CNA Classes in Raleigh, NC

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Raleigh?

Tuition at Raleigh programs runs $150 (about $150 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Approximately $120 total for both portions), the application/registry fee (Included in the Pearson VUE testing packet; no separate state application fee), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in North Carolina typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,200 for NA I; NA II adds another $600–$1,500.

How to Become a CNA in Raleigh, NC

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the prerequisites

   You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under NC healthcare worker background check rules, and able to read and write English. The North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation does not require a high school diploma for NA I certification, though most training programs require basic English literacy and some require students to be 18.

2. 2

   Find a North Carolina DHSR-approved Nurse Aide I Training Program

   Look for a 75-hour state-approved NA I program. Approved programs are run through the North Carolina Community College System, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Many NC LTC chains in the Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Asheville markets sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.

3. 3

   Complete the 75-hour NA I training program

   Pass all 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience. Your program issues a program completion certificate that allows you to register for the Pearson VUE competency exam. Note that this credentials you as Nurse Aide I — if you want NA II credentials with expanded scope of practice, you must complete a separate, longer NA II program.

4. 4

   Complete SBI and FBI background screening

   Submit fingerprints for both NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) 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 Pearson VUE competency exam

   Submit your North Carolina Nurse Aide I application through home.pearsonvue.com/nc/nurseaide. The total cost is approximately $120 for both portions. Schedule the written/oral and skills exams at a Pearson VUE Professional Center in North Carolina, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.

6. 6

   Get listed on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry

   Once you pass both exam portions, Pearson VUE transmits your results to the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation and you are added to the state Nurse Aide I Registry. You can verify your status at ncnar.org. From that point you are credentialed as a NA I and can work in any NC licensed healthcare facility.

7. 7

   Consider Nurse Aide II if you want expanded scope

   After working as a NA I, you can pursue Nurse Aide II (NA II) certification, which requires an additional 80+ hours of training and a separate competency evaluation through the North Carolina Board of Nursing. NA II allows expanded clinical skills like sterile dressing changes, catheterization, and certain medication administration. This is North Carolina-specific — most other states have a single CNA tier.

Becoming a CNA in North Carolina

Becoming a CNA in North Carolina is unique because the state operates a two-tier nursing assistant credentialing system that no other state quite matches. The entry-level credential, Nurse Aide I (NA I), is the equivalent of the standard CNA found in other states and requires the federal-minimum 75 hours of training. The advanced credential, Nurse Aide II (NA II), requires an additional 80+ hours of training and a separate competency evaluation and authorizes expanded clinical skills like sterile dressing changes, catheterization, and certain medication administration. Most CNA pathways in NC start with NA I and add NA II later, after gaining experience, to broaden employment options.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Raleigh