CNA License Renewal in North Carolina (2026)

CNA license renewal in North Carolina is handled by the North Carolina DHSR — Nurse Aide I Registry, 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.

North Carolina CNA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Listing on the Nurse Aide I Registry must be renewed every 24 months. The new expiration is calculated from the last date of qualified work reported, extended to the last day of that month.
CE hours required	See board
Renewal fee	see board (fee not fixed/published)
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	North Carolina DHSR — Nurse Aide I Registry

Go to the official North Carolina DHSR — Nurse Aide I Registry renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the North Carolina DHSR — Nurse Aide I Registry. manual review of NC DHSR Nurse Aide I Registry page and official How-to-Renew guide.

Continuing-education requirements for CNAs in North Carolina

North Carolina does not require CE hours for the Nurse Aide I. To stay listed you must perform at least 8 hours of qualified, paid nurse-aide work supervised by a registered nurse during the 24-month period. If no such work occurs within any 24-month window, you must retrain and retest (or apply for a training waiver to retest before expiration).

Need approved hours? Compare North Carolina CNA CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your CNA license in North Carolina

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the North Carolina DHSR — Nurse Aide I Registry 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 work-experience based, not fee or CE based. Since September 1, 2021 paper renewal forms are not accepted — both the online renewal form and online employment-verification form must be completed. An RN signature confirms the supervised paid work and dates. Private-duty work generally does not qualify unless through a licensed facility/agency.

CNA license renewal in North Carolina: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CNA license in North Carolina?

North Carolina CNA licenses renew every 24 months. Listing on the Nurse Aide I Registry must be renewed every 24 months. The new expiration is calculated from the last date of qualified work reported, extended to the last day of that month.

Can I renew my North Carolina CNA license online?

Yes — North Carolina offers online renewal through the North Carolina DHSR — Nurse Aide I Registry. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my North Carolina CNA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the North Carolina DHSR — Nurse Aide I Registry promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) renewal