typically hosted by the state health department or board of nursing.
  • Use the registry’s online lookup, searching by name or certificate/registry number.
  • Confirm the certification is active and in good standing, and note the renewal date.

Each state page links to that state’s board of nursing, which is the right starting point when the registry is run by the board. We deliberately do not publish per-state registry fees, renewal periods, or requirements, because those are set by each state and change — confirm them on the official registry.

Does the nursing compact cover CNAs?

No. The Nurse Licensure Compact covers RN and LPN/LVN licenses only — there is no multistate CNA certification, and a certification from one state does not carry to another through the compact. See is there a compact license for CNAs? If you are moving, you generally apply to the new state’s registry (often by reciprocity), which is a registry process, not a compact one.

Frequently asked questions

Usually not. Nursys QuickConfirm covers RN and LPN/LVN licenses. A CNA holds a certification on a state nurse aide registry, so you verify it through that registry — typically run by the state health department or board of nursing — not through Nursys.

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