How Much Does CNA Training Cost? Every Fee, State by State

Becoming a CNA is one of the cheapest ways into health care, and for many people it costs nothing at all. But the total depends on your state, the school you pick, and who pays. Here is every cost to plan for, with the official exam fee for each state.

What you pay for

• Tuition. The biggest cost. Community colleges, career schools, the Red Cross, and nursing homes all run approved programs, and prices vary a lot. On our Arkansas page, for example, the approved programs we list range from about $225 to $2,775.
• The state exam. A written (or oral) test plus a hands-on skills test. Most states charge between $100 and $175 in total. See the full table below.
• A background check. Many states require fingerprints. Fees range from about $20 to $60, and in some states the employer or training site pays.
• Supplies. Scrubs, shoes, a watch with a second hand, and sometimes a textbook. Many programs include these; ask before you enroll.
• State certification fees. Most states list you on the nurse aide registry for free, but a few licensing boards charge. Michigan charges $40, Washington $85, and Alaska $200 plus fingerprinting.

How to train for $0

Federal law protects people who train through a nursing home. If a nursing home employs you, or has offered you a job, on the day your training starts, it cannot charge you for any part of the program, including textbooks and other required materials (42 CFR 483.152(c)(1)).

If you pay for training yourself and a nursing home hires you within 12 months of finishing, federal rules require your state to provide for paying you back, prorated over the time you work as a nurse aide (42 CFR 483.152(c)(2)). Keep your receipts, and ask your employer or state registry how to claim it.

Other ways to cut the cost:

• WIOA grants. Your local American Job Center can pay for approved training if you qualify.
• State programs. Some states have their own funds. Virginia’s FastForward program covers about two-thirds of the cost at community colleges, and South Carolina’s SC WINS program can bring technical college tuition to $0.

CNA exam fees by state

Fees are for the written (or oral) test plus the skills test on the first attempt, from each state’s official testing handbook or agency, checked October 2026. Fees change; confirm with your state before you pay.

Background check costs

Most states require a criminal background check before you can work as a CNA, and many use fingerprints checked by both the state and the FBI. A few examples of official fees:

• Maryland: $57.25 for a first-time CNA, paid to the state’s criminal justice system.
• Arkansas: $22 for the state check.
• Florida: $36 in state and FBI fees, plus the fingerprinting provider’s own charge.
• Illinois: $30 in state and FBI fees, plus the vendor’s charge. Under Illinois rules, the employer pays.
• California: $32 to the state and $17 to the FBI, plus the Live Scan site’s fee. California law says the facility pays these costs and can’t pass them on to you.

Total cost, start to finish

Putting it together, a CNA who pays for everything should plan for tuition plus roughly $150 to $350 in exam, background check, and supply costs. A CNA who trains through a nursing home that hires them can pay $0. Check your state’s page for its approved programs, exam fee, and free options:

Frequently asked questions

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