CNA Classes in Lake Charles, LA

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Lake Charles?

Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($125 (knowledge + skills); $25 reschedule fee), the application/registry fee ($35 application fee paid to Prometric), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Louisiana typically falls around $200–$1,200 depending on whether training is employer-sponsored, at a community/technical college, or private.

How to Become a CNA in Lake Charles, LA

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the prerequisites

   You must be at least 18, able to read and write English, free of disqualifying felony convictions, and pass an LDH Health Standards Section background check. A high school diploma or GED is preferred by most training programs but not strictly required by LDH.

2. 2

   Find an LDH-HSS approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP)

   Locate an 80-hour state-approved program (40 classroom + 40 clinical, plus a 4-hour clinical site orientation that is not counted in the 80 hours). Programs are offered at Louisiana Community and Technical College System schools, career schools, and nursing facilities. LDH publishes the approved-program list on its Health Standards Section website.

3. 3

   Complete the 80-hour NATP

   Finish all 40 classroom hours (at least 16 hours before any clinical work begins) and all 40 clinical hours in a nursing home or hospital-based skilled nursing facility unit, plus the 4-hour clinical site orientation. Your program issues a completion certificate that allows you to register for the Prometric exam.

4. 4

   Apply through Prometric and pay the $35 application fee

   Submit your Louisiana CNA Application to Prometric (selecting Route 1 for in-state training graduates), along with a copy of your Social Security card and a Louisiana government-issued ID or military ID. The $35 application fee is paid to Prometric.

5. 5

   Pass the two-part Prometric competency exam

   Schedule both the written/oral knowledge test and the clinical skills evaluation. First-time candidates must complete both portions on the same day. You must finish testing within 12 months of completing your LDH-approved training program. The total exam fee is $125.

6. 6

   Get added to the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry

   Once you pass both exam portions, Prometric forwards your file to LDH for final approval and registry placement. You can verify your status at tlc.dhh.la.gov. Most Louisiana employers also check the separate DSW Adverse Actions Registry at adverseactions.ldh.la.gov before hiring.

Becoming a CNA in Louisiana

Louisiana has one of the shorter CNA training requirements in the country at 80 hours, which means most full-time candidates can complete their program in 4 to 6 weeks. The 80 hours split evenly into 40 classroom hours and 40 supervised clinical hours, but there are two scheduling quirks worth planning around: at least 16 of the 40 classroom hours must be completed before any clinical work can begin, and the program must include a separate 4-hour clinical site orientation that does not count toward the 80 hours. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) runs the largest network of approved programs, typically priced between $300 and $1,000.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Lake Charles