CNA Classes in Gulfport, MS
Gulfport, MS has 1 state-approved CNA training program in our directory. Published tuition ranges from $700, averaging about $700. Every program below meets Mississippi's 75 hours training requirement and prepares you for the Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) competency exam. Mississippi uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its testing vendor rather than the more common Prometric or Credentia, and allows up to three exam attempts within 24 months of completing training before a candidate must repeat the full 75-hour program
Last updated June 2026 · 1 program listed
Programs in Gulfport
1
Tuition Range
$700
State Required Hours
75 hours
Exam Vendor
Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies)
Compare CNA Programs in Gulfport
All 1 program side by side. Tuition and duration are as published by each school; call to confirm current cohort dates.
| Program | Tuition | Duration | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Certified Nursing Assistant Program 2226 Switzer Road | $700 | 100 hours | (228) 267-8648 | Details → |
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Certified Nursing Assistant Program · 2226 Switzer Road
- Tuition
- $700
- Duration
- 100 hours
How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Gulfport?
Tuition at Gulfport programs runs $700 (about $700 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Approximately $101 total for both portions), the application/registry fee (Application included in Headmaster's testing packet; no separate state application fee), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Mississippi typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,000 (private program).
How to Become a CNA in Gulfport, MS
- 1
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the Mississippi State Department of Health, though most training programs require basic English literacy and some require students to be 18.
- 2
Find a Mississippi State Department of Health-approved training program
Look for a 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program. Approved programs are offered through the Mississippi Community College Board's network, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Several Mississippi LTC chains sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
- 3
Complete the 75-hour training program
Pass all 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Your program issues a completion certificate that registers you with Headmaster for the competency exam.
- 4
Complete state and FBI background screening
Submit fingerprints for both Mississippi State Police criminal background check and federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Disqualifying offenses include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and vulnerable-adult abuse.
- 5
Schedule and pass the Headmaster competency exam
Submit your application through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/mississippi and schedule the written/oral and skills exams. The total exam fee is approximately $101. You have up to 24 months and up to three attempts from program completion before you must repeat the full 75-hour training program.
- 6
Get listed on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both portions of the exam, Headmaster transmits your results to the Mississippi State Department of Health and you are added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at the MSDH public nurse aide search portal. From that point you can work as a CNA in any Mississippi licensed healthcare facility.
Becoming a CNA in Mississippi
Becoming a CNA in Mississippi is one of the lowest-friction pathways in the South. The state sticks with the federal 75-hour training minimum, and most full-time training programs at community colleges and career schools can be completed in 4 to 6 weeks. Programs are typically priced in the $300 to $1,000 range, with several Mississippi LTC chains in Jackson, Tupelo, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi sponsoring training tuition in exchange for a 6 to 12 month work commitment, especially in markets facing acute staffing shortages.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Gulfport
How many CNA training programs are available in Gulfport, MS?
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Our directory lists 1 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training program in Gulfport, MS. All programs must meet Mississippi's minimum of 75 hours and prepare graduates to sit for the Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) competency exam.
How much does CNA training cost in Gulfport?
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Published tuition for CNA programs in Gulfport ranges from $700. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College lists the lowest tuition at $700. Total out-of-pocket cost also includes the state exam fee (Approximately $101 total for both portions), background check, and uniforms.
How do I become a CNA in Gulfport, MS?
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To work as a CNA in Gulfport, you must meet a Mississippi-approved training program of at least 75 hours, pass the Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) competency exam (Two-part exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation. Up to three exam attempts within 24 months of completing training before retraining is required.), and clear a Mississippi State Police criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Most candidates complete the full process in 5–10 weeks (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks).
Are there free CNA classes in Gulfport?
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No Gulfport program on our directory currently advertises free tuition, but many Mississippi nursing facilities pay for CNA training in exchange for a work commitment after certification. Ask local long-term care employers about employer-sponsored training programs, and check the American Red Cross and Job Corps for additional pathways.