Certified nursing assistants in Louisiana earn a median of roughly $30,510 a year, and the state's aging population and steady long-term care turnover keep entry-level openings open month after month. Training itself is short by healthcare standards: the state minimum is 80 hours, and programs run anywhere from two weeks to eight.
Cost is where the picture fractures. Institution-wide net prices among the ranked programs stretch from about $4,100 at public community colleges to $24,800 at private training centers, with a handful of tuition-free, employer-sponsored seats sitting in between. That spread, more than admissions difficulty, usually decides where a Louisiana CNA candidate ends up enrolling.
Louisiana's Best CNA Programs, Ranked for 2027
Louisiana's best CNA programs for 2027 are not one size fits all: the range runs from two-week private courses with evening schedules to eight-week community college tracks that count toward college credit, with a few tuition-free options supported by hospital systems. The strongest options share three traits: state approval you can verify, enough supervised clinical hours to feel ready for the job, and a schedule and total cost that fit your actual life. Program-level earnings are not yet published for most Louisiana CNA programs, so this guide sticks to facts you can confirm before enrolling.
How we ranked these
- Affordability after financial aid
- Graduate outcomes where available
- Completion and retention rates
- Clinical training and exam readiness
- State approval and curriculum quality
- 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
Infinity College
#1Lafayette, LA
Best for: Working adults needing flexible accelerated training
Infinity College compresses the CNA pathway into two weeks, with 80 clock hours of small-group instruction spread across day and evening schedules. An externship component provides hands-on experience, and open enrollment with frequent start dates gets new students seated quickly. Expanding Acadiana locations keep training convenient for Lafayette-area residents.
- Two-week program condenses 80 clock hours of training
- Day and evening schedules accommodate working students
- Externship component adds hands-on practice
- Curriculum includes infection control, safety, and personal care
- Addresses communication, mental health, and basic nursing skills
- Frequent start dates with open enrollment
- Federal financial aid is not available for this program
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
#2Minden, LA · $9,000/yr
Best for: North Louisiana students seeking affordable public training
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College anchors nurse aide training for the state's northwest parishes with an LDH-approved curriculum blending medical terminology, safety, and hands-on patient care. Graduates are prepared for nursing home and home health roles and can continue into Patient Care Technician or Practical Nursing programs on the same campus.
- LDH-approved program for Louisiana nurse aide training
- Classroom and clinical components included
- Covers medical terminology and healthcare safety
- Focuses on nursing home and home health careers
- On-campus pathways into Patient Care Technician or Practical Nursing
Compass Career College
#3Hammond, LA · $13,000/yr
Best for: First-time students wanting open-admission CNA classes
Compass Career College is an LDH-certified nurse aide training school with open admissions: no entrance exams or placement tests are required. The curriculum covers anatomy, patient care, and infection control, and embeds American Heart Association BLS provider training, so graduates leave with more than one credential. The weekday, commuter-friendly format suits first-time healthcare students on the North Shore.
- Meets Louisiana Department of Health program requirements
- Open admissions, no entrance exams or placement tests
- Includes American Heart Association BLS provider certification
- Prepares students for the Prometric state competency exam
- Focuses on care for elderly and diverse populations
- Nurse aide core is embedded in the Medical Assistant program
SOWELA Technical Community College
#4Lake Charles, LA · $8,000/yr (net price)
SOWELA's eight-week Nursing Assistant program is one of the clearest value stories in public CNA training: one published price that includes books, scrubs, the first certification exam attempt, and even three college credit hours. The School of Nursing and Allied Health curriculum targets long-term care, home health, and hospital roles, and a Jennings site expands access beyond Lake Charles.
- Eight-week program runs weekday mornings
- Cost of $1,950 includes books and scrubs
- First certification exam attempt included in tuition
- Course carries three college credit hours
- Scholarships and financial aid available
- Also offered at the Jennings campus location
Louisiana Delta Community College
#5Monroe, LA · $8,000/yr
Louisiana Delta Community College offers a concentrated CNA route at its Bastrop campus: 75 classroom and lab hours plus 40 clinical hours, with a published price of $1,998 and scholarship options. Short cohort sessions move students efficiently toward the Prometric exam, and the college is part of state sponsorship efforts that can cover tuition through health system partnerships.
- 75 classroom and lab hours plus 40 clinical hours
- Program cost of $1,998 with scholarships available
- Background check approval required by the Louisiana Department of Health
- Completers eligible for the Prometric certification test
- Serves as a partner in state CNA sponsorship programs
Nunez Community College
#6Chalmette, LA · ~$13,000/yr (est.)
Nunez Community College embeds its CNA certificate in a full nursing department, giving New Orleans-area students a natural path from nurse aide to Practical Nursing. The one-semester certificate emphasizes bedside care for hospitals, home health, and long-term care. Note for younger students: enrollment is open before age 18, but state certification requires turning 18.
- One-semester Career and Technical Certificate
- Prepares for bedside care in multiple healthcare settings
- Located within Nunez's larger nursing department
- Early enrollment possible before age 18, certification at 18
- Clear pathway into Practical Nursing programs
Fletcher Technical Community College
#7Schriever, LA · ~$11,000/yr (est.)
Fletcher Technical Community College runs an eight-week Nursing Assistant program that can be taken for college credit or as a non-credit credential. The credit track is tied to Adult Education and WorkReady U, an unusual bridge for students finishing high school equivalency work. Supervised clinicals take place at long-term care facilities, and the program holds ACEN accreditation.
- Eight-week format with classroom and clinical phases
- Credit and non-credit options with different tuition rates
- Credit track supports Adult Education and WorkReady U students
- Clinical rotations supervised at long-term care facilities
- ACEN accredited and Louisiana Department of Health approved
- Tuition starts around $1,160 depending on selected track
Baton Rouge Community College
#8Baton Rouge, LA · ~$9,000/yr (est.)
Baton Rouge Community College is a standout for free CNA training: its sponsorship program with Our Lady of the Lake covers tuition for a selected cohort in exchange for a one-year work commitment. A conventional 100-hour Certified Nurse Aide course through Workforce Solutions offers the same credential without employment strings at multiple BRCC locations.
- Tuition-free for accepted program participants
- Clinical training at an Our Lady of the Lake facility
- Requires high school diploma or GED
- One-year employment commitment at OLOL after completion
- Cohort limited to 30 students per cycle
- 100-hour course with theory, lab, and clinical components
- Non-credit offering through Workforce Solutions
- Multiple campus locations in the Baton Rouge area
- No employment commitment required
South Louisiana Community College
#9Lafayette, LA · $13,000/yr
South Louisiana Community College spreads CNA training across Acadiana with day and evening sections at multiple campuses. The six-week course stacks 80 classroom hours onto 45 clinical hours, costs a flat $2,200, and does not require a high school diploma. Graduates can take the state CNA exam at an SLCC testing site and often continue toward LPN study.
- Six weeks combining 80 classroom and 45 clinical hours
- Flat program cost of $2,200
- No high school diploma required for admission
- Open to applicants age 16 and older
- Day and night sections at multiple campuses
- State CNA exam site on campus
Delgado Community College
#10New Orleans, LA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
Delgado Community College runs one of the largest CNA training cycles in New Orleans with two eight-week sessions each spring and fall at City Park. The LDH-approved program includes 80 clinical hours and meets OBRA skill standards, preparing graduates for long-term care, home health, and hospital jobs. Delgado also operates a state-approved CNA testing center.
- Eight-week format with 80 hours of clinical experience
- Two sessions offered in spring and two in fall
- Louisiana Department of Health approved and OBRA aligned
- Students 16 and up, Ability to Benefit exam accepted without diploma
- Runs an LDH-approved CNA testing center
Healthcare Training Institute
#11Kenner, LA · $25,000/yr
Healthcare Training Institute offers a four-week, part-time CNA course in the New Orleans metro area and removes a common barrier: no high school diploma or GED is required. The DHH-approved program does require a criminal background check, physical exam, and current immunization records, and it builds orientation and assessment testing into enrollment.
- Four-week, part-time schedule
- DHH approved for Louisiana certification
- No high school diploma or GED required
- Background check, physical, and records needed before enrollment
- Orientation and assessment testing included in admissions
Southern University at Shreveport
#12Shreveport, LA · $11,000/yr (net price)
Southern University at Shreveport gives students the unusual option of taking its Nursing Assistant course for four hours of college credit or as non-credit continuing education. Classroom, lab, and clinical components focus on long-term care and daily living skills, and completers become eligible for the state Final Competency Examination. As one of Louisiana's public HBCUs, SUSLA anchors healthcare training in northwest Louisiana.
- Credit option worth four college credit hours
- Non-credit continuing education option available
- Classroom, skills lab, and clinical components
- Focuses on long-term care and daily living skills
- Completers eligible for the Final Competency Examination
Hammond, LA
Petra College runs a seven-week Nursing Assistant program built around 80 clock hours of hands-on training. Classroom and lab work is paired with clinical opportunities in nursing home and hospital settings, with personal care, safety, infection control, and communication at the core. Multiple start dates are offered, and cost details are available directly from the school.
- 80 clock hours completed in seven weeks
- Classroom and lab work with included clinical hours
- Clinical options in nursing home and hospital settings
- Covers personal care, communication, safety, and infection control
- Multiple start dates across the year
Your Step-By-Step Path to CNA Certification in Louisiana
Louisiana keeps the process to become a certified nursing assistant straightforward, but a few details trip people up, especially the training hour minimum. Here is exactly what you need to do, from enrollment to registry placement.
Meet the Prerequisites
You must be at least 16 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. Louisiana is one of the states that allows 16-year-olds to begin training, which ties into the Jump Start career pathway offered at many high schools (more on that later in this article). There is no college coursework required.
Enroll in a State-Approved Training Program
Choose a Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) approved by the Louisiana Department of Health, one of many CNA programs operating across the state. The state-mandated minimum is 80 total hours: 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical practice. You will see some websites list 75 hours as the requirement. That figure reflects the federal floor set by CMS, not Louisiana's actual standard. The state has required 80 hours for years, and that minimum remains in effect for 2026. One additional rule worth knowing: at least 16 of your classroom hours must be completed before you have any direct contact with patients, and a 4-hour clinical site orientation does not count toward the 80-hour total. Many programs exceed these minimums, so your actual seat time may be higher.
Pass the Competency Exam
After finishing your program, register with Prometric to take the Louisiana CNA competency evaluation. The exam has two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills demonstration. The combined fee is $125. If you need to retake one portion, the written retest costs $40 and the clinical skills retest costs $85. Payment can be made by cashier's check, money order, employer check, or credit card.
Clear the Background Check
Louisiana requires criminal history and abuse registry screening before you can be placed on the state registry. Be prepared to cover any associated processing fees and allow extra time for results to come back.
Get Listed on the Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both exam components and clear your background check, your name is added to the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry through the LDH. This is your official credential.
Stay Active
To keep your certification current, you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related work during every consecutive 24-month period. If you let that window lapse, you will need to retest or retrain before returning to the registry.
What CNA Classes Really Cost in Louisiana
CNA program tuition in Louisiana varies widely depending on whether you enroll at a public community college or a private training center. The figures below show institution-wide average net prices after financial aid, drawn from U.S. Department of Education data (2024). Keep in mind that these averages reflect all programs at each school, not just the CNA certificate, so your actual out-of-pocket cost for a short CNA course may be significantly lower. Beyond tuition, budget for textbooks (typically $50 to $150), scrubs ($30 to $60), a criminal background check ($40 to $60), and the Prometric competency exam fee (roughly $100 to $120).
| School | City | Sector | Avg. Net Price (Institution-Wide) | Reported CNA Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infinity College | Lafayette | Private | $230 | Not listed |
| SOWELA Technical Community College | Lake Charles | Community College | $7,525 | $1,950 |
| Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe | Community College | $7,702 | $1,998 |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College | Minden | Community College | $9,256 | Not listed |
| Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge | Community College | $9,474 | Tuition-free (sponsor partnership) |
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans | Community College | $9,747 | Not listed |
| Fletcher Technical Community College | Schriever | Community College | $10,527 | From $1,160 |
| Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport | Community College | $11,049 | Not listed |
| Nunez Community College | Chalmette | Community College | $12,529 | Not listed |
| South Louisiana Community College | Lafayette | Community College | $12,564 | $2,200 |
| Compass Career College | Hammond | Private | $12,610 | Not listed |
| Healthcare Training Institute | Kenner | Private | $24,811 | Not listed |
Explore other Louisiana related topics
Free CNA Training Paths and Financial Aid in Louisiana
Where can you actually get CNA training in Louisiana without paying out of pocket? The state has no single free program, but several no-cost CNA programs are accessible through four main routes: employer-sponsored training, WIOA funding, community college aid, and the Jump Start high school pathway.
Employer-Sponsored Training at Nursing Homes
Long-term care facilities routinely train their own aides in exchange for a work commitment. Haven Nursing Center in Columbia, for example, runs an 80-hour program (24 hours classroom, 16 hours skills lab, 40 hours clinical) with free textbooks and testing fees, contingent on signing an employment agreement. Terms vary by employer, so ask upfront about the required length of service and any repayment clause if you leave early.
To find these opportunities, call the staffing coordinator at local skilled nursing facilities directly, check job boards at regional nursing home chains, and ask about "paid training" or "CNA sponsorship" positions. Many facilities do not advertise the benefit publicly.
WIOA Funding Through the Louisiana Workforce Commission
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is 100% federally funded and flows through the Louisiana Workforce Commission, which received $55.6 million in FY2023. Eligible participants can access Individual Training Accounts that cover classroom costs at approved providers like Mia's Medical Academy, plus supportive services for transportation and childcare. Start at your regional American Job Center to determine eligibility and get approval before enrolling.
Pell Grants and Community College Aid
CNA certificate students at community colleges may qualify for Pell Grants by filing the FAFSA. Delgado Community College's 8-week CNA program runs about $1,673.66 including certification fees, an amount often covered by need-based aid. No statewide CNA-only scholarship currently exists, so it helps to understand financial aid for nursing students more broadly when weighing your options.
Jump Start for High School Students
Louisiana's Jump Start 2.0 Health Sciences pathway lets high schoolers earn the CNA credential through dual enrollment at no cost. Ask your school counselor which local district partners currently offer the CNA track.
Hybrid and Accelerated CNA Classes for Louisiana Students
Balancing work, family, or other commitments against the need for hands-on training shapes how most students approach CNA education. Louisiana law requires every CNA candidate to complete supervised clinical hours at an approved healthcare facility, which means no program can be entirely online. What schools market as "online CNA classes" are actually hybrid formats that move the classroom lecture component to a digital platform while preserving the required in-person clinical rotations.
How Hybrid Programs Work
Most hybrid CNA courses split the training into two phases. You complete the didactic portion, covering anatomy basics, infection control, patient rights, and daily care procedures, through video lectures, reading assignments, and online quizzes. Once you finish the classroom hours, you schedule clinical rotations at a partnering nursing home, hospital, or long-term care facility near you. This structure lets you study on your own schedule before committing to specific clinical dates.
Accelerated Timelines
Standard CNA programs in Louisiana run six to eight weeks, but accelerated tracks compress the same curriculum into two to four weeks. These fast-paced options achieve shorter timelines through longer daily sessions, often eight hours or more, plus weekend or evening intensives. If you can dedicate full-time hours for a few weeks, an accelerated hybrid program lets you move from enrollment to exam-ready status quickly. Several ranked programs across Louisiana offer hybrid or accelerated formats, making flexible scheduling accessible statewide.
What CNAs Earn Across Louisiana's Metro Areas
Louisiana's statewide median annual wage for nursing assistants is approximately $30,510, based on the most recent federal wage data (May 2025 OEWS). That figure falls noticeably below the national median of about $42,260, reflecting Louisiana's generally lower cost of living. The state employs roughly 20,690 nursing assistants, with a location quotient of 1.15, meaning CNA jobs are somewhat more concentrated here than in the average state. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish separate wage breakdowns for individual Louisiana metro areas such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, or Lake Charles in its current release. Wages in larger metros like New Orleans and Baton Rouge may trend higher than the statewide figure, while rural areas may fall below it, but specific numbers are not available at this time. Keep in mind that federal wage surveys capture the profession broadly, while program-level earnings data you may see on school profiles reflects outcomes for graduates of a specific school. These are different measurements and should not be compared directly.
| Area | Total Employment | 25th Percentile (Annual) | Median (Annual) | 75th Percentile (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (Statewide) | 20,690 | $29,070 | $30,510 | $35,100 |
| United States (National) | 1,448,910 | $37,690 | $42,260 | $49,170 |
Passing the Louisiana CNA Competency Exam
The Louisiana CNA competency exam is administered by Prometric and has two parts: a computer-based knowledge test and a hands-on clinical skills evaluation. You must pass both sections to earn your certification. Here is what to expect at each stage of the process.
Picking the Right CNA School: What Actually Matters
What should you actually look for when comparing CNA programs in Louisiana?
Not all state-approved programs deliver the same experience or outcomes. Before you enroll, evaluate these factors to protect your investment and set yourself up for a smooth path to certification.
Essential Decision Criteria
- State approval status: Every Louisiana CNA program must be approved by the Louisiana Department of Health. Unlike nursing degree programs, CNA training does not require regional accreditation, but state approval is non-negotiable for exam eligibility.
- Clinical site quality: Ask where you will complete your hands-on hours. Programs partnering with hospitals expose you to a broader range of patient conditions than those using only nursing homes. The clinical setting shapes what skills you practice before your first job.
- Schedule flexibility: Day, evening, and weekend options vary widely. If you are working while training, confirm class times before committing.
- Total cost transparency: Request a breakdown that includes tuition, lab fees, uniforms, background checks, and testing fees. Some programs advertise low tuition but add hundreds in extras.
- Job placement support: Strong programs maintain relationships with local employers and help graduates find positions quickly.
Red Flags Worth Noting
Be cautious if a school refuses to share its completion rate or competency exam pass rate. Programs charging significantly above the typical Louisiana range without clear added value deserve extra scrutiny. Ask direct questions, since reputable schools answer them without hesitation.
CNA License Renewal, Reciprocity, and Career Growth in Louisiana
Getting certified is only the first milestone; staying on the registry requires a small but easy-to-miss follow-through. Louisiana certification runs on a 24-month cycle, and renewal happens automatically as long as you can show at least 8 hours of paid, nursing-related work performed under RN supervision within that window. Nursing homes typically report these hours for you, but if you work in a hospital, home health, or hospice setting, it's worth confirming your hours were submitted rather than assuming it happened. Skip this step and your status shifts to Not Certified. If you actually worked the required hours but they weren't reported, contact your employer to get them submitted. If you didn't meet the requirement, you can retest through Prometric within 24 months of your expiration date; miss that window, or fail both exam portions, and you'll need to retrain from scratch.1
Moving Between States
CNAs relocating to or from Louisiana can transfer certification through reciprocity rather than repeating training. The Louisiana Department of Health verifies your original certification date, status, and expiration with the issuing state's registry, and approval depends on good standing with no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. Expect to complete a formal application as part of the process.
Building a Career From CNA
Many CNAs use the role as a launchpad. Common next steps include LPN to RN programs, medication aide certification, or patient care technician roles, each building directly on the hands-on experience gained at the bedside.
CNA Training Questions, Answered
These are some of the most common questions Louisiana CNA candidates ask before, during, and after training. Each answer reflects current Louisiana requirements so you can plan with confidence.