CNA Classes in Lexington, KY

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Lexington?

Tuition at Lexington programs runs $750 to $858 (about $803 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($135 total for the written track ($40 written knowledge + $95 skills) or $150 total for the oral track ($55 oral/audio + $95 skills) paid to KCTCS via ky.tmutest.com; testing fees are non-refundable), the application/registry fee ($0 directly to the Kentucky Board of Nursing for initial SRNA registry placement after passing the KNAT), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Kentucky typically falls around $0-$1,500 depending on whether training is employer-sponsored, KCTCS, or a private provider.

How to Become a CNA in Lexington, KY

1. 1

   Confirm you meet Kentucky's prerequisites

   Most Kentucky training programs require students to be at least 16 or 17 years old (set by each program), able to read and write English, and free of disqualifying convictions. You must be willing to undergo a Kentucky state and FBI criminal background check before clinical hours and registry placement. A high school diploma is not required by the state.

2. 2

   Enroll in a state-approved Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Training Program (KMNATP)

   Find a 75-hour nurse aide program approved by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Approved providers include the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) colleges, the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville Schools of Nursing, many long-term care facilities, and private schools. Training must include 59 classroom hours and at least 16 hours of clinical practice in a Medicaid-approved facility.

3. 3

   Complete training and obtain your KCTCS testing authorization

   Pass all classroom modules and demonstrate the required clinical competencies. Your training program will enter your record into the KCTCS TestMaster Universe (TMU) system, which authorizes you to register for the Kentucky Nurse Aide Test (KNAT).

4. 4

   Register for and schedule your KNAT exam

   Register through your local KNAT Coordinator via the KCTCS Nurse Aide Testing system (1-877-528-2748 or NurseAideTesting@kctcs.edu). The combined fee for both portions is approximately $115. You may test at any approved Kentucky testing location regardless of where you trained. Permanent employees must test within four months of hire; unemployed graduates have 12 months from program completion.

5. 5

   Pass both portions of the Kentucky Nurse Aide Test

   The KNAT written exam is 75 multiple-choice questions in a 2-hour limit, requiring at least 70% to pass. The skills test asks you to perform 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills under a nurse evaluator's observation. Score both portions; KCTCS transmits results to the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

6. 6

   Get listed on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry as an SRNA

   After you pass both portions, the Kentucky Board of Nursing — in cooperation with the Department for Medicaid Services — adds you to the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry as a State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA). Verify your status at kybn.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup. Listing typically appears within 1-3 weeks.

7. 7

   Begin working as an SRNA in Kentucky

   Once you are listed as Active on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry you may work in any Kentucky-licensed long-term care facility, hospital, home health agency, or hospice. To maintain active status you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during each 24-month renewal cycle.

Becoming a CNA in Kentucky

Becoming a nurse aide in Kentucky follows a slightly different naming convention than most states: Kentucky credentials its aides as State Registered Nurse Aides (SRNAs) rather than CNAs. The pathway is governed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services' Department for Medicaid Services (which approves training programs under 907 KAR 1:450) and the Kentucky Board of Nursing (which maintains the registry). Training is 75 hours — the federal minimum — with about 59 classroom hours and at least 16 hours of clinical practice in a Medicaid-approved facility.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Lexington