CNA Classes in Oklahoma
18 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 6 cities in Oklahoma. Oklahoma requires 75 hours minimum (Long Term Care Aide) of training, with the competency exam administered by D&SDT-Headmaster (primary), with Prometric and Health Certification Project also approved by OSDH.
Training Hours
75 hours minimum (Long Term Care Aide)
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
D&SDT-Headmaster (primary), with Prometric and Health Certification Project also approved by OSDH
Set by each approved Oklahoma test site rather than a single statewide fee; Prometric administers a written option at $25 written + $25 oral + $30 clinical, while D&SDT-Headmaster sites and OSU-OKC publish site-specific testing fees through their training programs (typically $110-$135 combined)
Time to Certify
4-8 weeks (most 75-hour programs run 4-6 weeks plus 1-2 weeks for the exam and registry posting)
Minimum Age
16
Cost: $300-$900 including tuition (often free at CareerTech), exam fees, fingerprinting, and required uniforms/supplies
What makes Oklahoma different: Oklahoma is one of the few states that allows three competing OSDH-approved testing vendors (Headmaster, Prometric, and HCP), giving Long Term Care Aide candidates flexibility in choosing where and how they test.
CNA Classes by City in Oklahoma
Becoming a CNA in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's nurse aide pathway is administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Long Term Care Service and the certification credential is formally called Long Term Care Aide (LTCA). OSDH sets the curriculum under OAC 310:677, approves training providers, maintains the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry, and accepts test results from three competing OSDH-approved testing vendors: D&SDT-Headmaster, Prometric, and the Health Certification Project (HCP).
Oklahoma's minimum is 75 training hours - the federal OBRA floor - structured as roughly 59 classroom/lab hours plus 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. A unique sequencing rule from OAC 310:677-11-4 requires the first 16 hours to cover communication, infection control, safety, resident independence, and resident rights before students may have any direct resident contact. Many Oklahomans complete the program tuition-free through the state's CareerTech system or through nursing-home employer-sponsored classes.
Long Term Care Aides work in nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, hospitals, home health, and assisted living settings statewide. The OSDH Nurse Aide Registry tracks certification status, training history, and any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property, and employers are required to check the registry before hiring.
How to Become a CNA in Oklahoma
- 1
Confirm Oklahoma eligibility
Candidates must be at least 16 years old, able to read and write in English, and pass an OSBI criminal background check plus a Nurse Aide Registry abuse and neglect screening. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) maintains the disqualifying offenses list at oklahoma.gov/health.
- 2
Enroll in an OSDH-approved Long Term Care Aide program
Choose a program approved by OSDH Long Term Care Service. Many Oklahomans use the state's CareerTech technology centers, community colleges, vocational programs, and nursing-home employer programs. The curriculum is set at a minimum of 75 hours, including 16 clinical hours and skills topics that must be taught before any direct resident contact.
- 3
Complete the 16 hours of mandated pre-clinical training
Before you can touch a resident, Oklahoma requires you to complete 16 hours of instruction in communication, infection control, safety and emergency procedures (including Heimlich), promoting resident independence, and resident rights. This rule comes from OAC 310:677 and is unique to Oklahoma's curriculum sequencing.
- 4
Choose your OSDH-approved testing vendor
Unlike most states, Oklahoma lets you select among three approved competency-exam vendors: D&SDT-Headmaster (the most common, via hdmaster.com), Prometric, and the Health Certification Project. Each vendor delivers a written/oral knowledge exam plus a 5-skill hands-on demonstration. Headmaster's combined fee is approximately $110.
- 5
Pass the written and skills competency evaluation
Schedule both portions through your chosen vendor's portal. You must pass both within two years of finishing training and within three attempts. Most candidates take the written portion online or at a regional Headmaster test site and the skills portion at a Headmaster Regional Test Site (RTS) in person.
- 6
Get listed on the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry
Once results are reported, OSDH adds your name to the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) and you can begin working as a Certified Nurse Aide in any licensed long-term care setting. The public can verify your status at phin.state.ok.us/narswbsearch.
- 7
Renew every 24 months with documented work
Oklahoma certification lasts two years. To renew, you must provide proof of at least eight hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the prior 24 months. Renewal applications are submitted directly to the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry by mail or via the registry portal.
Free CNA Programs in Oklahoma
3 programs offer no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based).
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
6 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in Oklahoma (18)
Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Rockwell Campus
Oklahoma City, OK
Certified Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 102 hours (up to 12 weeks)
- Cost:
- $525
Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Reno Campus
Oklahoma City, OK
Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 9-month Pre-Nursing pathway
MedNoc Training College
Oklahoma City, OK
Long-Term Care Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 77 hours
- Cost:
- $715-$815
Tulsa Technology Center - Riverside Campus
Tulsa, OK
Long-Term Care Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 1 semester
- Cost:
- $1,558 adult / free HS
Tulsa Technology Center - Peoria Campus
Tulsa, OK
Long-Term Care Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 1 semester
- Cost:
- $1,558 adult / free HS
Oklahoma College of Healthcare
Tulsa, OK
Long-Term Care Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 8 days (2 weeks)
- Cost:
- $650
Tulsa Community WorkAdvance
Tulsa, OK
Long-Term Care Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 4-6 weeks
- Cost:
- Free (grant-funded)
Family Healthcare Training - Tulsa
Tulsa, OK
Long-Term Care Nurse Aide
- Duration:
- 6-10 days
- Cost:
- $499
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Oklahoma
Who regulates CNA certification in Oklahoma?
+
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), specifically the Long Term Care Service, regulates the Long Term Care Aide credential and maintains the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry. OSDH approves training programs under OAC 310:677, sets the curriculum, and accepts results from three approved testing vendors. The registry phone is (405) 426-8150 and email is [email protected].
Can I choose which testing vendor to use in Oklahoma?
+
Yes, this is one of Oklahoma's most distinctive features. OSDH has approved three vendors for the LTCA competency evaluation: D&SDT-Headmaster (the most widely used, hdmaster.com), Prometric, and the Health Certification Project (HCP). You can select whichever vendor has the most convenient test sites or pricing - all three submit passing results directly to the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry.
What does Oklahoma's 16-hour pre-clinical rule mean for students?
+
Under OAC 310:677-11-4, Oklahoma requires you to complete at least 16 hours of instruction in five specific topic areas - communication, infection control, safety and emergency procedures (including the Heimlich maneuver), promoting resident independence, and resident rights - before you can have any direct resident contact during the clinical portion. This is why most Oklahoma programs front-load those topics in the first week of class.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Oklahoma?
+
Total out-of-pocket cost typically ranges from $300 to $900. Tuition is often free at Oklahoma CareerTech technology centers and through employer-sponsored programs at nursing homes. The Headmaster competency exam fee is approximately $110 for both portions. Other costs include OSBI background check, scrubs, a stethoscope, and a watch with a second hand.
How do I renew my Oklahoma Long Term Care Aide certification?
+
Certification is valid for 24 months. To renew, you must document at least eight hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the prior 24 months and submit a renewal application to the OSDH Nurse Aide Registry. There is no continuing-education hours requirement, but employers must provide annual in-service training.
Does Oklahoma accept out-of-state CNA reciprocity?
+
Yes. CNAs in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry can apply for reciprocity by submitting a NAR-RECIP application to the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry, along with proof of current out-of-state certification and at least eight hours of paid work within the past 24 months. Once OSDH verifies your status with the home-state registry, your name is added to the Oklahoma NAR without retesting.