CNA Training in North Dakota
North Dakota follows the federal standard of at least 75 hours of nurse aide training. North Dakota Health and Human Services approves programs and keeps the Nurse Aide Registry, and Headmaster gives the state exam.
Getting listed on the registry as a CNA is free, and many nursing homes and hospitals train new hires at no cost. Below you'll find each step, pay by metro, ways to train free, and approved programs statewide.
Training
75+ Hours
Median Pay
$22.03/hr
Exam Cost
$250
The 4 Steps to Certification in North Dakota
Pick a State-Approved Program
North Dakota Health and Human Services approves every nurse aide program. Your options:
- Nursing homes and hospitals: many train people they hire, and they can't charge you for it.
- Colleges: including Bismarck State, NDSCS, Lake Region State, and an online option at Williston State.
- Private trainers: set their own prices and schedules.
Complete at Least 75 Hours
North Dakota uses the federal minimum.
Federal rules also require at least 16 hours of supervised hands-on training.
Pass the Headmaster Exam
A knowledge test and a skills test.
| Knowledge + skills | $250 |
| Audio knowledge test | +$10 |
| Retake knowledge | $120 |
| Retake skills | $170 |
Stay Active
Keep working so your certification stays valid.
- Work for pay doing nursing-related services. Under federal rules, going 24 months in a row without paid work means you must retest or retrain.
- Renew online through the Nurse Aide Registry Online Services when your renewal comes up.
- Keep your contact information current with the registry.
💰 How to Get CNA Training Free in North Dakota
North Dakota's rules put training costs on the employer. Get hired first, or get paid back after.
Nursing Home and Hospital Training
✨ Free When You're HiredGet Paid Back After You're Hired
✨ 12-Month RuleJob Service North Dakota (WIOA)
✨ Grant-Funded, If You QualifyQuentin N. Burdick Job Corps
✨ Free for Ages 16 to 24North Dakota CNA Pay by Metro Area
North Dakota CNAs earn about $1.70 an hour more than the national median. Bismarck pays the most of the state's metro areas.
| Area | Median Hourly | Median Annual | CNAs Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $22.46 | $46,720 | 1,430 |
| Grand Forks (ND-MN) | $21.99 | $45,740 | 930 |
| Fargo (ND-MN) | $19.20 | $39,940 | 2,240 |
| Minot | $17.55 | $36,500 | 430 |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $22.03 | $45,820 | 6,840 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nursing Assistants (31-1131). Medians exclude overtime and shift differentials. The Fargo and Grand Forks metros include workers in Minnesota.
What It Costs to Get Certified
Train through a facility that hires you and the main costs are covered.
Varies
Free through a facility that employs you. Colleges and private trainers set their own prices.
$250
Knowledge and skills tests together, through Headmaster. Add $10 for the audio version.
$120 / $170
$120 for the knowledge test, $170 for the skills test, or $250 for both.
$0
No fee to be listed as a Certified Nurse Aide.
Moving to North Dakota?
If you're a CNA in another state, contact the North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry before you move to find out what you'll need to transfer.
Active CNA in Another State
Have your current state registry information ready, including your certification number and your most recent paid nurse aide work.
Lapsed or Never Tested
If you've gone 24 months without paid nurse aide work, or you trained but never passed the exam, expect to retest or retrain in North Dakota.
Questions? Call
(701) 328-2353
North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry
CNA Schools in North Dakota
State-approved CNA programs across North Dakota that you can enroll in on your own: colleges, adult learning centers, private trainers, and Job Corps. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by county.
| Program | City | County | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Learning Center1609 4th Ave NW, Minot, ND 58703 | Minot | Ward | (701) 857-4488 |
| Anne Carlsen Center701 3rd St NW, Jamestown, ND 58401 | Jamestown | Stutsman | (701) 952-5170 |
| Bearsteeth Training and ServicesPO Box 896, New Town, ND 58763 | New Town | Mountrail | (701) 421-6381 |
| Bismarck State College1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501 | Bismarck | Burleigh | (701) 224-5600 |
| Data School of Nursing Assistant112 N University Dr, Suite 112, Fargo, ND 58102 | Fargo | Cass | (612) 406-4476 |
| Dickinson State University291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601 | Dickinson | Stark | (701) 502-4258 |
| Emerald Cares15 21st Street S, Suite 102, Fargo, ND 58103 | Fargo | Cass | (701) 347-1516 |
| Faith Homecare Professionals304 25th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 | Fargo | Cass | (916) 230-2482 |
| Giving Hearts Home CarePO Box 371, Stanley, ND 58784 | Stanley | Mountrail | (701) 313-0229 |
| Kalix (Minot Vocational Workshop)605 7th St SE, Minot, ND 58702 | Minot | Ward | (701) 852-1014 |
| Lake Region State College1801 College Drive N, Devils Lake, ND 58301 | Devils Lake | Ramsey | (701) 662-1578 |
| Missouri Slope at Home2425 Hillview Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501 | Bismarck | Burleigh | (701) 221-9449 |
| North Dakota Online/Hybrid CNA Class1341 20th St, Bismarck, ND 58504 | Bismarck | Burleigh | (701) 226-2531 |
| North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS)1305 19th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102 | Fargo | Cass | (701) 231-6900 |
| Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College220 College Drive, New Town, ND 58763 | New Town | Mountrail | (701) 627-8089 |
| Quentin N. Burdick Job Corps Center1500 University Ave W, Minot, ND 58703 | Minot | Ward | (701) 833-0614 |
| Traill-Steele Affordable Rural Coalition for Health330 3rd St NE, Mayville, ND 58257 | Mayville | Traill | (701) 543-3102 |
| Williston State College (Online)1410 University Ave, Williston, ND 58802 | Williston | Williams | (701) 774-4290 |
No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All counties."
Source: North Dakota Health and Human Services, Directory of Certified Nurse Aide Training Programs (October 2026). High school and school-district career and technical center programs are not included. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.
North Dakota Nursing Homes That Train CNAs
These nursing homes, senior living communities, and hospitals are approved to run their own CNA classes. They usually train people they plan to hire, and they can't charge you for training if they employ you or have offered you a job. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by county.
| Program | City | County | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aneta Parkview Health Center113 5th St S, Aneta, ND 58212 | Aneta | Nelson | (701) 326-4234 |
| Bethany CNA Class201 South University Dr, Fargo, ND 58103 | Fargo | Cass | (701) 239-3523 |
| Heart of America Medical Center2975 Highway 2 East, Rugby, ND 58368 | Rugby | Pierce | (701) 776-5455 |
| Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center600 East St North, Elgin, ND 58533 | Elgin | Grant | (701) 584-2792 |
| Marian Manor Healthcare Center604 Ash Ave East, Glen Ullin, ND 58631 | Glen Ullin | Morton | (701) 348-3107 |
| North Dakota State Hospital2605 Circle Drive, Jamestown, ND 58401 | Jamestown | Stutsman | (701) 253-3210 |
| North Dakota Veterans Home1600 Veterans Drive, Lisbon, ND 58054 | Lisbon | Ransom | (701) 682-6571 |
| Prairie Hills Assisted Living200 S 4th Ave, Wishek, ND 58495 | Wishek | McIntosh | (701) 452-4014 |
| Richardton Health Center8885 Hwy 10, Richardton, ND 58652 | Richardton | Stark | (701) 974-3304 |
| Sanford Health Nursing Assistant Program1000 18th St NW, Mandan, ND 58554 | Mandan | Morton | (701) 323-5768 |
| SMP Health, St. Aloisius325 Brewster St E, Harvey, ND 58341 | Harvey | Wells | (701) 324-4651 |
| SMP Health, St. Raphael (Sheyenne Care Center)979 Central Avenue N, Valley City, ND 58072 | Valley City | Barnes | (701) 845-8222 |
| Southwest Healthcare Services802 2nd St NW, Bowman, ND 58623 | Bowman | Bowman | (701) 523-5555 |
| St. Benedict's Health Center851 4th Avenue East, Dickinson, ND 58601 | Dickinson | Stark | (701) 456-7242 |
| St. Luke's Home242 West 10th St, Dickinson, ND 58601 | Dickinson | Stark | (701) 483-5000 |
| St. Rose Care Center315 1st St SE, La Moure, ND 58458 | La Moure | LaMoure | (701) 883-5363 |
| Strasburg Care Center409 S 3rd St, Strasburg, ND 58573 | Strasburg | Emmons | (701) 336-2651 |
| Trinity Health2305 37th Ave SW, Minot, ND 58701 | Minot | Ward | (701) 418-7703 |
| Valley Senior Living CNA Class2150 32nd Ave S, Suite C2, Grand Forks, ND 58201 | Grand Forks | Grand Forks | (701) 787-7978 |
| Wentz Living Center555 Lake Ave E, Napoleon, ND 58561 | Napoleon | Logan | (701) 754-2381 |
No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All counties."
Source: North Dakota Health and Human Services, Directory of Certified Nurse Aide Training Programs (October 2026). High school and school-district career and technical center programs are not included. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.
North Dakota CNA Questions, Answered
Who certifies CNAs in North Dakota?
North Dakota Health and Human Services approves training programs and keeps the Nurse Aide Registry. Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) gives the state exam.
How long is CNA training in North Dakota?
At least 75 hours, the federal minimum, including 16 hours of training before you work directly with residents.
How much does the CNA exam cost in North Dakota?
$250 for the knowledge and skills tests together. Retakes cost $120 for knowledge and $170 for skills.
Can I get CNA training for free in North Dakota?
Yes. A facility can't charge you for training if it employs you or has offered you a job, and if you're hired within 12 months of finishing, your training costs are paid back. Job Service North Dakota and the Minot Job Corps center are other options.
Is there a fee to get on the North Dakota registry?
No. There's no fee to be listed as a Certified Nurse Aide. Other categories, like nurse aide or medication aide, cost $25.
How do I look up a CNA in North Dakota?
Use the Nurse Aide Registry Online Services on the North Dakota Health and Human Services website, or email naregistry@nd.gov.
Sources
- North Dakota HHS: Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
- North Dakota HHS: Nurse Aide Registry
- North Dakota HHS: Directory of Certified Nurse Aide Training Programs
- NDSCS: CNA Testing Fees
- 42 CFR 483.152: Nurse aide training requirements
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
Last verified: October 2026. Test fees can change, so confirm with Headmaster when you register. See something out of date? Report a correction.