CNA Classes in Colorado
Launch your nursing career in the Centennial State. Colorado requires a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training before candidates can sit for the Credentia competency exam. Our guide provides everything you need to find accredited programs in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora, master clinical skills, and secure your place on the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry managed by DORA.
How to Become a CNA in Colorado
Complete 75 Hours of Training
Enroll in a program approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing. You must complete at least 75 hours of instruction, which includes classroom theory and clinical skills practice.
Pass the Credentia Exam
Register for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) administered by Credentia. You must pass both the written/oral knowledge test and the skills evaluation.
CBI Background Check
Submit to a mandatory criminal background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure eligibility for the state registry.
Registry Placement
Once you pass the exam and clear the background check, your name is added to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry managed by DORA.
Biennial Renewal
Keep your certification active by renewing every two years through the DORA online portal. You must have worked at least one shift for pay during that period.
Colorado Certification Guide
Reciprocity & Transfers
CNAs from other states can transfer to Colorado by applying for reciprocity through DORA. You must have an active, unencumbered license and pass a Colorado-specific background check.
CBI Background Check
All applicants must pass a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check. This involves a mandatory fingerprinting process as part of the state registry application through DORA.
Lapsed or Expired License
If your license has been expired for more than 24 months, you are typically required to retake an approved 75-hour training program and pass the state exams again to regain active status.
Colorado CNA Salary
Certified Nurse Aides in Colorado earn a competitive average annual salary of $42,380. Earning potential is highest in the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs, where acute care facilities often provide shift differentials and bonuses for 2026 graduates.
Exams & Clinical Skills
Success on the Credentia NNAAP exam depends on your ability to demonstrate proficiency in 3 to 5 randomly assigned clinical skills. Our guide breaks down every step, from infection control to vital signs, to ensure you pass your state evaluation.
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Colorado CNA Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado requires a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training. This must include classroom instruction and supervised clinical rotations in a healthcare facility.
The Credentia NNAAP exam is the state-approved competency evaluation. It consists of a 70-question written/oral test and a manual skills demonstration.
Tuition typically ranges from $800 to $1,500. Many nursing homes offer free training programs or tuition reimbursement if you agree to work for them after certification.
Yes, you can complete the theory portion online through hybrid programs. However, clinical hours must be completed in-person at an approved nursing facility.
Most programs require you to be at least 16 years old, pass a TB test, provide immunization records, and have a clean background check.
Candidates have three attempts within two years of completing their training to pass both parts of the state exam. If you fail three times, you must retake the 75-hour training.
Yes. All applicants must undergo a CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) criminal background check and fingerprinting as part of the DORA registry application.
You can apply for reciprocity through DORA. You must have an active, unencumbered license in your home state and pass the Colorado background check.
Renewals occur every two years through DORA. You must prove you have worked at least one paid shift of nursing-related services during that period.
Under the 120-day rule, you can work as a "Nurse Aide in Training" for up to 4 months in a licensed facility while completing your certification process.