Emily Griffith Technical College
Denver, CO
Nurse Assisting (Certified Nurse Aide)
- Duration:
- 2-3 months
- Cost:
- $1,495
CNA Classes in Colorado
12 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 6 cities in Colorado. Colorado requires 80 hours minimum (state rule above the federal 75) of training, with the competency exam administered by Credentia (NNAAP).
Training Hours
80 hours minimum (state rule above the federal 75)
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
Credentia (NNAAP)
$145 total first-time ($50 written or oral knowledge exam + $95 skills evaluation); retakes priced separately at $50 written, $50 oral, or $95 skills per attempt
Time to Certify
4-8 weeks
Minimum Age
16
Cost: $700-$1,800
What makes Colorado different: Colorado is one of the only states that allows parents to become certified CNAs specifically to provide paid, billable care to their own medically complex child through the CDPHE Parent-CNA program.
CNA Classes by City in Colorado
Becoming a CNA in Colorado
Colorado's CNA pathway is unusual in that it spans three state entities. The Colorado State Board of Nursing, housed under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations, issues the CNA license and maintains the public registry. Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs) are reviewed and approved separately by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). And competency testing is administered through approved third-party vendors, with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia operating the most widely used exams in the state.
Colorado requires 80 hours of state-approved training — 5 hours above the federal minimum — and is one of the few states where most full-time programs can be completed in just 2 to 4 weeks. The state also offers a uniquely flexible pathway through CDPHE's Parent-CNA program, which allows parents of medically complex children to become certified specifically to provide paid, Medicaid-billable care to their own child. This option exists in only a handful of states and is administered separately from the standard NATCEP pipeline.
Once certified, Colorado CNAs work in nursing facilities, skilled nursing centers, hospitals across the Front Range and Western Slope, hospice programs, home health agencies, and assisted living communities. Demand is especially strong in metro Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction. Reciprocity into Colorado is available for nurse aides currently active in another state, though the Board of Nursing requires a fingerprint background check and may require additional documentation if your original training was below 80 hours.
How to Become a CNA in Colorado
- 1
Confirm Colorado eligibility
To enroll in Colorado CNA training you should be at least 16 (most schools require 18), be physically capable of performing direct resident care, and be able to read and write English. The Colorado State Board of Nursing requires a state and FBI fingerprint background check; convictions involving abuse, neglect, theft, or controlled substances may bar you from certification. A TB screening and current immunizations are typically required before clinicals.
- 2
Choose a CDPHE-approved training program
Colorado-approved Nurse Aide Training Programs are reviewed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and must deliver at least 80 hours of instruction — 5 hours above the federal minimum. Options include community colleges (such as Front Range, Arapahoe, and Pikes Peak), Red Cross chapters, vocational schools, hospitals, and many long-term care facilities offering free training in exchange for an employment commitment.
- 3
Complete 80 hours of training including 16 hours of clinicals
Your program must include at least 64 hours of classroom theory and supervised lab plus 16 hours of clinical experience in a long-term care setting. Curriculum covers basic nursing skills, personal care, mental health and social needs, residents' rights, infection control, communication, and care of cognitively impaired residents. Most full-time programs run 2-4 weeks; evening or weekend programs can extend to 8 weeks.
- 4
Apply to the Colorado State Board of Nursing
After training, submit a CNA application to the State Board of Nursing through the DORA Online Services portal at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing. The state application fee is approximately $80 (verify current amount). The application triggers the fingerprint background check and authorizes you to register for the competency exam. Some applicants are required to complete the background check before scheduling the exam.
- 5
Pass the two-part competency exam
Colorado uses D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia as approved testing vendors. The written exam includes 60 multiple-choice questions (90-minute limit) and you must achieve the passing score set by the vendor. The skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected hands-on skills, always including hand hygiene. Most candidates pay roughly $50 for the written and $85 for the skills test, totaling $135.
- 6
Be added to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both portions and your background check clears, the State Board of Nursing issues your CNA certificate and adds you to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry maintained by DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations. Your status is publicly verifiable through the DORA license lookup at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx. You are now legally eligible to work as a CNA anywhere in Colorado.
- 7
Renew every two years with documented work
Colorado CNA certification renews on a 2-year cycle. To renew, you must document at least 8 hours of paid nursing services under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the prior 24 months. The State Board of Nursing does not currently mandate formal CEU hours, though many employers require 12 hours of annual in-service training under federal OBRA-87. Renewal is done through DORA Online Services and an expired certificate can be reinstated with a $30 fee.
Free CNA Programs in Colorado
1 program offers no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based).
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
2 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in Colorado (12)
Front Range Community College - Larimer Campus
Fort Collins, CO
Nurse Aide Certificate
- Duration:
- 1 semester
Colorado Mesa University - CMU Tech
Grand Junction, CO
Nurse Aide Certificate
- Duration:
- 5 weeks (92 hours)
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Colorado
How many hours of training do I need to become a CNA in Colorado?
+
Colorado requires at least 80 hours of state-approved training — 5 hours above the federal minimum. The 80 hours must include at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care setting, with the remaining 64 hours covering classroom theory and skills lab. Most Colorado community college programs run 2-4 weeks full-time; many local nursing facilities offer free training in exchange for a 90-day or 1-year employment commitment.
Who regulates CNAs in Colorado?
+
Three agencies share responsibility. The Colorado State Board of Nursing, under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations, issues the CNA license and maintains the registry. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) approves training programs (NATCEPs). And competency testing is delivered by approved vendors such as D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Colorado?
+
Plan for $700 to $1,800 total. The Board of Nursing application fee is approximately $80, the competency exam runs about $135 ($50 written plus $85 skills), and the fingerprint background check costs roughly $40. Tuition is the biggest variable: community college programs typically charge $700-$1,200, private vocational programs can hit $1,500, and employer-sponsored programs at Colorado nursing facilities are often free if you commit to working for them after passing the exam.
Can a parent become a CNA in Colorado to care for their own child?
+
Yes. Colorado offers a special Parent-CNA pathway through CDPHE that allows parents of medically complex children to become certified specifically to provide paid, Medicaid-billable care to their own child at home. This program follows a modified curriculum focused on the child's specific needs and is one of the most flexible parent-caregiver programs in the U.S. — only a handful of states offer anything similar.
How do I renew my Colorado CNA certification?
+
Colorado CNAs renew every 2 years through the DORA Online Services portal. To qualify for renewal, you must document at least 8 hours of paid nursing services for compensation under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the previous 24 months. The State Board of Nursing does not currently require a specific number of CEU hours, but most employers expect 12 hours of in-service training annually to satisfy federal OBRA-87 rules. Lapsed certificates can be reinstated with a $30 fee.
Where can I verify a Colorado CNA license?
+
Use the DORA license lookup at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx. Select 'Nursing' under license type and 'NA' (Nurse Aide) under license profession, then search by name or by license number. The lookup is free, publicly available 24/7, and is the official source of record maintained by the Colorado State Board of Nursing under DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations.