Steps to become a certified nursing assistant
Becoming a CNA takes four steps: meet the program's entry rules, complete a state-approved training program, pass the competency evaluation, and get listed on your state's nurse aide registry.[ecfr152][ooh_na]
- Pick a state-approved program. Only programs approved by your state count toward certification. Community colleges, technical schools and some nursing homes run them; BLS notes that nursing assistants "often need to complete a state-approved education program".[ooh_na]
- Complete the training hours. Federal rules require at least 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training under a registered or licensed practical nurse, and 16 hours of specific topics before any direct contact with residents.[ecfr152]
- Pass the competency evaluation. The state exam has a written or oral part and a skills demonstration, and you must pass both.[ecfr154]
- Get on the nurse aide registry. Passing puts you on the state registry, which employers check before hiring.
CNA training hours: the federal minimum and state rules
The federal minimum for nurse aide training is 75 clock hours with at least 16 hours of supervised practical training, and states may require more.[ecfr152] The rule applies to aides in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes, which is why it sets the floor for CNA programs nationwide.
| Rule | Total hours | Classroom | Clinical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal minimum (42 CFR 483.152) | 75 | — | 16 supervised (minimum) |
| California (CDPH) | 160 | 60 | 100 |
| Texas (HHSC) | 100 | set by program | set by program |
A nursing home may employ a new aide for up to four months full-time while the aide completes training and the competency evaluation; after that, the aide must be competent and have completed an approved program.[ecfr35] Some nursing homes use this rule to hire trainees and pay for their classes.
How long does it take to become a CNA?
Becoming a CNA takes a few weeks to about one semester, depending on how many hours your state requires and whether the program runs full-time, evenings or weekends.[s_panola][s_cuesta] The table lists public college programs with their published hours and prices.
| Program | Length | Published cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panola College (TX) | 112 hours (64 lecture + 48 clinical) | $794 | Tuition, textbook, fees and the $125 state exam fee; scrubs extra |
| Cuesta College (CA) | 9 weeks | $676–$1,111 | California resident enrollment fees, books, uniform, $140 exam and health fees (upper estimate) |
The full cost picture, including the LPN step, is on nursing school cost.
Free CNA training: what federal rules require
A nurse aide who is employed by a nursing home, or has a job offer from one, on the day training starts cannot be charged for any part of an approved program, including textbooks and other required materials.[ecfr152] If you pay for training yourself and a nursing home hires you within 12 months of finishing, the state must reimburse your costs pro rata while you work there as an aide. Ask about this before you enroll, and keep your receipts.
CNA certification exam and registry
The CNA certification exam is the state competency evaluation, with a written or oral test and a demonstration of skills drawn at random from the tasks nurse aides perform, given by a registered nurse in a lab or care setting.[ecfr154] Each state runs its own exam through an approved testing vendor and sets the fee and retake rules, so check your state's nurse aide registry page for current details. After you pass, your name and certification status appear on the registry.
What CNAs earn after certification
CNAs earned a median of $42,260 a year ($20.32 an hour) in May 2025, and BLS estimated 1,448,910 nursing assistant jobs.[onet_cna][oews_api] BLS projects 3% job growth from 2025 to 2035 for nursing assistants and orderlies, with about 203,300 openings a year, mostly from workers leaving the job.[ooh_na] California pays a median of $47,630; see CNA salary for every state.
CNA as a first step in nursing
Many nurses start as CNAs: the work counts as patient-care experience and the pay helps during further school. The next license is LPN, covered on CNA to LPN and how to become an LPN; registered nurse programs are compared on how long is nursing school.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a CNA?
A few weeks to one semester. Federal rules require at least 75 hours of training, and states such as California require more.
How long is CNA training?
At least 75 clock hours by federal rule; at the public colleges we checked, 112 hours (Panola College, Texas) or 9 weeks (Cuesta College, California).
How many hours is CNA training?
At least 75 clock hours under federal rules, including 16 hours of supervised clinical training. California requires 160; Texas requires 100.
Can I work as a CNA before I am certified?
A nursing home may use a new aide for up to four months full-time while the aide is in training; after four months the aide must have completed a state-approved program and competency evaluation (42 CFR 483.35).
How much do CNA classes cost?
The public college programs in the table publish totals of about $794 to $1,111, including the state exam. Under 42 CFR 483.152, aides employed by a nursing home, or holding a job offer from one, when training starts cannot be charged for it.
Sources
- 42 CFR 483.152, Requirements for approval of a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program
- 42 CFR 483.154, Nurse aide competency evaluation (written or oral examination and skills demonstration)
- 42 CFR 483.35(d), Nursing services: requirements for facility hiring and use of nurse aides
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
- Local Wages: 31-1131.00 Nursing Assistants (state and metro percentiles)
- OEWS May 2025 employment and median wage series (OEUN/OEUS), Public Data API v2
- Certified Nurse Aide program (112 hours, $794)
- Nursing Assistant program estimated costs ($676 to $1,111)
- Nurse Assistant Training Program applicants (160 hours: 60 classroom, 100 clinical)
- Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (minimum 100 clock hours)