CNA Classes in Dothan, AL

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Dothan?

Tuition at Dothan programs runs $875 (about $875 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($85 total ($40 written or oral + $45 skills)), the application/registry fee ($0 (Alabama charges no separate state application fee; candidates pay Prometric directly)), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Alabama typically falls around $700-$1,500.

How to Become a CNA in Dothan, AL

1. 1

   Confirm Alabama eligibility

   Confirm you meet the basic prerequisites before enrolling: be physically and mentally capable of performing direct resident care, be free of any communicable disease, have no disqualifying criminal history (especially convictions involving abuse, neglect, or misappropriation), and be old enough to enroll in your chosen program (most Alabama programs require age 16 or 18). The Alabama Department of Public Health does not set a minimum education level, but training providers generally expect a high school diploma or GED and a TB test.

2. 2

   Enroll in an ADPH-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATCEP)

   Choose a training program that has been approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Facilities. Approved providers include community colleges, technical schools, Red Cross chapters, and many long-term care facilities that run free or sponsored programs in exchange for an employment commitment. The program must deliver at least 75 hours of instruction with at least 16 hours of supervised clinical training in a long-term care facility.

3. 3

   Complete 75 hours of state-approved training

   Complete classroom theory, skills lab practice, and 16+ hours of clinicals covering basic nursing skills, personal care, mental health and social service needs, infection control, communication, and residents' rights under OBRA-87. Your instructor must be an RN with at least one year of long-term care experience. Programs typically run 3-8 weeks full-time or up to 16 weeks part-time.

4. 4

   Register for the Prometric Alabama Nurse Aide Exam

   Within 24 months of completing training, register for the two-part NNAAP exam through Prometric at prometric.com/nurseaide-al. Your training program submits a Form ADPH-NAR-19 documenting your completion before you can sit for the test. Fees are $40 for the written or oral portion and $45 for the skills evaluation, payable by money order or credit card.

5. 5

   Pass the written and skills evaluations

   The written exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions plus 10 unscored pretest items and must be completed within 90 minutes. The skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected hands-on skills, including the mandatory hand-washing skill. You have three attempts at each portion within 24 months; failing three times requires you to retrain in a full ADPH-approved NATCEP.

6. 6

   Get listed on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry

   Once you pass both portions, Prometric notifies ADPH and your name is added to the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry within a few business days. Alabama does not mail a physical certificate; your active status is verifiable online at dph1.adph.state.al.us/NurseAideRegistry using your Social Security Number. You are then legally allowed to work as a CNA in any Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility in Alabama.

7. 7

   Maintain certification and renew every 24 months

   To stay active on the registry, perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing services for compensation under the supervision of a licensed nurse within every 24-month period. ADPH does not charge a renewal fee but your employer must verify your work history. If your registry status lapses or becomes inactive, you must retrain in a full NATCEP and re-test before working again as a CNA in Alabama.

Becoming a CNA in Alabama

Alabama's CNA pathway is governed by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Division of Health Care Facilities, which oversees the state Nurse Aide Registry under federal OBRA-87 requirements. Unlike states with separate licensing boards, ADPH itself approves every Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and contracts with Prometric to deliver both the written and skills portions of the competency exam. This single-agency structure keeps the timeline relatively short — most candidates can move from enrollment to active registry status in 6 to 10 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Dothan