CNA License Renewal in District of Columbia (2026)

CNA license renewal in District of Columbia is handled by the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) — Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Credentia), which requires Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

District of Columbia CNA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial (24-month cycle). DC Health is transitioning to a birth-month cycle — credentials issued on or after June 16, 2024 expire the last day of the holder's birth month. A renewal filed by the deadline keeps the registrant working in pending status; an expired CNA can't work after the cutoff.
CE hours required	See board
Renewal fee	see board (fee not fixed/published)
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) — Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Credentia)

Go to the official District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) — Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Credentia) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) — Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Credentia). review of DC Health Certified Nurse Aide page and Credentia DC registry handbook.

Continuing-education requirements for CNAs in District of Columbia

The defining DC renewal condition is paid work: at least 8 hours of paid nurse-aide work within the prior 24 months, documented on the DC Health CNA Employment Attestation Form. Under the federal framework DC follows, employed aides also receive 12 hours/year of in-service. A criminal background check is required.

Need approved hours? Compare District of Columbia CNA CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your CNA license in District of Columbia

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) — Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Credentia) portal.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Renewal is submitted online through Credentia, DC Health's contracted registry/testing vendor. The official DC Health CNA page states no payment is required to submit the renewal application (a separate background-check fee applies) and does not publish a flat CE-hour count, so the fee and CE-hours fields are left null.

CNA license renewal in District of Columbia: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CNA license in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia CNA licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial (24-month cycle). DC Health is transitioning to a birth-month cycle — credentials issued on or after June 16, 2024 expire the last day of the holder's birth month. A renewal filed by the deadline keeps the registrant working in pending status; an expired CNA can't work after the cutoff.

Can I renew my District of Columbia CNA license online?

Yes — District of Columbia offers online renewal through the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) — Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Credentia). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my District of Columbia CNA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (DC Health) — Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Credentia) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) renewal