How to Become a CNA
Every state follows the same four steps: an approved training program, a competency exam, a listing on the state nurse aide registry, and keeping it active. What changes is the number of hours, who runs the exam, and how many programs you can pick from. Missouri asks for the most training (175 hours); Michigan sits at the federal minimum of 75.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: state boards and registries, IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
| State | Training hours | Clinical hours | Exam given by | Approved programs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How to become a CNA in California | 160 | 100 | D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia, or the Regional Testing Center | 592 | $47,630 |
| How to become a CNA in Colorado | 75+ | 16 | Credentia (NNAAP) | state list | $47,380 |
| How to become a CNA in Florida | 120 | 40 | Prometric | 201 | $37,510 |
| How to become a CNA in Georgia | 85 | 24 | Credentia (NNAAP) | 335 | $37,680 |
| How to become a CNA in Illinois | 120 | 40 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale (INACE) | 395 | $45,960 |
| How to become a CNA in Massachusetts | 75+ | — | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | 109 | $46,680 |
| How to become a CNA in Michigan | 75 | 16 | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | 222 | $39,570 |
| How to become a CNA in Missouri | 175+ | 100 | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | not checked | $37,680 |
| How to become a CNA in New Jersey | 90 | 40 | PSI and D&SDT-Headmaster | 158 | $46,830 |
| How to become a CNA in New York | 100 | 30 | Prometric | 196 | $48,590 |
| How to become a CNA in North Carolina | 75+ | — | Credentia (NNAAP) | 247 | $38,460 |
| How to become a CNA in Ohio | 75+ | 16 | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | not published | $39,010 |
| How to become a CNA in Pennsylvania | 80 | 37.5 | Credentia (NNAAP) | 182 | $44,590 |
| How to become a CNA in Texas | 100 | 40 | Prometric | not published | $37,500 |
| How to become a CNA in Virginia | 140+ | 40 | Credentia (NNAAP) | 220 | $43,200 |
| How to become a CNA in Washington | 108+ | 40 | Credentia | 170 | $49,180 |
| How to become a CNA in Wisconsin | 75+ | 16 | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | not checked | $45,130 |
Hours are each state's legal minimum (sources linked on each state page). Program counts come from each state's official list (12 states); Colorado publish a list we link to but have not yet added here. Ohio and Texas do not post a current list online. We could not open the official lists for Missouri and Wisconsin in October 2026, so no count is shown. Pay: BLS May 2025 median for nursing assistants. Federal minimum everywhere: 75 hours, 16 of them supervised clinical (42 CFR 483.152).
Looking for a state not listed? CNA classes by state lists accredited colleges with costs; we add a requirements guide once we have checked the state's rules against its official source.