- Graduate high school or get a GED.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Enroll in a state-approved nursing assistant program through a community college or trade school.
- It takes about 6 to 12 weeks with at least 160 hours of classwork and clinical training.
- After your program is complete, you will need to pass the CNA certification exam, which consists of two parts—written and practical.
- Get placed on your state’s registry. This will allow you to work as a NA, especially if you want to work in a nursing home.
- You may have to complete a background check.
- Depending on your state, you may have continuing education requirements to fulfill to keep your license current. Check with your state licensing board to get more details.
Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
It doesn’t take a large investment of time or money to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Here are the steps you’ll need to take:
