Start Your Career as a CNA
See your state's CNA requirements, find approved training programs near you, look up your nurse aide license, and study with our free online classes — all in one place.
63+
Approved Training Programs
50
State Requirement Guides
11
Free Online CNA Classes
100%
Free Resources
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides hands-on care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. CNAs are essential members of the healthcare team, working directly with patients to ensure their comfort and well-being.
Assist patients with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating
Monitor vital signs and report changes to nursing staff
Provide emotional support and companionship to patients
Help with mobility and physical therapy exercises
CNA Career Snapshot
- Median Salary
- $35,760/year
- Job Growth (2022-2032)
- +4% (Faster than average)
- Training Time
- 4-12 weeks
- Education Required
- High School Diploma
- Work Settings
- Hospitals, Nursing Homes
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How to Become a CNA in 4 Steps
The exact rules vary by state. Use this roadmap, then check your state's specific requirements.
Meet Requirements
Most states require you to be at least 16–18 with no disqualifying background-check findings. A high school diploma or GED is required in some states but not all. Check your state's exact requirements.
Complete Training
State-approved training ranges from 75 hours (federal minimum) to 175 hours. Programs combine classroom theory with supervised clinical experience in a long-term care setting. Find programs near you.
Pass the Exam
Take and pass your state's CNA competency exam, administered by Prometric, Credentia, Headmaster, or PSI depending on the state. The exam includes a written test plus a hands-on skills demonstration. Try our free CNA practice test or drill the 22 NNAAP skills.
Get Certified
Once you pass, your state adds you to its nurse aide registry. From that point you can work as a CNA in any licensed facility in your state. Verify your license.
Everything You Need to Succeed
Free resources to help you on your journey to becoming a CNA
Training Provider Directory
Search 63+ state-approved CNA programs by state and city. Compare prices, duration, and program details.
Browse ProgramsState Requirements
See exactly what you need to become a CNA in your state — training hours, age, background check, exam, and cost.
View RequirementsFree Online Classes
Study essential topics like infection control, patient rights, and basic nursing skills with our 11 free study guides.
Start LearningLicense Lookup
Verify CNA certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal info for 50 state nurse aide registries.
Verify a LicenseCNA Requirements by State
Training hours, age, exam, background check, and cost — vary by state. Pick yours to see the exact rules.
AL
Alabama
75h
AK
Alaska
140h
AZ
Arizona
120h
AR
Arkansas
90h
CA
California
160h
CO
Colorado
80h
CT
Connecticut
100h
DE
Delaware
75h
FL
Florida
Noneh
GA
Georgia
85h
HI
Hawaii
100h
ID
Idaho
120h
IL
Illinois
120h
IN
Indiana
105h
IA
Iowa
75h
KS
Kansas
90h
KY
Kentucky
75h
LA
Louisiana
80h
ME
Maine
180h
MD
Maryland
100h
MA
Massachusetts
75h
MI
Michigan
75h
MN
Minnesota
75h
MS
Mississippi
75h
MO
Missouri
175h
MT
Montana
75h
NE
Nebraska
76h
NV
Nevada
75h
NH
New Hampshire
100h
NJ
New Jersey
90h
NM
New Mexico
75h
NY
New York
100h
NC
North Carolina
75h
ND
North Dakota
75h
OH
Ohio
75h
OK
Oklahoma
75h
OR
Oregon
155h
PA
Pennsylvania
80h
RI
Rhode Island
100h
SC
South Carolina
100h
SD
South Dakota
75h
TN
Tennessee
75h
TX
Texas
75h
UT
Utah
100h
VT
Vermont
80h
VA
Virginia
120h
WA
Washington
85h
WV
West Virginia
120h
WI
Wisconsin
120h
WY
Wyoming
75h
Free CNA Study Guides
In-depth, free study guides for every major topic tested on the NNAAP / state CNA competency exam.
Infection Control
Chain of infection, standard precautions, PPE use, hand hygiene, and transmission-based precautions.
Patient Rights
OBRA '87 resident rights, HIPAA, dignity, privacy, freedom from abuse and restraints, advance directives.
Basic Nursing Skills
Vital signs, intake and output, positioning, transfers, and range-of-motion exercises.
Safety & Emergencies
RACE/PASS fire safety, fall prevention, choking, CPR, seizure care, and incident reporting.
Communication Skills
SBAR handoff, therapeutic communication, and adaptations for hearing, vision, and dementia residents.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, oral care, denture care, toileting, and incontinence management.
Mental Health & Dementia
Delirium vs dementia, sundowning, validation therapy, and de-escalation of combative behavior.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective data, pain scales, what to report immediately, and charting principles.
Legal & Ethical Issues
CNA scope of practice, the four elements of negligence, mandatory reporting, and ethical principles.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, Kübler-Ross stages, signs of approaching death, and postmortem care.
Body Systems & Conditions
Stroke (FAST), CHF, hypoglycemia, COPD, pressure-injury staging, and other common LTC conditions.
Free CNA Practice Tests
60-question general exam plus 11 topic-specific practice tests, all NNAAP-style, all free, with instant feedback.
60 questions · NNAAP-style
Full CNA Practice Test
Covers every content area on the written exam.
22 NNAAP skills · Critical fail steps
CNA Skills Test Guide
Step-by-step on the hands-on portion.
Infection Control Practice Test
25 NNAAP-style questions on PPE, hand hygiene, and isolation.
Patient Rights Practice Test
25 questions on OBRA, HIPAA, abuse, and restraints.
Basic Nursing Skills Test
25 questions on vital signs, transfers, and ROM.
Safety & Emergency Practice Test
22 questions on RACE, PACE, falls, and CPR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about becoming a CNA
How long does it take to become a CNA?
Most CNA programs take 4 to 12 weeks to complete, depending on the state and whether you attend full-time or part-time. State training-hour requirements vary widely — Texas, Ohio, and several others require the federal minimum of 75 hours, while California requires 160 hours, Virginia and Illinois 120, and New York 100. See our state-by-state CNA requirements directory for exact timing in your state.
How much does CNA training cost?
CNA training typically ranges from $400 to $2,000, with community colleges and technical schools offering the lowest tuition. Many nursing facilities sponsor training in exchange for a post-certification work commitment, making the path effectively free for committed candidates. Add roughly $100 to $200 for state exam fees, background-check fees, and uniforms.
What's on the CNA certification exam?
The state CNA competency exam has two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test with 60–100 multiple-choice questions, and a hands-on skills demonstration of 3 to 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills. The exam is administered by state-contracted vendors including Prometric, Credentia (formerly Pearson VUE), Headmaster, and PSI. Our free study guides cover every major topic tested.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA?
It depends on your state. Some states (California, New Jersey) require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification. Others (Texas, Florida, Illinois, Ohio) do not require a diploma at the state level, though individual training programs may. Several states also allow students 16 or older to start CNA training while still in high school through dual-enrollment programs.
Is CNA certification valid in all states?
No — CNA certification is issued by each state's nurse aide registry, so it is state-specific. However, most states offer reciprocity (sometimes called endorsement) for CNAs in good standing on another state's registry. The transfer process typically requires submitting a reciprocity application, providing verification from your current state, and passing a state background check. See your destination state's CNA registry page for specific reciprocity rules.
Can I work while getting my CNA certification?
Yes. Many CNA programs offer evening and weekend schedules for working adults. Federal OBRA rules also allow you to begin working as a paid nurse aide in a nursing home for up to four months after completing approved training, while you finish the competency exam and registry process. Several states like Tennessee offer a formal temporary work permit (120 days) so you can start earning a CNA wage immediately after training.