Online Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program Guide
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Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide basic care and patient support in healthcare settings like hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Online CNA programs cover the nursing knowledge and hands-on skills you need to pass your state’s certification exam and work as a CNA.
As a first step, make sure any CNA program you’re considering is approved by your state’s certification board. This guarantees that your state’s CNA certification agency will recognize your education.
From there, compare factors like cost, location, and program length. Explore all the key details with this guide to online CNA training.
Career at a Glance: CNA
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing assistants earn a median annual wage of $39,530, with the top 10% of earners making over $50,140.
- Between 2023 and 2033, the BLS projects that nursing assistant jobs will grow by 4%, which is as fast as the average growth rate across all occupations.
- You can pursue specializations in areas including restorative care, medication management, and CNA administration and leadership.
- According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), many nursing homes will cover the costs of their employees’ CNA training.
What Is a CNA Program?
75-175 hours
Required Clock Hours
1-6 months
Program Length
CNA programs are short-term training programs that prepare you for employment as a certified nursing assistant. These programs can be found at four-year universities, community colleges, healthcare institutions, clinical networks, and training centers.
Programs typically combine classroom and hands-on instruction with field training. Federal guidelines require at least 16 clock hours of supervised practical training in a demonstrated-knowledge setting. Federal laws also define a CNA’s scope of practice, and state-approved training programs must match federal curriculum guidelines in seven areas:
- Patient contact: CNA students learn interpersonal communication skills and safety essentials like infection control, abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), and emergency response procedures.
- Basic nursing: Training in essential nursing skills covers checking and monitoring vital signs, measuring height and weight, and recognizing changes in patients’ conditions.
- Personal care: You’ll learn how to help patients bathe, groom, dress, use the toilet, feed, and safely rest in bed. Training also includes how to assist with safe patient transfers, positioning, and turning in bed.
- Mental health: Mental health training covers responding and adjusting to patient behavior, and empowering patients to make their own choices.
- Care of people with cognitive impairments: You’ll learn techniques for interacting with people affected by Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive impairments.
- Restorative services: This aspect of your curriculum covers helping patients with self-care, including walking, eating, dressing, range of motion, and using assistive devices (like canes or walkers, prosthetics, or orthotics.
- Patient rights: You’ll learn how to respect patients’ privacy and confidentiality rights, and how to help them resolve care-related disputes.
Can You Take CNA Classes Online?
Many state-approved providers offer online CNA classes. However, online courses typically cover only your classroom training. You’ll need to complete hands-on and clinical components in person.
Given these requirements, it’s best to enroll in an online CNA program offered by a local institution. This ensures you’ll be close enough to participate in the hands-on and clinical experiences the school arranges for you.
How Much Does a CNA Program Cost?
In December 2024, CMS reported a cost range of approximately $300-$2,000 for certification-track nurse aide training programs. However, actual costs vary according to factors like program length, location, and the type of provider offering the program.
Some providers require up-front payment, while others allow you to cover program costs in installments or with payment plans. Also, check with your school to see if it participates in federal financial aid programs. To participate, your school or program provider must hold institutional accreditation. If it does, you may be able to obtain federal student loans if you need financial assistance.
You can also seek CNA scholarships from schools, employers, government agencies, and donor organizations. Some employers will also cover your CNA training costs if you meet or agree to specified conditions.
How to Get Into a CNA Program
Admission guidelines vary, but schools typically aim for low-barrier access to CNA education. You must meet your state’s minimum age requirement, which can be as low as 16 years old. You’ll also need to meet physical performance standards, which may include the ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
Some schools also mandate that CNA students meet some basic medical requirements. For example, you may need a seasonal flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, or proof of tuberculosis testing via a two-step skin test or interferon-gamma release assay (IRGA) blood test.
Notably, many CNA programs do not specifically require that you have a high school diploma to enroll. You may, therefore, have the option of pursuing CNA certification as a high school student or non-graduate.
How to Choose the Best CNA Program for You
- 1
Identify your goals.
Begin by identifying an educational goal. Some states offer multiple levels or tiers of CNA certification. Which level do you plan to seek? Do you have related long-term career goals, such as becoming a licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) or a registered nurse (RN)? If so, will your training support those goals?
Use these questions to guide your analysis of the various CNA programs available in your area.
- 2
Check for state approval.
Before you commit to any in-person or online CNA program, make sure the program holds official state approval.
It’s wise to verify a school’s state approval claim yourself before you apply. Check with your state’s department of health or nursing board for information on how to verify a CNA program’s approval status in your location.
- 3
Consider format and length.
Online CNA programs offer flexibility, allowing you to fit your classroom training into your schedule more easily. However, remember that CNA programs also involve hands-on and clinical training. You must complete these experiences in person, so check the program requirements and ensure you can accommodate them.
Programs may also vary in length. Shorter programs help you enter the workforce faster, but longer programs may provide more detailed training. Consider these trade-offs if you have access to programs of differing lengths.
- 4
Compare costs and financial aid.
Finally, look at a program’s out-of-pocket costs: How much will the program cost after you factor in financial aid? Financial aid sources can include scholarships, grants, and cost-sharing or reimbursement programs your employer may offer.
Also, consider the potential returns on your educational investment. CNAs generally enjoy stable job access, which can make certification pay off nicely in the long run.
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Next Steps for Online CNA Program Grads
Becoming Certified
After completing your state-approved CNA program, you’ll need to take your state’s CNA certification exam. Many states use an exam known as the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). The NNAAP exam consists of written, oral, and practical components, and you can take it in English or Spanish.
Once you’ve passed the exam, you can then apply for certification through your state’s nursing board. In addition to an application fee, you may have to pass a background check and submit fingerprints. When you certify, you officially become eligible to work as a CNA in your state and in any other jurisdictions that have reciprocity agreements.
Most states recertify CNAs every two years. To maintain your status as an active CNA, you must recertify when your certification period expires. Check with your school or state to find out about your specific requirements.
Career Advancement for CNAs
Over time, you can parlay your CNA training into credentials that can help you qualify for more advanced nursing careers. For example, you can participate in a CNA-to-LPN program, which can help you upgrade to an LPN/LVN career.
You could also pursue an associate degree in nursing (ADN), either directly or after working as an LPN/LVN. With an ADN, you can qualify to become a registered nurse — a well-paid career path offering a median annual salary of $93,600 per year, according to the BLS.
