New Jersey CNA Exam 2026: The Complete NATCEP + CHHA Guide
To work as a Certified Nurse Aide in a New Jersey long-term care facility, you must complete a 90-hour NATCEP training program, pass a two-vendor competency exam — skills administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and written/oral administered by PSI Services — and be listed on the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry, which PSI maintains on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH). NJ is one of the few states that splits the two test portions across two separate vendors. If you plan to work in a patient's home instead of a facility, you need a separate credential — the Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA) — which is regulated by a different agency, the New Jersey Board of Nursing under the Division of Consumer Affairs.
This guide walks you through every NJ-specific rule for 2026: the exact 90-hour training split, the 60-question PSI written test, the 5-skill D&S evaluation drawn from the 22-skill NJ list (hand washing is always one), the $76 combined fee, the 24-month renewal with 7 paid nursing-service hours plus a $30 renewal fee, reciprocity rules, and the critical scope difference between CNA (facility-based) and CHHA (home-based) practice. Every fact is sourced from NJ DOH, PSI, D&S Diversified Technologies, and the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
Quick-Look: New Jersey CNA Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) — Long-Term Care |
| Regulator | New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) |
| Skills Test Vendor | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) — 1-877-851-2355 |
| Written Test Vendor | PSI Services — 1-877-774-4243 |
| Registry Admin | NJ Nurse Aide Registry — PSI, Hamilton Township, NJ |
| Training Required | 90 hours (50 classroom + 40 clinical) |
| Written Questions | 60 multiple-choice |
| Written Time | 90 minutes |
| Written Passing Score | 75% |
| Skills Tested | 5 (hand washing + 4 drawn from 22 skills) |
| Skills Passing Score | 80% per skill with all key steps |
| Testing Order | Skills FIRST (D&S), then written/oral (PSI) |
| Total Fee (approx.) | $76 written + skills; $90 oral + skills |
| Retake Fees | $23 skills, $53 written, $67 oral |
| Renewal | Every 24 months — 7 paid nursing-service hours + $30 fee |
| Minimum Age | 18 (most NATCEP programs require it; state floor is 16) |
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CNA vs CHHA in New Jersey: The Most Important Distinction
New Jersey is one of only a handful of states that runs two separate, legally distinct direct-care credentials. Choosing the wrong one wastes months of training. Here's the difference:
| CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) | CHHA (Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | NJ Department of Health | NJ Board of Nursing (Division of Consumer Affairs) |
| Work setting | Long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living | Patient's private home, assisted living, home-care agencies |
| Supervision | Licensed Practical Nurse / RN on-site | RN care plan, intermittent supervision |
| Typical patient load | Multiple residents per shift | 1 patient (sometimes 2) at a time |
| Training hours | 90 hours (50 class + 40 clinical) | 76 hours (60 class + 16 clinical skills lab) |
| Medication administration | NO — outside scope | Limited — may assist with self-administered medications per RN direction |
| Homemaking duties | No | Yes — meal prep, light laundry, errands |
| Exam vendor | D&S skills + PSI written (NJ Nurse Aide Registry) | Board-approved agency/school competency exam + Board application |
| Certification badge | NJ DOH certificate | NJ Board of Nursing CHHA certificate |
Which one do you need?
- Facility job (nursing home, hospital, rehab center, hospice inpatient): You need the CNA.
- Home-care agency, visiting nurse association, or private-duty home work: You need the CHHA.
- Both: Many NJ aides hold both. If you already have your CNA, NJ allows a 10-hour "Home Care Module" bridge course plus a Board application to add the CHHA credential without repeating core training. If you start with the CHHA, you still need the full 90-hour NATCEP and the PSI exam to add CNA.
This guide focuses on the CNA exam path (which is what /exams/nj-cna prepares you for). If you need CHHA-specific guidance, ask your training provider about the Board of Nursing application and the Forever Home Care / state-approved CHHA programs.
New Jersey CNA Prerequisites (Before You Enroll)
Before a NATCEP program will accept you — and before PSI will test you — New Jersey requires:
- Minimum age 18 at most training programs (state minimum is 16 with parental consent, but employers and programs almost universally set 18 as the floor).
- High school diploma or GED — required by most NATCEP programs and every NJ employer.
- Criminal background check with fingerprinting processed by the NJ DOH Criminal Investigations Unit (609-292-4303). Disqualifying convictions include abuse, neglect, theft from a patient, and serious drug/violent felonies under N.J.S.A. 30:13-10.
- Two-step TB (Mantoux) skin test or IGRA blood test within the past 12 months. Positive result requires a clear chest X-ray.
- Immunization records: MMR, Tdap, varicella, hepatitis B series (or declination), annual flu, and COVID-19 per employer/program policy.
- Physical examination signed by a licensed provider within the past 12 months confirming you can lift 50 lbs and stand/walk for an 8-hour shift.
- Valid photo ID and Social Security card — required at test check-in. Photo ID must be current and unexpired.
- No findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property on any state's nurse aide registry.
Step 1: Complete a 90-Hour NJ DOH-Approved NATCEP Program
New Jersey requires 90 total hours of Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) instruction — 15 hours more than the federal OBRA minimum of 75 and one of the more rigorous totals in the Northeast. The 90 hours break down as:
- 50 hours classroom/skills-lab theory — infection control, communication, resident rights, personal care, basic nursing, mental health, end-of-life, safety, and emergency procedures
- 40 hours supervised clinical in an NJ-licensed long-term care facility
Key rules:
- The program must be on the NJ DOH-approved NATCEP list — verify before paying tuition by contacting CNA@doh.nj.gov with "NATCEP" in the subject line.
- Tuition: $1,200–$2,500 at private programs. Many NJ nursing homes and community colleges (Brookdale, Ocean County, Bergen, Hudson County) offer free or discounted training in exchange for a 90-day to 1-year work commitment.
- Programs typically run 4–12 weeks: accelerated full-time in 4 weeks, evening/weekend in 10–12 weeks.
- Alternative pathway: Nursing students who completed a fundamentals course covering personal care, infection control, and safety may qualify to test directly. Hospital aides with 12+ months of recent documented experience may also be eligible. Confirm with NJ DOH before applying.
- Training completion is valid for 24 months — you must pass the PSI exam within that window or retrain.
Step 2: Register With Two Vendors — D&S (Skills) and PSI (Written)
NJ is one of the few states that splits nurse aide testing between two vendors. After your training program submits your completion roster, you'll receive eligibility to schedule. Plan around these NJ-specific facts:
- Skills vendor: D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster LLP) — administers the 5-skill evaluation through the TMU (TestMaster Universe) platform. Questions on skills scheduling, payments, or results: 1-877-851-2355.
- Written/oral vendor: PSI Services — administers the 60-question written (or oral) knowledge test. Scheduling: njna.psiexams.com or 1-877-774-4243.
- Registry admin: PSI also maintains the NJ Nurse Aide Registry at 3525 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 1000, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619.
- Unique NJ rule — skills FIRST: Unlike most states, NJ does NOT let you take both tests the same day. You must pass the skills evaluation with D&S first. Only after D&S reports a passing skills score to PSI do you become eligible to schedule the written/oral test.
- Fees (2026 — verify at application): $76 combined for skills + written; $90 combined for skills + oral. Retakes: $23 skills, $53 written, $67 oral. Fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Test sites: PSI written-test centers across NJ (Hamilton, Paramus, Cherry Hill, Edison, Union, Lawrenceville). D&S skills events run primarily on-site at NATCEP training-program locations.
- Oral exam languages: PSI offers the oral exam in English and Spanish for candidates who qualify.
Master the PSI NJ Written Knowledge Test (60 Questions, 90 Minutes)
The NJ CNA written knowledge test is 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes (1.5 minutes per question — comfortable pacing). You need 75% correct (45 of 60) to pass. It's available in written or oral format (English or Spanish for the oral).
The blueprint covers 9 content domains aligned with federal OBRA 42 CFR 483.152 regulations:
| Domain | Approx. Weight | What's Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Role & Responsibility of the Nurse Aide | 10–15% | Scope, delegation, chain of command, reporting |
| Communication & Interpersonal Skills | 10–15% | Verbal/nonverbal, active listening, cultural sensitivity |
| Infection Control | 10–15% | Standard precautions, PPE, chain of infection, isolation |
| Safety & Emergency Procedures | 10–15% | Falls, fire (RACE/PASS), body mechanics, choking |
| Promotion of Residents' Rights | 5–10% | OBRA rights, HIPAA, abuse/neglect reporting, advance directives |
| Personal Care Skills | 15–20% | Bathing, oral care, perineal care, grooming, dressing |
| Basic Nursing Skills | 15–20% | Vital signs, I&O, positioning, ROM, catheter care |
| Mental Health & Social Service Needs | 5–10% | Dementia, depression, anxiety, behavioral interventions |
| Care of the Cognitively Impaired Resident | 5–10% | Validation, redirection, environmental cues |
Five Highest-Yield Written-Test Topics (NJ-Specific)
Based on NJ training-program item analyses:
- Standard precautions vs. transmission-based precautions — when to gown up, when N95 is required, handling sharps.
- OBRA residents' rights — refusal of care, privacy, freedom from restraint, grievance, free choice of physician.
- NJ mandatory-reporter rules — suspected abuse/neglect must be reported immediately to the charge nurse AND to the NJ DOH Complaint Hotline (800-792-9770).
- Recognizing change-in-condition — vital sign abnormalities, skin breakdown staging, aspiration/choking signs, mental status shifts.
- Scope of practice boundaries — what a CNA may NOT do in NJ: administer medications, perform sterile procedures, insert catheters, do anything the CHHA-only scope covers.
Master the D&S NJ Skills Evaluation (5 Skills from 22)
On the skills test you will perform 5 tasks: hand washing (always) plus 4 randomly drawn from the 22-skill NJ list. You must score at least 80% on each skill AND complete every designated key step — missing a single key step automatically fails that skill regardless of your overall score. Your "resident" is another candidate acting as your partner.
The NJ Skills List (you'll demonstrate 5 of 22)
| # | Skill | Highest-Risk Key Steps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hand Washing (mandatory) | 20-second lather, water never above elbows, paper towel to turn off faucet |
| 2 | Applies one knee-high elastic stocking | Resident supine, no twists/wrinkles, heel aligned |
| 3 | Ambulation using transfer belt | Belt over clothing, two-finger fit, walk on weak side |
| 4 | Assists with use of bedpan | Privacy, HOB raised if allowed, output measured |
| 5 | Cleans upper or lower denture | Line sink with towel/water, cool water only |
| 6 | Counts and records radial pulse | Count full 60 seconds, record immediately |
| 7 | Counts and records respirations | Count silently — do NOT tell resident |
| 8 | Dresses resident with affected right arm | Weak arm in FIRST, strong arm out FIRST |
| 9 | Feeds dependent resident | HOB ≥ 30°, verify diet, check food temp |
| 10 | Gives modified bed bath (face, arm, hand, underarm) | Eyes inner-to-outer, change water when cool/soiled |
| 11 | Measures and records blood pressure | Cuff 1 inch above antecubital, verify within 8 mmHg |
| 12 | Measures and records urinary output | Gloves, measure at eye level, record in mL |
| 13 | Measures and records weight of ambulatory resident | Balance at zero, no shoes, record units |
| 14 | Performs modified passive ROM (one knee and one ankle) | Support joint above and below, stop at resistance |
| 15 | Performs modified passive ROM (one shoulder) | Support elbow and wrist, full ROM unless contraindicated |
| 16 | Positions resident on side | Pillow support, proper body alignment, call light |
| 17 | Provides catheter care (female) | Perineal cleanse first, then catheter distal-to-proximal |
| 18 | Provides foot care on one foot | Soak foot, dry between toes, no nail clipping on diabetics |
| 19 | Provides mouth care | HOB up, gloves, inspect oral cavity |
| 20 | Provides perineal care (female) | Front-to-back, single-stroke, fresh washcloth surface |
| 21 | Transfers from bed to wheelchair using transfer belt | Lock wheels, weak side near chair, count to 3 |
| 22 | Makes an occupied bed | Keep linen off floor, side rail up on working side, wrinkle-free draw sheet |
The 5 Universal Key Steps (Every Skill, Every Time)
Before AND after every skill — not just hand washing — you must:
- Knock, greet resident by name, identify yourself — then explain the procedure in plain language.
- Wash hands (or use alcohol-based hand rub when permitted for that skill).
- Provide privacy — close door, pull curtain, drape resident.
- Ensure safety — bed at safe height, wheelchair/bed brakes locked, use transfer belt where indicated.
- End the skill correctly — lower bed, raise the appropriate side rail per care plan, place call light within reach, remove gloves and wash hands, report task completion to nurse.
Missing any of these = automatic skill failure.
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6-Week New Jersey CNA Study Plan (50–80 Hours)
| Week | Hours | Focus | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8–10 | Knowledge foundation | Domains 1–3 (Role, Communication, Infection Control); 50 practice Qs |
| 2 | 8–10 | Safety + Residents' Rights | Domains 4–5; OBRA rights; NJ abuse-reporting scenarios |
| 3 | 10–12 | Personal Care + Basic Nursing | Vital signs (manual BP emphasis), I&O, positioning, ROM |
| 4 | 8–10 | Mental Health + Cognitively Impaired | Dementia care, validation, redirection |
| 5 | 10–12 | Full skills lab | All 22 NJ skills with a partner; videotape yourself; check key steps |
| 6 | 6–10 | Final review | 2–3 full 60-Q practice exams; weakest skills re-drilled; rest day before skills test |
Because NJ tests skills FIRST, front-load your physical skills practice in weeks 4–5. Most candidates who pass on the first attempt log 50–80 total self-study hours on top of the 90-hour NATCEP program.
Test-Day Checklist (PSI New Jersey)
Bring:
- Valid unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- Social Security card (original — no photocopies)
- PSI admission letter / scheduling confirmation
- Two #2 pencils with erasers (paper-based sites)
- Watch with a second hand (no smart watches — needed for counting pulse and respirations)
- Full clinical scrubs and closed-toe non-slip shoes (required for BOTH written and skills days)
- Hair tied back, no artificial nails, short trimmed natural nails, no jewelry except plain wedding band and small studs
Leave at home:
- Cell phone, smart watch, fitness tracker (lockers usually provided)
- Bags, backpacks, food, drinks
- Notes, study sheets, hats, gum, watches that beep
Arrive 30 minutes early. Late arrival = forfeited fee, no refund, must reschedule at full price.
The 10 Most Common New Jersey CNA Mistakes
- Confusing CNA with CHHA. If your goal is home-care work, a CNA credential alone will not legally qualify you — you need the CHHA from the Board of Nursing.
- Enrolling in a non-approved NATCEP program. Always verify the program on the NJ DOH-approved list BEFORE paying tuition.
- Forgetting the "skills first" rule. You cannot schedule the written until you pass skills — don't study exclusively for the written and neglect skills practice.
- Missing the 24-month clock. You have 24 months from training completion to pass both parts. Miss it and you retrain from scratch.
- Skipping hand washing between skills. Hand washing is mandatory Skill 1 AND required before/after every other skill.
- Telling the resident you're "counting respirations." Awareness changes breathing — count silently while you appear to take pulse.
- Using warm water on dentures. Cool water only — heat warps acrylic. Automatic fail.
- Reversing front-to-back perineal care or reusing a soiled washcloth surface. Automatic fail.
- Failing to lock wheelchair brakes before any transfer. Automatic fail on transfer skills.
- Letting registry status lapse. No 7 paid nursing-service hours within 24 months = removed from the NJ Registry (you must retest). Budget for the $30 NJ DOH renewal fee too — it is not free even when the work requirement is met.
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The New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry: Renewal & Reciprocity
Renewal (Every 24 Months)
NJ uses work-based renewal, not continuing-education-based renewal. To stay active on the NJ Nurse Aide Registry:
- Perform at least 7 hours of paid employment providing nursing or nursing-related services in an NJ-licensed health care facility or agency during the 24 months preceding your certificate expiration date.
- Your employer signs verification paperwork that you submit to PSI at the registry address.
- Recertification is completed in person at a PSI test center — NJ is one of the few states that requires an in-person renewal step.
- Renewal fee: $30 (paid to NJ DOH). Re-testing fees apply on top if you miss the 7-hour work window.
- Name/address changes must be reported promptly to the NJ Nurse Aide Registry at 877-774-4243 and to the NJ DOH Criminal Investigations Unit at 609-292-4303.
Reciprocity (Transferring Into New Jersey)
NJ accepts nurse aides certified in good standing by other state registries, subject to verification:
- Submit the NJ CNA Reciprocity Application to PSI with proof of active certification in another state AND a qualifying employment or education history (usually 7+ documented paid nurse-aide hours in the prior 24 months).
- You must have no substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any other state's registry — this is an absolute disqualifier.
- You must clear an NJ fingerprint-based criminal background check before the transfer is finalized.
- Processing typically runs 4–8 weeks.
- The temporary emergency reciprocity program (active during COVID-19) ended August 1, 2022 — the standard reciprocity pathway is the only current route.
NJ Nurse Aide Registry contact (via PSI):
- Address: 3525 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 1000, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
- Phone: 877-774-4243 (toll-free)
- NJ DOH Phone: 866-561-5914
- Email: CNA@doh.nj.gov (subject line: NATCEP)
- Mail: NJ Dept of Health Certification Program, P.O. Box 358, 120 S. Stockton Street, 3rd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08611
- Fax: 609-633-9087
New Jersey CNA Career Outlook & Salary (2026)
New Jersey employs roughly 40,000+ nursing assistants across hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities. Dense Northeast demographics, a top-5 state median household income, and one of the nation's largest aging-in-place populations keep demand strong: NJ CNA job growth is projected at 6–8% through 2032, tracking the BLS national average but at NJ's higher wage base.
| Setting | Hourly Wage | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide median (NJ) | $20.37 | $42,370 |
| Hospitals (acute care) | $22–$26+ | $46,000–$54,000 |
| Skilled nursing facility | $19–$22 | $39,500–$45,800 |
| Home health (via CHHA) | $17–$20 | $35,400–$41,600 |
| Hospice | $20–$23 | $41,600–$47,800 |
By NJ metro (approximate, 2026):
- Newark / Jersey City / Northern NJ: $21.50/hr
- Trenton / Princeton: $20.00/hr
- Atlantic City / Southern Shore: $18.90/hr
- Camden / Southern NJ: $19.50/hr
- Morristown / Morris County: $21.20/hr
Salary data from BLS OEWS, ZipRecruiter (March 2026), Salary.com, and Indeed. New Jersey consistently ranks in the top 10 states by CNA wage — its hospitals and LTC systems offer sign-on bonuses of $1,500–$5,000 in high-demand North Jersey metros.
CNA → LPN → RN New Jersey Career Ladder
NJ has an active nurse-aide-to-RN pipeline through community colleges (Brookdale, Ocean County, Bergen, Hudson County, Camden County) and four-year programs (Rutgers, Seton Hall, Monmouth):
- CNA → LPN: 12–18 months (NJ LPN salary ≈ $62,000)
- LPN → ADN: 1–2 additional years
- ADN → BSN: 12–24 months online (NJ RN salary ≈ $92,000)
Many NJ LTC facilities offer tuition reimbursement up to $5,000/year for aides pursuing nursing school while working per-diem.
Pass the New Jersey CNA With Confidence
Our free NJ CNA prep program includes:
- 200+ practice questions across all 9 PSI knowledge domains
- Full 21-skill checklist with key steps highlighted
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- Full-length 60-question simulator that mirrors PSI test-day timing
- Updated for 2026 with the latest NJ DOH and PSI rules
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Official New Jersey CNA Resources
- NJ Department of Health — Nurse Aides / Personal Care Assistants — official regulator
- NJ DOH — Apply for Certification — NATCEP rules
- NJ DOH — Renew or Replace a Certificate — renewal rules
- NJ Nurse Aide Registry (PSI) — schedule your exam, verify your certification
- NJ Board of Nursing — CHHA page — separate CHHA home-care credential
- NJ DOH Complaint Hotline: 800-792-9770
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