Jeff TompkinsContributor
Jeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in CHA Review of Books and Films, the Brooklyn Rail, the Chicago Review of Books, PopMatters, Words Without Borders, and other outlets.
Jeff Tompkins
Jeff TompkinsContributor
Jeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in CHA Review of Books and Films, the Brooklyn Rail, the Chicago Review of Books, PopMatters, Words Without Borders, and other outlets.
Contributor
Veronica BeagleManaging Editor
Veronica Beagle is the managing editor for Education at Forbes Advisor. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Red Ventures as both a copy editor and content manager.
Reviewed
Veronica Beagle
Veronica BeagleManaging Editor
Veronica Beagle is the managing editor for Education at Forbes Advisor. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Red Ventures as both a copy editor and content manager.
Managing Editor
Reviewed
Published: Jul 15, 2024, 10:39am
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
For anyone who wants to enter the healthcare field, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a practical option worth considering. It opens the door to a nursing career without requiring a college degree or a major commitment of time and money.
Certified nursing assistants provide patient care in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, usually under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN). A CNA helps patients with basic functions including bathing and dressing, medication and movement. Consequently, it’s a job that will appeal to anyone drawn to a caregiver role, with all the rewards and the demands that caregiving entails. CNAs might also assist with basic administrative tasks such as patient documentation.
It’s possible to attain this entry-level position within just a few weeks—by taking a state-approved CNA certification course and then sitting for your state’s CNA competency exam. Moreover, online CNA courses are now available that allow trainees to enjoy the convenience and lower cost of remote learning while they prepare for a CNA career.
In the following article, we present a handful of standout online CNA programs from around the country, describe how they work and discuss what you can expect from each. Our list is not intended to be comprehensive; we offer it as a ranking based solely on the writer’s own research rather than as a more formal ranking supported by a methodology and objective data.
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Show Summary
- Key Takeaways
- Should You Pursue an Online CNA Course?
- 6 Online CNA Class Options
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online CNA Classes
Key Takeaways
- You can earn a CNA certification in one to three months, provided you’re ready to work hard in that period.
- The starting point for any CNA career is determining your home state’s specific certification requirements. You can find those through your state’s health department or nursing board.
- CNA is a “foot in the door” to the healthcare field that seldom requires more than a high school diploma (or the equivalent) as a prerequisite.
Degree Finder
Should You Pursue an Online CNA Course?
Pro Tip
An online CNA training course gives you the convenience of remote learning. However, any accredited, state-certified CNA program also requires a set number of in-person hours in a clinical setting.
For every learner, deciding whether to earn a CNA certification online will depend in part on factors such as their individual learning style and schedule—not to mention the specific requirements for CNA certifications in their home state. However, some major benefits of online CNA courses include the following:
- CNA certification is a point of entry into the healthcare field that can be obtained with a modest amount of time and money.
- Certified nursing assistant is a solid foundation from which you can rise higher in the nursing profession and one that will allow you to decide how you might want to specialize later in your career.
- CNAs enjoy a relative degree of job security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts well over 200,000 openings for nursing assistants between 2022 and 2032—and given the documented aging of the U.S. population, it’s reasonable to assume that long-term care facilities and similar institutions will need CNAs to meet their staffing requirements.
- An online CNA course offers the flexibility and convenience of studying at your own pace and on your own schedule, which can be critical if you’re juggling other commitments such as a job or family.
It’s important to clarify at the outset that online CNA programs themselves don’t result in certification. Instead, they provide the training that enables you to take and pass the state competency exam. Programs are typically offered through community colleges, along with hospitals and vocational schools.
Finally, remember that “online” in this context refers to hybrid programs in which your coursework (also known as the theory component of CNA training) is conducted online but the equally important clinical work is done in person at a licensed healthcare facility. To receive accreditation and state approval, a proper CNA program must include this hands-on training.
6 Online CNA Class Options
- Allegiance Career Institute
- Best American Healthcare College
- Central Coast Nursing Institute (CCNI)
- Johnson County Community College
- State Fair Community College
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
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Program Title: Online Asynchronous CNA Training Course
1
Allegiance Career Institute
Cost
$1,700 (tuition), $685 (registration and related fees)
Program Length
60 hours online coursework, 100 hours in-person clinical training
Prerequisites
High school diploma or GED®
$1,700 (tuition), $685 (registration and related fees)
60 hours online coursework, 100 hours in-person clinical training
High school diploma or GED®
Program Overview
Flexibility is a noteworthy feature of the Online Asynchronous CNA Training Course at Allegiance Career Institute, located in Southern California’s Orange County, just south of Anaheim. Since the course is available in several different scheduling options, students can take as little as four weeks or as many as 10 to complete the program, depending on which schedule best suits their needs.
Another selling point for Allegiance’s online CNA course, touted on its website and mentioned by program alumni in their Yelp reviews, is that students have access to real-world training materials—quizzes, practice questions, etc.—related to the California Department of Public Health license exam that they’ll take after completing the course.
Program Title: Online CNA Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program
2
Best American Healthcare College
Cost
$2,499 (includes uniform, textbook and CA state competency exam; installment plan available)
Program Length
160 hours
Prerequisites
CPR certification; GED not required
$2,499 (includes uniform, textbook and CA state competency exam; installment plan available)
160 hours
CPR certification; GED not required
Program Overview
Open to California residents, Best American Healthcare College’s online CNA program is split between 60 hours of online coursework and 100 hours of clinical training at a skilled nursing facility in Riverside. (Both the online and in-person components must be completed within 90 days.) Weekday and weekend schedules are available for the on-site clinical training.
For students who are looking to expand their licensing and credentials, Best American also offers opportunities to pair its online CNA course with specializations such as EKG technician and home health aide.
Program Title: CNA Online/Hybrid 30-Day Program
3
Central Coast Nursing Institute (CCNI)
Cost
$1,680
Program Length
One month (weekday program)
Prerequisites
High school diploma not required but recommended
$1,680
One month (weekday program)
High school diploma not required but recommended
Program Overview
CCNI in Santa Maria, California, promises to prepare enrollees for the California CNA exam in one month. All students are required to complete 60 hours of online coursework in theory and 112 hours of on-site clinicals; a mandatory orientation session is held one to two weeks before the start of coursework.
Note: CCNI’s 30-day course meets Mondays through Fridays and takes 29 days to finish. For students who are only free on Saturdays and Sundays, a variant Weekend Program takes 15 weeks to complete. (Tuition is the same for both programs.)
Program Title: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Program
4
Johnson County Community College
Cost
$101 or $121 per credit hour for Kansas students, $237 per credit hour for out-of-state students (fall 2024 rates)
Program Length
Four weeks, eight weeks or 16 weeks
Prerequisites
High school diploma or equivalent, CPR for healthcare providers certification
$101 or $121 per credit hour for Kansas students, $237 per credit hour for out-of-state students (fall 2024 rates)
Four weeks, eight weeks or 16 weeks
High school diploma or equivalent, CPR for healthcare providers certification
Program Overview
The hybrid Certified Nurse Aide course at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), near Kansas City, Kansas, is offered every semester in four-week, eight-week and 16-week iterations. Students can choose among day, afternoon and evening classes, along with the occasional weekend option.
Students engage with curriculum content (including lectures) remotely; all laboratory and clinical work takes place in person. Students who pass the Kansas State CNA exam after the class are eligible for the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry, which allows them to work at hospitals and other healthcare facilities around the state.
Program Title: Skills Certificate in Nurse Aide
5
State Fair Community College
Cost
$2,188 tuition (for Missouri residents)
Program Length
Four weeks
Prerequisites
High school diploma or GED
$2,188 tuition (for Missouri residents)
Four weeks
High school diploma or GED
Program Overview
Consisting of 16.5 credit hours total, the Skills Certificate in Nurse Aide course at Missouri’s State Fair Community College is the foundation of a unique “stackable certificates” program that continues with a longer professional certificate (31.5 credit hours) and then a full associate degree program (61.5 credit hours).
A special feature of State Fair’s Skills Certificate training is that it simultaneously prepares each student to become a CNA and a certified medication technician (CMT), boosting employability as they move on to the professional certificate. Online, hybrid and in-person options are available for Skills Certificate coursework, which is followed by in-person clinical work at a long-term care facility.
Program Title: Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program
6
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
Cost
$2,575
Program Length
Four weeks
Prerequisites
High school diploma or equivalent
$2,575
Four weeks
High school diploma or equivalent
Program Overview
The Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program at UNLV comprises 43 hours of theory classes, 21 hours of lab work and 32 clinical hours: 96 hours in total, which can be completed in four weeks. Fundamentals covered include basic nursing and personal care skills, emergency procedures and infection control, among other topics. As in the other programs discussed on this page, the curriculum is delivered via a hybrid format that blends online learning with in-person training.
Trainees in the UNLV program earn their clinical hours at skilled nursing facilities, long-term acute care hospitals and other healthcare institutions in the greater Las Vegas–Henderson region. After clinical instruction, students are expected to be ready to sit for the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) exam.
Degree Finder
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online CNA Classes
What is a CNA?
Certified nursing assistants are frequently the primary caregivers for patients who need basic assistance. They help patients with functions such as bathing and dressing, medication and movement. CNAs provide patient care in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, usually under the supervision of a nurse.
What is CNA certification?
Those who have completed their CNA training must pass an examination to become certified. Each state has its own requirements; however, you should expect a written or oral portion, plus a clinical skills exam that tests your skills as a CNA.
What's the fastest I can become a CNA?
Full-time CNA programs can be completed in 12 weeks or less, and special accelerated programs can get you working as a CNA in as little as six weeks. Becoming a CNA can be a relatively quick process compared to other healthcare professions.
Find a state-approved CNA training program, meaning it’s accredited and meets your state’s requirements. After you finish your training and pass the competency exam, apply for certification through your state’s health department or nursing board. Official certification will get you added to your state’s CNA registry, and you can then begin to apply for CNA positions in a variety of healthcare facilities.
How do I get a CNA license?
To earn a CNA license, begin by researching your state’s requirements for CNA certifications via the state health department or nursing board. Then, find a state-approved CNA training program. Divided between classroom instruction and clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN), training programs are usually offered through community colleges, vocational schools or hospitals and last between four and 12 weeks.
After training, you need to pass the CNA competency exam, which includes both a written test covering theoretical knowledge and a practical skills test that requires you to perform specific nursing tasks in a simulated clinical environment.
Once you’ve passed the competency exam, apply to your state’s nursing board or health department for CNA certification. The certification process usually requires a background check as well as an application fee. Upon certification, you are now a licensed CNA and will be listed on your state’s CNA registry. Remember that you’ll have to renew your certification periodically, typically every two years.
How much does a CNA make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of mid-2023, the median annual wage for certified nursing assistants was $38,200—meaning half the CNAs in the U.S. earned more than $38,200 and half earned less. The highest 10% of CNA salaries exceeded $48,780 and the lowest 10% were less than $30,020.
CNA salaries can differ widely depending on the state you live in, whether you work in a primarily rural or urban area and the kind of healthcare facility you work in (whether it’s a private or public hospital, for instance, or an assisted living facility).
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