CNA Classes in Arizona
15 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 3 cities in Arizona. Arizona requires 120 hours of training, with the competency exam administered by D&S Diversified Technologies - Headmaster LLP.
Training Hours
120 hours
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
D&S Diversified Technologies - Headmaster LLP
Varies; check Headmaster's Arizona fee schedule (typically $90–$130 total for both portions)
Time to Certify
8–14 weeks (training 6–10 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks)
Minimum Age
16
Cost: $0 (employer-sponsored) to $2,000 (private 120-hour program plus Fingerprint Clearance Card)
What makes Arizona different: Arizona requires a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety for nearly all healthcare work, and offers a two-tier nursing assistant system: CNA (basic) and LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant, additional fingerprints and fees but broader board oversight)
CNA Classes by City in Arizona
Becoming a CNA in Arizona
Becoming a CNA in Arizona is more time-intensive than in most states because Arizona requires 120 hours of training — 45 hours above the federal minimum of 75. Under Arizona Administrative Code R4-19-802, that 120-hour curriculum must include at least 40 hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of supervised skills laboratory practice, 40 hours of supervised clinical experience (with at least 20 of those clinical hours providing direct resident care in a long-term care facility licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services), plus 20 additional program-allocated hours. Most full-time programs take 6 to 10 weeks.
Arizona's most distinctive procedural requirement is the Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card. Before you can complete clinical hours or work in most healthcare settings, you must obtain a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, governed by Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-1758.07. The application fee is approximately $67, and processing typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. Apply as one of your first steps — not as a final formality — because the card is required by your clinical site before you can begin clinical hours. Disqualifying offenses are extensive and include all violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and vulnerable-adult abuse.
Arizona also offers a two-tier nursing assistant credentialing system worth understanding. The basic CNA credential meets the educational and exam requirements set by AZBN, costs nothing to renew, and is enough for most employers. The Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) credential meets the same training and exam requirements but adds a $50 application fee plus a $50 background check fee and places the holder under AZBN's broader disciplinary jurisdiction. LNA renewal is $50 every 2 years. Some Arizona employers, particularly larger hospital systems, prefer or require LNA. The minimum age for CNA training in Arizona is 16, and there is no formal high school diploma requirement from AZBN.
How to Become a CNA in Arizona
- 1
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-1758.07, and able to read and write English. The Arizona State Board of Nursing does not require a high school diploma or GED, though most training programs do.
- 2
Apply for a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card
Submit fingerprints to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card. This is required before you can complete clinical hours and for most healthcare employment in Arizona. The application fee is approximately $67 and processing typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. Disqualifying offenses are defined in ARS § 41-1758.07 and include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, and vulnerable-adult abuse.
- 3
Find an AZBN-approved 120-hour Nurse Aide Training Program
Look for an Arizona State Board of Nursing-approved program meeting the 120-hour requirement under R4-19-802 (40 classroom + 20 skills lab + 40 clinical + 20 additional). Approved programs are run by Arizona's community college system (especially Maricopa Community Colleges, Pima Community College, Mohave Community College), the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools.
- 4
Complete the 120-hour training program
Pass all 120 hours of training. The clinical hours must include at least 20 hours of direct resident care in a long-term care facility licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Your program registers you with Headmaster for the competency exam.
- 5
Schedule and pass the Headmaster competency exam
Schedule the two-part exam (written/oral knowledge test plus hands-on skills evaluation) through Headmaster's Arizona portal at hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/arizona. Headmaster's candidate support line is 800-393-8664. Both portions must be passed to be placed on the Arizona Nursing Assistant Registry.
- 6
Get listed on the Arizona Nursing Assistant Registry as a CNA
Once you pass both exam portions and AZBN confirms your Fingerprint Clearance Card is active, AZBN adds you to the Arizona Nursing Assistant Registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). You can verify your status at azbn.gov. From that point you are authorized to work as a CNA in any Arizona licensed healthcare facility.
- 7
Consider upgrading to LNA (optional)
After CNA certification, you can apply for the Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) credential, which requires the same training and exam but adds a $50 application fee plus a $50 background check fee. LNA places you under AZBN's broader disciplinary jurisdiction and is preferred by some Arizona employers. LNA renewal costs $50 every 2 years (CNA renewal is free).
Free CNA Programs in Arizona
1 program offers no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based).
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
1 fast-track option for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in Arizona (15)
Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ
Nurse Assisting Certificate of Completion (CNA)
- Duration:
- 2 semesters or less
Arizona Technical Training Institute
Phoenix, AZ
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 5-6 weeks (120 hours)
Moore Medical Training Institute
Phoenix, AZ
Certified Nursing Assistant / Licensed Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- as little as 3 weeks
Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center
Tucson, AZ
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 120 hours
- Cost:
- Free (federally funded)
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Arizona
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in Arizona?
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You must be at least 16, obtain a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, complete a 120-hour AZBN-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (40 classroom + 20 skills lab + 40 clinical + 20 additional hours under R4-19-802), and pass both portions of the Headmaster competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by AZBN, though most training programs require basic English literacy.
Why does Arizona require a Fingerprint Clearance Card to become a CNA?
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Arizona's Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card system, established under Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-1758.07, applies to anyone working with vulnerable populations including older adults in long-term care facilities. The DPS-issued card must be on file with your clinical site before you can complete clinical training hours, and most Arizona healthcare employers require an active card before hiring. Processing takes 3 to 6 weeks, so apply early in your training timeline rather than at the end.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Arizona?
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Most full-time 120-hour training programs run 6 to 10 weeks. Part-time programs may run 12 to 16 weeks. Add 2 to 4 weeks for the Headmaster exam and registry listing, plus 3 to 6 weeks for Fingerprint Clearance Card processing (initiate during week 1 of training so processing happens in parallel). Total time from program start to working as a CNA is typically 8 to 14 weeks.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Arizona?
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Arizona Community College system programs typically cost $600 to $1,500 for residents — higher than in many states because of the 120-hour requirement. Private programs may run $1,500 to $2,500. Many Arizona LTC operators sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The Headmaster exam costs $90 to $130. The Fingerprint Clearance Card costs approximately $67. Total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $67 (employer-sponsored, paying only for the Fingerprint Clearance Card) to about $2,000.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in Arizona?
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Not from the state — the Arizona State Board of Nursing does not require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification. However, many individual training programs do require a diploma, GED, or current high school enrollment. Several Arizona high schools and career-technical districts offer CNA training as part of their healthcare career pathway starting at age 16.
What is the difference between CNA and LNA in Arizona?
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Both meet the same training and exam requirements. The CNA credential is the basic AZBN certification with no renewal fee. The Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) credential adds a $50 initial application fee plus a $50 background check fee and places you under AZBN's broader disciplinary jurisdiction for any unprofessional conduct. LNA renewal costs $50 every 2 years. LNA is preferred by some larger Arizona employers and offers more board protection if you face a complaint, but is not required to work as a nursing assistant in most settings.