CNA Classes in Buffalo, NY

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Buffalo?

Tuition at Buffalo programs runs Free to $1,175 (about $1,175 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Approximately $115 total (varies; check Prometric's current NY fee schedule)), the application/registry fee (Included in the Prometric application packet (APPCNANY)), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in New York typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,500 (community college or private program). Note that 1 Buffalo program offers free training — see the highlighted options above.

How to Become a CNA in Buffalo, NY

1. 1

   Confirm you meet basic prerequisites

   Most NYSDOH-approved nursing-home nurse aide training programs require students to be at least 17 (some require 18), able to read, write, and speak English, and able to pass a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC). A high school diploma or GED is preferred by many programs and required by some, though not by NYSDOH regulation.

2. 2

   Find a NYSDOH-approved Nursing Home Nurse Aide Training Program

   Locate a 100-hour state-approved program. NYSDOH publishes a list of approved programs run by nursing homes, BOCES centers, community colleges, and private schools across the state. The program must include the required 70 hours of classroom/skills and 30 hours of clinical experience inside a NY-licensed nursing home.

3. 3

   Complete the 100-hour training program

   Finish all classroom theory, skills laboratory practice, and clinical experience. Some students complete the program in as little as 4 weeks full-time; part-time programs may run 8–12 weeks. You must complete the program within a defined time window before testing.

4. 4

   Submit the Prometric APPCNANY application and schedule your exam

   Your training program or you submit the New York Nurse Aide Application (APPCNANY) to Prometric at prometric.com/nurseaide. Schedule both the written (or oral) knowledge test and the skills evaluation at a Prometric-approved New York test center. You have up to two years from training completion to test.

5. 5

   Pass both portions of the Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination

   The written exam is multiple-choice (or oral by request for English-language-learner accommodations). The skills exam asks you to perform a hands-on set of nurse aide skills. Passing both adds you to the New York State Nurse Aide Registry. Prometric candidate services: 1-800-805-9128.

6. 6

   Verify your listing on the NYS Nurse Aide Registry

   After you pass, your information is added to the Prometric-hosted New York State Nurse Aide Registry at registry.prometric.com/public, updated daily. You can verify your active status by searching by name or certification number. You are now authorized to work as a CNA in any New York-licensed nursing home.

Becoming a CNA in New York

Becoming a CNA in New York means committing to 100 hours of state-approved training — 25 hours above the federal minimum. Most full-time programs run 4 to 8 weeks; part-time evening and weekend programs may run 8 to 12 weeks. The 100 hours split into a minimum of 70 hours of classroom and skills-lab instruction plus at least 30 hours of supervised clinical training inside a New York-licensed nursing home. Approved programs are run by nursing homes themselves, BOCES centers (especially in the suburbs and upstate), CUNY and SUNY community colleges, and private career schools across the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, and the rest of the state.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Buffalo