CNA Classes in Salina, KS

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Salina?

Tuition at Salina programs runs $774 (about $774 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Headmaster testing fee of $38-$50 paid at the test site (varies — Donnelly College $38, Fort Hays Tech North Central $50; covers the combined written and skills competency evaluation), plus the $20 KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing application fee), the application/registry fee ($20 non-refundable KDADS application fee for initial certification), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Kansas typically falls around $0-$1,700 depending on whether training is employer-sponsored, a community/technical college, or a private school.

How to Become a CNA in Salina, KS

1. 1

   Confirm you meet Kansas's prerequisites

   Most KDADS-approved programs require students to be at least 17 years old, able to read and write English, and physically able to perform basic patient-care tasks. You must be willing to undergo a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) background check; certain felony convictions and any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or exploitation on a state registry will disqualify you.

2. 2

   Enroll in a KDADS-approved Nurse Aide Course

   Find a 90-hour nurse aide program approved by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Approved providers include Washburn Tech, the Kansas community college system, many adult care homes, and select private schools. The program must be split 50/50 between classroom education and clinical practice in a licensed adult care home.

3. 3

   Complete Part I (40 hours) — qualifying for Trainee II status

   Part I includes 20 hours of classroom and 20 hours of lab or clinical instruction, and covers 20 core CNA skills that an instructor evaluates using the Part I NATCEP Task Checklist. Once an RN signs off, you may be employed in a Kansas adult care home as a Trainee II for up to four months while you finish Part II.

4. 4

   Complete Part II (50 hours) and finish the full 90-hour curriculum

   Part II adds 25 hours of advanced classroom instruction and 25 clinical hours in a licensed Kansas adult care home, covering documentation, dementia care, mobility, characteristics of aging, comfort, nutrition, first aid, and end-of-life care.

5. 5

   Register for the Headmaster (D&SDT) state competency exam

   Register through TMU (TestMaster Universe), pay the $20 KDADS testing fee plus Headmaster site charges, and schedule both portions of the exam. The written test is multiple choice (oral version available on request); the skills test requires you to perform 5 randomly assigned skills in front of a nurse evaluator.

6. 6

   Pass both portions and submit the KDADS application

   Pass both the knowledge and skills tests. Submit the $20 KDADS application fee and any supporting documents through Health Occupations Credentialing. Your name is typically added to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry within 2-3 weeks.

7. 7

   Begin working — and renew every two years

   Once you are listed on the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry you may work in any KDADS-licensed adult care home, nursing facility, hospital, or home health agency. To renew every 2 years you must complete at least 8 hours of paid CNA work (not in a doctor's office or clinic) and submit the Employment Verification Form to KDADS.

Becoming a CNA in Kansas

Becoming a CNA in Kansas is overseen by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), specifically the Health Occupations Credentialing section based at 503 S Kansas Ave in Topeka. Kansas requires 90 hours of state-approved training — 15 hours above the federal minimum of 75 — split evenly between classroom education and supervised clinical practice in a licensed adult care home. The state contracts with Headmaster LLP (D&SDT) as the sole competency exam vendor using the TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Salina