Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 124 hours
- Cost:
- $1,630
CNA Classes in Pennsylvania
14 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 3 cities in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania requires 80 hours of training, with the competency exam administered by Credentia (formerly Pearson VUE).
Training Hours
80 hours
Federal minimum: 75h
Exam Vendor
Credentia (formerly Pearson VUE)
Approximately $118 total for both portions
Time to Certify
5–10 weeks (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks)
Minimum Age
16
Cost: $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,500 (private program)
What makes Pennsylvania different: Pennsylvania requires three separate background checks under the Older Adults Protective Services Act — state police, child abuse history, and federal FBI fingerprints — making background screening more involved than in most states
CNA Classes by City in Pennsylvania
Becoming a CNA in Pennsylvania
Becoming a CNA in Pennsylvania is a slightly longer-than-federal-minimum pathway: the state requires 80 hours of training rather than the 75-hour federal floor, split into 37.5 hours of classroom instruction and 37.5 hours of supervised clinical experience. Most full-time programs at community colleges and career schools run 4 to 6 weeks. Pennsylvania's Community College system — including Community College of Philadelphia, HACC in Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh-area programs — runs the largest network of approved training, typically priced $400 to $1,200 for residents.
The most distinctive aspect of becoming a CNA in Pennsylvania is the background check requirement. Under the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA), Pennsylvania requires three separate background clearances before you can begin work in any licensed facility: a Pennsylvania State Police criminal record check, a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services child abuse history clearance, and a federal FBI fingerprint clearance. This is more than most states require and adds 2 to 4 weeks to the typical timeline. Start the background process as early in training as possible — most experienced training programs help students initiate all three checks during their first week of classes.
Credentia (formerly known as Pearson VUE) administers Pennsylvania's nurse aide competency examination at testing centers across the state, with the combined fee around $118 for both the written/oral knowledge test and the hands-on skills evaluation. Once you pass and all three background checks clear, you are added to the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry, verifiable at sais.health.pa.gov. The minimum age for CNA training in Pennsylvania is 16, and there is no formal high school diploma requirement from the state.
How to Become a CNA in Pennsylvania
- 1
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA), and able to read and write English. The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not require a high school diploma or GED, though most training programs require basic English literacy.
- 2
Find a Pennsylvania DOH-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
Look for an 80-hour state-approved program. Approved programs are run by Pennsylvania's community college system (especially Community College of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Technical College, HACC), the American Red Cross, nursing facility chains, and private career schools. Many Pennsylvania LTC operators in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Lancaster sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
- 3
Complete the 80-hour training program
Pass all 80 hours, including 37.5 hours of classroom and 37.5 hours of supervised clinical experience. Your program registers you with Credentia for the competency exam.
- 4
Complete all three required background checks
Pennsylvania requires three separate background clearances under OAPSA: a Pennsylvania State Police criminal record check, a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services child abuse history clearance, and a federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Submit fingerprints for the state and federal checks. All three must clear before you can begin work in any licensed facility. Allow 2 to 4 weeks total for processing.
- 5
Schedule and pass the Credentia competency exam
Apply through Credentia's CNA365 portal for the Pennsylvania nurse aide examination. The total exam fee is approximately $118 for both the written (or oral) and skills portions. Schedule both at a Credentia-approved Pennsylvania test center, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.
- 6
Get listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both exam portions and all three background checks clear, Credentia transmits your results to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and you are added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at sais.health.pa.gov. From that point you are authorized to work as a CNA in any Pennsylvania licensed healthcare facility.
Free CNA Programs in Pennsylvania
2 programs offer no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based).
Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)
4 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.
All CNA Programs in Pennsylvania (14)
HACC - Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, PA
Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 120 hours
- Cost:
- $1,875
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA
Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 168 hours
- Cost:
- $2,399
District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund (HTTI)
Philadelphia, PA
Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 152 hours
- Cost:
- $2,395
Penn Asian Vocational Institute
Philadelphia, PA
Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 120 hours / 7 weeks
Philadelphia Job Corps Center
Philadelphia, PA
Certified Nurse Assistant
- Cost:
- Free (federally funded)
CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center
Pittsburgh, PA
Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 24 days (168 hours)
- Cost:
- $2,399
Energy Innovation Center Institute
Pittsburgh, PA
Nursing Assistant / Patient Care Technician
- Duration:
- 2 weeks
Pittsburgh Job Corps Center
Pittsburgh, PA
Certified Nurse Assistant
- Duration:
- 8-12 months
- Cost:
- Free (federally funded)
CCAC Allegheny Campus
Pittsburgh, PA
Nurse Aide Training Program
- Duration:
- 24 days (168 hours)
- Cost:
- $2,399
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Pennsylvania
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in Pennsylvania?
+
You must be at least 16, complete a Pennsylvania DOH-approved 80-hour Nurse Aide Training Program (37.5 classroom + 37.5 clinical), pass three separate background checks (PA State Police, PA child abuse history clearance, and federal FBI fingerprint), and pass both portions of the Credentia competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by the state.
Why does Pennsylvania require three separate background checks for CNAs?
+
Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) requires three clearances for anyone working with older adults in licensed healthcare facilities: a Pennsylvania State Police criminal record check (PATCH), a Pennsylvania Department of Human Services child abuse history clearance (CAHC), and a federal FBI fingerprint clearance. All three must be on file with your employer before you can begin work. Pennsylvania imposes this triple-check standard precisely because nurse aides work with vulnerable older adults; disqualifying convictions under OAPSA are extensive.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Pennsylvania?
+
Most full-time programs take 4 to 6 weeks. Add 2 to 4 weeks for the Credentia exam and registry listing, plus 2 to 4 weeks for all three background clearances (initiate during week 1 of training so processing happens in parallel). Total time from program start to working as a CNA is typically 5 to 10 weeks, though all three background checks must clear before your start date with any employer.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Pennsylvania?
+
Pennsylvania community college programs typically cost $400 to $1,200 for residents. Private programs may run higher. Many PA LTC operators sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The Credentia exam costs approximately $118 for both portions. The three required background checks (PA State Police, PA child abuse, and FBI fingerprint) together cost approximately $50 to $70. 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 Pennsylvania?
+
Not from the state — the Pennsylvania Department of Health does not require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification. However, many individual training programs do require a diploma, GED, or current high school enrollment. Several Pennsylvania career and technical schools offer CNA training as part of their healthcare career pathway starting at age 16, including a few districts that combine CNA certification with the high school diploma.
What disqualifies you from becoming a CNA in Pennsylvania?
+
Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) defines an extensive list of disqualifying offenses, including violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and any offense involving abuse of an older adult, child, or vulnerable person. Substantiated findings of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any state's nurse aide registry are also disqualifying. Pending criminal charges and certain pending child abuse investigations can delay or prevent certification under OAPSA.