Where to search for a CNA license
A Certified Nursing Assistant license is held in the state where you earned it, not at a federal level. To look up whether someone holds a valid CNA license, you search the nursing board website for that specific state. Each state maintains its own registry of licensed CNAs, and the process and website differ by state.
The fastest way to find the right website is to search "[your state] nursing board CNA license lookup" or "[your state] CNA registry." Most state nursing boards have a public search tool on their homepage. If you cannot find it there, call the board's main number — they can direct you to the search page or tell you if they do not offer public lookup.
You will need either the person's full name or their license number to search. If you have the license number, that search is usually faster and more precise. Some states also let you search by the city or county where the person works.
Key Takeaways
- CNA licenses are issued and tracked by the state nursing board where the person was certified, not by a national database.
- Most state nursing boards have a free public search tool on their website where you can look up a CNA by name or license number.
- If you cannot find the search tool online, call your state nursing board directly and they will tell you how to look up a license.
- A valid CNA license shows the person's name, license number, issue date, and expiration date.
How to use your state's CNA search tool
Once you reach your state nursing board's search page, the steps are straightforward. Enter the CNA's full name in the search box — use the spelling exactly as it appears on their license if you know it. Some systems are case-sensitive or will not return results if you use a nickname instead of the legal first name.
If the name search returns no results, try searching by license number instead. The license number is usually printed on the CNA's ID badge or certification card. A number search is more reliable because it cannot be affected by spelling variations or name changes.
Once you find the person's record, the page will show their license status (active, inactive, expired, or suspended), the date the license was issued, and the date it expires. Some states also list any disciplinary actions or restrictions on the license. If the status shows "active" and the expiration date is in the future, the license is currently valid.
What to do if you cannot find the person's license
If your search returns no results, the person may not hold a CNA license in that state, or they may hold it under a different name than the one you searched. Ask the person directly for their license number — that is the most reliable way to confirm. If they cannot provide it, ask them which state they were certified in, because some people hold licenses in multiple states.
It is also possible the license has expired and is no longer listed in the active registry. Some states keep expired licenses in a searchable archive; others remove them after a certain number of years. If you need to confirm whether someone was ever licensed, call the nursing board and ask whether they can search their historical records.
If the person claims to be a CNA but you cannot find any record, that is a red flag. A legitimate CNA will have a current, searchable license in at least one state. Do not hire or work with someone who cannot produce a valid license.
Understanding license status and expiration dates
A CNA license that shows "active" means the person is currently licensed to work. The expiration date tells you when that license will no longer be valid unless the person renews it. Renewal requirements vary by state — some require renewal every two years, others every three or four years. The person is responsible for renewing before the expiration date.
If a license shows "expired," the person is no longer licensed to work as a CNA in that state, even if they were previously certified. They would need to complete a renewal process or retake the certification exam to work again. Some states allow a grace period after expiration to renew without retesting; others require the full exam.
A status of "suspended" or "revoked" means the license has been taken away, usually because of a violation or disciplinary action. The search results may show the reason. A person with a suspended or revoked license cannot work as a CNA in that state and may face legal consequences if they do.
Searching for a CNA in a state where you do not live
If you need to look up a CNA in a state other than your own, the process is the same — find that state's nursing board website and use their search tool. The challenge is knowing which state to search. If the person works in one state but was certified in another, you may need to search both.
Some CNAs hold licenses in multiple states, especially if they have moved or worked across state lines. If your first search does not find them, ask which state they were originally certified in. You can also search the state where they currently work, since many states require CNAs to be licensed in the state where they are employed.
If you are hiring a CNA for a healthcare facility, your employer should have a process for verifying licenses before hiring. Many facilities use a third-party verification service that checks licenses across multiple states at once. Ask your human resources department whether they perform this check.
Why you might need to look up a CNA license
The most common reason to look up a CNA license is to verify that someone you are hiring or working with is actually certified. If you are a patient or family member, you may want to confirm that a caregiver is licensed before allowing them to provide care. If you are a healthcare facility manager, you are likely required by law to verify licenses before employment.
You might also look up a license to check whether a CNA has any disciplinary history or restrictions. Some licenses come with conditions — for example, a CNA might be licensed only to work in a hospital setting, not in home care. The search results will show these restrictions if they exist.
In some cases, you may be looking up your own license to confirm it is still active or to find your license number for a job process. The same public search tool works for this purpose.
What information appears in a CNA license record
A typical CNA license record shows the person's full name, license number, the date the license was issued, and the expiration date. It also shows the current status — active, inactive, expired, suspended, or revoked. Some states include the person's address or the facility where they work, though many states have removed this information for privacy reasons.
If there are any restrictions or disciplinary actions on the license, those are usually listed. For example, a record might note that the CNA is licensed only for hospital work, or that they have completed a remedial training program. If you see a note about discipline, you can usually click it to see more details about what happened and when.
The information shown is public record in most states, which is why anyone can search it. This transparency is meant to protect patients and employers. If you find information you believe is incorrect, you can contact the state nursing board to request a correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up a CNA license if I only know their first name?
Most search tools require at least a full name or a license number. A first name alone will likely return too many results to be useful. If you have the person's license number, use that instead — it is the most reliable search method and works even if you do not know their full name.
What does it mean if a CNA license shows as inactive?
An inactive license means the person is not currently licensed to work as a CNA, though they may have held a license in the past. This can happen if they let their license expire without renewing, or if they voluntarily surrendered it. They would need to renew or recertify to work again.
Can I search for a CNA license online in every state?
Most states offer an online search tool, but not all. A few states require you to call or mail a request to the nursing board. If you cannot find an online search tool, call your state nursing board's main number and ask how to look up a license.
How do I know if a CNA license is real or fake?
The only way to confirm a license is real is to search the official state nursing board database. If you find the person's name with an active status and a valid expiration date, the license is real. If you cannot find them in the state database, the license is either fake or expired.
What should I do if I find a CNA working without a valid license?
Report it to your state nursing board. You can usually file a complaint online or by phone. Provide the person's name and the facility where they work. The nursing board will investigate whether they are working illegally and take action if needed.