CNA Classes in Des Moines, IA

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Des Moines?

Tuition at Des Moines programs runs Free to $1,500 (about $905 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Approximately $165 total ($50 written at an Iowa community college or $50-$70 online + $115 skills at a community college; Health Tech Associates skills test runs about $135)), the application/registry fee ($0 — DIAL does not charge a separate application fee for initial registry placement after passing the exam), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Iowa typically falls around $0-$1,400 depending on whether training is employer-sponsored, a community college program, or a private provider. Note that 1 Des Moines program offers free training — see the highlighted options above.

How to Become a CNA in Des Moines, IA

1. 1

   Confirm you meet Iowa's eligibility requirements

   You must be at least 16 years old, free of any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any state registry, and willing to complete a criminal background check through DIAL. You must also provide proof of vaccination or signed waivers for Hepatitis B, COVID-19, influenza, and tuberculosis before clinical hours begin.

2. 2

   Enroll in a DIAL-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP)

   Find a Nurse Aide Training Program approved by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. Approved providers include Iowa's 15 community colleges, many nursing facilities, and select private schools. The program must provide at least 75 hours of instruction, with roughly 45 hours of classroom/lab work and at least 30 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed care setting.

3. 3

   Complete training and have your instructor enter you into TMU

   Pass all classroom modules and demonstrate the required clinical skills. Your instructor will enter your record into the TestMaster Universe (TMU) testing platform, which then emails you instructions to set up your account, choose a testing site, and schedule both portions of your competency evaluation.

4. 4

   Schedule and pay for your competency exam

   Through TMU, schedule your written and skills tests. As of January 2026 the written exam can be taken at an Iowa community college ($50), online via TestMaster's Remotely Proctored Knowledge Exam ($50), or through Credentia ($70). The skills test is taken in person at a community college ($115) or at Health Tech Associates (about $135).

5. 5

   Pass both portions of the Iowa competency evaluation

   The knowledge exam is a multiple-choice test; the skills test asks you to perform 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills under a nurse evaluator's observation using the printed checklist criteria. You have 24 months from program completion to pass both portions, or you must retrain.

6. 6

   Get listed on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry

   After you pass both portions, your scores and personal information are submitted automatically to DIAL. DIAL then adds your record to the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry, usually within 7-14 days. You can verify your status at dia-hfd.iowa.gov.

7. 7

   Begin working as a CNA in Iowa

   Once your status shows Active on the Direct Care Worker Registry, you may legally work as a CNA in any Iowa-licensed nursing facility, hospital, home health agency, or hospice. To stay active you must complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing services every 24 months — your employer reports this directly to the registry.

Becoming a CNA in Iowa

Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide in Iowa is regulated by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), which approves all Nurse Aide Training Programs, oversees the Direct Care Worker Registry, and as of January 2026 contracts with TestMaster Universe/Headmaster as the central testing administrator. Iowa requires the federal minimum of 75 hours of training — with roughly 45 classroom/lab hours and at least 30 clinical hours — which is identical to neighboring Missouri and Nebraska but well below California's 160-hour standard.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Des Moines