How to Become a CNA in Oregon

The Oregon State Board of Nursing issues licenses for all Certified Nurse Assistants. There is no age requirement to become a CNA. However, some training programs require students to be of a minimum age. You must graduate from an accredited CNA training school. This school does not have to be located in Oregon.

There are many flexible options for CNA training. Some schools offer programs with 4-week CNA classes for students who want accelerated programs to get certified as fast as possible. There are also hybrid options with some online CNA classes and clinical classes at a local school. You can also take CNA classes en Español. Use the Free School Finder at the top of the page to search CNA schools near you with your zip code.

The state of Oregon has a unique designation for Certified Nurse Assistants. There are two levels; CNA I and CNA II. All CNAs must first start with Level 1 and can promote to Level II with additional education and experience. CNA II nurses must still be under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). Responsibilities that CNA II nurses can only perform include tasks such as mentoring peers, crisis intervention, cultural responsiveness, adjusting oxygen rate of flow, screening newborn hearing, using audio or visual guides for therapy, etc. To see a complete list of skills performed by CNA I and II, please visit here. A CNA I program in Oregon must include 24 hours of classroom instruction. A CNA II program must include at least 60 hours of classroom/lab and 28 hours of clinical. 

Once you’ve graduated from your accredited CNA program in Oregon, you must submit an application to the Oregon State Board of Nursing. As part of this application you’ll need to pass a criminal background screening. The Oregon State Police and the FBI will process the background check and results are sent to the Oregon Board of Nursing. Part of the background check includes a submission of fingerprints. The Oregon State Board of Nursing partners with Fieldprint Inc. to collect electronic fingerprints. Once you apply for your CNA License in Oregon, you’ll be sent an email to schedule an appointment on Fieldprint’s website. There are many locations throughout the state with Livescan machines to collect digital fingerprints. You’ll need two forms of identification and the cost is $64.50. For additional information consult the state’s fingerprinting review. 

The state nursing board will review your application. Once your application is approved you’ll be eligible to schedule your test date. You must take the state exam within 1 year of graduating from your CNA program. It’s recommended you take a free CNA practice exam to prepare.

Once you pass the state exam, congratulations! You’ll receive your license and be listed on the Oregon Nursing Registry.

A Closer Look at CNA Training

A CNA program in Oregon will include nurse assistant training before taking the state exam and becoming certified. Introductory hours consist of knowledge of rules, infection control, and patients’ rights and well as manual skills such and dressing and bathing patients. You can expect to take CNA classes that cover topics such as:

• Client Rights

• Recording Vitals

• Administering Medication

• Data Collection

• Ethics

• Emergency Procedures

• Hygiene

• Disease Process

• Healthcare Laws

• Age Development

• Caring for the Impaired

The CNA Training Program can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000, depending on the program. For example, the American Red Cross program costs $1,300. Some programs have inclusive tuition and other programs charge separately for textbooks, lab fees, etc. There are also opportunities for free CNA classes in Oregon if you get a job at a nursing home that will sponsor your training and state testing fees.

The CNA Test in Oregon

The Oregon State Board of Nursing contracts with the Headmaster Testing Service to administer the CNA state exam in Oregon. There are many test site locations throughout the state and you can schedule a test date here. Make sure you arrive 30 minutes before your test time. Nothing will be allowed in the testing room such as cell phones, smart watches, fitness monitors, purses, backpacks, etc. You can expect to be at the test site for up to 8 hours. Once all students are checked in, the written knowledge test will be administered first.

The Oregon-approved Nursing Assistant Level-1 Test consists of written and manual portions. The knowledge test is a written, multiple-choice test with 80 questions. You will have a maximum 90 minutes to complete the test. You must score at least 73% to pass the exam. You can also request to take the knowledge test orally instead of written. However, this will need to be requested when you submit your application. There is also an additional $30 fee to take the test orally. 

After the written knowledge test is complete, everyone will be assigned slot times for the manual skills test. During the manual skills test you’ll demonstrate your ability to perform clinical nursing tasks. If you have any kind of recent physical impairment, such as a cast or crutches, you won’t be able to participate in the manual skills test and will need to reschedule. Exceptions are made for pre-approved candidates with disabilities. A Registered Nurse (RN) will be administering the test. There are a total of 30 possible skills you’ll be tested on. The RN will notify you on-the-spot which 3-4 randomly-selected skills you’ll be demonstrating. You’ll have 45 minutes to complete these 3-4 tasks.

Exam results will be available 3-5 days after the test date on the Headmaster website. For more information regarding retests or rescheduled exams, consult the CNA Candidate Handbook or call Headmaster Testing Service at (800) 393-8664.