Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
Nurse Aide I (NA I) Training Program
- Duration:
- 16 weeks
CNA Classes in North Carolina
21 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 3 cities in North Carolina. North Carolina requires 75 hours (Nurse Aide I) of training, with the competency exam administered by Pearson VUE.
Training Hours
75 hours (Nurse Aide I)
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
Pearson VUE
Approximately $120 total for both portions
Time to Certify
5–10 weeks for NA I (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks); NA II adds another 8–12 weeks of additional training
Minimum Age
16
Cost: $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,200 for NA I; NA II adds another $600–$1,500
What makes North Carolina different: North Carolina is one of the few states with a two-tier nursing assistant system — Nurse Aide I (NA I) is the standard CNA, and Nurse Aide II (NA II) is an advanced credential requiring additional training that allows expanded clinical skills like sterile dressing changes and catheterization
CNA Classes by City in North Carolina
Becoming a CNA in North Carolina
Becoming a CNA in North Carolina is unique because the state operates a two-tier nursing assistant credentialing system that no other state quite matches. The entry-level credential, Nurse Aide I (NA I), is the equivalent of the standard CNA found in other states and requires the federal-minimum 75 hours of training. The advanced credential, Nurse Aide II (NA II), requires an additional 80+ hours of training and a separate competency evaluation and authorizes expanded clinical skills like sterile dressing changes, catheterization, and certain medication administration. Most CNA pathways in NC start with NA I and add NA II later, after gaining experience, to broaden employment options.
The NA I pathway itself is conventional. Full-time programs at the North Carolina Community College System, the American Red Cross, and private career schools typically run 4 to 6 weeks. The exam vendor is Pearson VUE rather than the more common Prometric or Credentia, and the combined fee is approximately $120 for both the written and skills portions. The NC State Bureau of Investigation criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance must clear before you are added to the Nurse Aide I Registry at ncnar.org.
After working as a NA I, many candidates pursue NA II certification through the North Carolina Board of Nursing (a separate regulator from DHSR, which oversees NA I). NA II training is typically offered at community colleges and hospital systems, often as a continuing-education pathway for working CNAs, with tuition in the $600 to $1,500 range. The NA II credential is highly valued by hospitals and some skilled nursing facilities and can meaningfully expand your earning potential. Several NC hospital systems and nursing facility chains sponsor NA II training for current NA I employees in exchange for a work commitment.
How to Become a CNA in North Carolina
- 1
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under NC healthcare worker background check rules, and able to read and write English. The North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation does not require a high school diploma for NA I certification, though most training programs require basic English literacy and some require students to be 18.
- 2
Find a North Carolina DHSR-approved Nurse Aide I Training Program
Look for a 75-hour state-approved NA I program. Approved programs are run through the North Carolina Community College System, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Many NC LTC chains in the Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Asheville markets sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
- 3
Complete the 75-hour NA I training program
Pass all 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience. Your program issues a program completion certificate that allows you to register for the Pearson VUE competency exam. Note that this credentials you as Nurse Aide I — if you want NA II credentials with expanded scope of practice, you must complete a separate, longer NA II program.
- 4
Complete SBI and FBI background screening
Submit fingerprints for both NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) 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 Pearson VUE competency exam
Submit your North Carolina Nurse Aide I application through home.pearsonvue.com/nc/nurseaide. The total cost is approximately $120 for both portions. Schedule the written/oral and skills exams at a Pearson VUE Professional Center in North Carolina, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.
- 6
Get listed on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry
Once you pass both exam portions, Pearson VUE transmits your results to the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation and you are added to the state Nurse Aide I Registry. You can verify your status at ncnar.org. From that point you are credentialed as a NA I and can work in any NC licensed healthcare facility.
- 7
Consider Nurse Aide II if you want expanded scope
After working as a NA I, you can pursue Nurse Aide II (NA II) certification, which requires an additional 80+ hours of training and a separate competency evaluation through the North Carolina Board of Nursing. NA II allows expanded clinical skills like sterile dressing changes, catheterization, and certain medication administration. This is North Carolina-specific — most other states have a single CNA tier.
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
2 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in North Carolina (21)
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
Nurse Aide I (NA I) Training Program
- Duration:
- 168 hours
Guilford Technical Community College
Greensboro, NC
Nursing Assistant I (NA I) Training Program
- Duration:
- 214 hours
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Charlotte, NC
Nurse Aide I (CNA)
- Duration:
- 120-136 hours, 2-3 months
Chosen Health Care Institute
Charlotte, NC
Certified Nursing Assistant I (CNA I)
- Duration:
- 128 hours over 4 weeks
- Cost:
- $850
American Academy of Healthcare
Charlotte, NC
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Duration:
- 136 hours
- Cost:
- $930
Divine Health Academy
Charlotte, NC
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA I)
- Duration:
- 112 hours
- Cost:
- $550
Wake Technical Community College - Scott Northern Wake Campus
Raleigh, NC
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 168 hours
Wake Technical Community College - Public Safety Education Campus
Raleigh, NC
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 168 hours
Diversified Healthcare Training Institute
Raleigh, NC
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 124 hours (4-week accelerated)
Triad Medical Academy
Greensboro, NC
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 120 hours (approx. 6-8 weeks)
- Cost:
- $875
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in North Carolina
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in North Carolina?
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You must be at least 16, complete a North Carolina DHSR-approved 75-hour Nurse Aide I training program (with at least 16 clinical hours), pass NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and federal FBI fingerprint background checks, and pass both portions of the Pearson VUE competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by DHSR for NA I, though most training programs require basic English literacy.
What is the difference between Nurse Aide I and Nurse Aide II in North Carolina?
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Nurse Aide I (NA I) is the standard CNA credential in North Carolina, requiring 75 hours of training and the Pearson VUE competency exam. Nurse Aide II (NA II) is an advanced credential regulated by the NC Board of Nursing (a different regulator from DHSR), requiring an additional 80+ hours of training and a separate competency evaluation. NA II allows expanded clinical skills like sterile dressing changes, catheterization, and certain medication administration. Most candidates start with NA I and pursue NA II later if they want broader employment options at hospitals.
How long does it take to become a CNA in North Carolina?
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Most full-time NA I programs run 4 to 6 weeks. After training, allow 2 to 4 weeks for the Pearson VUE exam and registry listing, plus 1 to 3 weeks for background check processing (often done in parallel with training). Total time from NA I program start to registry listing is typically 5 to 10 weeks. Adding NA II credentials later takes another 8 to 12 weeks of training plus the additional exam.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in North Carolina?
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NA I community college programs typically cost $400 to $1,000 for North Carolina residents. Private programs may run higher. Many NC LTC chains and hospital systems sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The Pearson VUE exam costs approximately $120 for both portions. NA II training adds another $600 to $1,500. Total out-of-pocket NA I cost ranges from $0 (employer-sponsored) to about $1,200.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in North Carolina?
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No — the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation does not require a high school diploma or GED for NA I certification. However, many individual training programs do require a diploma, GED, or current high school enrollment. Several NC school districts offer CNA training as part of their Health Sciences career pathway, allowing students 16+ to begin training while still in high school.
Why does North Carolina use Pearson VUE for the CNA exam?
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North Carolina contracts with Pearson VUE to administer the Nurse Aide I competency examination — this is different from many states that use Prometric or Credentia. Pearson VUE operates Professional Centers throughout North Carolina where the written (or oral) knowledge test and the hands-on skills evaluation are administered. The total exam fee is approximately $120. You schedule through home.pearsonvue.com/nc/nurseaide.