CNA Training in Utah

Utah runs its CNA system differently from most states. Certification isn't handled by a state board. It's run by the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR), based at Davis Technical College in Kaysville. Training is 100 hours, and you can enroll at 16.

To stay certified, you need 200 paid hours every two years. Below you'll find each step, exam details, pay across Utah's metro areas, ways to train for less, and approved programs statewide.

Training

100 Hours

Median Pay

$19.15/hr

Exam Cost

~$75

CNA student practicing patient care in Utah

The 4 Steps to Certification in Utah

1

Pick a UNAR-Approved Program

UNAR approves every program in the state. Before you start, expect:

  • ✓Minimum age 16 to enroll.
  • ✓Background check with fingerprints. Some convictions can keep you off the registry, so ask the program before you pay.
  • ✓Already working as an aide? You must be certified within 120 days of your first day on the job.
2

The 100-Hour Rule

Utah requires 25 hours more than the federal minimum, all supervised by a licensed nurse.

100 Hours
Total training
24 Hours
Clinical, in a long-term care facility

Many technical college programs fit this into a few weeks to a semester.

3

Pass the Written and Skills Tests

You schedule both tests through UNAR's online testing system (TMU) at utahcna.com.

Written test~$35
Skills test~$40
Passing score75
Attempts per test3
Watch the limit: fail either part three times and you have to retrain. Bring scrubs, photo ID, and a watch with a second hand to the skills test. Audio and Spanish options are available if you ask ahead.
4

Renew Every Two Years

UNAR handles renewals, not the state's licensing division.

  • ●200 paid hours of nursing-related work under a licensed nurse in each two-year period.
  • ●Didn't work enough? You must retrain.
  • ●Expired but in good standing? You can challenge the exam within two years of expiring, with three attempts.

💰 How to Get CNA Training Free or Cheaper in Utah

Utah's technical colleges keep CNA training relatively affordable, and these options can bring the cost down further.

Nursing Home Paid Training

✨ Federal Rule Protects You
ℹ️Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes can't charge staff or job offerees for training or testing. If one hires you within 12 months of finishing, it must reimburse what you paid.
⚡Utah lets you start working while you train, but you have 120 days to get certified.

Utah Department of Workforce Services

✨ Training Funds for Job Seekers
ℹ️DWS can fund short training programs for eligible unemployed or low-income Utahns through WIOA.
⚡Apply before you enroll.
🌐jobs.utah.gov

Technical College Programs

✨ Lower-Cost Option
ℹ️Utah's technical colleges, like Davis Tech (home of UNAR), run CNA programs that are often cheaper than private schools and may qualify for financial aid.
⚡Ask whether tuition includes your first written and skills tests.

Nursing Students

✨ Skip the Course
ℹ️If you've passed your first semester of nursing school within the last two years, you can challenge the CNA exam with your transcript instead of paying for a CNA course.
⚡You get three attempts.

Utah CNA Pay by Metro Area

Utah has about 12,260 nursing assistants. Salt Lake City and St. George pay the most, and pay is fairly even along the Wasatch Front.

Area Median Hourly Median Annual CNAs Employed
Salt Lake City-Murray$19.48$40,5105,160
St. George$19.48$40,5201,090
Provo-Orem-Lehi$18.86$39,2302,190
Ogden$18.50$38,4802,280
Logan (UT-ID)$17.17$35,720630
Utah (statewide)$19.15$39,84012,260

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nursing Assistants (31-1131). Medians exclude overtime and shift differentials.

What It Costs to Get Certified

Tuition is the biggest cost and varies by school. The testing fees are low compared to most states.

Tuition

Varies

Technical colleges are usually cheapest. Ask what books, scrubs, and testing cost on top.

Written Test

~$35

Scheduled through UNAR. Confirm the current fee when you register.

Skills Test

~$40

By appointment at a UNAR test site.

Background Check

Required

Fingerprint-based. Ask your program whether the fee is included.

Moving to Utah? (Reciprocity)

If you're a CNA in good standing in another state, Utah will add you to its registry with proof of your current certification. No retraining is needed.

Active Out-of-State CNA

Submit a reciprocity application to UNAR. It checks your status with your home state's registry. Expect a small application fee.

Expired Out-of-State CNA

An expired certificate from another state doesn't transfer. You'll need to complete a Utah-approved training program.

Former Nurses

If you held a nursing license in any state and left in good standing, you can challenge the CNA exam without training.

Questions? Call

(801) 547-9947

Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR)

Registry search, testing, and forms: utahcna.com

CNA Training Programs in Utah

43 UNAR-approved CNA programs across Utah, from technical colleges and universities to private training centers and rural hospitals. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by region and program type.

ProgramCityCountyPhone
Technical CollegeDavis Technical College550 E 300 S, Kaysville, UT 84037Hybrid option Kaysville Davis (801) 593-2357
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Kaysville)525 DATC Dr, Kaysville, UT 84037 Kaysville Davis (801) 990-9333
Technical CollegeBridgerland Technical College1301 N 600 W, Logan, UT 84321Hybrid option Logan Cache (435) 753-6780
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Logan)1115 N 200 E, Suite 140, Logan, UT 84341Hybrid option Logan Cache (801) 990-9333
Technical CollegeOgden-Weber Technical College200 N Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84404 Ogden Weber (801) 612-4179
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Ogden)2583 Monroe Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401 Ogden Weber (801) 990-9333
College / UniversitySalt Lake Community College, Salt Lake Tech (Herriman)14551 S Sentinel Ridge Blvd, Herriman, UT 84096 Herriman Salt Lake (801) 957-6249
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Millcreek, 1100 East)3761 S 1100 E, Millcreek, UT 84106 Millcreek Salt Lake (801) 990-9333
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Millcreek, Granite Peaks)501 E 3900 S, Millcreek, UT 84107 Millcreek Salt Lake (801) 990-9333
Private Training ProgramCCCNA5282 S Commerce Dr, Suite D-100, Murray, UT 84107Hybrid option Murray Salt Lake (801) 968-2262
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Murray)302 W 5400 S, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107Hybrid option Murray Salt Lake (801) 990-9333
Hospital / Health FacilityAvalon Healthcare CNA Training Program700 Foothill Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84113 Salt Lake City Salt Lake (801) 643-9703
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Salt Lake City, Horizonte)1234 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Salt Lake City Salt Lake (801) 990-9333
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Salt Lake City, NeighborWorks)622 W 500 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 Salt Lake City Salt Lake (801) 990-9333
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (South Salt Lake)2530 S 500 E, South Salt Lake, UT 84106 South Salt Lake Salt Lake (801) 990-9333
Technical CollegeTooele Technical College88 S Tooele Blvd, Tooele, UT 84074 Tooele Tooele (435) 248-1800
College / UniversitySalt Lake Community College, Salt Lake Tech (Jordan)3491 W Wights Fort Rd, West Jordan, UT 84088Hybrid option West Jordan Salt Lake (801) 957-6249
College / UniversitySalt Lake Community College, Salt Lake Tech (West Valley)3460 S 5600 W, West Valley City, UT 84120 West Valley City Salt Lake (801) 957-6249
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (West Valley City)3276 S 2760 W, West Valley City, UT 84119Hybrid option West Valley City Salt Lake (801) 990-9333
Technical CollegeMountainland Technical College (Heber City)200 E 800 S, Heber City, UT 84032 Heber City Wasatch (801) 753-6282
Technical CollegeMountainland Technical College (Lehi)2301 W Ashton Blvd, Lehi, UT 84043 Lehi Utah (801) 753-6282
Private Training ProgramOrchard CNA Training Centers766 S 400 E, Suite 203, Orem, UT 84058 Orem Utah (801) 358-2102
Private Training ProgramUtah CNA Training Centers (Orem)270 W Center St, Suite 266, Orem, UT 84057Hybrid option Orem Utah (801) 990-9333
Technical CollegeMountainland Technical College (Payson)993 S 1950 W, Payson, UT 84651 Payson Utah (801) 753-6282
Technical CollegeMountainland Technical College (Provo)125 N 100 W, Provo, UT 84601 Provo Utah (801) 753-6282
College / UniversitySnow College (Delta Technical Center)305 E 200 N, Delta, UT 84624 Delta Millard (435) 283-7588
College / UniversitySnow College (Ephraim)345 W 100 N, Ephraim, UT 84627 Ephraim Sanpete (435) 283-7588
College / UniversitySnow College (Fillmore)200 Eagle Ave, Fillmore, UT 84631Adult class available Fillmore Millard (435) 283-7588
Hospital / Health FacilityGunnison Valley Hospital CNA Program64 E 100 N, Gunnison, UT 84634 Gunnison Sanpete (435) 528-7246 ext. 2059
College / UniversitySnow College (Junction)55 N 100 W, Junction, UT 84740Adult class available Junction Piute (435) 283-7588
Hospital / Health FacilityMilford Memorial Hospital850 N Main St, Milford, UT 84751Contact: Amy Contreras Milford Beaver Call school
College / UniversitySnow College (Nephi)802 N 650 E, Nephi, UT 84648Adult class available Nephi Juab (435) 283-7588
College / UniversitySnow College (Richfield)800 W 200 S, Richfield, UT 84701 Richfield Sevier (435) 283-7588
Technical CollegeSouthwest Technical College (Cedar City)757 W 800 S, Cedar City, UT 84720 Cedar City Iron (435) 586-2899
Technical CollegeSouthwest Technical College (Kane County)733 S Cowboy Way, Kanab, UT 84741 Kanab Kane (435) 586-2899
Technical CollegeDixie Technical College610 S Tech Ridge Dr, St. George, UT 84770 St. George Washington (435) 647-8400
Private Training ProgramRidgeview C.N.A.919 S Main St, St. George, UT 84770 St. George Washington (435) 634-0710
College / UniversityUtah Tech University225 S University Ave, St. George, UT 84770Hybrid option St. George Washington (435) 879-4830
College / UniversityUtah State University (Blanding)576 W 200 S, Blanding, UT 84511 Blanding San Juan (435) 678-8208
College / UniversityUtah State University (Moab)1850 S Aggie Blvd, Moab, UT 84532 Moab Grand (435) 678-8208
College / UniversityUtah State University (Price)451 E 400 N, Price, UT 84501Hybrid option Price Carbon (435) 613-5351
Technical CollegeUintah Basin Technical College (Roosevelt)1100 E Lagoon St, Suite 124-5, Roosevelt, UT 84066 Roosevelt Duchesne (435) 722-6973
Technical CollegeUintah Basin Technical College (Vernal)450 N 2000 W, Vernal, UT 84078 Vernal Uintah (435) 725-7107

No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All regions."

Before you call: Ask whether the program is hybrid (online classroom plus in-person skills and clinicals), when the next start date is, and whether tuition covers your UNAR written and skills tests. Technical colleges often fill early, so get on the list.

Source: Utah Nursing Assistant Registry approved training programs, October 2026. High school programs are not included. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.

Utah CNA Questions, Answered

Who certifies CNAs in Utah?

The Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR), which works under contract with the state Department of Health and is based at Davis Technical College. Utah's professional licensing division (DOPL) doesn't handle CNAs.

Can I become a CNA at 16 in Utah?

Yes. Utah lets you enroll in an approved program at 16, so many students certify while still in high school.

What happens if I fail the exam?

You get three attempts at each part, written and skills. After a third fail on either part, you have to complete another approved program.

What do I need to renew?

At least 200 hours of paid nursing-related work under a licensed nurse in each two-year period. Without it, you'll need to retrain.

My Utah CNA expired. Do I have to retrain?

Not always. If you were in good standing, you can challenge the exam within two years of expiration and get three attempts. After that, or if you don't pass, you'll need to retrain.

How do I look up a CNA in Utah?

Search the registry at utahcna.com.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Test fees can change, so confirm with UNAR when you register. See something out of date? Report a correction.