Wake Technical Community College
2901 Holston Lane
Nurse Aide I (NA I) Training Program
- Duration:
- 168 hours
- Phone:
- (919) 747-0120
CNA Classes in Raleigh, NC
7 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs in Raleigh. Tuition ranges from $150. North Carolina requires 75 hours (Nurse Aide I) of training and uses Pearson VUE for the competency exam.
Programs in Raleigh
7
Tuition Range
$150
State Required Hours
75 hours (Nurse Aide I)
Exam Vendor
Pearson VUE
All CNA Programs in Raleigh
Wake Technical Community College - Scott Northern Wake Campus
6600 Louisburg Road, Building E
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 168 hours
- Phone:
- (919) 747-0120
Wake Technical Community College - Public Safety Education Campus
321 Chapanoke Road
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 168 hours
- Phone:
- (919) 747-0120
Sembra School
4000 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 190
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Cost:
- $150 registration + payment plans
- Phone:
- (919) 704-7690
Diversified Healthcare Training Institute
5870 Faringdon Place, Suite 2
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 124 hours (4-week accelerated)
- Phone:
- (919) 464-8759
Shades of Purple
6900 Six Forks Road
Nurse Aide I (NA I)
- Duration:
- 152 hours (~15 weeks)
- Phone:
- (919) 926-9255
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.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Raleigh
How many CNA training programs are available in Raleigh, NC?
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Our directory lists 7 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs in Raleigh, NC. All programs must meet North Carolina's minimum of 75 hours (Nurse Aide I) and prepare graduates to sit for the Pearson VUE competency exam.
How much does CNA training cost in Raleigh?
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Published tuition for CNA programs in Raleigh ranges from $150. Sembra School lists the lowest tuition at $150 registration + payment plans. Total out-of-pocket cost also includes the state exam fee (Approximately $120 total for both portions), background check, and uniforms.
What is the fastest CNA program in Raleigh?
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Shades of Purple offers the shortest published program in Raleigh at 152 hours (~15 weeks). North Carolina requires 75 hours (Nurse Aide I) of state-approved training, so any accelerated program must compress the required hours into a shorter calendar window through full-time scheduling. Call (919) 926-9255 for current cohort start dates.
How do I become a CNA in Raleigh, NC?
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To work as a CNA in Raleigh, you must meet a North Carolina-approved training program of at least 75 hours (Nurse Aide I), pass the Pearson VUE competency exam (Two-part exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation), and clear a NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Most candidates complete the full process in 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.
Are there free CNA classes in Raleigh?
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No Raleigh program on our directory currently advertises free tuition, but many North Carolina nursing facilities pay for CNA training in exchange for a work commitment after certification. Ask local long-term care employers about employer-sponsored training programs, and check the American Red Cross and Job Corps for additional pathways.