CNA Classes in New Jersey
16 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 7 cities in New Jersey. New Jersey requires 90 hours of training, with the competency exam administered by PSI Services LLC.
Training Hours
90 hours
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
PSI Services LLC
$76 for skills + written exam combination, or $90 for skills + oral exam combination
Time to Certify
5–10 weeks (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks)
Minimum Age
18
Cost: $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,500 (private program)
What makes New Jersey different: New Jersey regulates CNAs through the NJ Department of Health (not the Board of Nursing, which regulates the separate CHHA credential), and contracts with PSI Services LLC for the competency exam — different from neighboring states that use Prometric or Credentia
CNA Classes by City in New Jersey
Becoming a CNA in New Jersey
Becoming a CNA in New Jersey is procedurally distinctive because of two New Jersey-specific quirks. First, the Certified Nurse Aide credential is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJ DOH), Health Facilities Certification & Licensing — not by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing regulates a related but separate credential called the Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA), which is for in-home care work. The two credentials are commonly confused but follow completely different training, exam, and oversight pathways. If you want to work in a nursing home or hospital, you need the CNA credential; if you want to work in patients' homes through a home health agency, you need the CHHA credential.
Second, New Jersey is one of the few states that uses PSI Services LLC as its CNA testing vendor, rather than the more common Prometric, Credentia, or Headmaster. PSI administers both portions of the New Jersey Nurse Aide Examination — the combined fee is $76 (skills + written) or $90 (skills + oral). The exam is scheduled through njna.psiexams.com, and PSI candidate services are at 877-774-4243. Most training programs schedule their graduates' first exam attempt within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.
The training itself is 90 hours under a NJ DOH-approved Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) — 15 hours above the federal minimum, split into 50 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed long-term care facility. Most full-time programs run 4 to 6 weeks. Several large New Jersey LTC chains in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Middlesex, Mercer, and Camden counties sponsor CNA training in exchange for a work commitment. The minimum age for CNA training in New Jersey is 18, and while NJ DOH does not require a high school diploma, most training programs do.
How to Become a CNA in New Jersey
- 1
Confirm you meet the prerequisites and understand the credential
You must be at least 18, free of disqualifying convictions, and able to read and write English. Critically, understand that the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) credential in New Jersey is regulated by NJ DOH and is different from the Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA), which is regulated by the NJ Board of Nursing. CNAs work in licensed facilities; CHHAs work in homes. The pathways are separate.
- 2
Find a NJ DOH-approved Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training Program (NATCEP)
Look for a state-approved 90-hour program. Approved programs are run by New Jersey's community college system (especially Bergen Community College, Brookdale, Camden County, Mercer County, Union County), the American Red Cross, nursing facility chains, and private career schools. Many NJ LTC operators in northern and central New Jersey sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
- 3
Complete the 90-hour NATCEP training program
Pass all 90 hours, including 50 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed long-term care facility. Your program registers you with PSI for the competency exam.
- 4
Complete NJ State Police and FBI background screening
Submit fingerprints through the NJ DOH IdentoGO process for both New Jersey State Police criminal background check and federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Disqualifying offenses include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and vulnerable-adult abuse.
- 5
Schedule and pass the PSI competency exam
Submit your application through PSI's NJ Nurse Aide portal at njna.psiexams.com. The exam costs $76 for the skills + written combination or $90 for skills + oral. PSI testing inquiries: 877-774-4243. Schedule both portions at a PSI-approved New Jersey test center, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.
- 6
Get listed on the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both exam portions and your background check clears, PSI transmits your results to NJ DOH and you are added to the NJ Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at njna.psiexams.com. From that point you are authorized to work as a CNA in any NJ DOH-licensed long-term care facility, hospital, or other licensed healthcare setting.
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
3 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in New Jersey (16)
Hudson County Community College
Jersey City, NJ
Enhanced Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training
- Duration:
- 12 weeks
- Cost:
- $1,200
Mercer County Community College
Trenton, NJ
Certified Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 90 hours
- Cost:
- $1,328
Samuel Morris Career Institute of New Jersey
Newark, NJ
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 90 hours
American Institute of Professional Studies
Newark, NJ
Certified Nurse Aide (NATCEP)
- Duration:
- 90 hours (4-11 weeks)
- Cost:
- $3,200
Divine Medical Services
Newark, NJ
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Duration:
- 5 weeks (90 hours)
- Cost:
- $900
New Community Career & Technical Institute
Newark, NJ
Patient Care Technician (includes CNA certification)
St. Bernadine School of Allied Health
Jersey City, NJ
CNA Certification
- Duration:
- 90 hours / 6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in New Jersey
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in New Jersey?
+
You must be at least 18, complete a NJ DOH-approved 90-hour NATCEP training program (50 classroom + 40 clinical), pass a New Jersey State Police and federal FBI fingerprint background check through the NJ DOH IdentoGO process, and pass both portions of the PSI competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by NJ DOH, though most training programs require basic English literacy.
Is the CNA in New Jersey the same as the CHHA?
+
No — these are two separate credentials regulated by two different state bodies. The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJ DOH) and works in licensed long-term care facilities, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. The Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA) is regulated by the NJ Board of Nursing (Division of Consumer Affairs) and works in patients' homes through home health agencies. The training programs, applications, fees, and renewal processes are administered separately. Holding a CNA does not allow you to work as a CHHA, and vice versa.
How long does it take to become a CNA in New Jersey?
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Most full-time NATCEP programs run 4 to 6 weeks. Add 2 to 4 weeks for the PSI exam and registry processing, plus 1 to 3 weeks for background check processing through NJ DOH IdentoGO (often done in parallel with training). Total time from program start to working as a CNA is typically 5 to 10 weeks.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in New Jersey?
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New Jersey community college NATCEP programs typically cost $500 to $1,200 for residents. Private programs may run $1,200 to $1,800. Many New Jersey LTC operators sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The PSI exam costs $76 (skills + written) or $90 (skills + oral). NJ DOH IdentoGO fingerprinting costs approximately $50 to $75. Total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $0 (employer-sponsored) to about $1,500.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in New Jersey?
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Not from NJ DOH — the New Jersey Department of Health does not require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification. However, the minimum age is 18 (not 16, as in many states), and most individual training programs do require a diploma, GED, or current high school enrollment. Several New Jersey vocational and technical schools offer CNA programs as part of their healthcare career pathway.
Why does New Jersey use PSI instead of Prometric for the CNA exam?
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New Jersey contracts with PSI Services LLC to operate the Nurse Aide Registry and administer the competency examination — different from the majority of states that use Prometric or Credentia. PSI operates testing sites across New Jersey, with the exam fee at $76 (skills + written exam combination) or $90 (skills + oral exam). The exam is scheduled through njna.psiexams.com. PSI also handles the registry itself, with verification available through the same portal. Candidate services are at 877-774-4243.