North Carolina's aging population is pushing CNA demand higher in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health agencies. Entry requires completing at least 75 hours of state-approved training, including supervised clinical instruction, before you can sit for the Nurse Aide I competency exam.
Costs and formats vary sharply. Community college CNA programs typically cost $500 to $1,500, while private programs can exceed $2,500. Employer-sponsored training may be free with a work commitment, and hybrid classes allow theory online with labs and clinicals kept in person.
Ranked program lists, certification steps, cost breakdowns, and metro salary figures sharpen the comparison, but the bigger constraint for many students is not tuition; it is landing a clinical seat close to home.
Top CNA Programs in North Carolina for 2027
North Carolina's community colleges are where most nurse aide careers begin, and the twelve programs below are strong affordable options to consider as you plan CNA training for 2027. Each combines low published tuition with a state-approved Nurse Aide curriculum that leads to exam eligibility, and most are built around campus labs and clinical placements rather than fully online coursework. Compare the cost and schedule details on each card, then confirm current session dates with the college before applying.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt burden
- Net price and tuition costs
- Access to financial aid
- Graduation and completion rates
- Program format and length
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Craven Community College
#1New Bern, NC · $3,000/yr (net price)
Best for: Students planning a CNA-to-nursing career pathway
Craven Community College's Nurse Aide Level I program is a campus-based sequence of classroom, lab, and clinical work, with state testing held on campus so students can move from coursework to credential without an extra trip. The college's health pathway connects to CarolinaEast Medical Center, and students who continue into the nursing sequence can work toward Nurse Aide II registry listing. The overall graduation rate for Craven is about 48 percent, a campus-wide figure rather than an outcome for this certificate alone.
- Campus-based with classroom, lab, and clinical training
- State testing available on campus
- NC state exam fee of $140
- High school diploma or GED required
- Background check and health documentation needed
- Prepares for hospital, nursing home, and home health jobs
Richmond Community College
#2Hamlet, NC · $2,000 – $7,000/yr
Best for: Working adults needing day or evening schedules
Richmond Community College offers its Nursing Assistant I course on the Hamlet and Scotland County campuses, with day or evening sections and 166 to 172 hours of combined instruction. Tuition runs $180 with $270 in fees, and self-pay students can tap scholarship support, including the UnitedHealthcare Future Leaders in Health Scholarship Program, which covers Nurse Aide learners. The college charges no application fee and maintains an open admissions policy. Its overall graduation rate is roughly 46 percent, reported across the institution rather than for this course alone.
- 166 to 172 contact hours
- Day or evening class options
- Tuition $180 plus $270 in fees
- Scholarships for self-pay students
- Accuplacer reading or college English prerequisite
- State exam administered through Credentia
- Leads to NC Nurse Aide I Registry listing
Beaufort County Community College
#3Washington, NC · $7,000/yr
Best for: Rural residents seeking funded certification training
Beaufort County Community College keeps its Nurse Aide I course affordable at $205.25 and offers free training options for eligible students, with multiple schedules and a 164 hour format. Training is campus-based and covers personal care, vital signs, infection control, and communication, with clinical experience before the state competency exam. Area residents can also use the Beaufort Promise Scholarship, which includes non-credit students in short-term certificate programs of 50 or more contact hours. Beaufort's overall graduation rate is near 48 percent, an institution-wide measure rather than a nurse aide program statistic.
- 164 hour campus-based training
- Course cost $205.25
- Free options for eligible students
- Covers personal care, vital signs, infection control, and communication
- Hands-on clinical experience included
- State competency exam and registry eligibility
- Multiple class schedules available
Robeson Community College
#4Lumberton, NC · $3,000 – $9,000/yr
Robeson Community College's Nurse Aide course reaches beyond the basics, with training in dementia care, mental health support, and end-of-life care alongside personal care, vital signs, nutrition, and infection prevention. Tuition is $202.60, books and screening fees are separate, and CPR certification is included in the program. Students can continue into Nurse Aide II training after earning their first state credential. The college's overall graduation rate is about 33 percent, representing the full campus rather than the nurse aide track.
- Tuition $202.60; book cost around $140
- Background check and drug test about $95
- CPR certification included
- Covers dementia, mental health, and end-of-life care
- Clinical training included
- Three state exam attempts within two years
- Nurse Aide II training available
Wayne Community College
#5Goldsboro, NC · $2,000/yr
Wayne Community College offers an ACEN-accredited CNA certificate through its Workforce Continuing Education division, pairing classroom and lab work with clinical practice in healthcare settings. Tuition is $180 plus a small insurance fee, CPR training can be added for $5, and the same division offers refresher courses for registry renewal. Enrollment starts with a mandatory information session, criminal background check, drug screen, and vaccination records. Wayne's campus-wide graduation rate is about 49 percent, an institutional figure rather than a result for this certificate.
- ACEN-accredited program
- Tuition $180 plus small insurance fee
- CPR training available for $5
- Nurse Aide I and II courses offered
- Mandatory information session required
- Background check, drug screen, and vaccinations needed
- Refresher courses for recertification available
Lenoir Community College
#6Kinston, NC · $3,000 – $9,000/yr
Lenoir Community College structures CNA training as a pathway with a Nurse Aide Level I certificate and a separate Nurse Aide Level II offering, both available on multiple campuses and open to qualified high school students. Level I is a one to two semester short-term program that includes clinical experiences and skill competency evaluation, with a focus on personal care for elderly and adult patients. The college's overall graduation rate is about 36 percent, a campus-wide metric reported across all Lenoir students.
- One to two semester format
- Clinical experience and skill evaluation included
- Focus on personal care for elderly and adult patients
- Open to high school students
- Multiple campus locations
- Prepares for Nurse Aide II registry listing
- Campus-based program
Piedmont Community College
#7Roxboro, NC · $1,000/yr
Piedmont Community College publishes a clear price for its Nurse Aide course: $244 registration, with the $140 state exam and supply kit costs separate. Scholarships are available to local residents, although federal financial aid does not apply to this continuing education course. The campus program covers personal care, vital signs, nutrition, medical asepsis, safety, and employment skills, then prepares students for the Nurse Aide I registry. Overall, Piedmont's institution-wide graduation rate is about 20 percent, a campus statistic rather than a measure of this course.
- Registration cost $244
- State exam fee $140 paid separately
- Blood pressure cuff kit $43.53
- Scholarships for local residents
- Financial aid not available for this course
- Covers vital signs, nutrition, medical asepsis, and safety
- Minimum age 16.5
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds
McDowell Technical Community College
#8Marion, NC · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
McDowell Technical Community College offers a one semester, state-approved Nurse Aide I course that includes personal care, vital signs, infection prevention, and additional training in dementia and end-of-life care. Students start with an eligibility meeting and must meet clinical site immunization requirements before entering the lab and clinical phases. The state exam is administered through Credentia, and graduates are listed on the NCDHHS Nurse Aide Registry; local starting wages are around $16 an hour. McDowell's overall graduation rate is about 48 percent, an institution-wide figure rather than a program-level result.
- One semester, state-approved course
- Credentia administers certification testing
- Leads to NCDHHS Nurse Aide Registry listing
- Local starting wages around $16 per hour
- Minimum age 16.5 with ID and Social Security card
- Covers dementia care and end-of-life care
- Eligibility meeting required before enrollment
Southwestern Community College
#9Sylva, NC · $5,000/yr
Southwestern Community College frames CNA prep as a health science certificate rather than a short workshop: 18 credits spanning NAS 101, NAS 102, MED 121, and MED 122 across the fall and spring semesters. Students need a grade of C or better, and the program adds CPR certification, clinical education, and the physical standards expected in nursing roles. High school students can enroll through the Career & College Promise pathway. Southwestern's campus-wide graduation rate is about 53 percent, an institutional statistic rather than a nurse aide certificate outcome.
- 18 credits: NAS 101, NAS 102, MED 121, MED 122
- Spans fall and spring semesters
- Requires grade of C or better
- Clinical education included
- CPR certification integrated
- Open to high school students through Career and College Promise
- Limited enrollment program
- Leads to NC Nurse Aide I registry listing
Sampson Community College
#10Clinton, NC · $3,000 – $10,000/yr
Sampson Community College's Nurse Aide I certificate is an in-person program with 48 required clinical hours, so students get supervised patient contact before the state exam. Course cost is $222.08, plus uniforms and equipment, and the program carries ACEN accreditation. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, proof of immunizations, a physical exam, and a TB test. The campus-wide graduation rate at Sampson is about 56 percent, reported for all students rather than the nurse aide program alone.
- ACEN-accredited program
- 48 clinical hours required
- Cost $222.08
- Classroom, lab, and clinical structure
- High school diploma or GED required
- Immunization records, physical, and TB test needed
- Leads to NC Nurse Aide I registry listing
Wilson Community College
#11Wilson, NC · $3,000/yr (net price)
Wilson Community College builds its Nurse Aide I course around lecture, skills lab, and clinical experience, with CPR certification required before program completion. Registration is about $180, small campus and insurance fees add about $38, and the state exam costs $140; screening fees run about $120. Scholarship opportunities may be available. Wilson's overall graduation rate is about 27 percent, an institutional figure rather than an outcome for the nurse aide course.
- Registration fee $180 plus small campus fees
- Technology, security, and insurance fees apply
- State exam costs $140
- Screening fees about $120
- CPR certification required
- Lecture, lab, and clinical experience format
- Scholarship opportunities may be available
South Piedmont Community College
#12Polkton, NC · $2,000 – $7,000/yr
South Piedmont Community College offers the Nurse Assistant I (CNA I) certificate as a 16-week, 15-credit program that blends online coursework with in-person clinical training. Admission expects an unweighted GPA of 2.8, and high school students can begin the certificate early. Graduates are prepared for direct patient care jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health, and the certificate can feed into further nursing study. South Piedmont's overall graduation rate is about 38 percent, reported at the campus level rather than for this certificate.
- 16-week program length
- 15 credit hours
- Blended online and in-person format
- Unweighted GPA of 2.8 required
- Open to high school students
- Hands-on clinical training included
- Prepares for entry-level patient care jobs
How to Become a CNA in North Carolina
Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in North Carolina is one of the fastest paths into healthcare. Most aspiring CNAs move from enrollment to employment in 4 to 12 weeks, depending on their chosen program format. Here is the step-by-step process you will follow.
NC CNA Certification Requirements, Exam Details, and Registry
The path to become a certified nursing assistant in North Carolina involves completing a state-approved training program, passing a two-part competency exam, and securing a spot on the official registry maintained by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR). Each step has specific rules, and knowing them upfront prevents costly delays.
Training Hour Minimums and Approved Programs
North Carolina requires a minimum of 75 clock hours of combined classroom and clinical instruction through a state-approved CNA training program. Only programs that hold active DHSR approval count toward exam eligibility. RNs and LPNs with a current, unrestricted North Carolina license may be listed on the registry without completing the competency exam, though specific conditions apply.
The NNAAP Exam: What to Expect
After finishing an approved program, candidates must pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam, which has two components:
- Written (or oral) knowledge test: Covers infection control, safety, patient rights, communication, and basic nursing skills.
- Hands-on skills evaluation: Candidates demonstrate selected clinical tasks in front of an evaluator.
Both sections must be passed to earn certification.1 You have two years from your training completion date or three attempts, whichever comes first.1 If you exhaust either limit without passing, you must retrain at a state-approved program before testing again. The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook for North Carolina outlines scheduling, scoring, and testing center details.
Getting on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry
Once you pass both exam components, DHSR processes your registry listing. The application includes a background review, though the specific list of criminal history disqualifiers is not publicly itemized in a single document. Candidates with concerns should contact DHSR directly for guidance before enrolling in training.
Renewal and Reciprocity
Your listing must be renewed every 24 months. To qualify for renewal, you need at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work during that period, performed under the delegation and supervision of a registered nurse.
If you hold an active, good-standing CNA credential from another state, North Carolina does offer reciprocity. You must submit a Reciprocity Application and be placed on the NC registry before performing any nurse aide duties in the state. There is no option to work while the application is pending.
Explore other North Carolina related topics
Free and Employer-Sponsored CNA Training in North Carolina
Where can you find no-cost CNA programs in North Carolina? Several pathways exist, but each comes with specific requirements you should understand before committing.
Employer-Sponsored Training at Nursing Homes and Hospitals
Many long-term care facilities offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment, typically lasting 6 to 12 months after you earn your certification. Programs usually run 3 to 6 weeks and include the required 75 hours of training, with clinical instruction completed on-site. Facilities that have offered sponsored training include Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, The GrayBrier, Davis Regional Medical Center, and Flesher's Fairview Health and Retirement Center. Carolina Caring runs a four-week program with periodic application windows. Some employers, like CIHA, pay trainees $15 per hour during the program and cover exam fees.
Before enrolling, confirm the facility is currently accepting cohorts, as availability changes frequently.
Workforce Development Funding Through NCWorks
NCWorks Career Centers administer WIOA funding that can cover CNA tuition at approved training providers. Eligibility depends on income, employment barriers, and local workforce board criteria. You must select a program from the Eligible Training Provider List, and funding is not automatic. Contact your local NCWorks office to verify current funding availability and application deadlines.
Community College Aid Options
Community college CNA classes and programs typically cost $500 to $1,500. Some offer grants or reimbursements: Johnston Community College provides a $500 reimbursement for CNA training through a partnership program. However, funding can be limited. Nash Community College's continuing education scholarships, for example, were exhausted for the 2025-2026 cycle.
What to Ask Before Enrolling
Free programs often have waitlists, geographic restrictions, or mandatory work commitments. Ask about current intake dates, the length of any employment obligation, and what happens if you leave early.
Online and Hybrid CNA Classes Available in NC
North Carolina's Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) allows approved programs to deliver didactic (theory) hours online, but lab and clinical hours must always be completed in person. The state mandates at least 75 total training hours, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a skilled nursing facility. No fully online CNA program is accepted for NC certification, so be cautious of any provider claiming otherwise.
| Format Type | What Is Completed Online | What Is Completed In Person | Typical Duration | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fully In Person | Nothing; all lectures, labs, and clinicals take place on campus or at clinical sites | All didactic instruction, skills lab practice, and clinical rotation hours | 4 to 8 weeks (varies by program schedule) | Students who prefer face to face learning and have a schedule that allows regular daytime or evening campus attendance |
| Hybrid (Online Lectures + In Person Clinicals) | Didactic and theory coursework delivered through web based modules or virtual lectures | Skills lab sessions and all required clinical rotation hours at approved facilities | 4 to 8 weeks, though some fast track options compress the timeline | Working adults and busy students who want flexible theory hours but can attend scheduled in person labs and clinicals |
| Fully Online (Not Accepted in NC) | Some out of state providers advertise 100% online theory content | NC DHSR requires hands on clinical hours under direct supervision, so no fully online pathway qualifies for state certification | Not applicable for NC certification | Not a viable option for anyone seeking placement on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry |
What CNA Training Costs Across North Carolina
CNA training in North Carolina is remarkably affordable, especially at the state's community colleges. The figures below reflect institution-level average net prices after financial aid, so your actual out-of-pocket cost for a CNA certificate program may be even lower depending on scholarships and local funding.
Choosing the Right CNA Program for Your Situation
Picking a CNA program is less about finding the "best" school and more about how to choose a nursing program that matches your budget, schedule, and career goals. Work through these factors before you enroll.
Weigh the Practical Factors
- Cost: Net prices in North Carolina typically run from around $700 at community colleges to over $2,500 at private training institutes. Factor in books, uniforms, background checks, and exam fees.
- Location and format: A campus 40 minutes away with evening clinicals may beat a closer program that only runs daytime shifts. Fully online CNA training is not valid in NC, but hybrid options with local clinical placements are.
- Program length: Accelerated 4 to 6 week tracks suit fast starters; 8 to 16 week schedules work better if you are balancing a job.
- Clinical partnerships: Ask which long-term care facilities or hospitals host clinicals. Strong partnerships often lead to job offers.
Verify and Ask the Right Questions
Confirm the program is approved by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR). Not every advertised course leads to a valid nurse aide certification. Check the school's overall graduation rate as a rough signal of student support. Then ask directly: What is your NNAAP first-time pass rate? Do you offer job placement help? Do you submit registry paperwork on my behalf, or is that on me?
CNA Classes by City: Raleigh, Charlotte, Fayetteville, and More
North Carolina's community colleges offer CNA training across the state, making it possible to find a program close to home no matter where you live. The table below organizes programs by city so you can quickly identify options in your area. Net price reflects the average annual institutional cost after financial aid, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education.
| School Name | City | Program Type | Institutional Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | Campus | $7,200 |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield | Campus | $1,776 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | Thomasville | Campus | $8,753 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson | Campus | $10,810 |
| Craven Community College | New Bern | Campus | $3,289 |
| Richmond Community College | Hamlet | Campus | $5,071 |
| Beaufort County Community College | Washington | Campus | $6,500 |
| Robeson Community College | Lumberton | Campus | $2,892 |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro | Campus | $2,245 |
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston | Campus | $4,127 |
| Piedmont Community College | Roxboro | Campus | $1,095 |
| McDowell Technical Community College | Marion | Campus | $7,784 |
| Southwestern Community College | Sylva | Campus | $5,207 |
| Sampson Community College | Clinton | Campus | $3,108 |
| Wilson Community College | Wilson | Campus | $3,064 |
| South Piedmont Community College | Polkton | Campus | $6,675 |
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale | Campus | $10,758 |
| Mayland Community College | Spruce Pine | Campus | $5,861 |
| Halifax Community College | Weldon | Campus | $9,040 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock | Campus | $5,756 |
More CNA Programs to Explore in North Carolina
This directory rounds up additional nurse aide programs across North Carolina for readers who want to compare more options. Browse by region to find training closer to home, then follow each listing to the school for current schedules, costs, and admission steps.
Western North Carolina
- Nurse Aide I
- Nursing Assistant I
- Nursing Assistant II
- Nurse Aide
- Nurse Assistant I
- Nurse Aide I
- Nurse Aide I
Piedmont Triad
- Nursing Assistant I
- Nursing Assistant II
- Nursing Assistant I
Greater Charlotte Area
- Nurse Aide I
Greater Raleigh Area
- Nurse Aide Certification
Northeastern North Carolina
- Nurse Aide I
- Nurse Aide II
Southeastern North Carolina
- Nurse Aide I
- Nurse Aide II
- Nurse Aide
- Nursing Assistant
- Nurse Aide [NA]