CNA Courses San Antonio, Texas
Looking for CNA courses in San Antonio? This guide covers what you need to know about CNA certification in Texas, including how the process works, what the state exam involves, how CNA programs in San Antonio are structured, and what to expect once you complete your coursework. Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or ready to compare programs by zip code, search CNA programs near you to find options in your area
What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant Do?
Certified Nursing Assistants provide hands-on patient care under the direction of a licensed nurse. In San Antonio and throughout Texas, CNAs serve in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care centers, assisted living communities, and home health settings. The role centers on direct patient support — physical, practical, and personal.
Typical responsibilities include assisting with daily hygiene and grooming, monitoring and recording vital signs, supporting patient mobility and transfers, helping with meals, observing and documenting changes in patient condition, and practicing infection control procedures. CNAs often spend more direct time with patients than any other member of the healthcare team, making strong communication and compassion essential qualities in the role.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program and pass their state's competency exam to become licensed or certified.* Earnings vary depending on setting, location, and experience.
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm
How to Earn Your Texas CNA Certification
CNA certification in Texas is regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Here is a step-by-step overview of the process.
Meet Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must pass a criminal background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety and must not be listed as unemployable on the Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR). Individual admission requirements vary. Many programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED, and some establish minimum age requirements. More on that is below.
Complete a State-Approved Education Program
Enroll in an HHSC-approved Nurse Aide Education and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). CNA schools in San Antonio, Texas, are required to provide a minimum of 100 total hours. This includes 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical practice.
The classroom portion can be completed in person, virtually, or through HHSC's computer-based training (CBT) available on the Learning Tree platform. The 40-hour clinical component must be completed in person at an approved facility.
For guidance on getting ready for your first day, visit our resource on preparing for CNA school.
Submit Your Application Through TULIP
After finishing your program, submit a New Nurse Aide by Examination Application through TULIP (the Texas Unified License Information Portal). Your program director will confirm your completed hours, and HHSC will review your application for eligibility.
Pass the Texas CNA Competency Exam
Once approved, you will receive instructions to schedule your exam through Prometric, the state-approved testing vendor for Texas. The exam includes two components: a written knowledge test and an in-person clinical skills evaluation. You must pass both to earn certification. Candidates have up to three attempts per section and 24 months from program completion to pass.
Be Listed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry
After passing, Prometric sends your results electronically to HHSC, which then issues your certificate and updates your status on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry. Your certificate can be downloaded through TULIP. You are not authorized to work as a CNA until your status reads "Active" on the registry.
Maintain Your Certification
Texas CNA certification is valid for two years. To renew, you must document paid nursing-related work during the certification period and complete 24 hours of approved in-service continuing education. Renewal is processed through TULIP.
*Based on Texas HHSC NATCEP guidelines. Requirements are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with HHSC before enrolling.
CNA Classes in San Antonio, TX: Finding Programs Near You
Many students searching for CNA classes in San Antonio, TX want flexibility around work or family schedules. Texas offers more options than many states because HHSC allows the full 60-hour classroom portion to be completed online through its computer-based education platform. This means you can complete your foundational coursework at your own pace before linking up with an approved NATCEP for your clinical hours.
When comparing CNA classes near you, consider program schedule, clinical site availability, and total program length. Class, course, and program lengths may vary. Use our CNA location search to find and compare CNA programs near you in San Antonio and surrounding zip codes.
You can also explore our CNA lesson guide to preview the types of material covered in the classroom portion before you enroll.
FAQs About CNA Courses in San Antonio
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The Texas CNA competency exam is a two-part evaluation administered by Prometric on behalf of HHSC.
The written portion consists of 70 questions covering core nursing assistant knowledge, including activities of daily living, infection control, patient rights, safety procedures, and communication. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete it, or 120 minutes if taking the oral version.
The clinical skills portion is an in-person, performance-based evaluation in which candidates demonstrate specific hands-on skills for an evaluator. Candidates must pass all five assessed skills to pass this section.
Both components must be passed to earn certification. The written exam can be taken via remote proctoring; the clinical skills exam must be completed in person. For full details, review the Candidate Information Bulletin, made available through Prometric's Texas Nurse Aide.
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CNA pay varies based on experience, work setting, and shift type. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for nursing assistants nationally was $39,430 in May 2024.* Compensation in San Antonio and across Texas can be higher or lower depending on the employer and facility type. This information is provided for general reference only and does not guarantee earnings upon completing a CNA program.
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies, May 2024.https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm
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Yes, the classroom portion of many CNA education programs in San Antonio, Texas can be completed online. HHSC offers a 60-hour computer-based education program to eligible participants that covers all required classroom content and can be completed entirely at your own pace. However, the 40-hour clinical component must be completed in person at an HHSC-approved facility, and the clinical skills portion of the competency exam is also in-person. If you'd like to get a preview of what the online coursework covers, explore our CNA lesson guide before enrolling.
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Most HHSC-approved CNA courses in San Antonio require candidates to hold a high school diploma or GED. Individual program admission policies may vary, so contact programs directly to confirm their specific enrollment requirements. For a full overview of Texas CNA certification requirements, visit our Texas CNA certification page.
Find CNA Courses Near You in San Antonio
San Antonio is home to a range of approved NATCEP programs across different neighborhoods and zip codes. Whether you are looking for a CNA school near you on the north side, south side, or anywhere in between, comparing your options early gives you the most flexibility on schedule, clinical site, and program format.
Use our program search tool to browse CNA courses near you in San Antonio and get helpful information on programs that match your location and schedule. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify.
Disclaimer: The program information presented on this page is provided for informational purposes only. According to Campus Explorer's algorithm and methodology, results are based on aggregated data including program availability, student reviews, and other publicly available metrics. Salary information is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and is provided for reference only. Completing a CNA program does not guarantee any specific wage or outcome. Financial aid and scholarships may be available to those who qualify; eligibility requirements vary, and no financial aid is guaranteed. Class, course, and program lengths may vary. CNA certification requirements are governed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with HHSC before enrolling.