Online CNA Classes in Colorado: Explore & Compare Top Schools
If you’re looking for healthcare training that can get you working quickly and involves direct patient care, consider becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant, or CNA. CNAs, also called Nurse Aids, play a crucial role in Colorado’s health system. You can take CNA classes online to qualify quickly and affordably. Read on to see if online CNA classes in Colorado are a fit for you.
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An Inside Look at Online CNA Classes in Colorado
Most CNA programs in Colorado are labeled “online,” but they are technically hybrid. Here’s what that means:
- Online: Nursing theory and classroom learning
- On-Campus: Skills labs and hands-on practice
- In-Person: Clinical rotations at long-term care facilities or hospitals
Prerequisites are minimal, but those in place — such as immunizations and background checks — are non-negotiable.
Below are three standout hybrid CNA programs in Colorado to help you understand typical costs, timelines, and requirements.
Technical College of the Rockies
Technical College of the Rockies offers a well-regarded 127-hour Nurse Aide Program completed over eight weeks in a hybrid format.
Students can choose in-person or blended coursework, but clinical hours must be completed in a nearby long-term care facility. Although federal financial aid does not apply, scholarships and local assistance programs are available.
The curriculum prepares students directly for the Colorado State Board CNA licensure exam.
Duration: 8 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $1,750.28 total
Admissions Requirements: Online application | Photo ID and transcripts | Background check | Proof of immunizations
Curriculum: Theory and classroom learning | Lab courses | Clinicals
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Northern Colorado Training Institute
Northern Colorado Training Institute offers an affordable hybrid CNA program combining online coursework with in-person skills training and 16 hours of required clinical experience.
Tuition includes the use of uniforms for clinicals, and students must score at least 75% on written exams to pass. The program is designed to fully prepare learners for the Colorado CNA licensure exam.
Duration: 1 semester
Mode: Online and Hybrid
Cost: $995 total
Admissions Requirements: Age 16+ | Ability to red, write, and speak English | Criminal background check and urine drug screen | Proof of citizenship or legal residency | Proof of immunizations
Curriculum: Theory | Skills practice | Clinical experience
South Denver School of Nursing Arts
The South Denver School of Nursing Arts offers an accelerated CNA program that can be completed in as little as four weeks of full-time study.
Most coursework takes place online, but students must attend campus for four days during the program, including a two-day clinical experience in the final week. Tuition includes a CNA exam voucher, reducing out-of-pocket costs.
Registration opens twice monthly, and both financial aid and reduced tuition for high school students are available.
Duration: 4 weeks
Mode: Online and Hybrid
Cost: $1,800 total
Admissions Requirements: Online application | Online admissions exam | Negative TB test | Age 16+ | Proof of immunizations | Valid SSN | Background check and drug screening | Computer access and basic computer literacy
Curriculum: Online courses in nurse aiding | Lab rotations | Lab skills training | 2-day clinical experience
Answer to Common CNA Student Questions
It’s normal to have questions before you commit to the time and money you’ll invest in online CNA classes. We’ve compiled some commonly asked questions for Colorado CNA students and their answers below.
Are there free CNA training programs in Colorado?
Yes, free and low-cost CNA training is available in Colorado, though most programs charge standard tuition.
One of the best-known free options is CrossPurpose, a nonprofit workforce development organization offering no-cost CNA training after students complete its three-week professional development module.
Even in paid programs, you may qualify for scholarships, workforce grants, employer sponsorship, or other financial aid that significantly reduces your costs.
Expert Insight
I highly recommend searching for state programs that provide free training in high-demand fields like healthcare. Colorado ran a program for a few years that enabled people to become certified in many different healthcare positions, tuition-free.
Are online CNA classes in Colorado accredited/approved?
Yes, CNA classes in Colorado are accredited and approved as long as the program is approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing.
Only board-approved programs meet the educational standards required for CNA licensure in Colorado. Enrolling in a non-approved program can result in wasted time and money, since you’d be ineligible to take the state exam or work as a CNA in Colorado.
Do online CNA classes in Colorado offer financial aid?
Some CNA programs in Colorado offer financial aid, but federal aid typically does not apply to CNA certificates.
Because CNA programs are non-degree certificates, most students cannot use federal grants or loans. However, many schools offer scholarships and some employers reimburse CNA training costs in exchange for a work commitment. Workforce development programs may also provide funding.
Expert Insight
Some programs also offer payment plans. If you do end up paying for part or all of your training, this option can make all the difference.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Colorado?
Most CNA programs in Colorado take 4–12 weeks to complete.
Some schools, like Front Range Community College, structure their CNA programs to be completed within a single semester. Accelerated options as short as four weeks also exist, though these are intensive. All programs must include both theory coursework and hands-on skills training required to pass the state’s written and clinical exams.
What technology or software do Colorado CNA classes require?
You’ll need a reliable computer capable of running your school’s online learning platform (e.g., Canvas or Blackboard).
Most programs require regular internet access, audio/video capability, and the ability to upload assignments or participate in virtual modules. Before classes begin, confirm your system meets the school’s tech requirements and update any necessary software to avoid access issues.
Overview of CNA Salary & Career Potential in Colorado
Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Colorado can be a smart career move. CNAs in Colorado experience a 15.70% job growth rate, which is more than triple the US growth rate of 4.20%. A high growth rate means it’s relatively easy to find a job, and there may be opportunities to apply for leadership roles or take on more specialized duties at work, which in turn can help a CNA refine their career path.
Additionally, salaries are quite competitive in Colorado. Annual wages typically range between $36,760 and $51,900. CNAs in certain parts of the state, including Boulder and the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area, often earn more. However, in some parts of the state, such as Pueblo, CNAs earn below this average range. Education and experience also impact salaries.
To command a salary in the 90th percentile, CNAs may consider taking courses in nursing specialties or applying for leadership roles.
| 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 |
| Colorado | 21,310 | 24,650 | 3,340 | 15.70% | 3,590 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
