CNA Classes in Little Rock, AR

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Little Rock?

Tuition at Little Rock programs runs $850 to $1,350 (about $1,100 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($125 total ($30 written or oral knowledge exam + $95 clinical skills evaluation) through D&SDT-Headmaster; Arkansas DHS pays the testing fee for candidates employed by Medicaid-certified facilities), the application/registry fee ($0 — no separate state application fee; reciprocity applicants pay a $25 processing fee with Form 9110AR), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Arkansas typically falls around $600-$1,400.

How to Become a CNA in Little Rock, AR

1. 1

   Confirm you meet Arkansas eligibility

   Before enrolling, confirm you have no disqualifying criminal record or maltreatment registry findings. The Arkansas Office of Long Term Care reviews state and FBI fingerprint results, the Adult and Child Maltreatment Central Registries, and the OIG List of Excluded Individuals. You must also be able to read, write, and speak English at a level sufficient to provide safe resident care, and pass a TB screening before clinicals.

2. 2

   Enroll in an OLTC-approved 90-hour training program

   Arkansas requires a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) of at least 90 hours — 15 hours more than the federal floor. Approved programs are offered through community colleges, vocational-technical centers, the American Red Cross, and many nursing facilities that sponsor free training. The Office of Long Term Care publishes the current list of approved programs at humanservices.arkansas.gov.

3. 3

   Complete classroom, lab, and 16 hours of supervised clinical

   The Arkansas curriculum requires 74 hours of classroom theory and skills lab plus 16 hours of supervised clinical instruction in a long-term care facility, skilled nursing unit, rehabilitation unit inside an acute care facility, or inpatient hospice unit. Students complete a 16-hour orientation covering communication, infection control, residents' rights, and emergency procedures before any direct resident contact — Arkansas rules forbid students from touching patients before this orientation is finished.

4. 4

   Register for the Headmaster TMU competency exam

   Headmaster (D&SDT) administers Arkansas's competency exam through its TMU (TestMaster Universe) online system. Your training program enters your completion data into TMU, and you then create a candidate account at ar.tmuniverse.com to schedule both the written and skills portions. Most candidates can choose between paper-and-pencil written testing at Regional Test Sites (often inside the school where you trained) or computer-based testing at a Headmaster center.

5. 5

   Pass the written and skills evaluations within 12 months

   The written exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes; you must score 75% or higher. The skills test requires you to demonstrate 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills (always including hand hygiene) for an evaluator. Arkansas allows three attempts at each portion within 12 months of training completion — if you do not pass within that window, you must retake the full 90-hour course.

6. 6

   Be added to the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry

   Once Headmaster reports passing scores to the Office of Long Term Care, your name is automatically added to the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry — no separate application is required. The registry record includes your name, certification date, expiration date, and any substantiated findings. You can verify your own listing immediately at ar.tmutest.com/search.

7. 7

   Renew every 24 months with at least 8 hours of paid work

   Arkansas CNA certification must be maintained on a 24-month cycle. You must document at least 8 hours of paid nursing services for compensation under the supervision of a licensed nurse during each 24-month period to remain active. There is no renewal fee, but if your registry status lapses you must retake both the 90-hour course and the Headmaster exam before returning to work.

Becoming a CNA in Arkansas

Arkansas CNA training and certification are regulated by the Office of Long Term Care (OLTC), a division of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Unlike most surrounding states, Arkansas requires 90 hours of state-approved training — 15 hours above the federal OBRA-87 minimum — to reflect the state's emphasis on long-term care competency. The OLTC partners with D&SDT-Headmaster (often shortened to 'Headmaster' or 'TMU') to administer the written and skills competency exam and to maintain the public Nurse Aide Registry.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Little Rock