CNA Classes Online: Finding the School for You
If you’re looking to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), your first step is to find the right training. But which option is best for you, and does that option include an online component? This EduMed guide shows you how CNA classes work, how long they take to complete, and which schools offer the best accredited online CNA programs today. Get insight into career growth, salary potential, and learn how to take your first steps with confidence.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Education Medical Coding Pre-Nursing Healthcare Education Online Learning
Healthcare Education Advanced Nursing NursingKey Takeaways
- Online CNA programs can typically be finished in as little as 6 to 10 weeks for full-time learners, or 12 to 16 weeks for those studying part-time.
- Across the U.S., CNA salaries typically range from $30,020 to $48,780 annually, with top earners in states like California and Minnesota exceeding $50,000.
- Online CNA classes often combine online didactic learning with in-person clinical requirements.
- Because of their concise format and focused coursework, CNA programs tend to be less expensive than other healthcare training options.
- Pursuing a CNA certification offers an excellent starting point for a career in the nursing field.
Ranking Today’s Best Online CNA Classes
Expert Advice: Choosing the CNA Program that Fits Your Life
The programs ranked here represent some of the strongest CNA training options available. Still, the program that gets you to certification most efficiently is the one that fits your actual life: your schedule, budget, and how quickly you can realistically complete training. Here’s what our EduMed nursing experts recommend thinking through before you choose.
Let the School Handle Clinicals
The CNA credential is one of the fastest tracks into healthcare, but don’t get tunnel vision with program length. Your clinical placements often determine how smooth the entire program is, so ask whether you’ll have to schedule them yourself or if the school does. I’d highly recommend choosing a program that does the latter.
Ask About Clinical Requirements First
Don’t choose an online CNA program based only on affordability or duration. Ask questions about the clinical requirements, including the number of hours, locations, and scheduling process. Those hands-on experiences are where you build the skills and confidence you’ll use on the job, and you’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you treat it as an afterthought.
How Online CNA Classes Work
Aspiring certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can earn the necessary skills and credentials to test for certification in a matter of weeks or months. A typical program combines both classroom and clinical elements, giving you the knowledge and practical skills to be able to thrive when working with patients.
If you need a more convenient experience, many of today’s schools have added online learning to their CNA curriculum. Online CNA classes focus on the academic portion of the program, but in-person clinical experience will be required to test and gain necessary practice. If a fast and flexible CNA education sounds right for you, we’re here to give you a better idea of the options available. Review three top online CNA programs below.
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) offers a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) course. JCCC offers both in-person and hybrid classes. Hybrid CNA coursework involves online course content and curriculum, along with in-person labs and clinicals. Instructors assign clinical days, times, and locations. The program prepares and schedules you to take the Kansas CNA examination.
Duration: 96 hours
Mode: Hybrid or in-person
Cost: $101-$237/credit hour, residency dependent
Admissions Requirements:
- At least 18 years of age
- Proof of residency
- High school diploma or GED
- Background check
- CPR for Healthcare Providers certification
- Background Check & Drug Screening
Curriculum: The course includes 96 total hours of instruction, with 5 credit hours of class time. Curriculum includes classroom instruction and clinical training for the primary care of clients in long-term and acute-care facilities. Among the topics covered, you’ll learn how to
- Care for patients
- Take pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs
- Safely position and transfer patients
- Perform daily hygiene tasks, such as bathing and oral care
- Communicate with patients and their families
- Prevent and control infection
Best For: Caring students seeking an entry-level position in the Kansas medical field.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Northern Essex Community College
This Certified Nurse Assistant Training Program will introduce you to the nursing assistant profession and prepare you for the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Certification Exam.
This 90-hour program at Northern Essex is delivered in a hybrid format, meaning you’ll have both online and in-person requirements. The theory content of the program is delivered online, with class meetings taking place over Zoom. You’ll also have a skills lab training where you’ll meet with instructors at the Lawrence Campus and learn important CNA skills in the Nursing Assistant Lab.
The final component of the program is a 25-hour clinical experience at a long-term care facility under the supervision of CNA instructors.
Duration: 90 hours
Mode: Hybrid or on campus
Cost: $1,400 total
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed CNA application
- Valid photo ID
- Physical examination within the past year
- Immunization records
- Background Check & Drug Screening
- Interview with the CNA Program Coordinator
- Intermediate English reading/writing skills
Curriculum: The standout part of this CNA program is the experience gained from 25 hours of clinical experience. Throughout the course, you will learn about:
- Communication
- Safety and infection control procedures
- Basic personal care skills for patients/residents in sub-acute, long-term care, or in a patient’s home
- Dementia care
- Vital signs
- Documentation
- Legal and regulatory healthcare practices.
Best For: Students looking to begin their healthcare career in Massachusetts working in care facilities or patient homes.
Expert Insight
When looking at programs, prioritize those that include advocating for patients in their curriculum. Advocate for patients. This is extremely important because CNAs are often the only ones who see and hear critical info from and about the people they care for. A caring CNA becomes their voice and advocate when they bring these issues to the attention of the nurse.
Northeast Medical Institute
This CNA program will prepare students for the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Department of Higher Education CNA requirements.
Northeast Medical Institute offers this as a self-paced CNA program the includes both a classroom and clinical component. You’ll take 104 hours of coursework, which is broken up into online theory, lab time, and clinical hours.
Your 48 hours of online theory can be completed at a pace this is convenient for you. Better yet, these self-paced classes start every week, meaning you can start any time. You’ll finish your coursework prepared to sit for the Prometric State exam.
Duration: 102 hours; the self-paced online component can be completed in as little as two weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $1,150
Admissions Requirements:
- 16 years or older
- PPD test or negative x-ray
- Immunizations
- Background check
- Payment and application
Curriculum: The self-paced CNA program includes 48 hours of online theory, 40 hours of lab time, and 16 hours of clinical. You’ll learn:
- Basic nursing skills
- Personal care skills
- Mental health and social services
- Care of cognitively impaired residents
- Basic restorative services
- Resident rights
Best For: Connecticut students seeking employment as a Nurse’s Aide or CNA. You’ll qualify for an entry-level position in a hospital, nursing home, assisted living, or home care agency.
Answers to Online CNA Student FAQs
What’s the fastest you can become a CNA online?
Aspiring certified nursing assistants can earn the necessary skills and credentials in a matter of weeks. Some offer online components that are as short as two or four weeks in duration, which are followed by in-person clinical learning.
Other programs combine classroom and clinical elements and last between four and 12 months for a diploma, or up to two years for an associate degree.
Can I take CNA classes online for free?
Yes, you’ll find some CNA classes offered for free. Some continuing education or employer training agencies like Job Corps offer them, or alternatively, healthcare systems — such as Northern Light Health — may pay you to take CNA classes before you secure employment. Check employment agencies and healthcare providers to see if free training is available to bridge the CNA gap in your local area.
If you don’t qualify for free programs, explore financial aid, flexible payment programs, and scholarships to help pay for your education.
Where can I take my CNA exam online?
The CNA exam is divided into two sections: written and clinical.
Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, online testing options have become available for the written portion of the CNA certification exam. Students can take up to 90 minutes answering questions on the first section.
In taking the exam, keep in mind that because of its skill-based nature, the 40-minute clinical skills test must still be conducted in person.
Is the CNA exam hard?
The answer to this question depends on the skills and commitment of the individual student. However, if you complete a state-approved CNA training program and spend ample time studying, you’ll likely be well prepared for the exam.
The written portion includes multiple-choice questions that cover nursing care concepts, medical procedures, resident rights, and patient safety. It assesses your theoretical understanding of nursing.
The clinical portion will require you to demonstrate three to six skills. Some of the options include taking vitals, providing dental care, transferring patients to a bed or chair, giving a partial in-bed bath, and making a bed while occupied.
How much do CNA classes cost?
Before enrolling in an online CNA course, you need to be sure you can afford to attend. Every school sets different price points for their classes, so you’ll need to spend time familiarizing yourself with the costs of CNA programs to make an informed decision.
Depending on the type of school, costs can vary considerably. At Johnson County Community College, for example, Kansas students pay $505 total for the five-credit course. Non-residents can pay much more, and students at other schools often pay considerably more — up to thousands of dollars.
Tuition rates can vary considerably when looking at public community colleges versus for-profit institutions, so pay close attention to the type of school you wish to attend.
Find Online CNA Classes in Your State
- Alabama (AL)
- Arizona (AZ)
- Arkansas (AR)
- California (CA)
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Colorado (CO)
- Connecticut (CT)
- Durham, NC
- Florida (FL)
- Greensboro, NC
- Georgia (GA)
- Houston, TX
- Illinois (IL)
- Indiana (IN)
- Iowa (IA)
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas (KS)
- Kentucky (KY)
- Louisiana (LA)
- Maine (ME)
- Maryland (MD)
- Massachusetts (MA)
- Michigan (MI)
- Minnesota (MN)
- Mississippi (MS)
- Missouri (MO)
- Nebraska (NE)
- New Jersey (NJ)
- New York (NY)
- New York City
- North Carolina (NC)
- Ohio (OH)
- Oklahoma (OK)
- Oregon (OR)
- Orlando, FL
- Pennsylvania (PA)
- Raleigh, NC
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- South Carolina (SC)
- Tamba Bay, FL
- Tennessee (TN)
- Texas (TX)
- Utah (UT)
- Virginia (VA)
- Washington (WA)
- Wisconsin (WI)
Tuition & Fees for Online CNA Classes
You’ll have direct and indirect costs associated with your program. Of course, students in a hybrid program will need a reliable internet connection and a laptop, which are examples of indirect costs.
Direct costs include tuition and fees, which range widely. Spend time researching the optimal range based on your financial picture.
Some programs include the application and exam fees required for actually receiving certification as a CNA, while others do not. Pay close attention to what the stated amount is used for and whether you might incur additional fees throughout the learning process. Some of the additional items you may need to pay for include a uniform, textbooks, lab/equipment fees, and more.
Below, explore a pair of cost profiles from real programs.
| School Name | Program Type | Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
School Name | Program Type Hybrid | Tuition & Fees $1,400 (does not include exam fees) |
School Name | Program Type Hybrid | Tuition & Fees $1,948 total |
The ‘C’ in CNA: Earning Certification
If you’re hoping to receive certification as a nursing assistant, you must attend a state-approved CNA training program that meets specific requirements. If you fail to attend an approved program, you may not be allowed to sit for the examination.
After you finish your CNA training program, it’s time to study for and schedule the certification exam. The majority of states maintain similar requirements as other locations, but prospective students should review those specific to their state before beginning the process.
While the majority of states require you to be 18 when applying, California, for example, allows 16-year-olds with parental consent to begin the training process. Reach out to your state’s board of nursing for further details.
States set individual passing scores based on the National Standard Setting Study. Because of this, no overarching passing score exists. Applicants to the exam should speak with their state board of nursing to get a better sense of what’s required to receive certification.
Salary & Employment Outlook for Nursing Assistants
U.S.
$42,260
Alabama
$34,140
Alaska
$46,370
Arizona
$44,780
Arkansas
$34,430
California
$47,630
Colorado
$47,380
Connecticut
$44,790
Delaware
$42,030
District of Columbia
$47,700
Florida
$37,510
Georgia
$37,680
Hawaii
$45,350
Idaho
$38,650
Illinois
$45,960
Indiana
$38,330
Iowa
$39,350
Kansas
$38,010
Kentucky
$38,370
Louisiana
$30,510
Maine
$47,070
Maryland
$43,240
Massachusetts
$46,680
Michigan
$39,570
Minnesota
$46,680
Mississippi
$31,520
Missouri
$37,680
Montana
$40,900
Nebraska
$40,000
Nevada
$45,490
New Hampshire
$47,870
New Jersey
$46,830
New Mexico
$39,390
New York
$48,590
North Carolina
$38,460
North Dakota
$45,820
Ohio
$39,010
Oklahoma
$35,930
Oregon
$49,830
Pennsylvania
$44,590
Rhode Island
$46,440
South Carolina
$37,220
South Dakota
$38,800
Tennessee
$37,990
Texas
$37,500
Utah
$39,840
Vermont
$47,130
Virginia
$43,200
Washington
$49,180
West Virginia
$36,720
Wisconsin
$45,130
Wyoming
$39,160
Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
United States
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
