Arizona CNA License Lookup

How to Look Up a CNA License in Arizona

To look up a CNA license in Arizona, go to the AZBN Verification Portal. Search by name, not license number. The portal’s number search often returns “no results” for nursing assistants because the number format varies by credential type (UCNA, CNA, LNA), and selecting the wrong type returns nothing useful.

The Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) maintains the official Nurse Aide Registry, which covers CNA certification and all nursing assistant credentials in Arizona. The same portal handles verification for Certified Medication Assistants (CMA), Licensed Health Aides (LHA), School Nurses (SN), and all nursing licenses.

Quick Reference	Details
Portal URL	azbn.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup
Best search method	Search by Name (not License Number)
Credential types	UCNA, CNA, LNA, CMA, LHA, SN
AZBN phone	(602) 771-7800
Registry timing (new grads)	2–4 weeks after passing exam (call (602) 771-7800 if longer)
CNA renewal	Every 2 years, free

Here’s exactly how to use the portal.

Step-by-Step: Using the AZBN Verification Portal

For Arizona CNA license verification, follow these five steps:

1. Go to the AZBN Verification Portal. Navigate to azbn.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup. You’ll see two search tabs at the top of the page.

2. Click the “Search by Name” tab. Do not use the “License Number” tab for nursing assistants. Name search is more reliable because it doesn’t require knowing the credential type prefix in advance.

3. Enter last name and first name. Type the person’s last name in the first field and first name in the second. Both fields are required.

4. Select the credential type from the dropdown. This step is where most searches stall. You must choose one of the following: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Uncertified Nursing Assistant (UCNA), Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), Certified Medication Assistant (CMA), Licensed Health Aide (LHA), or School Nurse (SN). If you’re unsure which credential type the person holds, select CNA first, then try UCNA and LNA if no results appear.

5. Complete the security verification and review results. If a CAPTCHA appears, complete it. Results display the person’s name, credential type, current status (active/expired/revoked), and expiration date.

Troubleshooting “No Results Found”

If you’re not finding results, you’re in good company:

“I keep searching my name on the azbn portal and nothing comes up. i passed my test 3 weeks ago. starting to freak out that something went wrong”

(Reddit user)

In most cases, the fix is simple. Here are the top three reasons the portal returns no results.

1. Wrong credential type selected. Return to Step 4 and try each type in sequence: CNA, then UCNA, then LNA. A new graduate who finished training but hasn’t yet passed the exam appears as UCNA, not CNA.

2. Name mismatch. Check whether the person used a maiden name or different legal name. Look for an “Other Names” checkbox in the portal and select it if available.

3. Searching by license number without the correct prefix. Each credential type uses a different number format. If you used the License Number tab, switch to “Search by Name” instead.

If you still can’t locate results after trying all credential types and name variations, contact AZBN directly at (602) 771-7800.

Arizona Nursing Assistant Credential Types: UCNA vs CNA vs LNA

Arizona has three distinct credential levels for nursing assistants, and knowing the difference directly affects how you search the registry.

UCNA (Uncertified Nursing Assistant)

After completing an approved CNA training and certification program, you’re placed on the Arizona registry as a UCNA. Per Arizona Administrative Code R4-19-802, the minimum requirement is 120 hours: 40 hours classroom, 20 hours lab, and 40 hours clinical (at least 20 of those clinical hours in a long-term care facility). As a UCNA, you can work under licensed nurse supervision while preparing for the state exam. You must pass both exam portions within two years of completing training.

CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

After passing the CNA exam administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), your registry status upgrades to CNA. The written exam is 75 questions in 90 minutes with a 75% passing threshold. The skills exam tests 3–4 randomly selected clinical tasks within 40 minutes. There’s no fingerprint requirement at the CNA level. For more on what CNAs do in daily practice, see our overview.

LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant)

LNA is the highest nursing assistant credential in Arizona. Unlike CNA certification, LNA is a Board-issued license, not just a registry listing. It requires a separate AZBN application. According to the AZBN CNA/LNA/CMA Fact Sheet, the costs are: $50 application fee plus $50 fingerprint criminal history fee, totaling $100 beyond your existing CNA credential. LNA status carries a broader scope of practice than CNA.

Feature	UCNA	CNA	LNA
Status	On registry	On registry	Licensed by AZBN
Requirement	Complete approved program	Pass state exam	CNA + application + fingerprints
Cost (beyond training)	$0	~$130 exam fee	+$100 ($50 app + $50 fingerprints)
Scope	Supervised practice	Full CNA scope	Expanded scope
Renewal	Must test within 2 years	Every 2 years (free)	Every 2 years

This confusion is common among Arizona nursing assistants:

“Wait so whats the difference between a CNA and LNA in arizona? i passed my exam and im on the registry but my job is telling me i need to be an LNA?? do i have to pay MORE money”

(Reddit user)

The table above clarifies each credential type. The short answer: CNA means you passed the exam. LNA requires a separate application with fingerprints, totaling $100.

Arizona contracts with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for CNA testing. Our CNA exam vendors by state guide has vendor contact details if you’re transferring from another state.

For the full breakdown of training requirements and the CNA vs LNA decision, see our complete guide to becoming a CNA in Arizona. And once you know your credential level, check current Arizona CNA salaries to understand how each level affects your earning potential.

Why Credential Type Matters for License Lookup

Each Arizona nursing assistant credential type uses a different number format in the AZBN portal. If you search by license number under the wrong credential type, the system returns “No Results” even when the person is actively on the registry. That’s the most common cause of failed portal searches for nursing assistants, which is precisely why name search is more reliable. When you search by name and try each credential type in sequence (UCNA, CNA, LNA), you’ll find the record if it exists.

What Information the Arizona Registry Shows

When you search the AZBN Verification Portal, here’s exactly what you’ll see and what you won’t.

The Registry Shows	The Registry Does NOT Show
Full name	Home address
Credential type (UCNA, CNA, LNA)	Current employer
Active/expired/revoked status	Disciplinary action details
Expiration date	Pay or employment history

For discipline history on a specific credential holder, you’ll need to contact AZBN directly at (602) 771-7800.

One additional check for employers: the OIG (Office of Inspector General) Exclusion List. Federal guidelines direct healthcare employers to check whether an applicant has been excluded from participating in federally funded healthcare programs. This is a separate federal system from the state registry and requires its own search. Running both the AZBN registry check and the OIG exclusion check gives you the most complete pre-hire picture.

For Employers: Verifying CNA Credentials in Arizona

If you’re hiring CNAs in Arizona, the AZBN Verification Portal is your official primary source for credential verification, per AZBN primary source verification policy.

Here’s the employer workflow:

1. Search by name. Enter the applicant’s last and first name. A name search returns all credentials the person holds across all types.
2. Confirm the credential type matches the application. CNA and LNA carry different scopes of practice, and that distinction matters for job duties.
3. Check active status and expiration date. Confirm the credential reads “Active” and note the expiration date for your tracking calendar.
4. Look for multiple credential types. A candidate may have progressed from UCNA to CNA or CNA to LNA. Searching by name surfaces the complete credential picture.

One important distinction for your hiring workflow: Nursys.com is for RNs and LPNs, not CNAs. If you need to verify a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Arizona, Nursys.com is the correct system. For nursing assistant verification (UCNA, CNA, LNA), use the AZBN portal. Searching the wrong system returns nothing and costs you time.

For bulk verification requests or questions about a specific record, contact AZBN at (602) 771-7800, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. For broader CNA career context, including scope of practice and advancement paths, see our CNA career resource.

Arizona Nurse Aide Registry: Key Facts

The Arizona Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN). The registry covers nursing assistant credentials (UCNA, CNA, LNA) plus Certified Medication Assistants (CMA), Licensed Health Aides (LHA), and School Nurses (SN). If you’re looking for contact information, renewal requirements, or confirmation that your credential type is covered, this section has it all in one place.

AZBN Contact:
– Phone: (602) 771-7800
– Address: 1740 W. Adams St., Suite 2000, Phoenix, AZ 85007
– Hours: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm

CNA renewal, per the AZBN renewal page: Your CNA certification renews every two years at no cost. You must have worked at least 8 paid hours performing nursing assistant duties under licensed nurse supervision within the past 24 months to qualify. If your certification has been expired for more than two years, you can’t renew through the standard process. You’ll need to requalify by passing the state competency exam again.

If you’re still researching Arizona CNA programs before getting certified, AZBN maintains the approved program list on their site. If you’re already certified and want context on career options, see why become a CNA in Arizona.