CNA Training in Oregon
Oregon requires 155 hours of CNA training, more than twice the federal minimum. The Oregon State Board of Nursing approves programs and certifies CNAs, and Headmaster gives the state exam.
The extra training pays off: Oregon CNAs have the highest median pay of any state. Below you'll find each step, pay by metro, ways to train free, and approved programs statewide.
Training
155 Hours
Median Pay
$23.96/hr
Exam Cost
$106
The 4 Steps to Certification in Oregon
Pick a Board-Approved Program
The Oregon State Board of Nursing approves every CNA 1 program. Your options:
- Care employers: several nursing homes and care companies train new hires for free.
- Community colleges: some CNA courses qualify for financial aid or scholarships.
- Private schools: set their own prices and schedules.
Complete 155 Hours
Oregon requires 80 more hours than the federal minimum.
You need at least 24 hours of classroom and lab work before you care for patients.
Pass the State Exam
A knowledge test and a skills test, given by Headmaster. You pay the Board of Nursing, and the fee includes the exam.
| Certification + exam | $106 |
| Retake knowledge / skills | $25 / $45 |
| Oral knowledge test | +$35 |
| Attempts | No limit within 1 year |
Renew Every Two Years
Submit your renewal to the Board before your certificate expires.
- Work at least 400 paid hours as a CNA in the last two years. This doesn't apply if you were certified or passed the exam less than two years ago.
- Pay $64: the $60 renewal fee plus a $4 workforce data surcharge.
- Lapsed? Reactivation costs $65.
💰 How to Get CNA Training Free in Oregon
Several Oregon care employers run free CNA classes for people they plan to hire. If you pay for training yourself, you may be able to get it back.
Free Employer Programs
✨ Free When You're HiredGet Paid Back After You're Hired
✨ 12-Month RuleWorkSource Oregon (WIOA)
✨ Grant-Funded, If You QualifyOregon Care Careers
✨ Free Career HelpOregon CNA Pay by Metro Area
Oregon has the highest median CNA pay of any state, about $3.60 an hour above the national median. Pay is fairly even across the state, from the Portland area down to Medford.
| Area | Median Hourly | Median Annual | CNAs Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro (OR-WA) | $24.21 | $50,350 | 8,890 |
| Bend | $24.08 | $50,080 | 620 |
| Grants Pass | $23.93 | $49,770 | 420 |
| Salem | $23.48 | $48,840 | 1,390 |
| Corvallis | $23.48 | $48,830 | 340 |
| Albany | $23.34 | $48,550 | 530 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $23.23 | $48,320 | 1,540 |
| Medford | $23.02 | $47,890 | 1,000 |
| Oregon (statewide) | $23.96 | $49,830 | 14,800 |
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 Portland metro includes workers in Clark County, Washington.
What It Costs to Get Certified
Train through a free employer program and the main cost left is the exam.
Varies
Free at several employer programs. Colleges and private schools set their own prices.
$106
Paid to the Board of Nursing. Covers both the knowledge and skills tests.
$25 / $45
$25 for the knowledge test, $45 for the skills test, or $70 for both.
$64
Every two years: the $60 renewal fee plus a $4 surcharge.
Moving to Oregon? (Endorsement)
Active CNAs from other states can get certified in Oregon by endorsement. The fee is $60.
Active CNA With Recent Work
Your training must meet federal standards, and you need 400 hours of paid CNA work in the last two years, supervised by an RN or LPN. The work requirement is waived if you finished training less than two years ago.
Can't Meet the Requirements?
Complete a Board-approved training program in Oregon and pass the exam within one year of applying.
Questions? Call
(971) 673-0685
Oregon State Board of Nursing
CNA Schools in Oregon
Board-approved CNA 1 programs across Oregon that you can enroll in on your own: community colleges and private training schools. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by county.
| Program | City | County | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access Healthcare Academy1654 Hondeleau Ln, Medford, OR 97504 | Medford | Jackson | (801) 574-9773 |
| Advanced Care Education Center1463 E McAndrews Rd, Suite A, Medford, OR 97504 | Medford | Jackson | (514) 707-2257 |
| Aidan Health Services8415 SW Seneca St, Suite 210, Tualatin, OR 97062 | Tualatin | Washington | Call school |
| Ark Foundation20055 SW Pacific Hwy, Suite 202, Sherwood, OR 97140 | Sherwood | Washington | (971) 281-8198 |
| Baker Technical Institute2500 E St, Baker City, OR 97814 | Baker City | Baker | (541) 524-2651 |
| Careers In Care Academy328 W Main St, Suite 200, Hillsboro, OR 97123 | Hillsboro | Washington | (503) 278-6625 |
| Caregiver Training Institute12790 SE Stark St, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97233 | Portland | Multnomah | (503) 257-0117 |
| Central Oregon Community College2600 NW College Way, Suite 350, Bend, OR 97701 | Bend | Deschutes | (541) 373-7280 |
| Chemeketa Community College4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97309 | Salem | Marion | (503) 399-5058 |
| Clackamas Community College7738 SE Harmony Rd, Milwaukie, OR 97222 | Milwaukie | Clackamas | (503) 594-0652 |
| Clackamas Nursing Assistant Training11875 SE 129th Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086 | Happy Valley | Clackamas | (503) 709-6560 |
| Clatsop Community College646 16th St, Astoria, OR 97103 | Astoria | Clatsop | (503) 325-0313 |
| Dare 2 Care1050 Willagillespie Rd, Suite 6, Eugene, OR 97401 | Eugene | Lane | (541) 688-4262 |
| EMT Associates1144 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477 | Springfield | Lane | (541) 844-1328 |
| Gracestar Learning Institute17933 NW Evergreen Pkwy, Suite 250, Beaverton, OR 97006 | Beaverton | Washington | (503) 895-9603 |
| Healthskills Nursing Assistant Program170 Ford Rd, John Day, OR 97845 | John Day | Grant | (208) 283-4171 |
| Klamath Community College7390 S 6th St, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 | Klamath Falls | Klamath | (541) 882-3521 |
| Linn-Benton Community College6500 SW Pacific Blvd, Albany, OR 97321 | Albany | Linn | (541) 917-4738 |
| Long-Term Careworks525 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232 | Portland | Multnomah | Call school |
| Moore Nurse Consulting180 E Main St, Hillsboro, OR 97123 | Hillsboro | Washington | (503) 341-7550 |
| Mt. Hood Community College26000 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR 97030 | Gresham | Multnomah | Call school |
| Northwest Care Academy126 Chemawa Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303 | Keizer | Marion | (971) 375-3131 |
| Northwest Care Academy (Hybrid Option)3591 Hillview Dr SE, Salem, OR 97302 | Salem | Marion | (503) 807-7597 |
| Optimal Healthcare Training64278 Lostine River Rd, Lostine, OR 97857 | Lostine | Wallowa | (541) 624-6162 |
| Oregon Coast Community College400 SE College Way, Newport, OR 97366 | Newport | Lincoln | Call school |
| Pacific Healthcare Training512 Manzanita St, Central Point, OR 97502 | Central Point | Jackson | (541) 941-6642 |
| Portland Community College12000 SW 49th Ave, Unit 207, Portland, OR 97219 | Portland | Multnomah | (503) 731-6640 |
| Rogue Community College3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527 | Grants Pass | Josephine | (541) 955-7568 |
| Sapphire Health Services400 NE 7th St, Gresham, OR 97030 | Gresham | Multnomah | Call school |
| Tillamook Bay Community College4301 Third St, Tillamook, OR 97141 | Tillamook | Tillamook | Call school |
| Treasure Valley Community College650 College Blvd, Ontario, OR 97914 | Ontario | Malheur | (510) 754-8725 |
| Treasure Valley Tech363 A Street W, Vale, OR 97918 | Vale | Malheur | (208) 283-4171 |
| Umpqua Community College1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg, OR 97470 | Roseburg | Douglas | (818) 572-7815 |
| Zelina Health SolutionsPortland, OR | Portland | Multnomah | Call school |
No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All counties."
Source: Oregon State Board of Nursing, Approved Training Programs (October 2026). Medication Aide programs are listed separately by the Board and are not included. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.
Oregon Nursing Homes That Train CNAs
These nursing homes and senior living communities are approved to run their own CNA 1 classes. They usually train people they plan to hire, and several offer the training free. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by county.
| Program | City | County | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avamere Health Services25117 SW Parkway Ave, Suite F, Wilsonville, OR 97070 | Wilsonville | Clackamas | (503) 570-3405 |
| Dallas Retirement Village377 NW Jasper St, Dallas, OR 97338 | Dallas | Polk | (503) 623-5581 |
| Marquis Companies4560 SE International Way, Suite 100, Milwaukie, OR 97222 | Milwaukie | Clackamas | (971) 206-5200 |
| Oregon Evergreen Healthcare4601 NE 77th Ave, Suite 300, Vancouver, WA 98662Office in Vancouver, WA. Training at Oregon facilities. | Vancouver | Multiple locations | (503) 838-0001 |
| Oregon Veterans Home, Lebanon600 N 5th St, Lebanon, OR 97355 | Lebanon | Linn | Call school |
| Oregon Veterans Home, The Dalles700 Veterans Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058 | The Dalles | Wasco | (541) 296-7190 |
| Platinum Career Solutions5850 SW Canby St, Portland, OR 97219 | Portland | Multnomah | (971) 336-9685 |
| Providence Benedictine Nursing Center2600 NW College Way, Bend, OR 97701 | Bend | Deschutes | (541) 373-7280 |
| Regency Pacific Training Program3326 160th Ave SE, Suite 120, Bellevue, WA 98008Office in Bellevue, WA. Training at Oregon facilities. | Bellevue | Multiple locations | (541) 388-4300 |
| Rogue Valley Manor1200 Mira Mar Ave, Medford, OR 97504 | Medford | Jackson | (541) 857-7600 |
| Volare Health2350 Oakmont Way, Eugene, OR 97401 | Eugene | Lane | (541) 404-4513 |
No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All counties."
Source: Oregon State Board of Nursing, Approved Training Programs (October 2026). Medication Aide programs are listed separately by the Board and are not included. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.
Oregon CNA Questions, Answered
Who certifies CNAs in Oregon?
The Oregon State Board of Nursing approves training programs and certifies CNAs. Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) gives the state exam.
How long is CNA training in Oregon?
At least 155 hours: 80 hours of classroom and lab instruction and 75 hours of supervised clinical experience.
What is the difference between CNA 1 and CNA 2?
CNA 1 is the standard certification everyone starts with. CNA 2 is an added level for experienced CNA 1s who complete extra Board-approved training in a specialty area. This page covers CNA 1.
How many times can I take the CNA test in Oregon?
As many times as you need within one year of applying. You must apply within one year of finishing your training program.
What do I need to renew?
At least 400 hours of paid CNA work in the last two years, plus the $60 renewal fee and $4 surcharge. If you were certified less than two years ago, the work requirement doesn't apply yet.
Can I get CNA training for free in Oregon?
Yes. Several care employers, including Marquis Companies, Rogue Valley Manor, Volare Health, and the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, offer free training. WorkSource Oregon may also pay for a program if you qualify.
Sources
- Oregon State Board of Nursing: Approved Training Programs
- OAR 851-061-0090: CNA training program curriculum
- OAR Chapter 851, Division 62: CNA certification and renewal
- OAR 851-002-0040: CNA fees
- Headmaster: Oregon Nursing Assistant Candidate Handbook
- Oregon Care Careers: CNA Training
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
Last verified: October 2026. Retake fees can change, so confirm with Headmaster when you register. See something out of date? Report a correction.