How much does it cost to get CNA certified?

Many vocational schools, community colleges, the American Red Cross, and some medical facilities offer CNA training programs. Usually, the tuition is charged by credit hour or as a flat program fee.

There are many CNA training programs now available completely online. The cost range of an online CNA program may vary, depending on the institution or program, but the average cost of an online CNA program is from as low as $700 to as high as $1,500.

Keep in mind that some programs with higher fees cover the cost of the state certification exam, uniforms and classroom supplies. Those with a lower fee may not.

In addition to the tuition price, there are other expenses that students need to take into account when budgeting for their education. These costs may include:

• Program Supplies - nursing assistant training programs generally have a list of required supplies, including textbooks, educational DVDs, uniform scrubs, non-slip tennis shoes, a watch with a second hand, a stethoscope, and note-taking supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, etc.

• Medical Examination CNA applicants are often required to complete a physical examination that certifies they are physically fit enough to perform the duties of a nursing assistant. In addition, an applicant will need to pass a TB test and show proof of current immunizations prior to working with patients. Cost varies by state.

• Criminal Background Check - Most states require nursing assistants to undergo a criminal background check prior to beginning work. Some schools or states will pay for these background checks on behalf of the students, and in other cases fingerprinting and background checks cost the students around $20-$40.

• Certification Exam Fees - Each state requires nursing assistants to pass a certification exam to begin working. In some cases, the certification exam fee may be included in your training program cost. The exam fees will vary from state to state, but as an example of cost, in California, the NNAAP exam is $90 for the written version of the exam and $105 for the audio version.