CNA Classes in Tennessee

You must be at least 16, complete a Tennessee-approved 75-hour Nurse Aide Training Program (with at least 16 clinical hours), pass a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state and federal FBI fingerprint background check, and pass both portions of the Headmaster competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by the state, though most training programs require basic English literacy.

Tennessee uniquely offers a 120-day temporary work permit for candidates who have completed an approved training program but have not yet passed the competency exam. The permit lets you work as a nurse aide under supervision in a licensed facility while you prepare for and take the Headmaster exam. Most candidates use this window to start earning a CNA wage 4 to 6 weeks earlier than they otherwise could. The permit expires automatically if you do not pass both portions of the exam within 120 days.

Most full-time programs run 4 to 6 weeks. After training, you can either start working immediately under the 120-day temporary permit or wait to take the Headmaster exam (typically 2 to 4 weeks). Background check processing adds 1 to 3 weeks, usually done in parallel with training. Total time from program start to full certification is typically 5 to 10 weeks, though the temporary permit lets you start earning much earlier.

Tennessee Board of Regents community college programs typically cost $400 to $1,000 for residents. Private programs may run higher. Many Tennessee LTC operators sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The Headmaster exam costs approximately $97 for both portions — one of the lowest exam fees in the country. Total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $0 (employer-sponsored) to about $1,200.

Not from the state — the Tennessee 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 Tennessee high schools and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology offer CNA training as part of their healthcare career pathway starting at age 16.

Tennessee contracts with Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) to administer the nurse aide competency examination — this is different from the majority of states, which use Prometric or Credentia. Headmaster operates testing sites throughout Tennessee, and candidates schedule through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/tennessee. The two-part exam covers a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation, both of which must be passed to be added to the registry.