Online CNA Classes in Alabama: Top Schools, Tuition, and More
Certified nursing assistants work directly with patients, making it a great way to launch your healthcare career. Learn more as we break down what CNA classes entail and the career opportunities available after graduating. Plus, we’ll review the best online CNA classes in Alabama.
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Inside Online CNA Classes in Alabama
A certified nursing assistant career can be rewarding, especially if you are interested in entering the healthcare field. Yet fully campus-based programs can be time-consuming, especially if you plan to work while getting your degree or have other life responsibilities.
A number of schools in Alabama offer a solution, combining in-person and online CNA courses into hybrid programs. Coursework takes place online, while students work with professionals in healthcare to get the hands-on training they need. Let’s see how three real hybrid / online CNA programs in Alabama work.
Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College’s six-week CNA program isn’t fully online, but it’s flexible, with some classes offered online and others hosted in the evening at the Huntsville campus.
Clinical hours for hands-on experience in a real-life healthcare setting must also be completed in person.
The program’s tuition includes textbooks and scrubs. Help covering the cost may be available through the school, national CNA scholarships, or student loans.
Once you complete the six-week course, you’ll be prepared to take the state nurse aide exam. If you pass the exam, you’ll automatically be listed on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry.
Duration: 6 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $899
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete the chest x-ray or two-part TB skin test
- Pass a background check and drug screening
- Be at least 18 years old
Curriculum:
- Online CNA course
- 20-hour in-person clinical rotation
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Drake State Community & Technical College
Drake State Community & Technical College offers a CNA program that requires six weeks of class work. The school’s hybrid approach mixes on-campus learning with lab work and online classes.
Classes specifically prepare students to become long-term care nursing assistants. Clinical, on-site work is required so students gain crucial, hands-on experience for this career path. The program cost includes books and your nurse aide exam fees, and full payment is required before classes begin.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding may help you cover these costs. After, students are eligible to take the CNA exam and if passed, be listed on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry.
Duration: 6 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $1,800
Admissions Requirements:
- Submit proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, a negative TB skin test, and Hepatitis Series B immunization
- Be at least 16 years old
Curriculum:
- Care basics for long-term care nursing assistants
- Skills for long-term care nursing assistants
- Developing a professional attitude as a long-term care nursing assistant
Northwest Shoals Community College
The Northwest Shoals Community College CNA program also features a hybrid CNA program, combining online classes with clinical work in a long-term care setting.
Once you complete this 80-hour program, you can take the state-required test for CNA certification. If you pass, you can be added to the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry.
While the program’s tuition is $568, you may pay additional fees to cover textbooks, drug screening, certification exam, and background check. Students must also pass their CNA exam within 24 months of taking this course to be registered nursing assistants.
Duration: 4-8 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $568
Admissions Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Show proof of a current negative TB skin test
- Submit a current CPR certification from the American Heart Association
- Pass a background check and drug screening
Curriculum:
- Long-term nursing care assistant (4 credits)
Questions from CNA Students in Alabama
While the school spotlights above give you a good idea of what an online CNA program looks like, you most likely still have questions. To help, we compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions below. These questions touch on program costs, the entire process to become a CNA in Alabama, and an honest look at program career value.
How do you become a CNA in Alabama?
Becoming a CNA in Alabama is relatively straightforward. If you meet the basic background requirements, you can apply for your chosen, state-approved CNA program, take and pass the state’s required examination, and be certified as a CNA.
The CNA exam includes a written test to measure your knowledge and skills and a clinical test with a trained evaluator to demonstrate your mastery of specific skills. After you pass the test, you will be added to the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry and permitted to work as a CNA in the state.
How much does it cost to take CNA classes in Alabama?
CNA courses often cost between $500 and $2,000. There are financial aid opportunities to help cover the cost, and some programs may fall below that range. The most affordable options are also usually online — with the added bonus on saving on transportation costs since classes can be completed anywhere.
To become a CNA, you also have to pay for the CNA exam offered through Prometric and Credentia. Prometric’s exam is $85 and takes about 120 minutes to complete. Credentia uses the NNAAP exam and costs $135. Your score will be provided within a few hours and if you pass, you’ll be added to the state’s CNA registry.
Expert Insight
When considering program costs, look at what’s included and what’s not. You may find that paying more upfront is worth it. I had to pay for all my scrubs and supplies separately, which drove up my total cost by hundreds of dollars.
Are CNA classes worth it?
For many, the CNA license is worth the cost because it’s an accessible, affordable way to enter the healthcare field. To get a better idea of if becoming a CNA is the right choice for you, let’s take a quick dive into what a CNA does.
Certified nursing assistants often work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, or home healthcare settings. Responsibilities are generally the same and include helping patients live their daily life and assisting with tasks that may not be easy for them like grooming, eating, and going to the restroom.
Expert Insight
I would tell anyone considering a CNA program that it’s absolutely worth it! Once certified, you have an in-demand skill that you can take anywhere and get a job. That security has been invaluable to me over the years.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Alabama?
The beauty of becoming a CNA is that it’s a quick, easy way to enter the healthcare field. Some programs take as little as two weeks to complete, but that’s rare in Alabama. A more realistic timeline is four to 12 weeks.
If getting your CNA license is time sensitive, discuss how long a program takes with an admissions representative before applying. Keep in mind that to become a CNA, you must pass a criminal background check, take a CNA course, and pass an exam at the end. Only then can you work in Alabama as a CNA.
Do I need to renew my CNA license?
While Alabama does not issue a certificate or license to CNAs, you must renew your standing on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry every 24 months.
For your registration to be renewed, you must work at least eight paid hours every 24 months for a nursing home, hospital, home health agency, hospice agency, or mental health facility. Work in an assisted living facility, doctor’s office, or private sitting arrangement will not qualify. Depending on your career ambitions, it may also make sense to take continuing education courses or go to nursing school, though this isn’t a requirement to renew a CNA license.
Salary & Career Outlooks for CNAs in Alabama
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $31,390 | $39,530 | $50,140 |
| Alabama | $25,890 | $32,470 | $38,770 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $25,310 | $30,750 | $37,440 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $27,750 | $30,580 | $45,640 |
| Birmingham, AL | $29,080 | $35,040 | $39,020 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $28,550 | $32,730 | $37,760 |
| Decatur, AL | $28,820 | $34,120 | $39,240 |
| Dothan, AL | $23,000 | $27,080 | $34,920 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,540 | $29,980 | $35,900 |
| Gadsden, AL | $26,380 | $29,570 | $36,420 |
| Huntsville, AL | $26,430 | $32,360 | $41,140 |
| Mobile, AL | $27,780 | $31,440 | $37,210 |
| Montgomery, AL | $27,750 | $32,470 | $38,800 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $23,750 | $31,920 | $43,930 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,361,300 | 1,417,800 | 56,500 | 4.20% | 202,400 |
| Alabama | 23,140 | 23,470 | 330 | 1.40% | 3,330 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
