CNA Classes in Fort Wayne, IN

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Fort Wayne?

Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($100 total for both written and skills test (effective January 1, 2025; still in force in 2026)), the application/registry fee (Application fee is bundled into the $100 exam fee; reciprocity from another state costs $65), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Indiana typically falls around $500-$1,500.

How to Become a CNA in Fort Wayne, IN

1. 1

   Confirm Indiana eligibility

   Indiana sets no statewide minimum age or formal education requirement, but individual training programs almost always require you to be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED. You will need a clean state and FBI fingerprint background check, no substantiated findings on any nurse aide registry, a negative TB screening, current immunizations, and the physical ability to lift, transfer, and reposition residents.

2. 2

   Complete an IDOH-approved 105-hour training program

   Enroll in a state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program with at least 105 hours — 30 hours above the federal minimum. Indiana programs are unusual in that they emphasize hands-on practice: at least 30 hours of classroom and lab plus at least 75 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Approved providers include Ivy Tech Community College locations statewide, vocational schools, the American Red Cross, hospital systems, and many nursing facilities offering free or sponsored training.

3. 3

   Apply to test through Ivy Tech Community College

   After training, create an applicant account at apps.ivytech.edu/apps/ext/cnaqma/selfserve/create_applicant/ and submit the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation application. Ivy Tech administers the entire CNA testing process for IDOH. The application fee is $100 (effective January 1, 2025) and covers both the written and skills portions. After processing, Ivy Tech emails a link to schedule your testing appointment at the location of your choice.

4. 4

   Pass the written competency test

   The Indiana written exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and you must answer at least 80 correctly (80%) to pass. You are allowed up to four attempts within a 2-year period. Testing is delivered at Ivy Tech campuses and at approved Regional Test Sites across the state. Indiana's 80% passing standard is one of the higher written-test bars in the country — most states require 70-75%.

5. 5

   Pass the skills competency test

   The skills evaluation requires you to demonstrate mandatory hand hygiene plus 4 additional randomly selected nurse aide skills in front of an Ivy Tech evaluator. Skills are drawn from the official Indiana skills list (range of motion, vital signs, ambulation, peri-care, transfers, feeding, and similar). Both portions must be passed before IDOH will add you to the registry; processing time after passing is approximately 90 days.

6. 6

   Be placed on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry

   Once Ivy Tech reports your passing scores, the Indiana Department of Health adds you to the official Indiana Aides Registry. The registry status appears as 'Active' once you are eligible to work; processing typically takes up to 90 days after exam completion. Verification is publicly available through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at mylicense.in.gov/everification. You can then begin working as a CNA in any Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility in Indiana.

7. 7

   Renew every 2 years with documented paid work

   To stay active on the Indiana Aides Registry, you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related duties during every 24-month period. Renewal is requested using State Form 49937, available from the IDOH Long Term Care website. If your status lapses, you must retake both the 105-hour training program and the full Ivy Tech competency exam before returning to work — Indiana does not offer a refresher-only pathway for expired registrations.

Becoming a CNA in Indiana

Indiana's CNA pathway is governed by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), formerly the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), through its Long Term Care division. IDOH approves every Nurse Aide Training Program in the state and maintains the official Indiana Aides Registry, which is also used for Qualified Medication Aides (QMAs) and Home Health Aides (HHAs). What distinguishes Indiana procedurally is that IDOH contracts with Ivy Tech Community College — the state's largest community college system — to handle all CNA application processing, exam scheduling, and competency testing.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Fort Wayne