Online CNA classes let you study the theory from home, but every program still needs in-person skills practice and clinical hours. In the seven programs below, training runs from about 4 to 16 weeks and costs from $628 in tuition (plus $150 in fees) to an estimated $2,429.
That makes a hybrid CNA class one of the fastest paths into healthcare. The BLS reports a median of $41,870 a year for nursing assistants and orderlies, with about 203,300 openings each year.
AdvertisementEach school’s details were taken from its own program page and checked on November 2, 2026. Use the comparison sheet to pick your programs, then confirm every detail with the school and your state before you enroll. This page is a guide, not an endorsement, and no school paid to be included.
7 Online and Hybrid CNA Programs
Quick jump: Northeast Medical InstituteNorthern EssexNavarro CollegeJohnson County CCGreat BasinCarl SandburgQuinsigamondFree CNA class comparison sheet
Northeast Medical Institute (Connecticut)
- Program: Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA), hybrid self-paced
- Length: 104 hours: 48 online theory, 40 lab and 16 clinical. Day option: about 2 weeks online plus 7 days of lab and clinical
- Format: Online theory at your own pace, then in-person lab and clinical Monday to Friday. New day classes start monthly
- Cost: $1,200 tuition plus a $350 enrollment fee; supplies, insurance and background check are extra
- Accreditation: Designed to meet Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements; the page gives no formal approval number
- Clinicals and exam: Prepares students for the Prometric state CNA exam, held on site at two of the four training locations
Northern Essex Community College (Massachusetts)
- Program: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program
- Length: 90 hours over an accelerated 4 weeks
- Format: Hybrid: online theory with several mandatory Zoom meetings, plus an in-person skills lab at the Lawrence campus
- Cost: $1,525, including books, scrubs and testing fees
- Accreditation: Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
- Clinicals and exam: 25-hour clinical at a long-term care facility. Prepares for the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Certification Exam; the program does not include CPR certification
Navarro College (Texas)
- Program: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), continuing education
- Length: 72 contact hours over about 4 weeks
- Format: Hybrid: online coursework plus in-person lecture and lab. A free 60-hour HHSC computer-based training is also required
- Cost: $628 tuition plus $150 in fees, which include one National Healthcareer Association exam voucher; books and supplies are extra
- Accreditation: Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
- Clinicals and exam: 24 hours of skills review and validation and 48 clinical hours. The certification exam runs through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services
Johnson County Community College (Kansas)
- Program: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certificate
- Length: 96-hour course
- Format: Hybrid and in-person classes at the Olathe Health Education Center; the instructor assigns clinical days and places
- Cost: Not listed on the program page
- Accreditation: The page does not state program approval; it says the course makes you eligible for the Kansas CNA test
- Clinicals and exam: Required items include a flu vaccine, TB screening, CPR for Healthcare Providers, a background check and drug screen, a Social Security card and a state ID
Great Basin College (Nevada)
- Program: Certified Nursing Assistant (NURS 130)
- Length: 120 hours: 40 theory, 60 skills lab and 20 clinical. Course length is 6, 8 or 16 weeks depending on location
- Format: Hybrid
- Cost: Cost breakdown is in a linked PDF; students also buy a Complio subscription for vaccine tracking, drug screen and background check
- Accreditation: After the course, graduates apply to the Nevada State Board of Nursing for a CNA license; the page does not call the course itself state-approved
- Clinicals and exam: Written and skills exams are scheduled and paid for through Headmaster. Students must be 16 or older, need no diploma and must hold AHA Basic Life Support certification
Carl Sandburg College (Illinois)
- Program: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Length: 16-week fall semester sample schedule; blended option runs 16 weeks in fall and spring and 11 weeks in summer
- Format: Face-to-face, hybrid (online theory, on-campus lab and clinical) or blended
- Cost: Estimated total: $1,792 in-state, $2,429 out-of-state, including tuition, books, supplies and fees
- Accreditation: Meets Illinois Department of Public Health basic nursing assistant training program guidelines
- Clinicals and exam: State exam pass rates reported by the school: hybrid 89.7% in 2025 and 100% in 2024 (the page gives no test taker counts); face-to-face 92.7% in 2025 and 89.5% in 2024
Quinsigamond Community College (Massachusetts)
- Program: Nursing Assistant Direct Entry certificate, 7 credits
- Length: 1 semester
- Format: Hybrid: the program may be completed less than 50% online, with in-person classes in downtown Worcester and clinical sites in Worcester County
- Cost: $227 per credit in-state ($1,589 for 7 credits) and $433 per credit out-of-state ($3,031), plus uniforms, parking and materials
- Accreditation: The page does not state Massachusetts DPH approval for this program
- Clinicals and exam: Requires a high school diploma or GED, placement into college-level English, immunizations and CORI, SORI and national background checks
Details a school did not list on its program page are marked “not stated” or “not listed” instead of guessed. Ask admissions for them.
Programs at a Glance
| Program | Program name | Length | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Medical Institute | Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA), hybrid self-paced | 104 hours: 48 online theory, 40 lab and 16 clinical. Day option: about 2 weeks online plus 7 days of lab and clinical | Online theory at your own pace, then in-person lab and clinical Monday to Friday. New day classes start monthly |
| Northern Essex | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program | 90 hours over an accelerated 4 weeks | Hybrid: online theory with several mandatory Zoom meetings, plus an in-person skills lab at the Lawrence campus |
| Navarro College | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), continuing education | 72 contact hours over about 4 weeks | Hybrid: online coursework plus in-person lecture and lab. A free 60-hour HHSC computer-based training is also required |
| Johnson County CC | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certificate | 96-hour course | Hybrid and in-person classes at the Olathe Health Education Center; the instructor assigns clinical days and places |
| Great Basin | Certified Nursing Assistant (NURS 130) | 120 hours: 40 theory, 60 skills lab and 20 clinical. Course length is 6, 8 or 16 weeks depending on location | Hybrid |
| Carl Sandburg | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | 16-week fall semester sample schedule; blended option runs 16 weeks in fall and spring and 11 weeks in summer | Face-to-face, hybrid (online theory, on-campus lab and clinical) or blended |
| Quinsigamond | Nursing Assistant Direct Entry certificate, 7 credits | 1 semester | Hybrid: the program may be completed less than 50% online, with in-person classes in downtown Worcester and clinical sites in Worcester County |
State Approval, Clinicals and Exams at a Glance
| Program | State approval (from the school page) | Clinicals and exam |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Medical Institute | Designed to meet Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements; the page gives no formal approval number | Prepares students for the Prometric state CNA exam, held on site at two of the four training locations |
| Northern Essex | Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health | 25-hour clinical at a long-term care facility. Prepares for the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Certification Exam; the program does not include CPR certification |
| Navarro College | Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program | 24 hours of skills review and validation and 48 clinical hours. The certification exam runs through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services |
| Johnson County CC | The page does not state program approval; it says the course makes you eligible for the Kansas CNA test | Required items include a flu vaccine, TB screening, CPR for Healthcare Providers, a background check and drug screen, a Social Security card and a state ID |
| Great Basin | After the course, graduates apply to the Nevada State Board of Nursing for a CNA license; the page does not call the course itself state-approved | Written and skills exams are scheduled and paid for through Headmaster. Students must be 16 or older, need no diploma and must hold AHA Basic Life Support certification |
| Carl Sandburg | Meets Illinois Department of Public Health basic nursing assistant training program guidelines | State exam pass rates reported by the school: hybrid 89.7% in 2025 and 100% in 2024 (the page gives no test taker counts); face-to-face 92.7% in 2025 and 89.5% in 2024 |
| Quinsigamond | The page does not state Massachusetts DPH approval for this program | Requires a high school diploma or GED, placement into college-level English, immunizations and CORI, SORI and national background checks |
Free CNA Class Comparison Sheet
Step 1. Tap the programs you are considering. Three is plenty.
Step 2. Click any text in the sheet and type to add your own notes.
The facts come from each school’s own program page. Confirm every detail with admissions before you enroll.
My CNA program sheet
Facts checked on November 2, 2026
Northeast Medical Institute (Connecticut)
Program: Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA), hybrid self-paced
Length: 104 hours: 48 online theory, 40 lab and 16 clinical. Day option: about 2 weeks online plus 7 days of lab and clinical
Format: Online theory at your own pace, then in-person lab and clinical Monday to Friday. New day classes start monthly
Cost: $1,200 tuition plus a $350 enrollment fee; supplies, insurance and background check are extra
Accreditation: Designed to meet Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements; the page gives no formal approval number
Exams and hours: Prepares students for the Prometric state CNA exam, held on site at two of the four training locations
My notes:
Northern Essex Community College (Massachusetts)
Program: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program
Length: 90 hours over an accelerated 4 weeks
Format: Hybrid: online theory with several mandatory Zoom meetings, plus an in-person skills lab at the Lawrence campus
Cost: $1,525, including books, scrubs and testing fees
Accreditation: Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Exams and hours: 25-hour clinical at a long-term care facility. Prepares for the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Certification Exam; the program does not include CPR certification
My notes:
Navarro College (Texas)
Program: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), continuing education
Length: 72 contact hours over about 4 weeks
Format: Hybrid: online coursework plus in-person lecture and lab. A free 60-hour HHSC computer-based training is also required
Cost: $628 tuition plus $150 in fees, which include one National Healthcareer Association exam voucher; books and supplies are extra
Accreditation: Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
Exams and hours: 24 hours of skills review and validation and 48 clinical hours. The certification exam runs through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services
My notes:
Johnson County Community College (Kansas)
Program: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certificate
Length: 96-hour course
Format: Hybrid and in-person classes at the Olathe Health Education Center; the instructor assigns clinical days and places
Cost: Not listed on the program page
Accreditation: The page does not state program approval; it says the course makes you eligible for the Kansas CNA test
Exams and hours: Required items include a flu vaccine, TB screening, CPR for Healthcare Providers, a background check and drug screen, a Social Security card and a state ID
My notes:
Great Basin College (Nevada)
Program: Certified Nursing Assistant (NURS 130)
Length: 120 hours: 40 theory, 60 skills lab and 20 clinical. Course length is 6, 8 or 16 weeks depending on location
Format: Hybrid
Cost: Cost breakdown is in a linked PDF; students also buy a Complio subscription for vaccine tracking, drug screen and background check
Accreditation: After the course, graduates apply to the Nevada State Board of Nursing for a CNA license; the page does not call the course itself state-approved
Exams and hours: Written and skills exams are scheduled and paid for through Headmaster. Students must be 16 or older, need no diploma and must hold AHA Basic Life Support certification
My notes:
Carl Sandburg College (Illinois)
Program: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Length: 16-week fall semester sample schedule; blended option runs 16 weeks in fall and spring and 11 weeks in summer
Format: Face-to-face, hybrid (online theory, on-campus lab and clinical) or blended
Cost: Estimated total: $1,792 in-state, $2,429 out-of-state, including tuition, books, supplies and fees
Accreditation: Meets Illinois Department of Public Health basic nursing assistant training program guidelines
Exams and hours: State exam pass rates reported by the school: hybrid 89.7% in 2025 and 100% in 2024 (the page gives no test taker counts); face-to-face 92.7% in 2025 and 89.5% in 2024
My notes:
Quinsigamond Community College (Massachusetts)
Program: Nursing Assistant Direct Entry certificate, 7 credits
Length: 1 semester
Format: Hybrid: the program may be completed less than 50% online, with in-person classes in downtown Worcester and clinical sites in Worcester County
Cost: $227 per credit in-state ($1,589 for 7 credits) and $433 per credit out-of-state ($3,031), plus uniforms, parking and materials
Accreditation: The page does not state Massachusetts DPH approval for this program
Exams and hours: Requires a high school diploma or GED, placement into college-level English, immunizations and CORI, SORI and national background checks
My notes:
Questions to ask every school
- Is the program approved by my state, and will it qualify me for the state exam and registry?
- How many clinical hours are required, and who arranges the sites?
- What is the full cost, including books, fees, exams and supplies?
- What is the state exam pass rate, and how many people took it?
- Will I need to travel for labs, simulation or clinicals?
To save your sheet: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the sheet prints. To copy it, select the text inside the sheet and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
CNA Career Facts From the BLS
| Fact (BLS, nursing assistants and orderlies) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $41,870 a year ($20.13 an hour); nursing assistants $42,260 |
| Typical training | State-approved program, then the state competency exam |
| Jobs (2025) | About 1,558,700 |
| Job outlook, 2025 to 2035 | 3% growth |
| Projected new jobs, 2025 to 2035 | About 41,100 |
| Openings each year, on average | About 203,300 |
The BLS says nursing assistants bathe and clean patients, help with toileting and dressing, reposition and transfer patients, measure vital signs and record health concerns for nurses. It lists communication skills, compassion, patience and physical stamina as important qualities. These are national figures, and pay varies by state, employer and setting.
Federal Rules and State Exams
Federal rules for nursing homes require nurse aide training programs to include at least 75 clock hours of training, with at least 16 hours of supervised practical training and at least 16 hours of classroom training before any direct contact with a resident. Each state approves programs and may require more hours.
After training, you take your state’s competency exam, and passing places you on the state registry. A school’s exam pass rate is most useful when it shows the year and the number of test takers, as Carl Sandburg College does by delivery type.
How to Choose an Online CNA Class
- Start with your state. Confirm the program is approved so you can sit for the state exam and join the registry.
- Check the hours. Compare total hours, lab hours and clinical hours with your state’s rules.
- Plan for in-person time. Ask where labs and clinicals happen and what days and times they run.
- Add up the full cost. Include books, scrubs, background checks, immunizations and exam fees.
- Ask about results. Ask for the state exam pass rate and the number of test takers.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Believing “100% online”. CNA training always needs in-person skills and clinicals.
- Skipping state approval. A program your state does not approve may not lead to certification.
- Comparing tuition only. Fees, books, scrubs and exams add up.
- Counting on the Red Cross. It no longer schedules Nurse Assistant Training courses.
- Ignoring requirements. Many programs ask for immunizations, a background check and CPR before you start.
Program Choice Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to apply when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a CNA entirely online?
No. Online CNA classes teach theory online, but the skills lab and clinical hours are in person. Every program above requires in-person lab or clinical time.
How many hours does CNA training require?
Federal rules require at least 75 clock hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. States can require more, and the programs above run from 72 contact hours at Navarro College to 120 hours at Great Basin College.
How much do CNA classes cost?
The costs these schools list range from $628 in tuition plus $150 in fees at Navarro College to an estimated $2,429 for out-of-state students at Carl Sandburg College. Ask for the full cost, including books, scrubs, background checks and exam fees.
How long does it take to become a CNA?
The programs above run from about 4 weeks (Navarro College and Northern Essex Community College) to a 16-week semester (Carl Sandburg College). Great Basin College runs 6, 8 or 16 weeks depending on location.
Does the program need to be state-approved?
Yes. The BLS says nursing assistants usually complete a state-approved education program and pass their state’s competency exam. Confirm approval with your state before you pay.
What happens after the class?
You take your state’s competency exam, which usually has a written part and a hands-on skills part. The BLS says nursing assistants must be on the state registry to work in a nursing home.
Does the American Red Cross still offer CNA training?
No. The Red Cross says no Nurse Assistant Training course will be scheduled after December 31, 2023, so look at community colleges and other state-approved programs.
How much do CNAs earn?
The BLS reports a median of $41,870 a year ($20.13 an hour) for nursing assistants and orderlies combined as of May 2025, and $42,260 a year for nursing assistants alone.
Can I take an online CNA class in another state?
Usually no. Training must meet the rules of the state where you will be certified, and clinical sites must be near you. Ask the school whether its approval covers your state.
What should I ask before I enroll?
Ask whether your state approves the program, how many classroom and clinical hours you need, who arranges the clinical site, what the full cost is, whether the exam fee is included and what the exam pass rate is.
Final Thoughts
The right online CNA class is approved by your state, fits your budget and schedule, and prepares you for your state’s competency exam. Use the facts above, ask each school the same questions and write down the answers before you decide.
Related Reading
- CNA resume objectives with no experience
- Nursing assistant cover letter with no experience
- Top skills for a CNA resume
- Online LPN programs compared
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nursing Assistants and Orderlies (May 2025 pay; 2025 to 2035 outlook); 42 CFR 483.152, nurse aide training program requirements; American Red Cross, Become a Nurse Assistant. School pages: Northeast Medical Institute; Northern Essex Community College; Navarro College; Johnson County Community College; Great Basin College; Carl Sandburg College; Quinsigamond Community College.