CNA in Wisconsin 2026: Training, Certification, Salary & Requirements
CNA in Wisconsin: 120-hour training, Pearson VUE exam, WI DHS registry, salary $30K-$38K, free Goodwill programs, top employers Aurora, UW Health, Froedtert.
Wisconsin Key Facts and Figures
120 hrsTraining Required
Pearson VUETesting Vendor
$30K–$38KAnnual Salary Range
WI DHSRegistry Authority
4–6 wksTypical Program Length
Top 15%Highest Training Hours in US
Wisconsin Important Details
👤Minimum Age
- Minimum Age: 18 years old (some facilities accept 16 with parental consent)
📚Education
- Requirement: High school diploma or GED
- Alternative: Active high school enrollment accepted at some programs
⏱️Training Hours
- Total Hours: 120 hours minimum (one of the highest in the US)
- Classroom Theory: At least 16 hours
- Clinical/Lab: At least 32 hours in a clinical setting
- Note: Individual programs often exceed 120 hours
🔍Background Check
- Requirement: Caregiver Background Check via WI DHS
- Who Runs It: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Disqualifiers: Certain criminal convictions and substantiated caregiver misconduct
- Cost: Typically employer-paid or program-covered
📝State Exam
- Vendor: Pearson VUE (NOT Prometric — unique to Wisconsin)
- Written Test: 70 multiple-choice questions, 90-minute limit
- Skills Test: 5 randomly selected clinical skills
- Passing Score: 70% written + pass all 5 skills
🏛️Registry Listing
- Registry: Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry (managed by WI DHS)
- Validity: 2-year renewable active status
- Renewal: Must work at least 8 hours of paid CNA care every 2 years
Wisconsin Detailed Breakdown
Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest healthcare hub, home to Froedtert Health, Aurora Health Care, and Children's Wisconsin. CNA programs here are abundant and competitive.
- Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) — State-approved, ~120 hours, ~$1,200 tuition. Financial aid available.
- Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin — Free CNA training for eligible individuals. Includes job placement support. Locations in Milwaukee and Waukesha.
- Alverno College — Accelerated CNA programs integrated with nursing pathways.
- Froedtert Health Workforce Development — Employer-sponsored programs covering full tuition for committed employees.
- Aurora Health Care Training — In-house CNA training with job-placement guarantees for graduates.
Average tuition in Milwaukee metro: $800–$2,500 (free options available via Goodwill or employer-sponsored).
Wisconsin is one of the few states that administers its CNA state exam through Pearson VUE rather than the more common Prometric vendor. This is important to know when searching for test prep materials — make sure resources reference Wisconsin specifically.
Written Exam
- 70 questions, 90-minute time limit
- Multiple-choice format covering nurse aide roles, safety, infection control, mental health, and resident rights
- Passing score: 70% (49 out of 70 correct)
- Audio assistance available for qualifying candidates
Clinical Skills Exam
- Examiner selects 5 skills at random from the approved WI skills list
- Handwashing is always included as skill #1
- You must pass all 5 skills on one attempt to pass the clinical portion
- If you fail skills but pass written (or vice versa), you retake only the failed portion within 12 months
Scheduling & Fees
- Schedule at pearsonvue.com/wi-cna
- Written exam fee: $50 | Skills exam fee: $75
- Testing available at Pearson VUE test centers across Wisconsin and at approved nursing facilities
- Must complete exam within 24 months of starting your training program
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) maintains the official Nurse Aide Registry for the state. Passing the Pearson VUE exam automatically submits your results to DHS, and your name is added to the registry within 5–7 business days.
Key Registry Facts
- Registry website: Wisconsin DHS Nurse Aide Registry (online lookup available)
- Active status duration: 2 years from date of certification
- Renewal requirement: At least 8 hours of paid CNA nursing care every 2 years
- If lapsed: Must re-complete approved training and pass the state exam again
- Registry check by employers: All Wisconsin healthcare facilities are required to verify registry status before hire
Caregiver Background Check
Wisconsin requires a Caregiver Background Check (Wisconsin Statute 50.065) for all CNAs. This check screens for criminal history and prior caregiver misconduct allegations. Most employers run this check during the hiring process, and some training programs require it before clinical rotations.
Wisconsin Costs and Pricing
🏙️$33,000–$38,000Milwaukee MetroHighest pay in WI. Froedtert, Aurora, Children's Wisconsin, and Ascension Southeast Wisconsin drive competitive wages. Hospital CNAs earn toward the top of this range.
🎓$31,000–$36,500Madison / Dane CountyStrong healthcare sector anchored by UW Health and SSM Health. University-affiliated facilities offer above-average benefits and shift differentials.
🌿$30,000–$34,000Green Bay / AppletonBellin Health and ThedaCare are major employers. Fox Valley Technical College graduates command solid starting wages in this corridor.
🏔️$29,500–$33,500Western WI (La Crosse / Eau Claire)Gundersen Health and Marshfield Clinic offer stable CNA employment with benefits. Rural settings may include housing or relocation incentives.
🌲$28,500–$32,000Northern WI (Wausau / Rhinelander)Lower cost of living partially offsets lower nominal wages. Critical Access Hospital settings and rural nursing homes have consistent demand.
🏥Up to $42,000Hospital Setting (All Regions)Hospital CNAs with night/weekend differentials and 3+ years of experience can reach $40K+. UW Health, Froedtert, and Aurora are top payers.
Wisconsin Step-by-Step Process
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Wisconsin Essential Checklist
Wisconsin is home to several well-funded free CNA programs. The most widely known is offered through Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, which has provided workforce development training for thousands of Wisconsinites.
Goodwill CNA Program Details
- Locations: Milwaukee, Waukesha, and surrounding Southeast Wisconsin communities
- Cost: Free for eligible participants (funded by workforce development grants)
- Eligibility: Low-income individuals, unemployed workers, transitioning veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals
- What's included: Full 120-hour training, textbooks, uniforms, and Pearson VUE exam fee coverage
- Job placement: Goodwill partners with Aurora, Ascension, and long-term care facilities for direct hire
Other Free and Low-Cost CNA Options in Wisconsin
- Employer-sponsored programs: Aurora Health Care, Froedtert, UW Health, and Aspirus all offer free CNA training tied to employment commitments
- Wisconsin Fast Forward grants: State workforce grants that can cover full CNA tuition at participating technical colleges
- Workforce development boards: Many county workforce development boards offer CNA training vouchers for eligible job seekers
- Medicaid Training Reimbursement: Nursing homes participating in Medicaid may be reimbursed for CNA training costs, often passing savings to trainees
Wisconsin Important Details
🏥Aurora Health Care
- Locations: Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Kenosha, Racine, Grafton, and 30+ facilities statewide
- Notes: Largest health system in Wisconsin. Offers employer-sponsored CNA training and strong benefit packages.
🏥Froedtert Health
- Locations: Milwaukee metro — Froedtert Hospital, Community Memorial, St. Joseph's
- Notes: Academic medical center with UW School of Medicine. Competitive wages and tuition reimbursement for CNAs pursuing RN licensure.
🎓UW Health
- Locations: Madison, Janesville, Milwaukee (via UW Health Partners)
- Notes: University of Wisconsin academic health system. Strong pathway from CNA to RN via UW nursing programs.
🌿Marshfield Clinic Health System
- Locations: Marshfield, Wausau, Eau Claire, La Crosse — 50+ locations in central/western WI
- Notes: Major rural and suburban employer. CNA training partnerships with Northcentral and Western Technical Colleges.
🏥SSM Health Wisconsin
- Locations: Madison, Janesville, Fond du Lac, Ripon
- Notes: Nonprofit Catholic health system. Known for competitive benefits and faith-based workplace culture.
🌿Bellin Health / ThedaCare
- Locations: Green Bay (Bellin), Appleton / Fox Valley (ThedaCare)
- Notes: Both systems offer employer-sponsored CNA training and career ladder programs for CNAs interested in advancing to LPN or RN.
Wisconsin Advantages and Disadvantages
✅Pros
- +Strong healthcare sector with major employers including Aurora, Froedtert, and UW Health
- +Goodwill and employer-sponsored programs offer free or low-cost CNA training
- +120-hour requirement is thorough — WI-trained CNAs are highly prepared
- +Clear CNA-to-RN pathways through MATC, NWTC, and UW Madison programs
- +Wisconsin Fast Forward grants fund tuition at technical colleges
- +Stable job market — healthcare is Wisconsin's largest employment sector
- +Pearson VUE exam is well-supported with accessible testing centers statewide
❌Cons
- −120-hour requirement is one of the longest in the US — more time before entering the workforce
- −Pearson VUE (not Prometric) means fewer nationally-branded practice materials are directly applicable
- −Winters can be harsh — commuting to clinical rotations in northern WI can be difficult
- −Salary range ($30K–$38K) is moderate compared to coastal states
- −Caregiver Background Check adds a step and potential delay to hiring
- −Rural northern Wisconsin programs may have limited class schedules or cohort sizes
About the Author
Dr. Sarah MitchellRN, MSN, PhD
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.