Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR
Basic Nursing Assistant (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- 136 hours
- Cost:
- $1,466
CNA Classes in Oregon
20 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 7 cities in Oregon. Oregon requires 155 hours minimum (more than double the federal 75-hour OBRA standard) of training, with the competency exam administered by D&SDT-Headmaster.
Training Hours
155 hours minimum (more than double the federal 75-hour OBRA standard)
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
D&SDT-Headmaster
$106 OSBN application fee paid through the OSBN Nurse Portal, which covers initial exam authorization with D&SDT-Headmaster; retake fees are $25 knowledge, $45 skills, or $70 for both
Time to Certify
10-16 weeks (155-hour program completion plus 2-4 weeks for OSBN application processing and fingerprint clearance)
Minimum Age
16
Cost: $900-$1,800 including 155-hour tuition, OSBN application fee, Fieldprint background check (~$70.50), Headmaster exam fees, and required supplies
What makes Oregon different: Effective July 1, 2025, Oregon consolidated its former CNA 1 and CNA 2 tiers into a single unified CNA certification, while still requiring 155 training hours - more than double the federal minimum.
CNA Classes by City in Oregon
Becoming a CNA in Oregon
Oregon has one of the most rigorous CNA pathways in the United States, set and enforced by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) - the same board that regulates RNs and LPNs. The Oregon CNA program requires 155 training hours (80 classroom/lab + 75 clinical), more than double the federal OBRA 75-hour minimum, reflecting Oregon's strong emphasis on geriatric care and patient safety.
Effective July 1, 2025, OSBN consolidated the previous CNA 1 (basic) and CNA 2 (advanced acute-care) tiers into a single unified Certified Nursing Assistant credential, streamlining the pathway for both new applicants and existing CNAs. OSBN contracts with D&SDT-Headmaster to deliver the two-part competency evaluation - a 75-question multiple-choice knowledge test and a 5-skill hands-on skills evaluation - and applicants apply directly through the Oregon Nurse Portal at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/orbn.
Oregon CNAs work in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, residential care, assisted living, adult foster homes, hospice, and home health agencies. Because the OSBN application requires Fieldprint fingerprint-based background clearance and a $106 application fee in addition to the Headmaster testing fees, the total cost to become a CNA in Oregon typically runs between $900 and $1,800 - though many employer-sponsored programs cover the tuition portion in exchange for a short post-certification work commitment.
How to Become a CNA in Oregon
- 1
Confirm OSBN eligibility
You must be physically and mentally able to perform CNA duties safely, able to communicate in English, and free of disqualifying criminal history. The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) reviews each application individually under OAR Chapter 851 Division 062.
- 2
Enroll in an OSBN-approved 155-hour CNA program
Choose a program approved by OSBN. Approved programs include community colleges (PCC, Chemeketa, Lane), private vocational schools (e.g., Caregiver Training Institute), and employer-sponsored classes at hospitals and long-term care facilities. The curriculum must include 80 classroom/lab hours and 75 supervised clinical hours under an RN instructor.
- 3
Complete the 80 hours of classroom and 75 hours of clinical
Topics include human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, vital signs, communication, personal care, resident rights, nutrition, and the geriatric-care emphasis Oregon places on its curriculum. Clinical hours take place in skilled nursing, hospital, residential care, or assisted living settings under direct RN supervision.
- 4
Submit Fieldprint fingerprints and OSBN application
Complete fingerprint-based criminal history check through Fieldprint Inc. (approximately $70.50) and submit your $106 CNA application to OSBN through the Oregon Nurse Portal at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/orbn. OSBN reviews your training documentation and approves you to test.
- 5
Register for the Headmaster Oregon CNA exam
Once OSBN approves you to test, register with D&SDT-Headmaster at hdmaster.com. The knowledge test is 75 multiple-choice questions over 90 minutes with a 75% passing score, and the skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected hands-on skills within 35 minutes for a Headmaster evaluator.
- 6
Get added to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry
After you pass both portions of the Headmaster exam, results are reported to OSBN. Once fingerprint clearance is also received, OSBN issues your CNA certificate and lists your name on the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry, which employers verify through the OSBN license-lookup tool.
- 7
Renew every two years
Oregon CNA certifications are valid for 24 months. You must renew through the Oregon Nurse Portal, document at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work in the prior 24 months, and pay the renewal fee. OSBN does not require continuing education for CNA renewal, but employers may.
Free CNA Programs in Oregon
6 programs offer no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based).
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
3 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in Oregon (20)
Rogue Community College - Table Rock Campus
White City, OR
Nursing Assistant I (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- 155 hours
Portland Community College - Sylvania Campus
Portland, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- 1 semester
- Cost:
- $650
Caregiver Training Institute
Portland, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant Level 1 (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- 4-7 weeks (110 hours)
Marquis Piedmont Nursing Assistant Training Program
Portland, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- 4 weeks
Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- 136 contact hours
- Cost:
- $1,466
Avamere Transitional Care at Sunnyside
Salem, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Cost:
- Free (with employment commitment)
Salem Transitional Care
Salem, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Cost:
- Free (with Avamere employment)
Tierra Rose Care Center
Salem, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- Approximately 4-6 weeks
- Cost:
- Free (with post-program employment)
Lane Community College Nursing Assistant Program
Eugene, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- One term (approx. 12 weeks)
- Cost:
- $1,250
Dare 2 Care Learning Center
Eugene, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Duration:
- 4-week and 8-week options
Volare Health Nursing Assistant Training
Eugene, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Cost:
- Free (tuition-free for accepted students)
Avamere Rehabilitation of Eugene
Eugene, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Cost:
- Free (employer-paid)
Avamere Riverpark of Eugene
Eugene, OR
Certified Nursing Assistant 1 (CNA 1)
- Cost:
- Free (employer-paid)
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Oregon
Why does Oregon require 155 training hours instead of the federal 75?
+
The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) sets the 155-hour minimum under OAR 851-062 to ensure CNAs are prepared for Oregon's strong geriatric and long-term-care workforce needs. The 155 hours break down to 80 classroom and lab hours plus 75 hours of supervised clinical practice - more than double the federal OBRA minimum and roughly twice what neighboring states such as Idaho or Nevada require.
What changed when Oregon merged CNA 1 and CNA 2 in July 2025?
+
Effective July 1, 2025, OSBN consolidated the former CNA 1 (basic long-term care) and CNA 2 (advanced acute care) tiers into a single unified Certified Nursing Assistant certification. New applicants now follow one 155-hour pathway, and existing CNA 1 and CNA 2 license holders were transitioned to the unified credential. This eliminates the need to complete a separate CNA 2 upgrade course to work in hospitals.
How much does the Oregon CNA exam cost through Headmaster?
+
Oregon bundles its exam fee into the $106 OSBN application paid through the Nurse Portal, which serves as both your initial registry application and your first attempt at the D&SDT-Headmaster knowledge and skills exam. Retakes are billed separately at $25 for the knowledge test, $45 for the skills test, or $70 if you need to retake both. You will also pay a Fieldprint fingerprint background check of approximately $70.50. Oral exams are available for candidates needing reading accommodations.
Where do I take the Oregon CNA exam?
+
D&SDT-Headmaster operates Regional Test Sites (RTS) throughout Oregon for the skills evaluation, including Portland, Salem, Eugene, Medford, and Bend, with additional sites at OSBN-approved training programs that have agreed to host the test. The knowledge test can be taken at a Headmaster test center or online with remote proctoring.
How do I verify someone's Oregon CNA license?
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Use the OSBN License Lookup tool at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup. Search by name, license number, or city. The results show the CNA's certification number, current status (active, expired, suspended), expiration date, and any disciplinary action. OSBN also offers primary source verification for out-of-state employers.
Can I transfer my CNA license from another state to Oregon?
+
Yes. CNAs in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry can apply to OSBN by endorsement. You must submit the CNA application through the Oregon Nurse Portal, complete the Fieldprint fingerprint background check, and have your home-state registry send verification directly to OSBN. If your training did not include at least 155 hours, OSBN may require additional coursework before adding you to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry.