Home / Guides / How long is CNA training?
How long is CNA training?
Most CNA certificate programs take 1 month to 7 months; the middle of 121 programs reporting a length to IPEDS is 2 months. In clock hours, the middle program runs 144 hours (half run 90 to 488). On state WIOA training lists the middle CNA program lasts 8 weeks.
The legal minimum
A state-approved nurse aide training program must include at least 75 clock hours of training, with at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. (42 CFR 483.152(a))
Pennsylvania's approved list prints each program's hours: 182 programs run from 80 to 181 hours, middle 120.
How long CNA programs run
| Length | Programs |
|---|---|
| Under 3 months | 66 |
| 3 to 6 months | 23 |
| 7 to 12 months | 32 |
| Over 12 months | 0 |
Program length by state
| State | Programs reporting | Middle | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 25 | 5 months | 1 month to 11 months |
| Ohio | 23 | 1 month | 1 month to 9 months |
| Oklahoma | 15 | 9 months | 6 months to 12 months |
| California | 12 | 2 months | 1 month to 10 months |
| Texas | 7 | 2 months | 1 month to 8 months |
| Utah | 6 | 2 months | 1 month to 2 months |
| New Jersey | 5 | 7 months | 2 months to 12 months |
| Louisiana | 5 | 2 months | 1 month to 6 months |
| New York | 5 | 3 months | 2 months to 3 months |
| Michigan | 4 | 1 month | 1 month to 1 month |
| Arizona | 3 | 1 month | 1 month to 2 months |
Source: IPEDS COST1 2024-25, the length and whole-program tuition that clock-hour schools report for their largest programs. States with at least 3 reporting programs. Community colleges charge by the year and are not in these figures.
Find a program
CNA Classes by state · Ways to pay for training · Free CNA training