CNA Classes in Portland, OR

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Portland?

Tuition at Portland programs runs $650 (about $650 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($106 OSBN application fee paid through the OSBN Nurse Portal, which covers initial exam authorization with D&SDT-Headmaster; retake fees are $25 knowledge, $45 skills, or $70 for both), the application/registry fee ($106 OSBN CNA application fee), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Oregon typically falls around $900-$1,800 including 155-hour tuition, OSBN application fee, Fieldprint background check (~$70.50), Headmaster exam fees, and required supplies.

How to Become a CNA in Portland, OR

1. 1

   Confirm OSBN eligibility

   You must be physically and mentally able to perform CNA duties safely, able to communicate in English, and free of disqualifying criminal history. The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) reviews each application individually under OAR Chapter 851 Division 062.

2. 2

   Enroll in an OSBN-approved 155-hour CNA program

   Choose a program approved by OSBN. Approved programs include community colleges (PCC, Chemeketa, Lane), private vocational schools (e.g., Caregiver Training Institute), and employer-sponsored classes at hospitals and long-term care facilities. The curriculum must include 80 classroom/lab hours and 75 supervised clinical hours under an RN instructor.

3. 3

   Complete the 80 hours of classroom and 75 hours of clinical

   Topics include human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, vital signs, communication, personal care, resident rights, nutrition, and the geriatric-care emphasis Oregon places on its curriculum. Clinical hours take place in skilled nursing, hospital, residential care, or assisted living settings under direct RN supervision.

4. 4

   Submit Fieldprint fingerprints and OSBN application

   Complete fingerprint-based criminal history check through Fieldprint Inc. (approximately $70.50) and submit your $106 CNA application to OSBN through the Oregon Nurse Portal at osbn.boardsofnursing.org/orbn. OSBN reviews your training documentation and approves you to test.

5. 5

   Register for the Headmaster Oregon CNA exam

   Once OSBN approves you to test, register with D&SDT-Headmaster at hdmaster.com. The knowledge test is 75 multiple-choice questions over 90 minutes with a 75% passing score, and the skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected hands-on skills within 35 minutes for a Headmaster evaluator.

6. 6

   Get added to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry

   After you pass both portions of the Headmaster exam, results are reported to OSBN. Once fingerprint clearance is also received, OSBN issues your CNA certificate and lists your name on the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry, which employers verify through the OSBN license-lookup tool.

7. 7

   Renew every two years

   Oregon CNA certifications are valid for 24 months. You must renew through the Oregon Nurse Portal, document at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work in the prior 24 months, and pay the renewal fee. OSBN does not require continuing education for CNA renewal, but employers may.

Becoming a CNA in Oregon

Oregon has one of the most rigorous CNA pathways in the United States, set and enforced by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) - the same board that regulates RNs and LPNs. The Oregon CNA program requires 155 training hours (80 classroom/lab + 75 clinical), more than double the federal OBRA 75-hour minimum, reflecting Oregon's strong emphasis on geriatric care and patient safety.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Portland