CNA Initial Application

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Initial Application

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Requirements:

Federal law (OBRA 87) mandates that nurse aides working in long-term care facilities (nursing homes) be registered pursuant to ARSD 44:74:02:02
Nurse aides shall meet the following minimum qualifications of training, competency evaluation, registry status, and performance:

  1. Successful completion of a training program and a competency evaluation program approved by the department pursuant to ARSD 44:74:02:07 and ARSD 44:74:02:17
  2. Verification from the department of current registry status or eligibility for inclusion on the registry;
  3. Acceptable employment performance as a nurse aide as documented by the aide's supervisor;
  4. Annual attendance at a minimum of 12 hours of in-service education related to results of performance review and of special resident needs; and
  5. Acceptable employment performance as a nurse aide as documented by the aide's supervisor;
Nurse Aide Training Programs and In-service Training Questions sduap@state.sd.us

CNA Training Costs

Nurse aides who get training in Medicare or Medicaid funded nursing homes or assisted living facilities can work while completing training. In those situations, the training is free per requirements of the federal OBRA 87 law. ARSD 44:74:02:06 Nursing facility required to pay costs of training and competency evaluation. The law says:

  • The nurse aide who is employed by a facility when nurse aide training begins cannot be charged for any portion of the program, including course materials
  • The nurse aide who is employed by a facility within 12 months of completing a Certified Nurse Aide training program will be reimbursed by the nursing facility
The student may be employed for up to four (4) months while training but must obtain registry status before the end of the four months.

Initial CNA Online Application Process:

Print the CNA Training Enrollment Verification form and have current employer, organization or school complete. This must be done prior to starting the online application process. The completed form must be uploaded during the online application.

Link to the CNA Training Enrollment Verification Form

Complete the Initial CNA Application and submit the necessary documents before enrolling in a CNA Training Program.
Allow up to 5-7 business days for the South Dakota Department of Health Office of Licensure and Certification to process your application.
There is no fee to process this application.
Your application will not be processed if all applicable questions are not answered.



Application Questions: DOH