Missing your renewal deadline doesn’t mean starting over. Pennsylvania CNA certification renews every 24 months through the CNA365 portal operated by Credentia, and there is no fee. The main requirement is that you worked at least one documented day as a nurse aide in an approved facility during the past 24 months. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, your certification must show as “active” on the PA Nurse Aide Registry before you can submit your renewal.
This article covers the full renewal process, the employment requirement in plain terms, and what to do if your certification has already expired.
| Pennsylvania CNA Renewal | Details |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | Every 24 months |
| Renewal fee | Free |
| Platform | CNA365 at credentia.com |
| Operator | Credentia |
| Employment requirement | 1 documented day (8 hours of paid nursing-related services in a single 24-hour period) within 24 months |
| Registry status needed | Active |
| Expired less than 24 months | Contact Credentia: (888) 204-6249 |
| Expired more than 24 months | Contact PA DOH: (800) 254-5164 |
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Pennsylvania CNA Renewal Overview
Your Pennsylvania CNA programs certification is valid for two years. When it’s time to renew, everything happens online through CNA365, the portal operated by Credentia. This is not the same as logging into pa.gov. Many CNAs search the PA Department of Health website for a renewal form and come up empty. Go directly to credentia.com.
Renewal is free. There is no application fee, per the Credentia knowledge base.
The main eligibility gate is the employment requirement: you need to have worked at least one day as a nurse aide in an approved facility within the past 24 months. Section 2 breaks down exactly what counts.
If you’re moving to Pennsylvania from another state, renewal is not your first step. Start with our guide to transferring your CNA certification to Pennsylvania instead. Once you’ve established your PA registry status, renewal will follow the same 24-month cycle.
Renewal Timeline and Notifications
Credentia sends an email notification approximately 60 days before your certification expires. You can begin the renewal application in CNA365 as soon as you receive this notice. To find your exact expiration date, log into your CNA365 account and check your certification details.
Do not wait until the final week. Employer verification can sometimes take a few business days to process. After submitting, your registry status typically updates within 3 to 5 business days. If you don’t see the update, contact Credentia at (888) 204-6249.
Recommended timeline: Start checking your renewal eligibility 60 to 90 days before your expiration date.
CNA Renewal Requirements in Pennsylvania
Before you can complete your renewal, you need to meet two requirements: the employment documentation requirement and active registry status. This section is where most renewal confusion originates, so let’s be specific about both.
Employment Documentation Requirement
The employment requirement catches more CNAs off guard than anything else in the renewal process. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, here is what you need to confirm before starting your renewal:
- You worked at least one day, defined as 8 hours of paid nursing-related services within a single 24-hour period, per Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry requirements. If your shifts are shorter than 8 hours or spread across multiple days, they do not satisfy this requirement. Contact Credentia at (888) 204-6249 to confirm whether your employment qualifies.
- The work was paid, not volunteer
- The facility was an approved healthcare facility (see the table below)
- The work occurred within the past 24 months
- You are currently listed as “active” on the PA Nurse Aide Registry
Volunteer work does not count. This is explicit in PA DOH regulations. If you volunteered at a care facility but were not paid, that time cannot be used to satisfy the employment requirement, regardless of how many hours you logged.
Before starting renewal, check your current registry status to confirm you’re listed as active. If your status shows anything other than “active,” contact Credentia before submitting a renewal application.
What counts as an approved facility?
| Qualifies | Does NOT Qualify |
|---|---|
| Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facilities (SNFs) | Private-duty home care (hired directly by a family) |
| DOH-licensed hospitals employing nurse aides | Personal care homes (unless dual-licensed as SNF) |
| Medicare-certified home health agencies | Non-certified assisted living residences |
| Long-term care facilities | Doctor’s offices |
| Staffing agency hours, only if placed at a qualifying facility above | Out-of-state facilities (confirm with Credentia) |
If your facility isn’t on either list, contact Credentia at (888) 204-6249 with your facility name and setting before starting your renewal.
In-Service Education (Employer Obligation)
One requirement you do not need to arrange yourself: continuing education. Under Pennsylvania nursing care facility regulations, your employer is required to provide 12 hours of annual in-service education for nurse aides. This is the employer’s obligation, not yours.
You do not need to seek out online courses, pay for training, or track down continuing education credits on your own time. The in-service training your employer delivers each year IS the education requirement for your renewal. There is no separate CNA continuing education component beyond what your employer provides.
Now that you know whether you qualify, here is how to complete the process online.
How to Renew Your CNA Online Through CNA365
Pennsylvania CNA renewal online takes about 15 minutes once you have your information ready.
Before You Renew: Name or Address Changes
If your legal name or mailing address has changed since your last renewal, update your information in CNA365 before submitting your renewal application. For name changes, you will need to upload legal documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) through the portal. Your registry name must match your current legal name for the renewal to process. If you need help updating your records, contact Credentia at (888) 204-6249.
What to Have Ready
Before you log in, gather:
- Your PA Nurse Aide Registry number (if you have it)
- Your employer's name and full facility address
- Approximate dates of your most recent qualifying employment
Step-by-Step Renewal Process
- Go to CNA365 at credentia.com and log in to your account.
- If you have never used CNA365 before, create an account first. This is a common blocker for CNAs who certified before the portal existed or who haven't renewed online before.
- Navigate to the renewal section within your account dashboard.
- Confirm your employment information. You'll verify that you worked at least one documented day (8 hours of paid nursing-related services in a single 24-hour period) in an approved facility within the past 24 months.
- Review your registry status to confirm it shows as active.
- Submit your renewal application. There is no fee.
After submitting, your registry status will update to reflect the renewal. If you don't see your status update within a few business days, contact Credentia at (888) 204-6249.
If you lost access to your CNA365 account, use the account recovery option on the credentia.com login page before calling support. Most account issues can be resolved online.
If you don't meet the employment requirement or your certification has already lapsed, the next section covers your options.
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What Happens If Your Pennsylvania CNA Certification Expires
If your certification has expired, you have options. The path forward depends on how long your certification has been inactive.
When certification expires, your status on the PA Nurse Aide Registry becomes inactive. With inactive status, you cannot legally work as a CNA in Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities in Pennsylvania, per the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The longer you wait, the more steps may be required to reinstate.
Expired Less Than 24 Months
If your certification expired less than 24 months ago and you worked at least 8 qualifying paid hours during that period, reinstatement typically requires retaking the competency exam ($135 for both portions) but does not require completing a new training program.
If you have not worked 8 qualifying hours in the past 24 months, you must pass the PA nurse aide competency exam to reactivate. Retraining may also be required depending on your circumstances.
Contact Credentia at (888) 204-6249 to confirm what applies to your case before paying any fees. For policy questions, contact PA DOH Nurse Aide Registry at (800) 254-5164.
Expired More Than 24 Months
If your certification has been expired for more than 24 months, you will likely need to retake the competency exam. According to PA DOH testing guidelines, the exam includes a 60-question written portion and a skills evaluation. Retest fees per Credentia's fee schedule:
| Retest Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written + Skills (both) | $135 |
| Written exam only | $50 |
| Skills evaluation only | $85 |
You may also need to complete a new state-approved training program. For tips on retaking the CNA exam or to find approved programs if you need to retrain, see our guide to becoming a CNA in Pennsylvania.
Contact PA DOH directly at (800) 254-5164 for guidance on your specific case. The exact requirements depend on your circumstances, and both Credentia and PA DOH can tell you what applies to your situation.