CNA Classes in Jackson, MS

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Jackson?

Tuition at Jackson programs runs $1,900 (about $1,900 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 Jackson, MS

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Jackson