A CNA’s scope of practice is the list of tasks a certified nursing assistant may do. Knowing it protects residents, protects you and helps you answer interview questions with confidence.
Below is a quick guide to what CNAs usually do, what depends on your state and employer, and what is outside the role. After it, use the free task checker to see where a task falls.
AdvertisementThis page is general information, not legal advice. Your state and employer set the final rules, so always check them.
CNA Scope of Practice at a Glance
Quick jump: Within scopeDependsOutside scope
Usually Within Scope
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and oral care
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Measuring vital signs and recording them
- Turning, repositioning and moving patients between beds and chairs
- Serving meals, helping with eating and encouraging fluids
- Recording food and fluid intake and output
- Keeping rooms safe and free of fall hazards
- Checking skin for redness and reporting what you see
- Noticing and reporting changes to the nurse
- Documenting care as the facility requires
Depends on State and Employer
- Giving medications, which the BLS says depends on training level and state
- Blood glucose checks and other simple tests
- Dressings, topical products and specimens
- Special equipment or procedures
- Any task your employer approves in writing and has trained you to do
Outside CNA Scope
- Assessing a patient’s condition or diagnosing
- Creating or changing a care plan
- Injections, IV therapy and other treatments for licensed staff
- Sterile or invasive procedures that require a license
- Interpreting test results or giving medical advice
- Any task you have not been trained and approved to do
Free CNA Task Checker
Tap a task to see where it usually falls.
Usually within scope
- Personal care is a core CNA duty. Follow the care plan, respect privacy and report skin changes to the nurse.
Usually within scope
- The BLS lists measuring vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature, as a nursing assistant duty. Record the numbers and report abnormal readings to the nurse right away.
Usually within scope
- Moving and repositioning patients is a standard duty. Use the right equipment, get help for two-person transfers and only do what you were trained to do.
Usually within scope
- Serving meals and helping patients eat are standard duties. Follow the care plan for diets and report coughing, choking or poor intake to the nurse.
Usually within scope
- Recording patients’ health concerns and reporting them to nurses is a core duty. Report early and write down what you saw.
Depends on state and employer
- The BLS says nursing assistants may dispense medication depending on training level and state. Many CNAs may not, so check your state rules and written employer policy before doing it.
Depends on state and employer
- Some employers allow trained CNAs to do simple tests, and some do not. Get written approval and training before doing any test.
Depends on state and employer
- Simple tasks such as applying a prescribed topical product may be allowed in some places. Always follow your state rules, training and the nurse’s instructions.
Outside CNA scope
- These are treatments for licensed nurses and other licensed clinicians. A CNA should not perform them.
Outside CNA scope
- Assessment and diagnosis belong to licensed professionals. A CNA observes and reports what they see, and the nurse decides what it means.
Outside CNA scope
- Care plans are written and changed by licensed staff. A CNA follows the plan and tells the nurse when it does not seem to fit the resident.
Outside CNA scope
- A CNA should not give medical advice or interpret test results. Send medical questions to the nurse.
Who Sets Your Scope
| Who sets the rules | What they decide |
|---|---|
| State law | Training hours, exams, registry, renewal |
| Nursing board or health department | Nurse aide registry and standards |
| Your employer | Written policies and approved tasks |
| Your nurse | Daily delegation and care plan |
Employers can be stricter than state law, but they cannot allow what the state does not. When in doubt, ask the nurse and check your written job description.
Training and Certification
Federal rules for nursing homes set an approved program at a minimum of 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (42 CFR 483.152). Many states require more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says nursing assistants often must complete a state-approved education program and pass the state competency exam, which places them on a state registry. Requirements vary by state.
| Federal minimum for nursing homes | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total training | 75 |
| Supervised practical training | 16 |
Where CNAs Work
| Where CNAs work (2025, BLS) | Share |
|---|---|
| Nursing care facilities | 36% |
| Hospitals | 32% |
| Continuing care and assisted living | 11% |
| Home healthcare services | 5% |
How to Find Your Own Scope
- Check your state registry. Look up your state’s nurse aide registry, nursing board or health department rules.
- Read your job description. Ask your employer for written duties and policies.
- Ask about training. Only do tasks you were trained and approved to do.
- Get approvals in writing. This matters for extra tasks such as tests or medications.
- Ask the nurse. If you are unsure, stop and ask.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Guessing. If you are not sure it is allowed, ask first.
- Doing a task because a coworker does it. Rules depend on training and approval.
- Giving medical advice. Refer questions to the nurse.
- Skipping documentation. Record what you did and saw.
- Assuming other states match. Check the rules when you move.
Scope Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CNA’s scope of practice?
It is the set of tasks a certified nursing assistant is allowed and trained to do. State law, the state nurse aide registry or nursing board, and your employer’s written policies all shape it.
What tasks do CNAs usually perform?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists cleaning and bathing patients, helping them use the toilet and get dressed, turning and moving them, measuring vital signs, serving meals and helping them eat, and reporting health concerns to nurses.
Can a CNA give medications?
It depends. The BLS notes that nursing assistants may dispense medication depending on training level and state. Many CNAs are not allowed to, so check your state rules and your employer’s written policy.
Can a CNA do injections or IV therapy?
No. Injections, IV therapy and similar treatments are for licensed nurses and other licensed clinicians.
Can a CNA diagnose or change a care plan?
No. A CNA observes and reports. Licensed staff assess, diagnose and write or change care plans.
What is the difference between a CNA and an LPN?
An LPN is a licensed practical nurse, who has completed a longer nursing program and is licensed to do more clinical tasks. A CNA provides basic care and monitoring.
How much training does a CNA need?
For nursing homes, federal rules set a minimum of 75 clock hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more, so check yours.
Is CNA certification the same in every state?
No. States set their own training hours, exams, registry and renewal rules. Contact the registry in your state or the state you are moving to.
Where do CNAs work?
The BLS reports that, in 2025, about 36 percent of nursing assistants worked in nursing care facilities, 32 percent in hospitals, 11 percent in continuing care and assisted living communities and 5 percent in home healthcare services.
What should I do if I am asked to do something outside my scope?
Politely say you have not been trained or approved to do it, tell the nurse or supervisor, and ask who can do it. Do not guess. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Conclusion
A CNA’s scope is about safe, trained care: you provide hands-on support, observe closely and report to the nurse. Check your state rules and your employer’s written policy, and ask when you are unsure. Use the task checker above whenever a new request comes up.
Related Reading
- CNA job description, duties and responsibilities
- CNA job posting sample
- 100 free CNA practice test questions
- Top CNA skills for your resume
- CNA resume summary examples
- CNA cover letter sample
- CNA resume sample
- CNA interview questions and answers
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nursing Assistants and Orderlies (duties; 2025 employment shares); federal nurse aide training rule, 42 CFR 483.152 (2009 edition; check the current eCFR text). Items marked as depending on state and employer follow common practice and must be checked against your own state and employer. This page is general information, not legal advice.