CNA Classes in Wahpeton, ND

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Wahpeton?

Tuition at Wahpeton programs runs $650 (about $650 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($250 combined Skills + Knowledge Exam through D&SDT-Headmaster (audio version of the Knowledge Exam adds $10); retake fees are $120 knowledge or $170 skills), the application/registry fee (No initial registration fee charged by NDHHS once the exam is passed), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in North Dakota typically falls around $500-$1,500 including tuition, background check, and Headmaster testing fees.

How to Become a CNA in Wahpeton, ND

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility and choose an NDHHS-approved program

   You must be at least 16 years old. North Dakota does not impose a high school diploma requirement at the state level, although individual schools may. Search the NDHHS Health Facilities Unit list of approved Nurse Aide Training Programs (NATPs) to identify a program at a community college, tribal college, long-term care facility, or hospital near you.

2. 2

   Complete a 75-hour Nurse Aide Training Program

   Curriculum is set by NDHHS under N.D. Admin. Code 33-07-06 and 33-43-01 and includes at least 16 hours of pre-clinical instruction in topics such as resident rights, communication, infection control, and safety before any hands-on resident care begins. Programs typically run 3 to 8 weeks depending on schedule.

3. 3

   Register for the Headmaster competency exam

   Your program will help you create a candidate profile in the TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform operated by D&SDT-Headmaster. The Knowledge Test contains 60 multiple-choice items and may be taken in written or oral format; the Skills Test consists of five randomly assigned hands-on procedures (one always being hand hygiene).

4. 4

   Pass both portions within two years of training

   You have up to two years from completing your training to pass both sections. You may attempt each component three times; if you fail a component three times, you must repeat the full 75-hour training program before re-testing. A score of 75% or higher is required on the written portion.

5. 5

   Get added to the North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry

   Once you pass both components, Headmaster reports your results directly to NDHHS, which adds you to the Nurse Aide Registry. There is no separate registration fee. You will receive a CNA number that employers use to verify your status through the public registry at services.ndhhs.gov/nurseaide/verify/.

6. 6

   Complete the required background check on hire

   North Dakota performs the criminal background check at the point of employment rather than during licensure. Your employer will submit BCI and FBI fingerprint paperwork, and you must self-disclose any past convictions. Certain offenses listed in the federal Elder Justice Act will permanently disqualify a candidate.

7. 7

   Renew your registration every two years

   Renewal is free in North Dakota provided you complete it before your expiration date. You must attest to at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work performed under licensed nurse supervision within the prior 24 months. If you have not worked the minimum hours, you must retest with Headmaster to be reinstated.

Becoming a CNA in North Dakota

North Dakota's CNA pathway is administered by the Health Facilities Unit within the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS), based in Bismarck. The unit is the CMS-designated agency for nurse aide registration and oversees Nurse Aide Training Programs, the Headmaster competency exam contract, and the public Nurse Aide Registry.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Wahpeton