Becoming a CNA
What a nursing assistant does, the requirements, and the steps to certification.
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The route to your CNA certificate
Most states follow the same four stops. The details (hours, fees, who runs the exam) change from state to state, and our state guides cover them.
- 1 Check the requirements Age, schooling, health checks and background checks.
- 2 Finish a training program Classroom lessons plus supervised hands-on practice.
- 3 Pass the exam A written or oral test and a hands-on skills test.
- 4 Get listed and start work Your name goes on the state registry, then you keep it active.
Browse the guides
Everything about becoming a CNA, in one place
CNA training and classes
How programs run, how long they take, what they cost and where to find free ones.
Guides on the way
CNA rules by state
Training hours, exams, fees and the nurse aide registry in each state, from official sources.
Guides on the way
License and working
Looking up and renewing a license, moving states, the job itself and pay.
Guides on the way
Other healthcare paths
LPN, patient care technician, phlebotomy, medical assistant and home health aide.
Guides on the way
CNA rules change from state to state
Training hours, exam providers, fees and renewal rules are set by each state. Pick yours.
- ALAlabama
- AKAlaska
- AZArizona
- ARArkansas
- CACalifornia
- COColorado
- CTConnecticut
- DEDelaware
- FLFlorida
- GAGeorgia
- HIHawaii
- IDIdaho
- ILIllinois
- INIndiana
- IAIowa
- KSKansas
- KYKentucky
- LALouisiana
- MEMaine
- MDMaryland
- MAMassachusetts
- MIMichigan
- MNMinnesota
- MSMississippi
- MOMissouri
- MTMontana
- NENebraska
- NVNevada
- NHNew Hampshire
- NJNew Jersey
- NMNew Mexico
- NYNew York
- NCNorth Carolina
- NDNorth Dakota
- OHOhio
- OKOklahoma
- OROregon
- PAPennsylvania
- RIRhode Island
- SCSouth Carolina
- SDSouth Dakota
- TNTennessee
- TXTexas
- UTUtah
- VTVermont
- VAVirginia
- WAWashington
- WVWest Virginia
- WIWisconsin
- WYWyoming
- DCWashington, DC
Latest guides
New on the roadmap
How we make our guides
- We go to the official source. State rules, fees and exam details come from the state's nurse aide registry, health department or exam handbook, dated and linked.
- Career information, not medical advice. We explain training, exams and licensing. For anything about patient care, follow your instructor, your employer and your state.
- Free to read, paid for by ads. No school pays to be mentioned or ranked. Here's how the site is funded.
Quick answers
What is a CNA?
A certified nursing assistant helps patients and residents with daily care, such as bathing, dressing, eating and moving, under the supervision of a nurse. They work in nursing homes, hospitals, home care and other settings. Our guide to what a CNA does goes through the job in more detail.
Is the training the same in every state?
No. Each state sets its own training hours, exam and fees, within federal rules for nursing homes. Our state guides give each state's figures from its official pages.
Can I do CNA training online?
Some programs teach the classroom part online, but the hands-on skills and supervised practice have to be done in person. Our online classes guide explains what to check before you enroll.
Do you run or recommend training programs?
No. We don't run courses and we don't rank schools. We explain how programs work and what to ask, and link to official lists of approved programs.
Not sure where to start?
Our step-by-step guide walks through the whole route, from requirements to your first job.