CNA Classes in Boston, MA

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Boston?

Tuition at Boston programs runs $700 (about $700 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Approximately $115 total for both portions), the application/registry fee (Included in the Prometric application; no separate state application fee), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Massachusetts typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,500 (private program).

How to Become a CNA in Boston, MA

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the prerequisites

   You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Massachusetts CORI rules, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement, though most training programs require basic English literacy. Some MA programs have their own age minimum of 18.

2. 2

   Find a Massachusetts DPH-approved Nurse Aide Training Program

   Look for a 75-hour state-approved program. Approved programs are run by Massachusetts community colleges, technical schools, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Many MA nursing homes — particularly in the Boston metro, Worcester, and Springfield areas — sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.

3. 3

   Complete the 75-hour training program

   Pass all 75 hours, including at least 21 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Your program issues a completion certificate that allows you to register for the Prometric competency exam.

4. 4

   Apply through Prometric and schedule the exam

   Submit your Massachusetts Nurse Aide Examination application through prometric.com/nurseaide/ma. The total cost is approximately $115 for both portions. Schedule the written/oral and skills exams at a Prometric-approved Massachusetts test center, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.

5. 5

   Pass both portions of the competency exam

   Pass the written (or oral) knowledge test and the hands-on skills evaluation. Both must be passed to be added to the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry.

6. 6

   Complete CORI screening when hired

   Unlike most states, the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check is conducted by your employer when you are hired, not by the state before certification. You will need to consent to CORI screening for every healthcare employer who hires you. Disqualifying offenses under CORI rules include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, and vulnerable-adult abuse.

7. 7

   Verify your registry listing and begin work

   Once you pass the Prometric exam, your name is added to the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry, which you can verify at checkcna.mass.gov. From that point you are listed as a certified nurse aide and can apply for CNA positions throughout the state — though your start date depends on your employer's CORI processing.

Becoming a CNA in Massachusetts

Becoming a CNA in Massachusetts is one of the most procedurally distinctive pathways in the country — and the difference is the background check. Most states require a fingerprint-based state and federal background check before the state will issue your CNA certification. Massachusetts handles this differently: there is no pre-certification background check from the state, but your employer is required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check before you can begin work in any licensed facility. This means you can become certified before you have an employer lined up, but every employer you work for will run a CORI check on you separately.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Boston