Arizona CNA Registry: Verify a Certification
Verify an Arizona CNA through the Arizona State Board of Nursing, which operates the state's nurse aide registry; the official lookup is linked on this page. AZBN maintains certification status, renewal dates, and any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation for every certified nursing assistant in the state. Federal law requires nursing facilities and home health agencies to check this registry before hiring anyone as a nurse aide, and employers should keep documentation of that check. If the online lookup does not resolve your question, call the Board directly at (602) 771-7800.
Official Arizona lookup
Run by Arizona State Board of Nursing.
(602) 771-7800
Official link checked 2026-09-01
How to verify in three steps
- 1
Open the official lookup
Use the Arizona lookup linked above. It is free and public.
- 2
Search by name
Enter the aide’s full legal name. If you have it, a certification number narrows the result fastest; some states also ask for city or date of birth.
- 3
Read the status
An active status means the certification is current. Also check for any substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation, which bars employment as an aide.
Arizona registry at a glance
| Run by | Arizona State Board of Nursing |
| Phone | (602) 771-7800 |
| Renewal cycle | Every 24 months (federal baseline) |
| Training required | 120 hours (40 clinical) |
| Federal minimum | 75 hours (16 clinical) |
What the lookup shows
- ✓Certification status (active, expired, or inactive)
- ✓Certification details on file with the registry
- ✓Any substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation (bars employment as an aide)
Arizona note: CNA/LNA verification via the AZBN portal
A registry check is not a criminal background check.
20,320
CNAs working in Arizona
$44,780
Median pay per year ($21.53/hr)
$42,260
National median
120 hrs
Required training (40 clinical)
CNA median pay in Arizona, 2015 to 2025
$28,420 in 2015 to $44,780 in 2025 (BLS OES).
Wages and employment: BLS OES, May 2025.
What you need for a lookup
To search the registry you need the CNA's full legal name, and a date of birth or certification number helps narrow results if the name is common. A match shows certification status, effective and expiration dates, and whether the record carries a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property, which bars a person from employment as a nurse aide. The registry is not a full employment or criminal background check.
Renewal, lapses, and moving to Arizona
Arizona CNA certification follows the federal baseline: certification is valid for 24 months and lapses if you go that long without qualifying paid nurse aide work. Once lapsed, federal rules generally require retesting through a state-approved competency exam before you can be listed as active again. If you are moving to Arizona from another state, your certification transfers through the registry via reciprocity or endorsement rather than starting training over, but Arizona sets the specific documentation and steps. For exact renewal timing, fees, or transfer requirements, contact the Arizona State Board of Nursing at (602) 771-7800.
CNA work in Arizona, by the numbers
Arizona employed about 20,320 certified nursing assistants as of BLS May 2025 figures, earning a median wage of $44,780 a year, or $21.53 an hour. That is roughly $2,520 above the national median CNA salary of $42,260, making Arizona a stronger-than-average market for aides. Pay has climbed steadily: the state's median CNA salary was $28,420 in 2015, a 57.6% increase over the decade. Training requirements in Arizona exceed the federal floor. State rule requires 120 hours of instruction, including 40 hours of clinical training, compared to the federal minimum of 75 hours with at least 16 supervised practical hours. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 196,200 annual CNA job openings through 2035, reflecting steady demand for aides even as the occupation grows modestly overall.
Verifying an aide certified in a different state? Every state runs its own registry: find the right one in the state directory.
Common questions
How do I look up a CNA license in Arizona?
Use the Arizona State Board of Nursing's online lookup, linked on this page, and search by the CNA's full name. Results show certification status, dates, and any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on file. If you need help reading a result or the online tool is down, call the Board at (602) 771-7800.
I passed my CNA exam. How long until I appear on the registry?
You are added to the registry once your exam results and certification paperwork have been processed by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Processing time varies and this page cannot state a fixed number of days. If a reasonable amount of time has passed and you still do not appear, call the Board at (602) 771-7800 to check on your paperwork.
What if I search and can't find someone?
A non-result does not prove someone is uncertified; try searching name variants first, such as a maiden name, hyphenated last name, or a different middle initial. Name changes and typos are the most common reasons a real record does not surface. If you still cannot find a match, call the Arizona State Board of Nursing at (602) 771-7800 to confirm status directly.
How often does a Arizona CNA certification need to be renewed?
Arizona CNA certification follows the federal 24-month renewal cycle, and it lapses without qualifying paid nurse aide work during that window. Exact renewal steps and any state-specific documentation are set by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Call (602) 771-7800 or check the registry for your specific renewal date and requirements.
How many hours of training does a CNA need in Arizona?
Arizona requires 120 hours of CNA training, including 40 hours of clinical instruction, well above the federal floor of 75 hours with at least 16 supervised practical hours. The state breaks this down into classroom, lab, and clinical time under Board of Nursing rules. Check with an approved training program for current course schedules.
How do I update my name or address on the registry?
Contact the Arizona State Board of Nursing directly at (602) 771-7800 to update your name or address on the registry. Updates are routine, but the Board sets the exact forms and documentation required, such as proof of a legal name change. Check the AZBN website for current instructions before calling.