Nurse Aide Training Programs in Minnesota

The Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross is now offering an affordable CNA training class to all those interested in becoming health care paraprofessionals. This CNA training program is affordable when compared to the tuition required for other nurse aide programs in Minnesota. The cost of this class includes not only the tuition but also the nurse aide student textbooks, as well as the cost for CNA liability insurance. The nursing assistant course curriculum is state approved, and it focuses on teaching basic care skills and fundamental principles of care such as infection control, client privacy, resident safety, and effective communication. The Red Cross is known to offer nurse aide training classes which accommodate most student's schedules, and include both day and evening courses.

CNA day courses are offered every month and consist of ninety-one (91) hours of classroom and clinical training. Night time CNA classes are available periodically and students are encouraged to register in advance as courses fill up quickly. Admission requirements include having a background check prior to the first day of class, and the ability to read, understand, and test in English. Once accepted into the nurse aide course you will be expected to attend all classes and clinical experiences. Students who are interested in obtaining reimbursement for the cost of the CNA training program and the Minnesota CNA examination are encouraged to find employment at a licensed nursing home once they become certified. State law requires licensed long-term care facilities to reimburse their employees for the expenses associated with nursing assistant training and certification in Minnesota.

CNA Programs in Jackson County

MN West Community and Tech College - Jackson
401 West Street, Jackson, MN 56143
Phone: 507-847-3320
This school is also an approved test site.

Kandiyohi County

Ridgewater College - Willmar
2101 15th Avenue NW, Willmar, MN 56201
Phone: 320-222-5200
This school is also an approved test site.

Kittson County

Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center - Hallock
1010 South Birch Avenue, Hallock, MN 56728
Phone: 218-843-3612

Karlstad Health Care Center
304 Washington, Karlstad, MN 56732
Phone: 218-436-2161

Koochiching County

Good Samaritan Society - International Falls
1402 Highway 71, International Falls, MN 56649
Phone: 218-283-8313

Rainy River Community College - International Falls
1501 Highway 71, International Falls, MN 56649
Phone: 218-285-7722
This school is also an approved test site.

Lac Qui Parle County

Madison Lutheran Home, Inc.
900 2nd Avenue, Madison, MN 56256
Phone: 320-598-7536

Lake County

Minnesota Veterans Home - Silver Bay
45 Banks Blvd., Silver Bay, MN 55614
Phone: 218-226-6326

Lake Of The Woods County

Lakewood Care Center - Baudette
600 Main Avenue South, Baudette, MN 56623
Phone: 218-634-3488

Le Sueur County

Minnesota Valley Health Center - Le Sueur
621 South 4th Street, Le Sueur, MN 56058
Phone: 507-665-2262

Lincoln County

Hendricks Community Hospital and Nursing Home
503 East Lincoln, P.O. Box 106, Hendricks, MN 56136
Phone: 507-275-3134

Lyon County

Mary Neuman NA Training - Cottonwood
P.O. Box 125, Cottonwood, MN 56229
Phone: 507-530-7373

McLeod County

Ridgewater College - Hutchinson
2 Century Avenue, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Phone: 320-234-8500
This school is also an approved test site.

Mille Lacs County

Mille Lacs Health System - Onamia
200 N. Elm Street, P.O. Box A, Onamia, MN 56359
Phone: 320-532-3154

Elim Care, Inc. - Princeton
701 1st Street, Princeton, MN 55371
Phone: 763-389-1171

Morrison County

Horizon Health, Inc. - Pierz
26814 143rd Street, Pierz, MN 56364
Phone: 800-224-6451

Mower County

Riverland Community College Albert Lea Campus - Austin
1900 8th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912
Phone: 507-433-0653
This school is also an approved test site.

Nicollet County

South Central College - North Mankato
1920 Lee Boulevard, North Mankato, MN 56003
Phone: 507-389-7200
This school is also an approved test site.

Benedictine Living Community - Saint Peter
1907 Klein Street, Saint Peter, MN 56082
Phone: 507-934-8274

Norman County

Bridges Care Community - Ada
201 9th Street West, Ada, MN 56510
Phone: 218-784-5500

Twin Valley Living Center
208 Oppegard Avenue NW, Twin Valley, MN 56584
Phone: 218-584-5181

Olmsted County

Rochester Public School # 535
3033 41st Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-280-4750

Samaritan Bethany Arbor Terrace - Rochester
24 NW 8th Street, Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-289-4031

Rochester Community and Technical College
851 30th Avenue SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: 507-285-7210
This school is also an approved test site.

RCTC Business and Workforce Education - Rochester
851 30th Avenue SE, Box 50, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: 507-285-7251

Otter Tail County

Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Fergus Falls
1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218-736-1500
This school is also an approved test site.

Perham Memorial Hospital and Home
665 3rd Street SW, Perham, MN 56573
Phone: 218-346-1181

Pennington County

Northland Community and Tech College - Thief River Falls
1101 Hwy. 1 East, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: 218-683-8800
This school is also an approved test site.

Pine County

Pine Technical College - Pine City
900 4th Street, Pine City, MN 55063
Phone: 320-629-6764
This school is also an approved test site.

Pipestone County

MN West Community and Tech College - Pipestone
1314 North Hiawatha, Pipestone, MN 56164
Phone: 507-825-6800
This school is also an approved test site.

Polk County

Villa St. Vincent - Crookston
516 Walsh Street, Crookston, MN 56716
Phone: 218-281-3424

Northland Community and Technical College - East Grand Forks
2022 Central Avenue NE, East Grand Forks, MN 56721
Phone: 218-773-3441
This school is also an approved test site.

Pioneer Memorial Care Center Foundation - Erskine
23028 347th Street SE, Erskine, MN 56535
Phone: 218-687-2365

Ramsey County

Hubert H Humphrey Job Corps Center - Saint Paul
1480 N Snelling Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 651-647-0442

St. Paul College - Saint Paul
235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Phone: 651-846-1600
This school is also an approved test site.

International Institute of Minnesota - Saint Paul
1694 Como Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 651-647-0191

Foundations Health Career Academy - Saint Paul
225 University Avenue West, Suite 200, Saint Paul, MN 55103
Phone: 651-224-6762

Century Online NA - HHA - White Bear Lake
3300 Century Avenue North, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Phone: 651-779-3902

Century Community and Technical College - White Bear Lake
3300 Century Avenue North, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Phone: 651-779-3341
This school is also an approved test site.

CNA Programs in Minnesota ( Page 4 )

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

C. Adams on November 8, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Is it possible to enroll in a CNA class without a high school diploma or GED?


Admin on November 8, 2014 at 05:34 PM
There are no federal regulations stating that individuals are required to have a high school diploma prior to attending nurse aide classes but some states such as Florida require a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to testing if you are under 18 years old and have not attended a training program. A program coordinator at the school or nursing facility which is offering CNA training classes may tell you if a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required in order to enroll in the nurse aide program. Some facilities do not require a diploma as long as you have completed a 10th grade high school education. In the state of Texas a high school diploma or a GED is not necessary in order to attend and complete a nursing assistant program.


How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?

After becoming a CNA how much more experience, training or school has to be done to become a registered nurse?

I am in the military and I do not have too much time to actually attend a regular CNA program. Who offers online CNA classes?

How do I sign up for CNA training? I am having trouble finding the shortest training program in my area. Can you help me?

How long does it take to get the CNA certificate itself while in school taking courses?

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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