Finding the right CNA classes in your city is the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career. Whether you're searching for CNA classes in St. Louis, affordable programs in Dallas, or accelerated options in New York, this guide covers costs, timelines, and top providers in over 30 US cities — plus what to expect from your state licensing exam.
CNA training programs are offered through community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and online hybrid providers. The best starting point is your state's nurse aide registry, which maintains a list of state-approved programs. Every program on that list meets minimum hour requirements and qualifies graduates to sit for the state competency exam.
When comparing programs in your city, evaluate four key factors: total hours (classroom + clinical), schedule flexibility (day, evening, weekend), cost including materials and exam fees, and whether the school offers job placement assistance after graduation.
Employer-sponsored programs — often called free CNA classes — are available in most cities through nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. These programs cover all training costs in exchange for a post-certification work commitment of 6 to 24 months. They are the fastest path to certification with zero upfront cost. See also: free cna classes.
St. Louis is one of the strongest markets for CNA employment in the Midwest, with major healthcare employers including BJC HealthCare, Mercy, and SSM Health operating dozens of facilities across the metro area. CNA classes in St. Louis are available through several well-established providers.
St. Louis Community College (STLCC) offers CNA programs at the Meramec and Florissant Valley campuses. Part-time evening programs typically run 8–10 weeks and cost $800–$1,100, including lab fees. STLCC programs meet Missouri's 75-hour minimum requirement and have strong employer partnerships for post-graduation placement.
Ranken Technical College and several private CNA schools in the St. Louis metro area offer accelerated 4–6 week full-time programs ranging from $1,200 to $2,500. For free options, BJC HealthCare and Mercy Hospital both run employer-sponsored programs at select facilities — check their career pages directly.
Missouri requires a minimum of 75 training hours for CNA certification. The state competency exam includes a written portion and a skills demonstration. After certification, CNAs in St. Louis earn an average of $16–$20 per hour depending on the care setting and shift differential. See also: what is a cna.
Below is a city-by-city breakdown of CNA program availability, typical costs, and state hour requirements. Use this as a starting point, then verify current program details directly with providers — schedules and tuition change frequently.
Chicago has one of the highest concentrations of CNA programs in the country. City Colleges of Chicago offer affordable programs ($600–$900) at multiple campuses. Illinois requires 80 training hours. Private schools like Lexington College and Career Works offer accelerated options for $1,500–$2,500. Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern Medicine run employer-sponsored programs at their long-term care facilities.
New York State requires 120 hours of CNA training, one of the highest requirements in the nation. Programs at CUNY community colleges (LaGuardia, Bronx) cost $1,000–$1,500. Private schools run $2,500–$4,000. NYC Health + Hospitals offers employer-sponsored training at several facilities. High demand means most graduates are hired quickly at wages of $18–$24 per hour.
Texas requires 75 training hours. Tarrant County College and Dallas College offer programs for $700–$1,000. Private vocational schools run $1,000–$2,000. Medical City Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White both offer employer-sponsored CNA programs. DFW's large senior population means strong ongoing demand for certified aides.
Houston Community College offers one of the most affordable programs in the city ($650–$900). San Jacinto College and Lee College are popular suburban options. Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, and several nursing home chains run employer-sponsored programs. The Gulf Coast healthcare corridor creates consistent demand for CNAs at $15–$19 per hour.
California requires 150 CNA training hours — among the highest in the US. This means programs run 10–16 weeks. LA City College, Santa Monica College, and East LA College offer programs for $1,200–$1,800. Private schools in LA cost $2,500–$4,500. Kaiser Permanente and Cedars-Sinai both run employer training programs. California CNAs earn some of the highest wages nationally, averaging $19–$26 per hour.
Arizona requires 120 hours of training. Maricopa Community Colleges (Mesa, Phoenix, Chandler-Gilbert) offer programs for $800–$1,200. Private schools run $1,500–$2,800. Banner Health and Honor Health offer employer-sponsored programs. Phoenix's fast-growing retirement population drives consistent demand.
Georgia requires 85 training hours. Atlanta Technical College and Georgia Piedmont offer affordable programs ($700–$1,100). Private schools run $1,200–$2,500. Wellstar Health System and Emory Healthcare both offer employer-sponsored CNA training. Atlanta CNAs earn $14–$18 per hour on average.
Florida requires 120 hours of training. Miami Dade College and Broward College are the primary community college providers ($900–$1,400). Private schools in South Florida run $2,000–$3,500. Baptist Health South Florida and Cleveland Clinic Florida offer employer-sponsored options. High bilingual demand (Spanish/English) creates additional opportunities. See also: cna insurance.
Colorado requires 75 training hours. Community College of Denver and Arapahoe Community College offer programs for $800–$1,100. Affordable CNA classes in Parker, CO are available through private providers like Relias Academy and Colorado Healthcare Institute for $1,200–$2,000. UCHealth and Centura Health offer employer-sponsored training at select facilities.
Tennessee requires 75 hours. Nashville State Community College and Volunteer State offer programs for $700–$1,000. Adams Place in Murfreesboro, TN — a senior living community — is one of several facilities in the metro area that offers free employer-sponsored CNA training for candidates who commit to post-certification employment.
Washington State requires 85 hours of training. Seattle Central College and Shoreline Community College offer programs for $1,000–$1,500. Providence Health and UW Medicine operate employer-sponsored programs. Seattle has some of the highest CNA wages in the country at $20–$28 per hour, driven by Washington's minimum wage and strong union presence in healthcare.
San Antonio College and St. Philip's College offer programs for $650–$950. The large military veteran population and USAA-affiliated healthcare facilities create additional CNA job opportunities. Methodist Healthcare and Baptist Health System offer employer training programs.
Minnesota requires 75 hours. Minneapolis Community & Technical College and Hennepin Technical offer programs for $900–$1,200. Fairview Health Services and Allina Health offer employer-sponsored training across the Twin Cities metro.
Oregon requires 75 hours of CNA training. Portland Community College offers one of the most affordable programs in the region ($800–$1,100). Legacy Health and OHSU operate employer-sponsored programs. Oregon CNAs earn $17–$22 per hour on average. See also: free cna practice test.
Visit your state's nurse aide registry website to find approved training programs. Filter by city and check program start dates, hours, and cost.
Complete the application, background check, and health screening (TB test, immunizations). For employer-sponsored programs, apply through the facility's HR department.
Attend lectures covering patient rights, infection control, vital signs, body mechanics, and communication. Duration ranges from 75 to 175 hours depending on your state.
Practice hands-on skills with real patients under licensed nurse supervision in a nursing home or hospital setting. Clinical hours are mandatory in every state.
Take the state-approved exam (written + skills demonstration). Most states use Prometric or Pearson VUE. Schedule your exam date through your school or testing provider.
After passing, your name is added to the state nurse aide registry within 2–4 weeks. You are now eligible to work as a CNA and must renew every 24 months.
CNA program costs vary significantly by city, state hour requirements, and provider type. Here is a general breakdown to help you budget:
Total out-of-pocket costs at a community college typically run $900–$1,800 when you factor in materials and fees. WIOA workforce development grants, administered through American Job Centers, can cover the full cost of CNA training for qualifying low-income individuals in most cities. See also: how to become a cna.
After completing your city's CNA program, you'll sit for a two-part competency exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills demonstration. The cna requirements for passing vary slightly by state, but the core exam structure is consistent nationwide.
The written portion covers patient rights, infection control, basic nursing skills, safety, and communication. National first-attempt pass rates average 75–85%. Students who regularly practice with exam prep materials significantly outperform those who don't. After passing, your certification is valid for 24 months in most states — renewable by demonstrating at least 8 hours of paid CNA work during the period.
To verify certification status after moving to a new city, use a cna reciprocity lookup through your new state's nurse aide registry. Most states honor certifications from other states without requiring repeat training, provided you have no findings of abuse or neglect on record.
Career advancement is a natural next step after CNA certification. Review cna careers for a full breakdown of specializations, salary ranges, and pathways toward LPN, RN, or specialized roles in perioperative care, pediatrics, or home health.