Online CNA Classes in Texas: Top Programs & More
Becoming a certified nursing aide in Texas can be a quick path to an in-demand career in the thriving healthcare field. Learn about the top approved online CNA programs that can open the door to a meaningful career and a bright future.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play an essential role in enhancing patientcare, sharing key patient information with nurses and physicians, and performing tasks that contribute to the smooth operation of healthcare establishments. The journey to becoming a CNA varies across states, so if you’re living in Texas and you have aspirations of becoming a CNA, we’ll help you learn how.
Prospective CNAs in Texas can pursue their training and classes through local colleges or vocational schools, many of which offer online programs. Pursuing an online CNA education in Texas provides you with both convenience and flexibility, enabling you to take some coursework online while still receiving local support during your practical clinical sessions in a nearby facility. If you’re thinking about taking some CNA classes online as a student in Texas, this guide will help you learn what to expect from your education as well as what your career might look like afterwards. Get started by seeing who made our ranking of the top online programs this year.
Amarillo College
Amarillo, Texas
Public
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FAQs About Online CNA Classes and Training in Texas
Can I really complete my CNA training online in Texas?
Yes, you really can do some of your CNA training online as a student in Texas, but you just might not be able to do all of it since the hands-on nature of a CNA education can make it challenging to find a fully online program. Typically, students will enroll in courses as their local vocational, technical, or community college. These courses can be scheduled during the day, in the evenings, or even over the weekends. While programs typically required significant classroom attendance, many programs have adjusted that requirement in recent years to shift to hybrid models. In these hybrid models, the course content is delivered online while clinicals are completed in-person.
How much do online CNA classes cost in Texas?
When you’re choosing the best online CNA classes and program for your needs, make sure you know how much they will cost. Here’s what to expect from a few of the programs you’ll find in Texas, but it’s important to remember that the tuition costs shown below may not include fees or textbooks. Tuition can change without notice, so it’s always best to check with your schools of interest to see what they are charging for their CNA programs.
How long is an online CNA program in Texas?
A: The time it takes to become a CNA in Texas depends strongly upon the student’s preference for full-time, part-time, or accelerated programs. A student who chooses to attend training part-time at only a few hours per week might take six months to complete the program, while an accelerated program can be completed in three to six weeks. Some schools will also allow gaps in the program, such as completing the classroom portion but then waiting several weeks before embarking on the hands-on portion of the program.
How Do I Become a CNA in Texas?
Becoming a CNA in Texas means more than taking a few classes and getting a certificate. There are essential processes that make you eligible to work in nursing homes and other skilled care facilities. Depending on where you want to work, it’s important to know these requirements ahead of time and plan accordingly. Take these steps as you work towards becoming a CNA in Texas.
STEP
1
As an aspiring online CNA student in Texas, you are not required to have a GED or high school diploma, but you do have to be free from certain criminal offenses. Generally, those with clear records can directly enroll in a CNA program and begin their training. Typically, you’ll have to provide proof of immunizations, undergo drug testing, and have CPR training to be admitted into a program. It’s important to choose a program approved by the state of Texas to make sure you’re receiving a top-tier education that smoothly transitions into employment following the successful completion of the competency exam. Find a list of approved programs in Texas here.
STEP
2
Every state-approved program is required to offer a total of 100 hours of training to students: 60 of which must be done in the classroom and 40 as hands-on training with patients. Before students are allowed to make their first direct contact with a patient, they are required to have an initial 16 hours of introductory training. This preliminary training focuses on areas like communication, infection control measures, safety protocols, emergency procedures, fostering patient independence, and the preservation of residents’ rights. Once you’re done with this required training, you are eligible to sit for the nurse aide competency examination.
STEP
3
Those who have completed a Texas-approved training course within the last 24 months are eligible for the exam. Prometric is the organization administering the exam. It will confirm your eligibility, and then you can register for the test. Submit the required fees and schedule the exam, then pass both the written and oral sections within 24 months of graduation from your CNA training program. You have three attempts to pass before being required to retrain.
STEP
4
Once you’ve passed the exam, it’s time to get started on the next phase of your journey. Submit applications to places where you’d like to work. Join the Texas Nurse Aid Registry. Take on jobs that will give you hands-on experience working with patients, which will boost your resume when you’re ready to move up in your company or move to another position somewhere else.
STEP
5
CNAs are required to renew their certification every two years with 24 hours of in-service education. Texas Human Health and Services provides a list of programs approved to meet that requirement. Twelve of those 24 hours can be completed somewhere other than a facility licensed or certified by HHS, the Texas Board of Nursing, or the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Texas
After completing a CNA course in Texas and becoming certified, you will be ready to start looking for a job. But what opportunities and salary potential can you expect? Let’s take a look.
Over the next ten years, opportunities for CNAs are expected to grow 4.2% nationally. However, the career is predicted to expand even more rapidly in Texas, with a ten-year projection of 13%. This means there should be plenty of employment opportunities for new CNAs entering the profession. As for salary, annual pay for CNAs in Texas ranges from $28,500 to $44,320, with a median of $35,110. It's important to consider specific regions when looking for a job because pay can vary considerably. In Laredo, for example, those in the 90th percentile earn only $34,610 annually, while those in Waco make $46,790. Get the full picture on trends from around the state by reviewing the data below.
| 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 |
| Texas | 82,400 | 93,150 | 10,750 | 13.00% | 13,500 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $28,500 | $35,110 | $44,320 |
| Abilene, TX | $23,150 | $32,880 | $36,740 |
| Amarillo, TX | $27,680 | $33,850 | $43,260 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | $30,580 | $36,790 | $44,770 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $28,340 | $31,250 | $36,870 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $21,860 | $28,540 | $35,670 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $28,980 | $34,560 | $36,450 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $28,840 | $33,670 | $38,610 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $30,930 | $36,540 | $45,620 |
| El Paso, TX | $26,170 | $31,030 | $38,580 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $30,010 | $35,760 | $44,960 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $27,630 | $34,130 | $43,180 |
| Laredo, TX | $21,880 | $28,520 | $34,610 |
| Longview, TX | $27,350 | $30,420 | $40,790 |
| Lubbock, TX | $27,520 | $30,780 | $36,910 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $23,040 | $28,570 | $38,670 |
| Midland, TX | $30,670 | $36,240 | $44,760 |
| Odessa, TX | $29,120 | $33,800 | $42,150 |
| San Angelo, TX | $28,840 | $30,790 | $35,950 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $29,150 | $35,460 | $44,130 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $28,880 | $31,510 | $35,810 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $22,880 | $30,320 | $38,110 |
| Tyler, TX | $28,710 | $30,700 | $37,140 |
| Victoria, TX | $28,060 | $31,750 | $36,980 |
| Waco, TX | $28,410 | $32,800 | $46,790 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $27,110 | $33,650 | $40,750 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Similar Texas Nursing Programs You May Be Interested In
If you’re thinking about a CNA program, you might be interested in other entry-level degrees that allow you to enter the medical profession in Texas. Here are a few to consider.
- Online LVN Programs in TexasWorking as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) enables you to work closely with patients on a day-to-day basis while under the supervision of a registered nurse or other healthcare professional. You can build strong experience in a medical facility, which can be valuable if you choose to expand your career later on and pursue a registered nursing degree.
- Online ADN Programs in TexasChoosing an associate degree in nursing can lead to a career as a registered nurse. This job comes with higher pay and good job security, as there is a perpetual nursing shortage around the country and RNs are in high demand. Those who choose to become an RN through the associate degree route can later earn their bachelor’s and then move on to their master’s in RN, which can both be completed online.
Texas CNA Student and Professional Resources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nursing Assistants and OrderliesThis site offers a wealth of information on nursing assistants, what they do, how much pay they might expect, and more.
- Career One StopThis site offers a comprehensive career profile for CNAs including videos and an in-depth outlook.
- CNA AssociationThis group for CNAs can help with everything from networking to job leads to information on where CNAs are doing great things across the nation.
- NAR-Approved In-Service Education ProgramsCNAs looking for ways to keep up their certification can turn to this page for more information on local opportunities.
- NAR Credentialing FactsThis is what you need to know to become a CNA, including the basic requirements and more expanded rules for keeping up with certification.
- Nurse Aide RegistryThis site is dedicated to registration and compliance of nurse aides in the state of Texas. Only those listed here are eligible to work in skilled nursing facilities in the state.
- Scholarships and Online Resources for CNA StudentsLooking for a way to help pay for tuition and find other resources before you enter your program? This is the place to go.
