STNA and CNA are the same job. Both titles refer to nursing assistants who provide hands-on care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The only difference is naming: Ohio uses “State Tested Nursing Assistant” (STNA), while most other states use “Certified Nursing Assistant” (CNA). The training, duties, and pay are essentially identical.
Why Ohio Uses a Different Name
Every state regulates nursing assistants, but each state gets to name and structure its own certification process. Ohio’s program is administered by the Ohio Department of Health, which chose the title “State Tested Nursing Assistant” to reflect that candidates must pass a state-administered competency exam. Most other states call their version a CNA, and a handful use other titles like “Certified Nurse Aide” or “Licensed Nursing Assistant.” These are all variations of the same federally mandated role.
The federal government, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sets baseline requirements that every state must meet. All states require a minimum of 75 clock hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised hands-on practice. Ohio’s STNA program follows this 75-hour minimum. Beyond that federal floor, individual states can add extra hours or topics, but the core competencies are standardized nationwide.
What the Training Looks Like
Whether you’re earning an STNA in Ohio or a CNA in another state, the training covers the same ground: basic nursing skills, infection control, patient safety, communication, and residents’ rights. Programs are offered through community colleges, vocational schools, the Red Cross, and sometimes directly through long-term care facilities. Many programs can be completed in a few weeks.
Ohio’s 75-hour requirement includes both classroom instruction and clinical practice. The clinical portion takes place in a supervised healthcare setting where trainees practice skills like taking vital signs, assisting with mobility, and helping patients with bathing and dressing. If a student misses any training time, Ohio requires it to be made up hour for hour before the student can sit for the state exam.
The Certification Exam
After completing training, Ohio STNA candidates take a two-part competency evaluation. The first part is a written exam testing knowledge of nursing assistant concepts. The second is a skills demonstration, where candidates physically perform care tasks in front of an evaluator. Both parts must be passed to earn certification and be placed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.
CNA exams in other states follow the same general structure: a written or oral knowledge test plus a hands-on skills check. The specific number of questions and skills tested varies by state, but the format is consistent across the country.
Day-to-Day Duties
STNAs and CNAs do the same work. Under Ohio law, a nurse aide provides “nursing and nursing-related services” to residents, which includes attending to personal care needs and carrying out tasks delegated by a licensed nurse. In practical terms, that means helping patients eat, bathe, dress, and move around. You’ll take vital signs, document changes in a patient’s condition, and report concerns to the nursing staff.
What you won’t do is anything requiring the specialized judgment of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. Nursing assistants don’t administer most medications, perform clinical assessments, or make care decisions independently. Your role is to be the closest daily point of contact for patients, handling the physical, hands-on care that keeps them comfortable and safe.
Most STNAs and CNAs work in long-term care facilities like nursing homes and assisted living communities. Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies also hire nursing assistants, though the setting can affect which specific tasks you perform day to day.
Pay and Job Outlook
Because the roles are identical, pay is comparable. In Ohio, STNAs earn an average of about $19.83 per hour, which lines up with the national average for CNAs. Wages vary depending on the facility type, shift, and region. Night and weekend shifts typically pay more, and hospitals often offer higher hourly rates than nursing homes.
Transferring Between States
This is where the different names can cause confusion. If you’re an Ohio STNA and want to work in another state, you’ll generally need to apply for reciprocity or endorsement with that state’s nursing assistant registry. Most states allow transfers without retaking the full training program, but each state sets its own rules. Some require additional paperwork, background checks, or proof that your certification is current and in good standing. The process works the same way in reverse: a CNA from another state moving to Ohio would apply to be placed on Ohio’s Nurse Aide Registry.
The key thing to know is that no state considers an STNA less qualified than a CNA, or vice versa. Employers in healthcare understand that these titles are interchangeable. If you see a job posting for a “CNA” in Ohio, they’re looking for someone with an STNA certification. If an out-of-state job lists “CNA” as a requirement, your Ohio STNA credential satisfies it, assuming you complete whatever transfer process that state requires.
Which Title Should You Use on a Resume?
Use whatever title matches your state certification. If you trained and tested in Ohio, you’re an STNA. If you’re applying for jobs outside Ohio, it helps to list both: “STNA (equivalent to CNA)” clears up any confusion immediately. Hiring managers in healthcare know the terms are synonymous, but adding the clarification saves time, especially with automated applicant tracking systems that might screen for “CNA” as a keyword.