How to Become a CNA in New Jersey (2026 Guide)

Q: How much does it cost to become a CNA in New Jersey?

The state exam fee in New Jersey is $53. Training program costs vary — community college programs typically run $500–$1,500, while nursing home-sponsored programs may be free in exchange for a work commitment.

Becoming a CNA in New Jersey takes about 5–7 weeks. You'll complete 90 hours of approved training, pass a written and skills exam administered by PSI, and get listed on the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry. Starting pay averages $18.83/hr.

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New Jersey CNA — At a Glance

90h

Training required

5–7 weeks

Program length

$53

State exam fee

$18.83/hr

Avg starting pay

Exam vendor: PSINew Jersey Nurse Aide Registry →

How to Become a CNA in New Jersey: Step by Step

Follow these five steps to earn your CNA certification in New Jersey. Most candidates complete the process in 5–7 weeks.

1
Meet eligibility requirements
You must be at least 16 years old (18 for some employers), have a high school diploma or GED, pass a criminal background check, and complete a health screening including TB test. New Jersey uses the OBRA federal minimum standards as a baseline. Certain convictions are disqualifying — see our background check guide for details.
2
Complete 90 hours of state-approved training
Enroll in a state-approved CNA program — offered through community colleges, vocational schools, Red Cross chapters, and some nursing homes. Programs run 5–7 weeks and cover both classroom content and hands-on clinical hours. Hybrid programs (online classroom, in-person clinical) are available. Some long-term care facilities offer free training in exchange for a work commitment after you pass.
3
Pass the PSI competency exam
You must first pass a state-administered Skills exam before you're eligible to register for the Written (or Oral) exam. Once that's done, register with PSI and pay the $53 fee (English written) or $67 (oral) for a 60-question, 90-minute exam.
4
Get listed on the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both portions, PSI reports your results to the state. Your name is added to the official Nurse Aide Registry, which employers verify before hiring. To keep your listing active, you must work at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related care during each 24-month renewal period. Your employer also provides 12 hours of annual in-service training.
5
Apply for your first CNA position
With your registry listing active, you can apply to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, and adult day programs. Recent CNA grads are in high demand — most facilities post open positions year-round. Median pay for CNAs in New Jersey is $18.83/hr.

CNA Training Programs in New Jersey

New Jersey requires a minimum of 90 training hours, split between classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. Programs typically run 5–7 weeks full-time. Most approved programs include:

✓Community college programs — Usually $500–$1,500. Financial aid available. Daytime and evening options.
✓Vocational / career school programs — Accelerated format. Similar cost range.
✓Hospital & health system programs — May include job placement after passing the exam.
✓Nursing home-sponsored programs — Often free in exchange for a post-certification employment commitment.
✓American Red Cross programs — Available in many counties. Accepted by all states.

Find state-approved programs on the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry →

The New Jersey CNA Certification Exam

The written exam is administered by PSI. The skills evaluation is done separately by the State of New Jersey, before you're even eligible to register for the written exam. You must pass both to be certified.

Written (Knowledge) Test

60 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes
Covers New Jersey's skills exam is administered directly by the state (not PSI) and must be passed before you're even eligible to register for the written exam; no published percentage breakdown by content domain is available for the written exam
Minimum passing score required (varies by state)
Timed — check with PSI for specifics

Clinical Skills Test

5 randomly selected skills
Evaluated by a trained observer
All critical steps must be performed
Handwashing and safety steps observed on every skill

Exam fee: $53 (PSI's written exam fee only — the state-administered skills exam has its own separate fee, set by your training program)

Retake policy: 2 years from training completion to pass both the Skills and Written/Oral exams — but once you start testing, only 1 year from your first attempt to pass both, or you must restart the entire process

Free written practice test →Clinical skills checklists →

CNA Salary in New Jersey

Full salary breakdown →

$18.83/hr

Median hourly

$39K

Median annual

+1.52/hr

vs national avg

46,410 CNAs employed in New Jersey (BLS OEWS, May 2024). National median: $18.17/hr.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a CNA in New Jersey?

Most CNA programs in New Jersey take 5–7 weeks to complete. The state requires a minimum of 90 hours of approved training before you can sit for the certification exam.

How much does it cost to become a CNA in New Jersey?

The state exam fee is $53. Training program costs vary widely — community college programs typically run $500–$1,500, while some nursing homes offer free training in exchange for a post-certification work commitment.

Who administers the CNA exam in New Jersey?

The New Jersey nurse aide competency exam is administered by PSI. You register and schedule directly with them after completing your approved training program.

What happens if I fail the CNA exam in New Jersey?

If you fail one portion, you typically only need to retake that section — not both. 2 years from training completion to pass both the Skills and Written/Oral exams — but once you start testing, only 1 year from your first attempt to pass both, or you must restart the entire process. After exhausting your allowed attempts, most states require you to complete a new approved training program before testing again.