Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

A Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) is just another name for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The duties LNAs and CNAs perform are essentially the same and they both work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). While the core duties and skills are similar, there might be slight variations in training requirements or scope of practice depending on the state. Currently, the only state that uses the term LNA solely is New Hampshire and Arizona has both CNAs and LNAs. However, some facilities, even in states that use CNA terminology, may use the LNA terminology, but it’s still essentially the same role, just with a different name.

Completion Time: Becoming an LNA usually takes less than a year. Most LNA programs last between 4 and 12 weeks, but some might take up to 6 months or longer to finish.

Cost in New Hampshire: $66 application fee (includes mandatory $28 Professional Health Program fee) and $47 fingerprinting fee 

Cost in Arizona: $50 application fee and $50 fingerprinting fee

Cost in Other States: Check with the nursing board

Applicants can become an LNA in Arizona by endorsement or exam. 

Applicants can become an LNA in New Hampshire through comparable education or exam. To take the written competency exam, applicants must contact one of the following services or agencies:

Competency Testing Services

Lakes Region Community College
379 Belmont Road
Laconia, NH 03246
Phone: (603) 366-5341
Contact: Cathy Weigel
Email: [email protected]

Competency Testing Agencies

Excel Testing
70 Market Street
Manchester, NH 03101
Phone: 1-844-516-0600
Fax: (603) 664-4300

In any other state where you need an LNA designation but the state uses the CNA designation, follow the state’s CNA requirements and talk to the facility requiring an LNA designation to learn its specific requirements for the role.

In Arizona:

• Graduate from an approved in-state nursing assistant program

• Submission of a LNA Exam application

• Earn a passing score on the NA Exam

• Upload documentation regarding citizenship/nationality/alien status

• Submit a complete set of fingerprints to obtain State and Federal criminal background checks

• Pay licensure fee

In New Hampshire:

• Complete online application

• Upload LNA education certificate

• Upload final report of Written and Clinical Competency Testing results 

• Complete a criminal background check

• Pay licensure fee

LNA renewal in Arizona must occur every 2 years and requires:

• Complete an online application

• Minimum of 160 paid practice hours over the last 2 years

• No mandatory continuing education requirements

• $50 renewal fee

LNA renewal in New Hampshire must occur every 2 years and requires:

• Complete an online application

• Minimum of 200 paid practice hours over the last 2 years

• 24 contact hours of continuing education

• $66 renewal fee

Arizona doesn’t require continuing education for LNA renewal if the applicant meets practice requirements.

New Hampshire requires 24 contact hours of continuing education in the 2 years immediately preceding licensure, including conferences, lectures or other education offerings designed to enhance nursing assistant knowledge, judgment and skills.

• NCSBN Medication Aide Certification Exam (MACE)

• NCSBN National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)

• NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT-A)

• NCBAC Certified Alzheimer Caregiver (CAC)

• HPCC Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA)