Nurse Aide Training Programs in Pennsylvania

What is the typical length and cost of a CNA training course in Pennsylvania? The majority of nurse aide training classes are approximately five weeks long, but there are some accelerated CNA programs which may only take three weeks to complete. In the fast-paced nurse assistant courses, students are expected to attend classes every week day for several hours each day. Traditional CNA programs take longer to complete but require attendance for only two to three days a week. Students who must keep their current jobs are encouraged to enroll in traditional nurse aide courses, many of which are offered for a couple of hours in the evening. Those who do not have job commitments during the day and wish to complete the program as fast as possible should enroll in the three weeks, accelerated CNA training classes.

The cost of a CNA program in Pennsylvania varies between different providers, but you may expect to pay anywhere between five hundred (500) and eight hundred (800) dollars. Every student should be informed about additional costs such as books, examination fees, and uniforms. Some nurse aide classes include all these expenses in the total CNA program cost, while others do not. Free nurse aide training courses are sometimes being offered by licensed long-term care facilities. The free CNA training is usually offered in return for work commitment. Students who wish to enroll in these programs usually agree to work for the facility once they pass the Pennsylvania CNA examination and become certified nurse assistants.

CNA Classes in Lycoming County

Muncy Valley Hospital Nursing Assistant Program
215 East Water St., Muncy, PA 17756

Rose View Center - Williamsport
1201 Rural Ave., Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701

Williamsport Home C.N.A. Class
1900 Ravine Road, Williamsport, PA 17701

CNA Programs in McKean County

Bradford Area High School
81 Interstate Parkway, Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701

Bradford Regional Medical Center Nurse Aide Training Course
116-156 Interstae Parkway, Bradford, PA 16701

Kane Area High School
300 Hemlock Ave., Kane, Pennsylvania 16735

Lutheran Home At Kane Nurse Aide Training Program
100 High Point Drive, Kane, PA 16735

Sena Kean Manor Nurse Aide Program - Smethport
Rt 6, Smethport, Pennsylvania 16749

Seneca Highlands Area Vocational Technical School - Allegany
219 Edison Bates Drive Port, Allegany, PA 16743

Nursing Assistant Courses in Mercer County

Grove Manor Nursing Nurse Assistant Program
435 North Broad St., Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127

Health Link Services CNA Training Course - Hermitage
2921 East State St., Hermitage, PA 16148

Mercer County Area Vocational Technical School
776 Greenville Rd., Mercer, Pennsylvania 16137

St. Paul Homes Nursing Assistant Course - Greenville
339 East Jamestown Road, Greenville, PA 16125

Trinity Living Center CNA Program - Grove City
400 Hillcrest Ave., Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127

White Cliff Nursing Home CNA Program - Greenville
110 Fredonia Road, Greenville, PA 16125

Nurse Aide Training Schools in Mifflin County

Golden Living Center - Lewistown
163 Summit Drive, Lewistown, Pennsylvania 17044

Mifflin-Juniata Technical Center Nurse Aide Training - Lewistown
700 Pitt Street, Lewistown, PA 17044

Valley View Haven CNA Training Program - Belleville
4702 East Main Street, Belleville, Pennsylvania 17004

CNA Training Programs in Monroe County

Monroe Career and Technical Institute Nurse Assistant Program - Bartonsville
Box 66, Laurel Lake Drive, Bartonsville, PA 18321

Nurse Aide Programs Pennsylvania ( Page 9 )

Nursing assistant programs prepare individuals for challenging the nurse aide certification exam and for entry level positions in health care environments. Each state has the authority to decide how many hours of training a nursing assistant course must consist of, as long as the minimum federal requirement of seventy-five hours is met. Students interested in attending CNA classes have a wide array of choices when it comes to selecting a training facility.

Nursing assistant courses are conducted at nursing homes, vocational schools, private schools, and community colleges. Program length, admission requirements, and cost of training vary depending on the policies of every training facility. Several states have implemented legislation which requires licensed long-term care facilities to reimburse CNA employees for the costs associated with training. An individual who has paid for nursing assistant training classes and who becomes employed by a nursing home within a year of obtaining certification, is eligible for financial reimbursement. Compared to other training programs in the health care field, nursing assistant classes are relatively short and inexpensive. Obtaining state certification as a CNA is the main requirement for securing a nurse aide job at a nursing home, hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility.

CNA Training Schools and Programs

CNA classes, schools and programs by state.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Dana on August 17, 2014 at 06:56 PM
Hi, I am trying to get some info on where to start in the health care profession. Is it better to start as a CNA or LVN?


Admin on August 18, 2014 at 07:22 AM
If you are planning to become a nurse in the future, it is a good idea to see if this field is right for you. What better way to see if you like this field than to become a certified nurse aide? As a CNA you will mainly provide assistance with activities of daily living, but you will learn to become a good communicator and observer. Having these skills prior to enrolling in a nursing program will make you more comfortable in both the classroom and clinical setting. CNA training programs are relatively short, and classes may be completed in about six weeks. You can find a job and start earning money while you complete the pre-requisite courses necessary to enroll in a nursing program. In addition, some LVN and RN programs give enrollment priority to those who have obtained their CNA certification. LVNs are paid better but the program usually takes one year to complete and is much more expensive than a CNA class. Overall, I think it is a good idea to complete a nursing assistant course prior to enrolling into a nursing program, but ultimately this decision is yours to make. Good luck!


I am a pre-nursing student. Is it true that becoming a CNA and getting the experience, really helps you with clinicals in nursing school?

How can I tell if my CNA certificate is active? If it is not active how do I go about renewing it?

How can I get a copy of my CNA certification?

My CNA certification has recently expired. Who do I need to contact for certification renewal?

Is there any way to study from the CNA book on your own, sign up for clinicals and take the exam without attending a CNA class?

CNA Resources

CNA Training Requirements

There is a wide disparity between CNA training requirements among the states. The difference lies in the mandatory number of total training hours necessary to complete state-approved CNA classes.


While according to federal law each nursing assistant course should contain a minimum of seventy-five (75) instruction and clinical hours, individual states have the liberty to mandate extra training requirements for certified nursing assistants. The majority of states exceed the threshold federal minimum requirements for nurse aide training programs because they are considered insufficient to result in an optimal and safe level of care for clients.


A review of nationwide state requirements for nurse assistant courses has found that the following states have mandated highest number of CNA program hours: Maine with a minimum of 90 hours of theory, 20 hours of laboratory skills and 70 hours of clinical instruction for a total of 180 hours; California with one hundred and sixty (160) training hours; Delaware and Oregon each requiring one hundred and fifty (150) hours; followed by the state of Alaska with one hundred and forty (140) hours; Virginia, Arizona, and West Virginia have a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) training hours for state-approved classes.

CNA Training Programs

Nurse Aide Registries

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