Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) assist clinical and home healthcare teams by helping patients with daily activities and providing basic care. A CNA career is very accessible, making it worth considering if you are looking to train for a healthcare role quickly.
This guide focuses on the best online nursing programs that support CNA certification. Use it to learn about the CNA path and source educational opportunities to pursue it.
Degree at a Glance
Typical Program Length: 4-12 weeks
Typical Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, ability to pass a test of job-related physical abilities
Top Skills Gained: Vital sign monitoring, basic patient care, patient safety, infection control, human anatomy, professional ethics
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online CNA Classes and Programs
Price Check
CNA programs are short and inexpensive: In some cases, total tuition costs and required fees are less than $1,000.
What to Expect From an Online CNA Program
Online CNA programs last only a few weeks to a few months, creating an efficient path to entering a high-growth career. Like many of the best online nursing programs in other healthcare specializations, they usually have hybrid rather than fully online formats. Classroom-based instruction happens online, while hands-on instruction uses face-to-face formats.
Upon graduation, your school will likely offer job search and placement assistance. Placements are not usually guaranteed, but CNAs have strong job growth forecasts. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 13% job growth for home healthcare aids and nursing assistants from 2024 to 2034.
Benefits of Earning Your CNA Online
Various Schools to Choose From
By studying online, you gain access to a larger set of schools offering online CNA classes. This allows you to choose the best match for your personal situation — and to select the lowest-cost program that aligns with your career training goals.
More Control Over Your Schedule
Online CNA programs often provide asynchronous courses, which are pre-recorded sessions that you can engage with anytime and anywhere. This gives you much more control than you get with in-person classes that meet at fixed times.
Cut Commuting Costs
While online CNA programs usually include in-person hands-on training classes, you can complete all academic coursework remotely. This reduces your time spent commuting and saves you money on gas or public transportation expenses.
CNA Licensing and Certification Requirements
States typically require nursing assistants to become licensed or certified. Requirements vary by state, but you will usually need to pass a state-issued exam that tests your knowledge of essential CNA concepts.
As you browse your options, pay attention to the language the school uses in its program description: Ensure the program leads to recognized academic credits that will qualify you to sit for your state's CNA exam.
To learn more about your state's requirements, consult the National Association of Health Care Assistants.
Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Programs Online
CNA programs usually cover about 4-12 weeks. This timeline accounts for both your classroom learning and hands-on training. Shorter programs usually move at faster paces, while longer programs may include more courses.
