CNA Classes in Knoxville, TN
Knoxville, TN has 7 state-approved CNA training programs in our directory. Published tuition ranges from Free to $850, averaging about $680. 1 program offers no-cost training. Every program below meets Tennessee's 75 hours training requirement and prepares you for the Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) competency exam. Tennessee uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its testing vendor and offers a 120-day temporary work permit so you can begin earning a CNA wage immediately after completing training, before you have passed the competency exam
Last updated June 2026 · 7 programs listed
Programs in Knoxville
7
Tuition Range
Free to $850
State Required Hours
75 hours
Exam Vendor
Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies)
Fastest in Knoxville
Excel Academy
Approximately 3 weeks full-time; 3.5 weeks part-time
View details →Compare CNA Programs in Knoxville
All 7 programs side by side. Tuition and duration are as published by each school; call to confirm current cohort dates.
| Program | Tuition | Duration | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville Nurse Aide Training Program 1100 Liberty Street | $591 | 120 hours | (865) 546-5567 | Details → |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville Certified Nurse Aide 1100 Liberty Street | Approximately $850 total | Approximately 2 months (120 clock hours) | (865) 546-5567 | Details → |
| Compassionate Care Technical Center Certified Nursing Assistant 900 East Woodland Avenue | Call for pricing | — | (865) 394-9960 | Details → |
| Excel Academy Certified Nurse Aide 900 East Hill Avenue, Suite 170 | Call for pricing | Approximately 3 weeks full-time; 3.5 weeks part-time | (865) 924-6899 | Details → |
| Goodwill Industries-Knoxville Certified Nurse Aide 5307 Kingston Pike | $600 program fee + $140 NAT exam fee | 6.5 weeks | (865) 588-8567 | Details → |
| Elite Technical Training Center Certified Nurse Aide 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite 204 | Call for pricing | — | (865) 246-1957 | Details → |
| Gateway Achievement Certified Nurse Aide 1645 Downtown West Boulevard, Unit 38 | Free tuition available through Senior Helpers partnership | — | (865) 293-5888 | Details → |
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville
Nurse Aide Training Program · 1100 Liberty Street
- Tuition
- $591
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville
Certified Nurse Aide · 1100 Liberty Street
- Tuition
- Approximately $850 total
- Duration
- Approximately 2 months (120 clock hours)
- Compassionate Care Technical Center
Certified Nursing Assistant · 900 East Woodland Avenue
- Tuition
- Call for pricing
- Duration
- —
- Excel Academy
Certified Nurse Aide · 900 East Hill Avenue, Suite 170
- Tuition
- Call for pricing
- Duration
- Approximately 3 weeks full-time; 3.5 weeks part-time
- Goodwill Industries-Knoxville
Certified Nurse Aide · 5307 Kingston Pike
- Tuition
- $600 program fee + $140 NAT exam fee
- Duration
- 6.5 weeks
- Elite Technical Training Center
Certified Nurse Aide · 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite 204
- Tuition
- Call for pricing
- Duration
- —
- Gateway Achievement
Certified Nurse Aide · 1645 Downtown West Boulevard, Unit 38
- Tuition
- Free tuition available through Senior Helpers partnership
- Duration
- —
How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Knoxville?
Tuition at Knoxville programs runs Free to $850 (about $680 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee (Approximately $97 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 Tennessee typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,200 (private program). Note that 1 Knoxville program offers free training — see the highlighted options above.
How to Become a CNA in Knoxville, TN
- 1
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Tennessee Department of Health rules, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the state, though most training programs require basic English literacy and some require students to be 18.
- 2
Find a Tennessee-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
Look for a 75-hour state-approved program. Approved programs are run by the Tennessee Board of Regents community college system, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Many Tennessee LTC operators in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
- 3
Complete the 75-hour training program
Pass all 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience. Your program issues a completion certificate that registers you with Headmaster for the competency exam.
- 4
Apply for a 120-day temporary work permit (optional)
Tennessee uniquely offers a 120-day temporary work permit for candidates who have completed approved training but have not yet passed the competency exam. This permit lets you work as a nurse aide under supervision while preparing for and taking your exam. Most candidates use this window to earn a CNA wage right away. Apply through your employer and the Tennessee Department of Health.
- 5
Complete TBI and FBI background screening
Submit fingerprints for both Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state 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.
- 6
Schedule and pass the Headmaster competency exam
Submit your application through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/tennessee and schedule the written/oral and skills exams. The total exam fee is approximately $97. You must pass both portions within 120 days if you are working under a temporary permit.
- 7
Get listed on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both portions and your background check clears, Headmaster transmits your results to the Tennessee Department of Health and you are added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure. From that point you are fully certified and can work in any Tennessee licensed healthcare facility without the temporary permit.
Becoming a CNA in Tennessee
Becoming a CNA in Tennessee is one of the more candidate-friendly pathways in the country, largely because of the state's unusual 120-day temporary work permit. After you complete the 75-hour state-approved training program, Tennessee lets you start working as a paid nurse aide under supervision for up to 120 days while you take the Headmaster competency exam. Most candidates use this window to begin earning a CNA wage right away, often 4 to 6 weeks into the process rather than waiting another 4 weeks for the exam and registry listing to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Knoxville
How many CNA training programs are available in Knoxville, TN?
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Our directory lists 7 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs in Knoxville, TN. All programs must meet Tennessee's minimum of 75 hours and prepare graduates to sit for the Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) competency exam.
How much does CNA training cost in Knoxville?
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Published tuition for CNA programs in Knoxville ranges from Free to $850. Gateway Achievement lists the lowest tuition at Free tuition available through Senior Helpers partnership. 1 program in Knoxville offers no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based). Total out-of-pocket cost also includes the state exam fee (Approximately $97 total for both portions), background check, and uniforms.
What is the fastest CNA program in Knoxville?
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Excel Academy offers the shortest published program in Knoxville at Approximately 3 weeks full-time; 3.5 weeks part-time. Tennessee requires 75 hours of state-approved training, so any accelerated program must compress the required hours into a shorter calendar window through full-time scheduling. Call (865) 924-6899 for current cohort start dates.
How do I become a CNA in Knoxville, TN?
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To work as a CNA in Knoxville, you must meet a Tennessee-approved training program of at least 75 hours, pass the Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) competency exam (Two-part exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation. Tennessee also offers a 120-day temporary work permit while you complete the exam.), and clear a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) state criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Most candidates complete the full process in 5–10 weeks (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks).
Are there free CNA classes in Knoxville?
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Yes. 1 Knoxville program on this directory offers no-cost CNA training: Gateway Achievement. Free training is typically employer-paid (nursing facilities sponsoring trainees in exchange for a work commitment), federally funded (Job Corps), or scholarship-based.