Career guide

How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Hands-on patient care in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living and home health. The fastest common entry point into healthcare.

Training time
4–12 weeks (federal minimum 75 hours; many states require more)
Certification
State nurse aide competency exam (written + skills)
Median pay
$42,260 per year
BLS, May 2025
Where you'll work
Nursing homes, hospitals, home health, assisted living
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Featured program

Health Tech Associates

Hybrid 75-Hour CNA

Length
21 days · 75 hours
Format
Online theory, then 3 lab days and 4 clinical days
In person
7 days total
Tuition
$895
Starts
Every month
Location
West Des Moines, IA

Keep your job while you train: the classroom portion is online and self-paced. Health Tech Associates is also a DIAL-approved CNA skills testing site.

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What a CNA does

  • Help patients bathe, dress, eat and move safely
  • Take and record vital signs
  • Report changes in a patient's condition to the nurse
  • Keep rooms clean, safe and stocked

Steps to get started

  1. Pick a state-approved or accredited program. Check your state's requirements first; they differ.
  2. Complete classroom (often online) and hands-on training.
  3. Pass the certification exam: State nurse aide competency exam (written + skills).
  4. Apply for jobs. Many employers hire right out of training.

See requirements by state.

Where it can lead

Many CNAs go on to become LPNs or RNs; some employers pay for that schooling.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a CNA?

Most CNA programs take 4 to 12 weeks. Federal rules require at least 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised hands-on practice, and many states require more.

Can I take CNA classes online?

Partly. The classroom portion is often online or hybrid, but every state requires in-person skills lab and clinical practice before you can test.

Is CNA certification the same in every state?

No. Each state runs its own nurse aide registry and exam. If you move, you usually transfer your certification through the new state's reciprocity process.

What is on the CNA exam?

The state competency exam has a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills test where you perform several randomly chosen nursing assistant skills in front of an evaluator.

Live in Iowa? See CNA classes in Iowa.

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