Free CNA Classes in New Jersey
The most reliable way to get CNA training for free in New Jersey is to be hired by a nursing home first. Federal law says a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, for any part of the training. 45 of the 158 state-approved programs on the official New Jersey list are run by nursing homes; they are grouped by county below.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: New Jersey Department of Health, August 2026; 42 CFR 483.152 and 483.154, BLS May 2025
- Nursing-home programs
- 4516 counties
- All approved programs
- 158official list, August 2026
- Training required
- 90 hr40 clinical
- New Jersey median pay
- $46,830$22.52/hr · BLS May 2025
How free CNA training works
- Get hired before the class starts. Under 42 CFR 483.152(c)(1), a nurse aide who is employed by a nursing home, or has a job offer from one, on the date training begins cannot be charged for any portion of it, including textbooks and other required materials. The same goes for the state competency exam (42 CFR 483.154(c)(2)). Nursing homes often post these openings as "nurse aide trainee" or "CNA in training" jobs.
- Or get reimbursed later. If you pay for a state-approved program yourself and a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months of finishing, the state must reimburse your costs on a pro-rata basis while you work as a nurse aide (42 CFR 483.152(c)(2)). Keep every receipt.
- Ask the local workforce board. Your American Job Center can tell you whether federal workforce (WIOA) funds will pay for CNA training if you qualify.
The rule covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. It does not promise that every program below takes outside students: a facility-run program usually trains the people that facility hires. Call the nursing home and ask about trainee openings.
45 nursing-home CNA programs in New Jersey
Source: New Jersey Department of Health: Approved Nurse Aide Training Competency and Evaluation Programs (schools and colleges; long-term care facilities), revised 08/31/2026, list dated August 2026. These are the programs the state lists as run by a nursing home (long-term care facility). For colleges, high schools and private schools, see all 158 approved CNA programs in New Jersey.
Bergen County 6 programs
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Maple Glen Center
12-15 Saddle River Rd, Fair Lawn NJ 07410 · (201) 797-9522 -
Bergen New Bridge Med Cntr
230 E Ridgewood Ave, BLD#5 Class RoomG4, Hackensack NJ 07601 · (201) 967-4000 -
CareOne At Oradell
600 KinderKamack Road, Oradell NJ 07649 · (201) 967-0002 -
Care One At Cupola
100 W. Ridgewood Ave, Paramus NJ 07652 · (201) 862-3300 -
Care One at Valley
300 Old Hook Rd, Westwood NJ 07675 · (856) 914-0444 -
Christian Health Care
301 Sicomac Ave, Wyckoff NJ 07481 · (201) 848-5200
Middlesex County 6 programs
-
Care One at East Brunswick
595 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick NJ 08816 · (856) 914-0444 -
Atrium Post Acute Care Of Matawan
38 Freneau Ave, Matawan NJ 07747 -
Madison Care One
625 Rt 34, Matawan NJ 07747 · (732) 677-8823 -
Cranbury Center
292 Applegarth Rd., Monroe NJ 08831 · (609) 860-2500 -
Monroe Parker
395 Schoolhouse Rd, Monroe NJ 08831 · (732) 418-8632 -
Parker at Monroe
395 Schoolhouse Road, Monroe Twp. NJ 08831 · (732) 418-8634
Ocean County 4 programs
-
Bartley Healthcare
175 Bartley Rd., Jackson NJ 08527 · (732) 370-4700 -
Leisure Chateau
962 River Ave, Lakewood NJ 08701 · (732) 370-8600 -
Seacrest Rehabilitation
1002 Center St., Little Egg Harbor NJ 08087 · (609) 296-9292 -
Genesis Southern Ocean Center
1361 Route 72 West, Manahawkin NJ 08050 · (732) 677-8823
Monmouth County 3 programs
-
Genesis Jersey Shore Center
3 Industrial Way East, Eatontown NJ 07724 · (732) 677-8823 -
The Jewish Home for Rehab & Nursing
1151 W Main St, Freehold Township NJ 07728 · (732) 202-1000 -
Care One at Wall
2621 Nj-138, Wall Township NJ 07719 · (732) 556-1060
Sussex County 3 programs
-
Barn Hill Care Center
249 High St, Newton NJ 07860 · (973) 862-5266 -
Homestead Rehabilitation
129 Morris Turnpike, Newton NJ 07860 · (973) 948-5400 -
United Methodist Communities
200 Bristol Glen Drive, Newton NJ 07860 · (973) 300-5788
Warren County 3 programs
-
House of the Good Shepherd
798 Willow Grove Street, Hackettstown NJ 07840 · (908) 681-5720 -
Lopatcong Care Center
390 Red School Lane, Phillipsburg NJ 08865 · (908) 859-0200 -
Phillipsburg Center
843 Wilbur Ave, Phillipsburg NJ 08865 · (908) 454-2627
Atlantic County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Atlantic City area.
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Allied Health Training Institute
22 W. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway NJ 08205 · (609) 432-2653 -
Bishop McCarthy Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare
1045 Chestnut Ave., Vineland NJ 08350 · (856) 692-2850
Burlington County 2 programs
-
Empath Care
212 Marter Ave., Moorestown NJ 08057 · (856) 554-3219 -
Northeast Healthcare Academy, Cambridge Rehabilitation (Hartford Glen)
255 East Main Street, Moorestown NJ 08057 · (855) 238-5007
Camden County 2 programs
-
St. Mary's Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare
210 St. Mary's Drive, Cherry Hill NJ 08003 · (856) 874-5368 -
Complete Care At Kresson View
2601 Evesham Rd, Voorhees NJ 08043 · (856) 308-2641
Morris County 2 programs
-
Genesis Healthcare-Morris Hills Center
77 Madison Ave, Morristown NJ 07960 · (973) 540-9800 -
Merry Heart Health Care Center
200 Route 10 West, Succasunna NJ 07876 · (973) 584-4000
Passaic County 2 programs
-
Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics
1433 Ringwood Ave, Haskell NJ 07420 · (973) 839-2119 -
Milford Manor
69 Maple Rd., West Milford NJ 07480 · (973) 697-5640
Essex County 1 program
-
Springpoint Academy
Winchester Gardens, 333 Elmwood Ave, Maplewood NJ 07041 · (973) 378-5090
Gloucester County 1 program
-
Manor Care West Deptford (Promedica)
550 Jessup Rd, West Deptford NJ 08066 · (856) 848-9551
Marlton 1 program
-
Care One at Evesham
870 E Rt 70, Marlton NJ 08058 · (856) 396-0005
Mercer County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Trenton area.
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Lawrence Rehabilitation Hospital
2381 Lawrence Rd., Lawrence Twp. NJ 08648 · (609) 896-9500
North Bergen 1 program
-
The Harborage
7600 River Rd., North Bergen NJ 07409 · (800) 880-1560
North Cape May 1 program
-
North Cape Center
700 Town Bank Rd., North Cape May · (609) 898-8899
Ocean City 1 program
-
United Methodist Communities, The Shores
2201 Bay Avenue, Ocean City NJ 08266 · (609) 391-6340
Point Pleasant 1 program
-
Complete Care at Green Acres
1515 Hulse Rd., Point Pleasant · (732) 286-2323
Salem County 1 program
-
Autumn Lake at Southgate Health Care Center
449 South Pennsville-Auburn Rd, Carneys Point NJ 08069 · (732) 966-1836
Union County 1 program
-
Aristacare at Norwood
40 Norwood Ave, Plainfield NJ 07060 · (800) 880-1560
Free CNA classes in other states
- Free CNA classes in New York156
- Free CNA classes in Pennsylvania106
- Free CNA classes in California87
- Free CNA classes in Georgia58
- Free CNA classes in Virginia31
- Free CNA classes in Washington19
Free CNA training in New Jersey: FAQ
Are there free CNA classes in New Jersey?
Yes, if a nursing home hires you. Federal rules (42 CFR 483.152(c)) say a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, on the day training starts: not for the course, textbooks or required materials, and (under 42 CFR 483.154) not for the competency exam. 45 of the 158 programs on the official New Jersey list (New Jersey Department of Health, August 2026) are run by nursing homes; apply for a nurse aide trainee job at one of them, or at any Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home that sends new hires to training.
I already paid for CNA classes in New Jersey. Can I get the money back?
Possibly. If a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months after you finish a state-approved program, the same federal rule requires the state to reimburse your training costs on a pro-rata basis while you work there as a nurse aide. Keep your receipts and ask the hiring facility or the New Jersey nurse aide program how the reimbursement is paid out.
Does free CNA training mean I have to work at the nursing home?
The federal rule does not set a minimum period you must stay. A facility may still ask you to sign its own agreement, so read any contract before training starts and ask what happens if you leave early.
Do hospitals and home health agencies have to train CNAs for free?
No. The no-charge rule in 42 CFR 483.152(c) covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. Hospitals, home health agencies and assisted living employers may still pay for training, but federal law does not require it.
How long is CNA training in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires 90 hours, 40 of them clinical (N.J.A.C. 8:39-43.10(b)). Nursing-home programs must meet the same hours as any other approved program, and you take the same PSI and D&SDT-Headmaster exam.