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Online CNA Classes in Tennessee: Top Schools in TN

Becoming a CNA in Tennessee can lead you to the exciting world of allied health, and one of the state’s quality programs can get you there with convenience and flexibility. In this guide, you’ll explore top online CNA classes in Tennessee, find out how to become a certified nursing assistant, and explore answers to frequently asked questions by prospective students just like you. If you’re ready to dive in, continue on below to discover all you will need.

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Author: Shannon Daigle, BA
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Staff Writer
Shannon Daigle is a healthcare education writer with a BA in Journalism & Public Relations from Flagler College. She specializes in creating clear, approachable content that helps students and professionals navigate career paths, degree programs, and essential student resources in healthcare. Shannon has strong research skills and focuses on breaking down complex healthcare topics. She stays current with industry trends to provide readers with relevant and practical information for advancing their educational and professional journeys.
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Mark Earnest, based in Reno, Nevada, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from New Mexico State University. He has built a career in writing that began in sports, arts, and business journalism and later expanded into paid advertising and corporate communications. Mark has extensive experience crafting written content for executives, including resumes, social media, and thought leadership materials. Additionally, he is active as a guitarist and singer in several local rock bands. His areas of expertise include Business, Health, Arts, Careers, Marketing, Communications, and Technology.
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Inside Tennessee’s Online CNA Training

In Tennessee, CNA training and testing are free for those who earn a certificate in a nursing-home-based program, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. These free programs aren’t always a good fit for everyone, however. The programs require you to be already employed by the nursing facility and you’ll have to be physically present for training.

In contrast, online CNA classes from TN universities and colleges offer convenient and flexible options, even if these CNA certification courses cost differently. Taking courses online can fit into your busy schedule and allow you to change or enhance your career without sacrificing your other commitments. Though there is often a hands-on element that does require aspiring CNAs to meet with instructors in person, most of the didactic work can be completed virtually.

To help you explore your options, here are a few of the high-quality online CNA classes you can find at schools in Tennessee.

Nursing Assistant Certificate Program — South College

The Nursing Assistant Certificate Program at South College includes two classroom-based courses and a third one that offers practical experience in a healthcare setting. The program takes a hybrid approach, mixing online and in-person learning for greater flexibility. Students will learn the basics required for assisting more seasoned healthcare professionals by caring for patients’ day-to-day needs.

Financial aid for this course is available via loans, scholarships, grants or awards for CNA students. Once you finish the program, you can pursue further degrees or certificates at South College, including practical nursing or licensed practical nursing.

Duration: 3 months

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: $4,000

Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or GED

Curriculum: Two courses are available online, while the third is a hands-on course held at the school’s Knoxville campus.

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Certified Nursing Assistant Program — Tennessee College of Applied Technology

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology offers a comprehensive Certified Nursing Assistant Program that qualifies you to take the state certification test. The 120-hour program mixes classroom and clinical work, with after-hours classes available at the college’s Harriman main campus. Curriculum covers healthcare basics such as human body health, disease, special care patients, patient safety, and other topics relevant to CNA work.

To participate in the program, you must be at least 16 years old and must pass a physical, background check, drug screen, and tuberculosis skin test. You must also meet certain vaccination requirements and have previously obtained CPR certification from the American Heart Association.

In total, the online CNA classes from this TN college require just two months to complete, and the classes cost about $1,000, including tuition, textbooks, and supplies.

Duration: 120 hours

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: $1,000

Admissions Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old, pass screenings and background check, and have CPR certification.

Curriculum: Expect most of the didactic work to be online. Hands-on clinicals are required.

Your Questions, Answered: Common Queries from Tennessee CNA Students

Those who are ready to dive into a CNA program and make the most of their commitment to allied health will likely still have many questions about what to expect. The following questions are among the most common asked by aspiring certified nursing assistants in Tennessee.

Are there free online CNA classes in Tennessee?

While it’s possible to get free CNA training in Tennessee through programs offered via skilled nursing facilities, it’s a little more difficult to find free CNA classes that are available exclusively online rather than in-person. Hybrid options are also available; for instance, Ballad Health offers free, hybrid CNA training in northeast Tennessee. Its program takes place in roughly two to four months, depending on your chosen schedule.

Those who are already working in a skilled nursing facility can expect to earn their CNA license while they get paid. This unique program in Tennessee is hands-on, allowing you to learn on the job and thus doesn’t offer much in the way of online study.

Can I take the CNA test without classes in Tennessee?

If you can prove that you’ve completed hands-on training or education similar to what’s covered in the state’s approved nurse aide training programs, then you can request to take the exam without taking any other classes. You must submit a formal challenge application in order to do so.

Those who have some experience with caring for patients in a general capacity might believe they can pass the CNA test without going through formal education, and for some, this is entirely possible. But you will have to prove that you have the in-depth knowledge necessary to pass the test without going through the course.

Do free online CNA courses offer a certificate of completion?

Free online CNA courses may offer certificates showing that you completed the course in question, but this type of certification is not the same as a state-mandated one for CNAs. The only way to receive that certification is to go through the state’s examination process or have a valid certification in another state transferred to Tennessee.

Keep in mind that while some employers might accept a certificate showing you completed the course, your odds of getting hired are much greater after you pass the examination and can show employers that you are certified. Certification might also be a requirement if you choose to move further into the allied health field, such as taking an online CNA to LPN bridge program.

How long does it take to become a CNA in Tennessee?

The fastest you can become a CNA in Tennessee is about a month. You achieve this by taking an intensive training program that packs all of your classroom and clinical education into a shorter time period. After that, you can schedule and then pass your state competency test to receive your CNA certification.

Tennessee requires 40 hours of classroom education and 35-60 hours of clinical education prior to taking the state’s CNA competency exam. Most people complete this process in just a few months, but the exact length of time will depend on your chosen program and how much time you have to dedicate to it.

How much do CNA classes cost in Tennessee?

It’s possible to receive free CNA training in Tennessee if you pursue it through a nursing home or similar institution where you work. Alternatively, tuition varies if you decide to take CNA classes through private colleges and universities, but you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars.

If you choose to take the courses through a community college or university, you might be eligible for financial aid from the federal government. To be sure, take the time to speak to an admissions counselor and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also look into CNA scholarships and financial aid resources from the state of Tennessee.

What to Expect as a CNA in Tennessee: Salary & Career Outlook

Show entries
Search:
Area ↕ 10th Percentile ↕ Median ↕ 90th Percentile ↕
U.S. $31,390 $39,530 $50,140
Tennessee $30,080 $36,750 $44,500
Chattanooga, TN-GA $29,630 $36,050 $42,790
Clarksville, TN-KY $30,140 $36,580 $44,220
Cleveland, TN $30,600 $35,580 $40,630
Jackson, TN $29,530 $34,930 $41,700
Johnson City, TN $29,490 $37,130 $43,990
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $29,130 $36,640 $42,650
Knoxville, TN $30,130 $36,920 $41,390
Memphis, TN-MS-AR $30,470 $36,830 $43,600
Morristown, TN $29,140 $36,170 $40,690
Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN $32,660 $38,780 $49,020

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
Tennessee 22,790 27,720 4,930 21.60% 4,070

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

Shannon Daigle, BA AUTHOR

Shannon Daigle is a healthcare education writer with a BA in Journalism & Public Relations from Flagler College. She specializes in creating clear, approachable content that helps students and professionals navigate career paths, degree programs, and essential student resources in healthcare. Shannon has strong research skills and focuses on breaking down complex healthcare topics. She stays current with industry trends to provide readers with relevant and practical information for advancing their educational and professional journeys.

Read More About Shannon Daigle

Mark Earnest, BA EDITOR

Mark Earnest, based in Reno, Nevada, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from New Mexico State University. He has built a career in writing that began in sports, arts, and business journalism and later expanded into paid advertising and corporate communications. Mark has extensive experience crafting written content for executives, including resumes, social media, and thought leadership materials. Additionally, he is active as a guitarist and singer in several local rock bands. His areas of expertise include Business, Health, Arts, Careers, Marketing, Communications, and Technology.

Read More About Mark Earnest
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