CNA Classes Online in Kansas: Exploring Today's Best Schools
This guide tells you about some of the best online Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) classes in Kansas and how they work in terms of online and in-person components. It also details the career outlook, explores salary potential, and answers most frequently asked questions. You’ll learn about program costs and content as well as about what a CNA can and cannot do, what the certification process is like in Kansas, and how to keep your license current.
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In-Depth Review of Online CNA Classes in Kansas
Kansas offers many CNA programs with hybrid learning, meaning some coursework, such as lectures and assignments, can be completed online. However, all Kansas-approved CNA programs must include in-person labs and clinical hours.
To enroll in a CNA class in Kansas, you must be at least 16 years old and meet basic requirements such as vaccinations, TB screening, and a background check. Many programs also offer reduced tuition for high school students or financial aid opportunities like the Kansas Promise Scholarship.
Below are three strong CNA programs that give a clear picture of what to expect in Kansas.
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) offers flexible scheduling with 4-, 8-, and 16-week program options. The hybrid format blends online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals.
The program prepares students for the Kansas CNA certification exam and is eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship, which can cover tuition, books, and expenses for qualifying Kansas residents who agree to work and live in the state for two years after completing training.
Duration: 4 to 16 weeks
Mode: Hybrid & in person
Cost: $101 to $237
Admissions Requirements:
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
- TB screening
- CPR for healthcare providers
- Background check and drug screen
- Social Security card
- Valid State ID
Curriculum:
- Bedside patient care
- Measuring vital signs
- Safe transfers and positioning
- Patient hygiene
- Communication
- Infection prevention and control
- Adult care skills
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Fort Hayes Tech North Central
Fort Hays Tech provides CNA training in both on-campus and hybrid formats during fall, spring, and summer. Tuition includes the required textbook (PDF), and high school students receive discounted rates.
The program prepares graduates for the Kansas CNA exam and offers multiple financial support options, including the Kansas Promise Scholarship.
Duration: 7 weeks
Mode: Hybrid & in person
Cost: $60 (high school students) or $789
Admissions Requirements:
- Age 16+
- TB skin test
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
- Physical requirements
- Computer literacy and internet access
- Background check
Curriculum:
- Personal care (bathing, grooming, feeding)
- Mobility support for older patients
- Infection control
- Vital signs
- Nursing home and assisted living care
Mid-America College of Health Sciences
Mid-America College of Health Sciences offers one of the most flexible CNA programs in Kansas, with four schedules: accelerated, hybrid, evening, and blended-week formats. Training includes the state-required 90 clock hours: 45 classroom hours, 20 lab hours, and 25 clinical hours.
Scholarships and workforce funding are available through organizations like Great Jobs KC and the Kansas Workforce Partnership.
Duration: 12 days or 4 weeks
Mode: Hybrid & in person
Cost: $885
Admissions Requirements:
- Age 16+
- Government-issued ID
- Negative TB test
- CPR/BLS certification
- Set of scrubs
Curriculum:
- Patient safety
- Mobility with assistive devices
- Restorative care techniques
- Diet, hydration, and nutrition
- Resident environment care
- Infection control
- Body mechanics & basic anatomy
- Vital signs
- Problem behaviors
- Activities of daily living
Addressing Frequently Asked Questions from CNA Students
What are the steps to becoming a CNA in Kansas online?
You become a CNA in Kansas by completing an approved CNA program and passing the Kansas CNA certification exam.
To start, you must meet basic requirements related to age, vaccinations, TB screening, and background checks. After completing an approved training program, which includes required lab and clinical hours, you’ll take the Kansas CNA exam.
Once you pass, you can apply for your license and begin working in settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and home health agencies.
What is the CNA certification test like?
The Kansas CNA exam includes a written test and a hands-on skills assessment.
The written portion has 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed in two hours. It covers topics like nursing skills, infection control, residents’ rights, communication, and safety procedures.
The skills exam requires you to demonstrate five nursing skills in 30 minutes, such as hygiene, transferring a patient, vital signs, ambulation, and personal care. You have up to 12 months and three attempts to earn a passing score of 75% or higher.
Expert Insight
It’s normal to be nervous before the certification test, especially the skills section. I found that writing out the steps for each skill and then physically practicing the motions of each one really helped cement them in my mind.
How do I renew my CNA license in Kansas?
Kansas CNAs must renew their certification every two years by completing at least one paid eight-hour shift within the renewal period.
If you haven’t worked as a CNA in the past two years, you’ll need to complete a 21-hour refresher course before renewing. These refresher courses provide updated skills training and safety information. Renewal is handled through the KDADS and Kansas State Nursing Board portal.
Always ensure the refresher course you choose is KDADS-approved.
What can a CNA in Kansas do and not do?
CNAs in Kansas can assist with daily living activities, take vital signs, provide hygiene care, and support mobility. They cannot perform invasive medical procedures or tasks reserved for licensed nurses.
Allowed tasks include bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, transporting, and taking blood sugar readings. With additional training, CNAs may administer medications.
CNAs cannot perform wound care, give injections, insert catheters, perform sterile procedures, or carry out invasive treatments. They also generally are not responsible for housekeeping, laundry, or dietary duties unless specified by the employer.
Expert Insight
Advocating for your resident is critical. At times, you must be their voice when they have concerns but are unable to address them personally. You’re the bridge between them and the healthcare team. By reporting any issues to your nurse/supervisor, you can prevent further problems and possibly save someone’s life.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Kansas, and what are my career prospects?
Most CNA programs in Kansas take 4–12 weeks to complete, with accelerated options available.
CNA is one of the fastest entry points into healthcare and offers a strong foundation for advancing into roles like LPN or RN through bridge programs.
CNAs in Kansas earn an average of $39,430 per year, with some of the highest wages found in dentist offices and specialized care settings. CNAs work under the supervision of LPNs or RNs and are in consistent demand across the state.
Earnings & Career Outlook for CNAs in Kansas
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $31,390 | $39,530 | $50,140 |
| Kansas | $31,140 | $36,910 | $45,980 |
| Lawrence, KS | $33,520 | $37,500 | $42,190 |
| Manhattan, KS | $31,210 | $36,110 | $44,510 |
| Topeka, KS | $35,260 | $37,020 | $44,930 |
| Wichita, KS | $31,660 | $36,360 | $44,340 |
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 |
| Kansas | 22,100 | 23,450 | 1,350 | 6.10% | 3,360 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
