CNA Classes in Denver, CO

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Denver?

Tuition at Denver programs runs Free to $1,495 (about $1,275 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($145 total first-time ($50 written or oral knowledge exam + $95 skills evaluation); retakes priced separately at $50 written, $50 oral, or $95 skills per attempt), the application/registry fee ($80 initial state application fee paid to the Colorado Board of Nursing (verify current amount at dpo.colorado.gov/Nursing/CNAApplications)), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Colorado typically falls around $700-$1,800. Note that 1 Denver program offers free training — see the highlighted options above.

How to Become a CNA in Denver, CO

1. 1

   Confirm Colorado eligibility

   To enroll in Colorado CNA training you should be at least 16 (most schools require 18), be physically capable of performing direct resident care, and be able to read and write English. The Colorado State Board of Nursing requires a state and FBI fingerprint background check; convictions involving abuse, neglect, theft, or controlled substances may bar you from certification. A TB screening and current immunizations are typically required before clinicals.

2. 2

   Choose a CDPHE-approved training program

   Colorado-approved Nurse Aide Training Programs are reviewed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and must deliver at least 80 hours of instruction — 5 hours above the federal minimum. Options include community colleges (such as Front Range, Arapahoe, and Pikes Peak), Red Cross chapters, vocational schools, hospitals, and many long-term care facilities offering free training in exchange for an employment commitment.

3. 3

   Complete 80 hours of training including 16 hours of clinicals

   Your program must include at least 64 hours of classroom theory and supervised lab plus 16 hours of clinical experience in a long-term care setting. Curriculum covers basic nursing skills, personal care, mental health and social needs, residents' rights, infection control, communication, and care of cognitively impaired residents. Most full-time programs run 2-4 weeks; evening or weekend programs can extend to 8 weeks.

4. 4

   Apply to the Colorado State Board of Nursing

   After training, submit a CNA application to the State Board of Nursing through the DORA Online Services portal at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing. The state application fee is approximately $80 (verify current amount). The application triggers the fingerprint background check and authorizes you to register for the competency exam. Some applicants are required to complete the background check before scheduling the exam.

5. 5

   Pass the two-part competency exam

   Colorado uses D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia as approved testing vendors. The written exam includes 60 multiple-choice questions (90-minute limit) and you must achieve the passing score set by the vendor. The skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected hands-on skills, always including hand hygiene. Most candidates pay roughly $50 for the written and $85 for the skills test, totaling $135.

6. 6

   Be added to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry

   Once you pass both portions and your background check clears, the State Board of Nursing issues your CNA certificate and adds you to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry maintained by DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations. Your status is publicly verifiable through the DORA license lookup at apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx. You are now legally eligible to work as a CNA anywhere in Colorado.

7. 7

   Renew every two years with documented work

   Colorado CNA certification renews on a 2-year cycle. To renew, you must document at least 8 hours of paid nursing services under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the prior 24 months. The State Board of Nursing does not currently mandate formal CEU hours, though many employers require 12 hours of annual in-service training under federal OBRA-87. Renewal is done through DORA Online Services and an expired certificate can be reinstated with a $30 fee.

Becoming a CNA in Colorado

Colorado's CNA pathway is unusual in that it spans three state entities. The Colorado State Board of Nursing, housed under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations, issues the CNA license and maintains the public registry. Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs) are reviewed and approved separately by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). And competency testing is administered through approved third-party vendors, with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) and Credentia operating the most widely used exams in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Denver