How to Become a CNA: Certification, Training, and More
Working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a great job for anyone who wants to get into healthcare and start working directly with patients relatively quickly. Are you wondering how to become a CNA? Certification isn’t as costly or time-consuming as you may think. Plus, you don’t need a college degree to begin your studies for the role of a CNA — meaning, if you’re eager to find the best entry-level careers in healthcare, it’s a smart option.
Additionally, this job can set you up for a successful career path. If you find you love the atmosphere, it’s a great stepping stone to other healthcare jobs. Let’s look at the responsibilities of a certified nursing assistant (sometimes called a certified nurse aide), the education and skills you need for CNA certification, the salary you can expect, and more.
What Is a CNA?
A CNA is a trained healthcare professional who assists registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in their duties. CNAs provide basic patient care and are often the first point of communication between patients and other medical staff. As you take a patient’s blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs, you’ll be talking and engaging with them, recording any health concerns so that you can report them to your nurse supervisor.
As a CNA, you could be considered the “boots on the ground” of healthcare settings including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities. Some of these professionals opt to become travel CNAs and work assignments on a contract basis all over the country.
RNs supervise your responsibilities and oversee overall patient care, but you are often the first person a patient or resident sees every morning. Part of the reason learning how to be a CNA is such an ideal entry point to the healthcare field is because it makes a true impact on the well-being of patients.
Note that this job is called different things depending on where you’re located. A CNA is referred to as a:
- Licensed nursing assistant (LNA) in New Hampshire and Vermont
- State registered nursing aide (SRNA) in Kentucky
- State tested nursing aide (STNA) in Ohio
What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant Responsible For?
A big part of learning how to become a CNA is understanding your future job duties — is this career the right fit for you? When you earn CNA certification, your responsibility is to provide basic care and help patients with their daily activities. Some tasks overlap with those of an LPN, but the CNA scope of practice is more limited than that of an LPN.
Typical CNA job duties include:
- Providing emotional support and social stimulation to patients.
- Helping patients with basic hygiene like bathing, using the toilet, shaving, and clipping their nails.
- Helping patients get dressed.
- Serving patients meals and assisting with eating, if necessary.
- Safely transferring patients by helping them move from a bed to a wheelchair, or repositioning them.
- Changing bedsheets and keeping rooms clean and tidy.
- Answering patient calls.
- Monitoring patients’ vital signs and overall well-being.
- Providing reports and documentation on the condition of patients.
- Making sure supplies are stocked.
- Assisting nurses and physicians with certain procedures.
Throughout the day, you have frequent contact with patients and residents who often see you as a friend. They might be more open to sharing with you how they’re doing or what’s on their mind, which can go a long way in making them feel at ease. It’s a deep, caring relationship that can be very fulfilling.
For more insights on duties and CNA requirements, check out this sample CNA job description template. It shows you the types of tasks employers expect nursing assistants to assume responsibility for.
Where Do CNAs Work?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the workplaces that have the highest concentration of nursing assistants include:
- Skilled nursing facilities
- General and surgical hospitals
- Assisted living facilities and retirement communities
- Home healthcare services
How Long Does It Take to Become a CNA?
Certified nursing assistant programs can be completed in as little as four to 12 weeks — that’s a relatively short time to get your CNA certification, create a strong CNA resume, and start working. It all depends on where you take classes, your schedule (full time versus part time), and any additional training you pursue. For example, you may want to focus on areas like hospice or memory care.
Also, every state has a separate list of requirements for how to become a CNA, meaning you should check to see what you need in your state of residence. This affects how long it will take you to complete CNA requirements.
How to Become a CNA: Nurse Assistant Training, Skill-Building, and Certification
Ready to start your CNA journey? With the right training, hands-on practice, and certification, you’ll be well-equipped to care for patients. This step-by-step guide explains how to become a CNA.
Step 1: Meet Basic CNA Requirements and Enroll
To become a CNA, you must typically meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
- Minimum age: Be at least 18 years old (although some programs accept students as young as 16).
- Education: Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Background check: Pass a criminal background check.
- Health screening: Provide proof of immunizations. A physical exam, negative TB test, and clear drug screening may also be required.
Enrolling in a state-approved training program is the next step in how to become a CNA. Certified nursing assistant programs are offered at various educational institutions:
- Community colleges
- Vocational schools
- Hospitals
- High school education programs (for eligible students)
No matter which program you choose, make sure it’s officially approved by your state nursing board since this is necessary to qualify for certification.
Step 2: Complete a CNA Training Program
Once enrolled, you’ll begin a comprehensive training program designed to prepare you for the demands of patient care as a CNA. Nurse assistant training typically combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience, giving you both the knowledge and practical skills you’ll need on the job.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect during your CNA training:
- Duration: Your program will typically last between 4 and 12 weeks, depending on whether you attend full time or part time.
- Coursework: You’ll study topics such as common diseases and disorders, infection control, activities of daily living, and patients’ rights.
- Clinical practice: Your program will include supervised hands-on practice in a healthcare setting (such as a nursing home or hospital), where you’ll support patients with daily activities and apply core skills like taking vital signs.
Step 3: Get Certified by Passing Your State’s Exam
The final step in your path of learning how to become a CNA is passing a certified nursing assistant certification exam. This assessment is designed to test everything you’ve learned during your CNA training to ensure you’re fully prepared to provide safe and effective patient care.
While each state sets its own guidelines for the CNA exam, here’s what many candidates can expect:
- Written portion: A multiple-choice test with 60–75 questions focused on core concepts like infection control, patient care, communication, and safety.
- Skills evaluation: Assessment of fundamental CNA tasks — such as handwashing, assisting with mobility, measuring vital signs, and personal hygiene — in front of a qualified evaluator.
After successfully completing the exam and providing all necessary documents to your state CNA regulatory agency (often the state board of nursing), your application will be processed. Once approved, your name will be added to the state CNA registry, officially certifying you to work as a CNA.
What Is CNA Certification?
After you learn how to become a CNA in your classroom training, you will need to be certified by the state before you can start working as a CNA. Certified nursing assistant certification ensures that the workers in these roles possess the skills and knowledge to work with patients.
As mentioned, each state sets its requirements for CNA certifications, but they all require proof you have completed an approved training program and passed an exam. Some states require you to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam. Exams can include written, oral, or demonstration portions where you show that you know how to perform specific tasks.
Some state exams include one, two, or all three of these CNA certification exam modules. You’ll find exam centers throughout the U.S. that have study materials. Depending on where you live, you may need to renew your certification every year or more. Check with your state board of nursing to find out how to renew and how many (if any) continuing education contact hours you’re required to complete during each renewal cycle. And if you’re planning to relocate, check to see if your new state offers free CNA reciprocity for your current certification.
3 Ways to Advance Your CNA Career
1. Become a Certified Medication Aide
Becoming a nursing assistant is an excellent way to get your foot in the door of healthcare and gain a basic understanding of clinical nursing knowledge. This exposure gives you a solid foundation upon which to build. If you are interested in furthering your CNA career, you can explore additional training to become a certified medication aide, which allows you to dispense certain medicines to patients and residents.
This important role can alleviate some of the demands typically put on RNs, which frees them up to focus on other critical tasks. Note that not all states sanction medication aides, but those that do have seen the benefits. Check out the latest medication aide jobs on IntelyCare.
2. Become a Licensed Nurse
Another way to pursue career advancement is by attending nursing school to become an LPN or RN. Not only will you broaden your scope of practice, but you’ll also enjoy a higher salary. We explore the process in depth in our article on how to go from CNA to RN.
3. Become a Geriatric Nursing Assistant
Want to specialize in caring for an older population? In the state of Maryland, a CNA can complete additional certification to become a geriatric nursing assistant (GNA) and work with elderly patients who have specific needs. Have a look at the available GNA jobs on IntelyCare to get a better idea of the role’s responsibilities and salary expectations.
How Much Does a CNA Make?
Now that you’ve learned how to become a CNA, it’s time to consider your earning potential. The average CNA salary is $41,270 per year, or $19.84 per hour. Your pay will likely be based on your experience, type of facility, and geographical location. The states that employ the most CNAs are:
You’ll notice that these states are slightly different from those that have the highest annual salary averages for CNAs:
The reason for this disparity? Demand. Just because you’re living in a state with many other working CNAs doesn’t necessarily mean that your pay will be higher than if you worked in a state with fewer CNAs. Patient needs vary across the country, which affects the demand for healthcare workers and the salary that’s offered.
Find out what you might earn in your area by checking the latest CNA jobs on IntelyCare.
How to Become a CNA: Nurse Assistant FAQ
Can I earn CNA certification online?
Need a flexible schedule in order to learn how to become a CNA? You can find schools that offer CNA certification online. In general, this means that the mandatory coursework is available virtually, but you will have to complete portions of the program in person in order to learn the proper techniques to care for patients.
Here are five programs that have earned good reputations for their online CNA coursework:
- Nebraska Methodist College
- High Desert Medical College
- Aims Community College
- Holyoke Community College
- Drake State Community and Technical College
What classes will I take in CNA school?
During your CNA courses, you will learn the basics of patient care and medical skills like taking vital signs. Typical CNA classes include the following topic areas:
- Safety and infection control
- Personal care procedures
- Vital signs
- Nutritional requirements and techniques
- Exercise and activity
- Elimination
- Care to clients with special needs
- Emergency procedures
- Interpersonal skills
You’ll also learn best practices and ethics when working with patients. Your schooling may include hands-on training, where you work under the guidance of an RN.
What are key CNA skills for success?
Beyond what you learn in CNA courses, you must have the right set of inherent CNA skills to succeed at the job. These include:
- Being a team player.
- Careful attention to detail.
- Dependability and accountability.
- Patience and compassion.
- Physical fitness.
- Willingness to engage in tasks like bathing and lifting patients.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
How much does CNA education cost?
CNA programs are typically more affordable than other healthcare training paths, with tuition ranging from about $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the school, program length, and location. Fortunately, there are several ways to help reduce or cover these expenses:
- Financial aid: Some CNA programs may participate in federal financial aid, allowing eligible students to apply for grants or loans through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Scholarships and grants: Some schools, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations may offer scholarships specifically for aspiring CNAs.
- Employer sponsorships: Hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities may sponsor your training in exchange for a commitment to work with them after certification.
- Payment plans: Some schools offer installment payment plans that allow you to pay tuition over time, making the cost more manageable without needing loans.
Look to the Future
When you were learning how to become a CNA, you might not have considered when and where you’d work. Curious about where your career might take you? IntelyCare can help. Tell us the kinds of jobs for nursing professionals that interest you, and we’ll deliver a curated list right to your inbox.