Get CNA Certified in Arizona
Want to become a CNA in Arizona?
Job Growth:
CNA jobs are projected to grow 11% by 2026, and there are 15,000 CNA jobs in Arizona, 8,600 of which are in Phoenix.
Salary:
Arizona is one of top-paying states for CNAs. The top 10% of Arizona’s CNAs earn $40,000/year. The top 10% of the nation’s CNAs earn $50,000.
Requirements:
To become a registered CNA, you must graduate from an accredited course, some as short as 4 weeks, and pass the state exam.
What are the CNA requirements in Arizona? Here’s how to prepare for your CNA state exam and how to become a Certified Nurse Assistant in Arizona.
What is a Nursing Assistant?
A Nursing Assistant is a medical professional who cares for the daily needs of their patients. Some of these responsibilities include transportation, measuring vitals, basic grooming, administering medication. In Arizona, the first level of Nursing Assistant is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and the second level is a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA). Being a Nurse Assistant is a rewarding career with excellent job stability and opportunities for advancement.
CNA Requirements in Arizona
Graduate from an approved Certified Nursing Assistant Program
Complete a background check
Pass the Arizona CNA State Exam
Register as a Certified CNA in Arizona
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How to Become a CNA in Arizona
The Arizona State Board of Nursing issues licenses for the state’s Nursing Assistants. There is no age requirement or minimum education required before training.
Arizona has a unique approach to the different levels of nursing assistants. There are 2 types of nursing assistants: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA). They have the same education and work responsibilities, but different application and renewal requirements. Both a CNA and LNA must complete the same approved Nursing Assistant program and pass the same state exam. LNAs must pay an application fee, renewal fee, and registry fee but CNAs don’t have to pay for any fees. CNAs also don’t have to submit fingerprints for the background check, and LNAs must. The last difference is that CNAs only need 8 hours of work every 2 years to renew a license while LNAs need 160 hours. The main difference is that LNAs are regulated by the state Board of Nursing. For an even more detailed breakdown between the 2 levels of nursing assistants, you can watch a video here or read this Q&A page.
Either way, all Nursing Assistants must attend an approved training program with 120 hours of instruction. You can search for Nursing Assistant schools near you with the Free School Finder tool at the top of the page. Just enter your zip code to search what kind of program you want. Some accelerated programs offer 4-week CNA classes so you can get certified fast. Other hybrid programs offer online CNA courses for the classroom portion of instruction. You can also take CNA classes en Español.
Once you’ve graduated from your accredited Nursing Assistant program in Arizona, you must submit an application to the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Once you’re approved to move forward, you can schedule your test date. It’s recommended you take a free CNA practice exam to prepare. The Arizona State Board of Nursing also hosts a Nursing Assistant Educators Conference each year. The conference is typically held in the Spring in Phoenix.
Once you pass the state exam, congratulations! You’ll receive your license and be listed on the Arizona Nursing Registry.
A Closer Look at CNA Training
A CNA program in Arizona will include 120 hours of nurse assistant instruction with both knowledge-based lessons in the classroom and skills-based lessons in clinical demonstrations. The Arizona State Board of Nursing conducts site visits on all nursing assistant programs every two years. Nursing classes you’ll graduate from will include:
Ethical Behavior
Recording Vitals
Social Service
Data Collection
Ethics
Emergency Procedures
Personal Grooming
Mental Health
Healthcare Teamwork
Body Mechanics
Effective Communication
A CNA Training Program can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000, depending on the program. For example, the American Red Cross program costs $1,300. Some programs include fees for books and uniforms in their tuition and other programs charge separately. There are also opportunities for free CNA classes in Arizona if you get a job at an assisted living home that will cover the cost of your training program.
The CNA Test in Arizona
The Arizona State Board of Nursing contracts with the Headmaster Testing Service to administer the CNA state exam in Arizona. Once you complete your training and state application, your school will register you with Headmaster. There are regional locations to take the test and you can schedule a appointment here.
The Nursing Assistant Arizona state exam is separated into two sections: knowledge and skills. The knowledge test is written with 75 questions and 90 minutes to complete. You must have a score of at least 75% to pass the knowledge exam. You can also take this exam as an audio, or oral, version. You will need to request this when you submit your application.
The manual skills test is a maximum amount of 40 minutes. You will have to complete 3 or 4 clinical tasks. You must correctly perform all the key steps and must demonstrate the non-key steps with an 80% accuracy. A Registered Nurse (RN) will administer the test and those the 3 or 4 skills randomly from a possible list of 21 skills. For a complete breakdown of all skills and knowledge that can be on the test, visit the CNA Arizona Candidate Handbook.
You will take both the knowledge and skills portions of the exam on the same day. You must take the test within 2 years of graduating from your training program. You have an unlimited number of attempts to pass the exam within 2 years of graduating from your nursing assistant training program, and you will need to pay each time to retake the test. You must arrive 30 minutes before your test time. If you arrive late you will not be allowed to take the test. You should plan to be at the test site for about 5 hours. Devices such as cell phones, smart watches, fitness monitors, or personal items will not be allowed in the testing room.
Your test will be immediately graded and your test results will be available online later that same day, after 6:00pm.
CNA Exam Cost Broken Down:
$30 - Knowledge Exam
$40 - Oral Exam
$88 - Skills Exam
On the Day of the Exam, Plan to Bring:
A current government-issued ID with photo
A standard watch with a second hand
Non-skid, closed-toe shoes
Scrubs uniform
Long hair pulled back
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CNA Jobs in Arizona
Arizona has one of the top-paying states in the country for nurse assistants, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top CNAs in Arizona earn $40,000/year, while the average wage is $33,000/year. Most other states in this salary bracket have higher cost of living expenses, while Arizona boasts high wages and lower housing costs.
Nursing assistant jobs are very plentiful. There are nearly 15,000 CNA jobs in Arizona, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are two metro areas of Arizona with high employment levels per population. The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale has 8,600 Nurse Aids employed, or 4 jobs per every 1,000 jobs. Tucson has 6.56 CNA jobs per every 1,000 jobs, employing a total of 2,470 Nurse Assistants.
Nearly 50% of CNAs nationwide work in Nursing Care Facilities. The remaining jobs are at hospitals, medical offices, facilities for elderly, mental health clinics, outpatient care centers, and even film and television housing facilities.
CNA Job Advancement in Arizona
Not sure how if you’ll love the medical field? Before you invest years and thousands of dollars becoming a Registered Nurse, get your feet wet as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Training is fast and low-cost. You can quickly start working in a hospital or a long-term nursing facility and get a better idea if nursing is the right path for you. And if you love it you can easily promote to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) with additional training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top 10% of LPNs in Arizona earn $65,000 annually. The top 10% of RNs in Arizona earn more than $101,000 annually.
How to Renew a CNA Certification in Arizona
The Arizona State Board of Nursing renews all CNA licenses. You must renew your license every 2 years. You must keep your name and address updated on the registry.
Within those 2 years, you must have worked at least 8 hours as a CNA, or 160 hours for an LNA. These hours must be for paid work with an employer; helping family with medical services does not count. You must fill out this Renewal Form with the care you’ve provided. There is no fee to renew as a CNA, but for LNAs the fee is $50.
For more information contact:
Arizona State Board of Nursing
4747 N 7th St Ste 200
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Phone: (602) 771-7800
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Enter your zip code in the form below and we’ll match you with the best CNA schools near you and online. It’s fast and free!
State-Approved Nursing Assistant Programs in Arizona
Academy for Caregiving Excellence
4725 N 1st Ave, Tucson
520-338-4402
Accord Healthcare Institute
3816 N 27th Ave, Phoenix
602-714-3439
Alhambra High School
3839 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix
602-764-6002
Arizona Career Institute
6143 E Fairmount St, Tucson
520-576-0606
Arizona Medical Training Institute
1530 N Country Club Dr, Suite 11, Mesa
480-835-7679
Arizona Technical Training Institute
2515 E Bell Rd, Phoenix
602-607-5317
Arizona Western College
2020 S Avenue 8E, Yuma
928-344-7554
Arizona Western College- La Paz Campus
1109 Geronimo St, Parker
928-669-2214
AZ Nursing Careers, Inc.
10729 N 19th Ave, Phoenix
602-216-1832
Basha High School
5990 S Val Vista Dr, Chandler
480-224-2314
Bradshaw Mountain High School
6000 Long Look Dr, Prescott Valley
928-759-4110
Brookline College - Phoenix
2445 W Dunlap Ave, Suite 100, Phoenix
602-589-1313
Brookline College - Tempe
1140 S Priest Dr, Tempe
480-545-8755
Caregiver Training Institute
710 South Kolb Rd, Bldg 4, Tucson
520-325-4870
Central Arizona College - Aravapai Campus
80440 E Aravaipa Rd, Winkelman
480-288-4017
Central Arizona College - Maricopa Campus
17945 N Regent Dr, Maricopa
480-677-7712
Central Arizona College - San Tan
3736 E Bella Vista Rd, San Tan Valley
480-677-7717
Central Arizona College - Signal Peak Campus - MAIN
8470 N Overfield Rd, Coolidge
480-288-4017
Central Arizona College - Superstition Mtn Campus
805 S Idaho Rd, Apache Junction
480-288-4017
Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology (CAVIT)
1789 W Coolidge Ave, Coolidge
520-423-2991
Cibola High School - Yuma Unified School District
4100 W 20th St, Yuma
928-502-6761
Cochise College - Benson Center Campus
1025 State Route 90, Benson
520-586-1981
Cochise College - Bisbee High School
325 School Terrace Rd, Bisbee
520-432-5714
Cochise College - Buena High School
5225 Buena School Blvd, Sierra Vista
520-515-2714
Cochise College - Douglas Campus
4190 W Highway 80, Douglas
520-515-5309
Cochise College - Douglas High School
1500 E 15th St, Douglas
520-364-3462
Cochise College - San Simon High School (ITV Only)
2226 West Business I-10, Exit 378, San Simon
520-845-2275
Cochise College - Sierra Vista Campus - MAIN
2600 E Wilcox Dr, Sierra Vista
520-515-7471
Cochise College - St. David High School
70 E Patton St, St. David
520-720-4781
Cochise College - Tombstone High School
1211 N Yellow Jacket Way, Tombstone
520-515-5470
Cochise College - Valley Union High School
4088 E Jefferson Rd, Elfrida
520-642-3492
Cochise College - Willcox Center
470 N Bisbee Ave, Willcox
520-384-4502
Cochise College - Willcox High School
240 N Bisbee Ave, Willcox
520-384-8601
Coconino Community College
3000 N 4th St, Flagstaff
928-527-1222
College America - Phoenix
9801 N Metro Parkway East, Phoenix
602-589-9860
Combs High School
2505 E Germann Rd, San Tan Valley
480-882-3540
Deer Valley High School
18424 N 51st Ave, Glendale
623-845-4066
East Valley Institute of Technology - Adult Evening
1601 W Main St, Mesa
480-461-4018
East Valley Institute of Technology - EVIT East
6625 S Power Rd, Mesa
480-461-4001
East Valley Institute of Technology - Fountain Hills High School
17300 E Calaveras Ave, Fountain Hills
480-461-4018
East Valley Institute of Technology - High School Program - MAIN
1601 W Main St, Mesa
480-461-4105
East Valley Medical College, Inc.
205 E Southern Ave, Suite 101, Mesa
480-776-0070
Eastern Arizona College - Gila Pueblo Campus
8274 S Six Shooter Canyon, Globe
928-425-8481
Eastern Arizona College - MAIN
615 N Stadium Ave, Thatcher
928-428-8389
Eastern Arizona College - Payson
201 N Mud Springs Rd, Payson
928-468-8039
Gardens Rehab and Care Center
3131 Western Ave, Kingman
928-718-0718
Gateway Community College
108 N 40th St, Phoenix
602-286-8536
Gateway Community College
108 N 40th St, Phoenix
602-286-8531
Gila Ridge High School
3100 S Avenue A, Yuma
928-502-6788
Glendale Community College
6000 W Olive Ave, Glendale
623-845-4806
Haven of Camp Verde
86 W Salt Mine Rd, Camp Verde
928-567-5253
Haven of Cottonwood
197 S Willard St, Cottonwood
928-634-5548
Haven of Lake Havasu
2781 Osborn Dr, Lake Havasu
928-505-5552
Haven of Lakeside
3401 N Lakeside Dr, Lakeside
928-368-2060
Haven of Phoenix
4202 N 20th Ave, Phoenix
602-264-3824
Haven of Safford
1933 Peppertree Dr, Safford
928-428-4910
Haven of Sedona
505 Jacks Canyon Rd, Sedona
928-284-1000
Haven of Show Low
2401 E Hunt St, Show Low
928-537-5333
Haven of Sierra Vista
660 Coronado Dr, Sierra Vista
520-459-4900
Kofa High School
3100 South Avenue A, Yuma
928-502-6761
Legacy Rehab & Care Center
2812 Silver Creek Rd, Bullhead City
928-763-8700
Lingenfelter Center
1099 Sunrise Ave, Kingman
928-718-4852
Meadows of Northern Arizona
809-A and B Gail Gardner Way, Prescott
928-778-3570
MedStar Academy
13760 N 93rd Ave, Suite 202, Peoria
623-773-9000
Mesa Community College - MAIN
1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa
480-461-7262
Mesa Community College - Red Mountain Campus
7110 E McKellips Rd, Mesa
480-654-7200
Metro Tech High School
1900 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix
602-764-8052
Mohave Community College - Bullhead City Campus
3400 Highway 95, Bullhead City
928-758-3926
Mohave Community College - Kingman
1801 Detroit Ave, Kingman
928-681-5660
Mohave Community College - Lake Havasu Campus
1977 Acoma Blvd West, Lake Havasu City
928-505-3378
Mohave Community College - Lee Williams High School
400 Grandview Ave, Kingman
928-753-6216
Mohave Community College - North Mohave Campus Colorado City
480 S Central, Colorado City
928-875-2799
Moon Valley High School
3625 W Cactus Rd, Phoenix
602-616-1798
Mountain View Care Center
1313 W Magee Rd, Tucson
520-797-2600
Mountain View Manor
1045 Sandretto Dr, Prescott
928-779-4837
Navajo Technical University
¼ mile E Hwy 191 Rt 7, Trailer 2510, Chinle
928-674-5771
Northland Pioneer College - Little Colorado Campus
1400 E Third St, Winslow
928-532-6136
Northland Pioneer College - Silver Creek Campus
1611 S Main St, Snowflake
928-532-6136
Northland Pioneer College - Springerville Center/Eager Center (NAVIT)
940 E Maricopa St, Springerville
928-333-2498
Northland Pioneer College - White Mountain - MAIN
1001 W Deuce of Clubs, Show Low
928-532-6136
Northland Pioneer College - Whiteriver Center
720 S Chief Ave, Whiteriver
927-338-5185
Paradise Valley Community College
18401 N 32nd St, Phoenix
602-787-6703
Paradise Valley Community College - Cactus Shadows HS
5802 E Dove Valley Rd, Cave Creek
602-787-6703
Paradise Valley High School
3950 E Bell Rd, Phoenix
602-449-7038
Perry High School
1919 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert
480-224-3755
Phoenix Job Corps Center
518 S 3rd St, Phoenix
602-254-5921
Pierson High School
451 N Arroyo Blvd, Nogales
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Pima Community College - Archie Hendricks
Settle Route 15 Mile Post 9, Sells
520-585-5500
Pima Community College - Desert Vista - MAIN
5901 S Calle Santa Cruz, Tucson
520-206-5113
Pima Community College - Pascua Yaqui Center
7474 S Camino de Oeste, Tucson
520-206-5222
Pima Community College - Santa Cruz
2021 N Grand Ave, Nogales
520-394-7180
Pima Community College - West Campus - NRA 101
2202 W Anklam Rd, Tucson
520-206-6663
Pima County JTED - Camino Seco - MAIN
8727 E 22nd St, Tucson
520-209-1724
Pima County JTED - Master Pieces
2855 W Master Pieces Dr, Tucson
520-352-5833
Pima Medical Institute - MAIN
957 S Dobson Rd, Mesa
480-644-0267
Pima Medical Institute - Power Road
2160 S Power Rd, Mesa
480-644-0267
Providence Training Institute
9189 N 59th Ave, Suites 2 & 3, Glendale
602-606-8879
Queen Creek High School
22149 E Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek
480-987-5965
Regional Center For Border Health - MAIN
950 E Main St, Building A, Somerton
928-315-7600
Regional Center for Border Health - Parker
601 Riverside Dr, Suite 7, Parker
928-669-4436
Regional Center for Border Health- Lake Havasu City
1947 McColloch Blvd, Suite 105, Lake Havasu City
928-680-1468
Rio Rico High School
590 Camino Lito Galindo, Rio Rico
520-375-8817
Saguaro High School
6250 N 82nd St, Scottsdale
480-484-7100
San Luis High School
1250 8th Ave, San Luis
928-502-6100
Star Canyon School of Nursing
8900 N Central Ave, Suite 107, Phoenix
602-943-1337
Sun Valley High School
1143 S Lindsay Rd, Mesa
480-497-4800
Sunrise Mountain High School
21200 N 83rd Ave, Peoria
623-487-5125
Valley Academy for Career & Technology Education (V'ACTE)
3504 S State Route 89a, Cottonwood
928-634-7131
Valley Vocational Academy
1845 E Broadway Rd, Tempe
480-247-9388
Yavapai College - Prescott - MAIN
6955 Panther Path, Prescott
928-776-2252
Yavapai College - Verde Valley Campus
601 Black Hills Dr, Clarkdale
928-634-7501