Metropolitan Community College - South Omaha Campus
Omaha, NE
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 6.5 credit hours
CNA Classes in Nebraska
12 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 6 cities in Nebraska. Nebraska requires 76 hours minimum (75 hours of approved nurse aide instruction plus a 1-hour Nebraska-specific abuse, neglect, and misappropriation course) of training, with the competency exam administered by Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC), the DHHS-contracted state-administered testing provider.
Training Hours
76 hours minimum (75 hours of approved nurse aide instruction plus a 1-hour Nebraska-specific abuse, neglect, and misappropriation course)
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC), the DHHS-contracted state-administered testing provider
$75 total ($35 written knowledge exam + $40 clinical skills exam) paid through nebraskanurseaide.org
Time to Certify
4-8 weeks from program start to registry listing
Minimum Age
16
Cost: $400-$700 including 75-hour program tuition (often $375-$550 at Nebraska community colleges and the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center) plus the state competency exam and background check costs
What makes Nebraska different: Nebraska is one of the few states that does not contract Prometric, Credentia, Pearson VUE, or Headmaster - instead, DHHS works with the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC), a Nebraska Health Care Association affiliate, to administer the exam at the state's own training center in Lincoln and at regional sites.
CNA Classes by City in Nebraska
Becoming a CNA in Nebraska
Nebraska's nurse aide system is run directly by the Department of Health and Human Services Licensure Unit, with testing contracted to the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC) - an affiliate of the Nebraska Health Care Association rather than a national vendor like Prometric or Headmaster. Approved 75-hour programs are delivered by the state's community college system, faith-based colleges, and a growing number of private providers like CNA Learning Hub, and all candidates schedule testing through nebraskanurseaide.org.
Nebraska sticks tightly to the 75-hour federal minimum but adds a mandatory 1-hour abuse, neglect, and misappropriation course under Title 175 of the Nebraska Administrative Code. The state's two-tiered structure (CNA followed by Medication Aide certification) lets aides quickly stack credentials, and the Nebraska Health Care Association's training pipeline is widely used by skilled nursing facilities to meet workforce needs in Lincoln, Omaha, and rural counties.
Nebraska is one of the most affordable states in which to become a CNA, with tuition for state-approved 75-hour programs commonly ranging from $375 to $550 and exam fees totaling around $75. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services issues no paper certificates - registry status is verified online through the state's License Information System (LISSearch), which is free and publicly available to employers and the public.
How to Become a CNA in Nebraska
- 1
Confirm DHHS eligibility and apply to an approved 75-hour program
Verify you are at least 16, can pass a Nebraska State Patrol and Adult/Child Protective Services background check, and have no findings on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry abuse list. Choose a DHHS-approved Nurse Aide Training Program - examples include Central Community College, Metropolitan Community College, Mid-Plains Community College, Northeast Community College, Southeast Community College, Bryan College of Health Sciences, and CNA Learning Hub. All programs are listed on the DHHS website.
- 2
Complete 75 hours of nurse aide training plus the 1-hour abuse course
Finish at least 75 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical instruction - including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a Nebraska-licensed facility - and complete the Nebraska-specific 1-hour abuse, neglect, and misappropriation course required by Title 175 NAC 12. Curriculum must cover basic nursing skills, resident rights, infection control, mental health and social services, and restorative care, and instructors must be RNs with at least two years of long-term care experience.
- 3
Submit Nebraska State Patrol and Protective Services background checks
Apply through your training provider or directly to the Nebraska State Patrol for a state criminal history check, plus DHHS Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services central registry screening. Applicants who have lived outside Nebraska in the previous five years must also submit FBI fingerprint-based checks. Checks must be completed prior to clinical rotation and remain current at the time you are placed on the Nurse Aide Registry.
- 4
Register for the Nebraska Nurse Aide Competency Exam through NHCLC
Visit nebraskanurseaide.org and choose your test date and site. Tests are administered at the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center in Lincoln (1200 Libra Drive, Suite 100) and at regional partner sites statewide. Registration closes 7 business days before each test date, and fees are paid online by credit card unless your employer or training program is covering them under Nebraska's Medicare reimbursement rules.
- 5
Pass the Written/Oral Knowledge Test and the Clinical Skills Test
The Written/Oral Test is 50 multiple-choice questions completed in 90 minutes (oral version is offered for candidates who request it) and requires a minimum score of 70 percent. The Clinical Skills Test requires you to demonstrate 6 randomly selected nurse aide skills, always including handwashing and indirect care steps, in front of an NHCLC evaluator. Both portions must be passed within 24 months of training completion.
- 6
Get listed on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry
After NHCLC submits your passing results to DHHS Nursing Support, your name is added to the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry. Nebraska does not issue paper certificates or wallet cards - your status is verified online through the DHHS License Information System (LISSearch). The registry listing typically appears within 7-10 business days, and there is no state registry fee.
- 7
Maintain certification with at least 8 paid hours every 24 months
Nebraska CNAs must complete at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work in a Nebraska-licensed setting within each 24-month period to keep registry status active. If you lapse, DHHS allows reinstatement by completing an approved refresher course and retaking the NHCLC competency exam, or by being employed under temporary nurse aide rules for up to 4 months while retesting.
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
2 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in Nebraska (12)
Southeast Community College - Lincoln Campus
Lincoln, NE
Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 76 hours (8-16 weeks)
- Cost:
- $375
Mid-Plains Community College - North Platte Campus
North Platte, NE
Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 76 hours
Western Nebraska Community College - Scottsbluff Campus
Scottsbluff, NE
Basic Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 6-8 weeks
- Cost:
- $488
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Nebraska
Who administers the Nebraska CNA exam?
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The Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC) - an arm of the Nebraska Health Care Association - administers the Nurse Aide Competency Exam under contract with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Testing is centered at 1200 Libra Drive, Suite 100 in Lincoln, with additional regional test sites statewide. Registration is online at nebraskanurseaide.org. Nebraska does not use Prometric, Credentia, Pearson VUE, or Headmaster.
How many hours of training do I need to be a CNA in Nebraska?
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Nebraska requires at least 75 hours of nurse aide training (the federal minimum) plus a 1-hour Nebraska-specific abuse, neglect, and misappropriation course - a total of 76 hours. Of the 75 core hours, a minimum of 16 must be supervised clinical experience in a Nebraska-licensed long-term care facility, and training must be delivered by a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services-approved provider.
How much does CNA training and testing cost in Nebraska?
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Tuition at Nebraska community colleges and the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center typically runs between $375 and $550 (Southeast Community College charges around $507 for residents, Northeast Community College roughly $384). The NHCLC competency exam costs approximately $75 total ($35 written plus $40 skills - verify current pricing at nebraskanurseaide.org). Skilled nursing facility-sponsored candidates are reimbursed under federal Medicare rules.
Does Nebraska issue a paper CNA certificate?
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No. Nebraska is one of the few states that does not issue paper certificates or wallet cards. Your registry status is published and verified through the DHHS License Information System (LISSearch) at nebraska.gov/LISSearch, which is free and publicly available. You can print a verification page from that system if an employer requires written proof, but no physical certificate is mailed.
How do I keep my Nebraska CNA certification active?
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Nebraska requires at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work in a Nebraska-licensed health care setting within every 24-month cycle. There is no renewal fee and no continuing education requirement, but the work-hour rule is strictly enforced. If you fall short, your name moves to inactive status and you must complete an approved refresher course and retake the NHCLC competency exam to be reinstated.
Does Nebraska accept CNA reciprocity from other states?
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Yes. Nebraska accepts reciprocity for active CNAs from other state registries who meet at least the federal 75-hour training minimum and have no substantiated abuse, neglect, or misappropriation findings. Applicants submit DHHS reciprocity paperwork, proof of current out-of-state certification, and complete Nebraska background screening. There is no reciprocity fee, and most applications are processed by the Nursing Support team within 2-4 weeks.