How much does CNA training cost?
Most CNA programs cost $800 to $2,500 and take 4 to 12 weeks. The state exam adds about $100 to $150. Many people pay nothing: WIOA can pay for the whole program if you qualify, and a nursing home that hires you soon after you finish may have to pay your training costs back.
The federal list of approved training shows 2,245 CNA programs across 49 states. The table below shows how many your state has, how long they run, and the best job result, so you can ask the right schools for a price.
CNA programs by state
| State | Approved programs | Typical length | Best result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 38 | 6 weeks | 86% working after, Taite Healthcare Training, LLC |
| Alaska | 6 | 15 weeks | 85% working after, University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) |
| Arizona | 36 | 16 weeks | 100% working after, The Meadows of Northern Arizona Inc. |
| Arkansas | 51 | 16 weeks | 100% working after, JWS Helping Hands |
| California | 116 | 9 weeks | 100% working after, Lotus Medical Career College |
| Colorado | 30 | 5 weeks | 100% working after, Pueblo Community College |
| Connecticut | 29 | 6 weeks | 100% working after, Valley Medical Institute |
| Delaware | 15 | n/a | 100% working after, Bear Professional Institute Inc. |
| District of Columbia | none listed | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | 75 | 12 weeks | 94% working after, Lake Technical College-CSCF |
| Georgia | 82 | 6 weeks | 97% working after, MEDICAL INSTITUTE OF SOUTH GEORGIA |
| Hawaii | 13 | 9 weeks | 89% working after, Hawaii Institute of Healthcare & Training Services |
| Idaho | 9 | n/a | 66% working after, North Idaho College Workforce Training Center |
| Illinois | 120 | 15 weeks | n/a |
| Indiana | 188 | 4 weeks | 100% working after, Legacy Cna Training |
| Iowa | 23 | 6 weeks | 86% working after, HeartCert |
| Kansas | 29 | 8 weeks | 100% working after, Mid-America College of Health Sciences |
| Kentucky | 31 | 1 weeks | 100% working after, Ashland Community and Technical College |
| Louisiana | 40 | 6 weeks | 100% working after, Holmes Healthcare Training Center |
| Maine | 45 | n/a | 100% working after, Auburn Adult Education |
| Maryland | 35 | 8 weeks | 91% working after, Cecil College |
| Massachusetts | 43 | 5 weeks | 38% working after, American Training Inc |
| Michigan | 116 | 3 weeks | 100% working after, INLE HEALTHCARE TRAINING LLC |
| Minnesota | 26 | 30 weeks | 87% working after, Riverland Community College |
| Mississippi | 22 | 15 weeks | 86% working after, Hinds Community College - Nursing and Allied Health Center |
| Missouri | 67 | 10 weeks | 100% working after, East Central College |
| Montana | 29 | 30 weeks | 89% working after, MSU - BILLINGS/CITY COLLEGE |
| Nebraska | 18 | 5 weeks | 93% working after, Nebraska Health Care Learning Center |
| Nevada | 22 | 7 weeks | 88% working after, Saint Therese Learning Institute |
| New Hampshire | 16 | 9 weeks | 76% working after, My CNA Now LLC |
| New Jersey | 40 | n/a | 100% working after, Bergen Community College Continuing Education Program |
| New Mexico | 11 | 10 weeks | 80% working after, University of NM - Taos-North-C131 |
| New York | 57 | 8 weeks | 100% working after, LIVINGSTON COUNTY |
| North Carolina | 127 | 14 weeks | 100% working after, Wake Technical Community College |
| North Dakota | 7 | 3 weeks | 91% working after, TrainND Southwest |
| Ohio | 147 | 3 weeks | 100% working after, Med-Cert Inc |
| Oklahoma | none listed | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | 21 | 5 weeks | 91% working after, Clatsop Community College |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 5 weeks | 100% working after, DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
| Rhode Island | 9 | 12 weeks | 86% working after, Crossroads Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | 19 | 8 weeks | 87% working after, Professional Medical Training Center |
| South Dakota | 2 | 10 weeks | 14% working after, Avera Education & Staffing Solutions |
| Tennessee | 39 | 7 weeks | 91% working after, TENNESSEE COLLEGE OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY AT SHELBYVILLE |
| Texas | 94 | n/a | 87% working after, Weatherford College |
| Utah | 22 | 15 weeks | 69% working after, RIDGEVIEW CNA, SAINT GEORGE |
| Vermont | 7 | n/a | 100% working after, Southwest Vermont Regional Technical School District |
| Virginia | 81 | 7 weeks | 100% working after, Medical Solutions Academy |
| Washington | 71 | 4 weeks | 92% working after, Health Professionals Institute |
| West Virginia | 5 | n/a | 100% working after, Ashland Community & Tech College (KY Com and Tech College S… |
| Wisconsin | 59 | 15 weeks | 100% working after, Neway Directions inc. |
| Wyoming | 19 | 8 weeks | 86% working after, Central Wyoming College |
CNA programs on each state's approved training list. From the federal Eligible Training Provider data (U.S. Department of Labor, September 2026). "Best result" is the highest share working in the second quarter after leaving, among programs with at least 10 people finished. The federal list does not carry a reliable price per student, so ask each school for its price in writing. Oklahoma does not send its list to the federal index. Tap a state for its approved schools and how to apply there.
What the price covers
Usually included: Tuition, the textbook, scrubs and shoes, the background check, immunizations and TB test, and the state exam fee.
Exam and license fees: State competency exam, $100 to $150.
How long it takes: 4 to 12 weeks.
Ask each school for its full price in writing, including books, uniforms, background checks, and exam fees, so you compare the same thing.
How to get CNA training for free
- WIOA. If you qualify, a WIOA training account pays an approved school directly, and it usually covers the exam fee too. The free Navigator checks your eligibility in about a minute.
- A nursing home that hires you. Under federal rules (42 CFR 483.152), if a nursing home that takes Medicare or Medicaid hires you within 12 months of finishing, your training costs are paid back to you, a share at a time, while you work there. Many nursing homes also run free classes for people they plan to hire.
- Hospitals and the Red Cross. Some hospitals pay for patient care training for new hires, and the American Red Cross runs nurse assistant classes in some areas. Ask about the cost and any work commitment before you sign up.
WIOA is a grant, not a loan. You apply at your local American Job Center. The WIOA CNA guide covers what boards pay for, and how to apply for WIOA walks through the steps.