A Free CNA Certificate in 4 Weeks? Yes, It's Real: Here's How

You can become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in as little as four weeks. You can study the theory portion online from home. And you can do it all for free.

This isn't a "too good to be true" offer; it's one of the most accessible and in-demand entry points into the healthcare field.

This article covers how to get your CNA certificate, how to get it for free (or be reimbursed), and what to do once you're certified.

Reasons to become a CNA

Are you a people person?
Do you find fulfillment in helping others?
Would you prefer being on your feet and carrying out hands-on tasks over sitting at a desk all day?

If you answered “yes” to all the above, getting a CNA certificate may be an excellent career path for you.

Certified nursing assistants provide essential patient care and are vital healthcare team members. Furthermore, becoming a CNA is the fastest way to enter the nursing field. Working as a CNA is invaluable, even if it's not your end goal:

A stepping stone: If you're interested in nursing but not ready for a 2-4-year RN program, you can get your CNA certificate first. From there, many schools offer CNA-to-RN bridge programs. Your work experience can make your nursing school journey easier and more successful.
Earn while you learn: If you are already a nursing student, training as a CNA can help you gain hands-on experience and make money before graduation. (Check your state's rules; some allow nursing students to work as CNAs after completing certain coursework.)

What do CNAs do?

Certified nursing assistants work in diverse settings—from skilled nursing facilities and hospitals to home health—providing basic patient and resident care. They work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs).

Typical CNA tasks include:

Assisting with daily living activities (dressing, bathing, grooming, and feeding)
Taking and recording vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, etc.)
Turning or repositioning patients
Making beds and keeping patient rooms clean
Responding to patient calls or requests
Assisting with range-of-motion exercises
Following infection control procedures

CNA salary and job outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for nursing assistants is $39,430 per year (or $18.96 per hour) as of May 2024.

Pay range: The lowest 10% earn less than $31,390, while the highest 10% earn more than $50,140.
Job outlook: Employment for nursing assistants is projected to grow 2% from 2024 to 2034, which is slightly below the average for all occupations. However, the combined group of home health and personal care aides, nursing assistants, orderlies, and psychiatric aides is expected to grow at a rate of 13%.
Why the demand? Increased opportunities are expected in home- and community-based settings as patient preferences and shifts in policy generate demand for care in these settings.

Note: Pay varies significantly based on your state, location (city vs. rural), and the type of facility you work in. Learn more about the factors impacting CNA salary.

How to become a CNA: A step-by-step guide

While specifics vary by state, the path to earning your CNA certificate generally follows these five steps.

1. Meet basic eligibility requirements

Before you enroll, you'll typically need to:

Be at least 18 years old (some states allow individuals to be 16 or 17 years old).
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Pass a criminal background check.
Provide proof of immunizations and a TB test.

2. Find a state-approved training program

This is the most critical step.

Your program must be approved by your state's Board of Nursing or Department of Health. If it's not, you won't be able to take the certification exam.
Federal guidelines mandate programs include at least 75 clock hours of training, with at least 16 hours of supervised practical (clinical) training. However, many states require more (e.g., California requires 160 hours).
Example: Minimum CNA training hours by state

State	Total hours	Classroom hours	Clinical hours
Federal minimum	75	16	16
California	160	60	100
Florida	120	80	40
Texas	100	60	40
New York	108	78	30

This table is for illustrative purposes. Always check your specific state's Board of Nursing for the most current requirements.

3. Complete your training (online theory + in-person clinicals)

Most CNA certificate programs online are hybrid.

You'll complete the "book-learning" portion—covering topics like anatomy, patient rights, and safety—online. Then, you'll attend in-person labs and clinical rotations at a healthcare facility to practice and be evaluated on your hands-on skills.

4. Pass your state's CNA certification exam

After completing your program, you'll take the state competency exam. It typically has two parts:

A written (or oral) exam

This is a multiple-choice test (usually 60-70 questions) covering the theoretical knowledge from your coursework, such as patient rights, safety, infection control, and basic anatomy.

A practical skills exam

This is the part that makes people most nervous, but your training will prepare you.

You will perform 3-5 randomly selected CNA tasks in front of an evaluator to prove your competency. Common skills tested include:

Proper handwashing (a critical, universal step)
Taking and recording vital signs (pulse, respiration, blood pressure)
Transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair
Providing perineal care or a partial bed bath
Assisting with range-of-motion exercises
Making an occupied or unoccupied bed

5. Get listed on your state's nurse aide registry

Once you pass both parts of the exam, you'll be added to your state's official Nurse Aide Registry. This proves your certification status to employers.

How to get your CNA certificate for free

The "free" part of your CNA certificate is not a scam; it's often built directly into the system. Here are the most common ways to get your training at no cost.

1. The federal reimbursement rule (the best-kept secret)

This is the most important rule to know. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) mandates that:

Nursing facilities must not charge nurse aides for any costs related to training or competency evaluation. This includes textbook fees, course materials, and the exam itself.
This plays out in two ways:

Employer-sponsored training: A nursing home or hospital hires you as a "nursing assistant in training" and pays for your program and exam upfront. You work for them (often in a non-clinical role) while you study and then transition to a CNA role upon certification.
Get reimbursed after: If you pay for a state-approved program yourself, the law states that if you secure a job at a Medicare-certified facility within 12 months of certification, the facility must reimburse you for your training and exam costs, paid out on a pro-rata basis.

This means that, ultimately, as long as you work in the field, your CNA training should be free.

2. Free employer-sponsored and government-funded programs

Many organizations offer free CNA certificate programs directly to fill their staffing needs.

Ballad Health (TN/VA): Candidates in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia can get free CNA training through Ballad Health. The hybrid program includes online classes with in-person labs.
Procareer Academy (CA): This program in California offers free, government-funded training and job placement services, particularly for women and minorities. It features online theory classes on evenings and weekend clinicals.
Life Care Center of Andover (KS): This facility offers a free, four-week accelerated program. Candidates work at the facility as non-certified assistants during the application process and only pay the state exam fee.
The American Red Cross: While not always free, the Red Cross is a major provider of CNA training. They often partner with local facilities that may sponsor students, or their programs are eligible for WIOA grants.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): Check with your local unemployment or workforce development office. Many offer grants through WIOA that cover the full cost of "in-demand" job training, which almost always includes CNAs.

Can you really get a CNA certificate online?

This is a common question, so let's be clear: No CNA program is 100% online.

Federal law requires a minimum of 16 hours of in-person, supervised clinical training. You simply cannot learn to safely bathe a patient, transfer someone from a bed to a wheelchair, or take blood pressure from a video.

However, many "online" CNA certificate programs are hybrid.

What's online: The theory and coursework portion (patient rights, anatomy, infection control)
What's in-person: The hands-on skills labs and the supervised clinical practicum at a local facility

This hybrid model offers great flexibility, allowing you to complete coursework at your own pace from the comfort of your own home.

A clinician's perspective: A career with purpose

The journey to becoming a CNA is often a calling.

Mornique, a CNA who finds flexible work through Nursa, found her purpose during a global crisis. She was working as a hairdresser when COVID-19 turned the world upside down.

“During Coronavirus, it really opened my eyes, seeing how much need was truly there—not just for hairdos but for care as well.”

For Mornique, becoming a CNA was a way to step up and provide essential care when her community needed it most.

Your career after certification: What's next?

Getting your CNA certificate can be the start, not the end.

CNA career advancement

Your CNA certificate is a foundation for many career paths:

CNA-to-LPN or CNA-to-RN bridge programs: Many nursing schools value the hands-on experience of CNAs and offer accelerated "bridge" programs.
Specialization: You can get additional certifications to become a certified medication aide (CMA), a restorative nurse assistant (RNA), or specialize in areas like geriatrics or phlebotomy.

Find flexible, high-paying CNA jobs with Nursa

Once you are certified, you don't have to be locked into a single facility. You can use your CNA certificate to pick up PRN jobs.

PRN shifts are single-shift contracts that facilities post to cover urgent needs. As an independent contractor on a platform like Nursa, you:

Control your schedule: Work only when and where you want.
Earn higher pay: Enjoy significantly higher hourly rates with PRN shifts.
Gain experience: Try working in different facilities and units to find what you love.

For Mornique, this flexibility and financial freedom were game-changers:

“When I found Nursa, it was life-changing…the fact that I was getting compensated at the right wage and made it livable and really get to experience that freedom...”

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to get a CNA certificate?

It varies by state and program. Accelerated programs can be completed in as little as four weeks, while others might take 10-12 weeks, especially if you're attending part-time.

How much does a CNA program cost if it's not free?

If you pay out of pocket, programs typically range from $800 to $2,000. But remember that if you get a job at a Medicare-certified facility within 12 months, you are entitled to be reimbursed for those costs.

What's the difference between a CNA and a CMA?

A CNA (certified nursing assistant) provides direct patient care like bathing, feeding, and taking vital signs. A CMA (certified medication aide) is a CNA who has taken additional training to be certified to administer medications to patients.

Can I transfer my CNA license to another state?

Yes, this is called "reciprocity." Most states have a process for transferring your CNA certification from another state, but you must apply with the new state's Nurse Aide Registry. Some states may require you to take an additional exam or prove your work hours.

What's the difference between a CNA and a medical assistant (MA)?

This is a common question. They are different roles with different settings:

A CNA provides hands-on daily care (bathing, feeding, transferring) and works primarily in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health.
An MA (medical assistant) performs clinical and administrative tasks (taking patient histories, drawing blood, scheduling appointments, and performing EKGs) and works primarily in doctors' offices, clinics, and outpatient centers.