CNA in Pennsylvania 2026: Training, Certification, Salary, and Requirements
Pennsylvania CNA: 80 hours training, Pearson VUE exam (not Prometric), PA DOH Nurse Aide Registry. Salary $30K–$38K. UPMC, Penn Medicine, SEIU union. PA...
Pennsylvania Key Facts and Figures
Pennsylvania Important Details
Pennsylvania law requires a minimum of 80 hours of nurse aide training at a PA DOH-approved program — 5 hours above the federal minimum of 75 hours. At least 16 of those hours must be clinical training conducted at a licensed long-term care facility. The remaining hours are divided between classroom instruction and skills lab practice, with the exact breakdown varying by program. Training is available at community colleges (HACC, Community College of Philadelphia), vocational-technical schools, career/technology centers, Red Cross chapters, and some long-term care facilities offering employer-sponsored training. All programs must be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- Total Required Hours: 80 hours minimum
- Classroom / Theory: Included in 80-hour total
- Clinical Training: 16 hours minimum at approved facility
- Federal Minimum: 75 hours (PA exceeds by 5 hours)
- Approved Programs: Community colleges, vocational-technical schools, long-term care facilities
- Program Approval: Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pennsylvania uses Pearson VUE to administer the CNA competency exam — this is a key distinction from the majority of states that use Prometric or D&S Diversified. The written (or oral) section contains 70 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. The clinical skills evaluation requires candidates to correctly demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills chosen from the state-approved skill set. Candidates must pass both sections and have 3 attempts within 24 months of completing training. Pennsylvania Pearson VUE testing sites are located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Harrisburg, Reading, Scranton, and Bethlehem.
- Written Section: 70 questions, 90 minutes
- Skills Section: 5 randomly selected skills
- Passing Score: Written: 70%; all 5 skills passed
- Exam Provider: Pearson VUE (not Prometric, not D&S Diversified)
- Attempts: 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion
- Testing Sites: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Harrisburg, and others
Pennsylvania CNA candidates working in Medicaid/Medicare-certified facilities must complete a criminal background check through the Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH system) and an FBI fingerprint-based federal background check processed through IdentoGO/IDEMIA. Candidates with findings of patient abuse, neglect, or misappropriation are placed on the PA DOH Nurse Aide Abuse Registry and are barred from employment in any certified facility. Pennsylvania's background check requirements are stricter than many states due to Act 169 of 1996, which requires background checks for all individuals working with older adults. Most training programs require candidates to clear background checks before beginning clinical rotations.
- Check Type: Pennsylvania State Police + FBI federal check
- Administered By: PA State Police (PATCH) + FBI via IdentoGO
- Disqualifying Offenses: Abuse, neglect, exploitation, certain drug/violent crimes
- Registry Block: PA DOH Nurse Aide Abuse Registry bars employment
- Cost: Approximately $22–$28 for state check; $23 for FBI check
Before beginning clinical rotations at a Pennsylvania licensed long-term care facility, CNA students must provide a negative TB test — PA nursing facilities require a 2-step Mantoux PPD for new employees and students — along with a physician's physical clearance and current BLS/CPR certification. Pennsylvania's Department of Health requires all healthcare workers in long-term care facilities to receive an annual influenza vaccine; students entering clinical sites in PA-regulated facilities must comply. Required immunizations typically include the Hepatitis B series, MMR, Varicella, and Tdap. Most clinical sites also require a drug screen. These requirements are enforced at both the program and facility level.
- TB Test: Required within 12 months (2-step PPD for new students)
- Physical Exam: Physician or CRNP clearance required
- Immunizations: Hep B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Flu (Flu required by PA DOH for nursing facilities)
- CPR: BLS certification required (AHA or ARC)
- Drug Screen: Required by most clinical sites and employers
Pennsylvania Detailed Breakdown
Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania represent the largest CNA market in the Commonwealth. Penn Medicine (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Jefferson-affiliated facilities) and Jefferson Health (14+ hospitals across the region) are among the top employers of CNAs in the state, offering competitive wages and union-backed benefits in many settings. Temple University Health System and Einstein Healthcare Network (now part of Jefferson) also hire CNAs in volume across their Philadelphia campuses. The Community College of Philadelphia offers affordable CNA training at approximately $800–$1,200 for residents. SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania has a strong presence in Philadelphia-area nursing facilities and hospitals, providing many CNAs with collectively bargained wages starting above $16–$18/hour. PA CareerLink Philadelphia operates multiple workforce centers that connect job seekers to free WIOA-funded CNA training programs. CNA wages in Philadelphia average $16–$20/hour, with union hospital positions reaching $20–$24/hour. The Philadelphia suburbs — Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Chester County — also offer strong CNA employment through Main Line Health, Crozer Health, and numerous SNFs. CNA scholarships and employer-sponsored training are widely available in the Philadelphia market.
Pennsylvania Costs and Pricing
Pennsylvania Step-by-Step Process
Find a PA DOH-Approved CNA Program
Complete Prerequisites and Enrollment
Complete 80-Hour PA DOH-Approved Training
Register with Pearson VUE for the PA CNA Exam
Pass the Pennsylvania CNA Competency Exam
Get Added to the PA DOH Nurse Aide Registry
Begin Employment in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Essential Checklist
PA CareerLink: Free CNA Training for Pennsylvania Residents
PA CareerLink is Pennsylvania's statewide network of workforce development centers — the Commonwealth's implementation of the federally funded Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) system. For eligible Pennsylvania residents, PA CareerLink can fund free or heavily subsidized CNA training, covering tuition, books, uniforms, and sometimes exam fees at approved training providers.
Who qualifies for free CNA training through PA CareerLink? Eligibility is based on WIOA guidelines and includes unemployed individuals, underemployed workers, laid-off workers, low-income adults, veterans, and individuals with barriers to employment. Income thresholds and eligibility criteria are assessed at your local PA CareerLink office. Priority is given to individuals who are long-term unemployed or receiving public assistance (SNAP, TANF, etc.).
How to access free CNA training in PA: Visit your nearest PA CareerLink office (locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, Erie, Reading, Scranton, and 60+ other locations statewide). Meet with a career counselor, complete an eligibility assessment, and request an Individual Training Account (ITA). The ITA can be applied toward any PA DOH-approved CNA training program on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). Community College of Philadelphia, HACC, CCAC, and many vocational-technical schools accept ITA funding.
Additional free or low-cost training options: Some Pennsylvania long-term care facilities and hospital systems — including UPMC, Jefferson Health, and regional nursing home chains — offer fully employer-sponsored CNA training with a commitment to work for the employer after certification. The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) also lists regional training grants. Search careerlinkpa.com to find your nearest office. Free CNA classes are available in most Pennsylvania metro areas through CareerLink and employer-sponsored programs.
Pennsylvania Advantages and Disadvantages
- +Pearson VUE is widely available with testing sites in all major PA cities — scheduling is straightforward
- +SEIU union presence in Philadelphia significantly boosts wages and benefits for hospital and SNF CNAs
- +PA CareerLink free training programs make CNA certification accessible at no cost for eligible residents
- +UPMC and Penn Medicine are two of the most prestigious healthcare employers in the US — major career advancement platforms
- +Strong demand across all PA regions: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lehigh Valley, Central PA, and Erie all have steady openings
- +Only 80 hours required — one of the shorter state minimums nationally, allowing faster certification
- +Employer-sponsored training widely available at UPMC, Jefferson Health, and major SNF chains
- +Pennsylvania's large aging population (4.3M+ residents age 60+) ensures long-term job security for CNAs
- −Pennsylvania's strict background check requirements (Act 169 + federal FBI check) add time and cost before clinical
- −Salaries ($30K–$38K statewide) are below coastal markets like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut
- −Philadelphia's high cost of living can offset wage advantages compared to Central PA or Erie
- −Pearson VUE (not Prometric) means some national exam prep resources may not perfectly reflect PA exam format
- −2-step TB testing requirement adds time before clinical rotations can begin — 2 weeks minimum
- −Limited CNA training programs in rural NEPA and Northcentral PA counties
- −UPMC dominance in Pittsburgh means limited employer competition in some markets — less leverage for CNA wage negotiation
- −Reciprocity processing through PA DOH can take 4–10 weeks for out-of-state candidates
About the Author
Registered Nurse & Healthcare Educator
Johns Hopkins University School of NursingDr. Sarah Mitchell is a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science at Johns Hopkins University and has taught NCLEX preparation and clinical skills courses for nursing students across the United States. Her research focuses on evidence-based exam preparation strategies for healthcare certification candidates.