New Jersey mandates a minimum 90 hours of state-approved training before candidates can sit for the CNA competency exam, a threshold that shapes program length, cost, and scheduling options statewide. With long-term care facilities and home health agencies competing for qualified staff, training slots fill quickly, and tuition varies widely, from free employer-sponsored tracks to programs costing over $1,500.
The real challenge for prospective nursing assistants is matching program format to personal constraints: accelerated four-week intensives demand full-time availability, while evening or hybrid options stretch over two to three months. State approval matters, too, since only programs approved by the New Jersey Department of Health qualify graduates to test.
Affordable CNA Programs in New Jersey: 2027 Rankings
Affordability looks different depending on where you live in New Jersey, and this list spans private institutes, county colleges, and county-funded training that all lead to the same state certification. Each card leads with institution net price after grant aid, graduation rate, and how training is delivered, and those are school-wide figures rather than program-specific ones. Program-level earnings, where a school publishes them, come from College Scorecard and reflect outcomes one or more years after completion.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt loads
- Net price after grant aid
- Graduation and retention rates
- Program length and class capacity
- Student-to-faculty ratios
- 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
Healthcare Training Institute
#1Union, NJ · $11,000/yr
Best for: Career changers wanting hands-on campus training
Healthcare Training Institute is a private, healthcare-focused school in Union, New Jersey, and its state-approved CNA program is built for quick entry into patient care. Training runs 90 hours, split between 50 classroom hours and 40 clinical hours in long-term care facilities, and finishes in about two months with morning and evening cohorts. Small, in-person classes and a first-come enrollment model keep the path straightforward for local career changers.
- State-approved New Jersey nurse aide training program
- 90 total hours: 50 classroom, 40 clinical
- About two months from start to completion
- Morning and evening cohorts on a Monday-Thursday schedule
- Clinical rotations in long-term care facilities
- Admission requires a background check and vaccinations
- Campus-based classes in Union, New Jersey
- Limited seating with first-come, first-served enrollment
Hudson County Community College
#2Jersey City, NJ · $5,000 – $9,000/yr
Best for: Hudson County residents adding dementia credentials
Hudson County Community College delivers its Enhanced Certified Nurse Aide training through the School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development. The campus-based program pairs classroom and clinical instruction with two extra credentials, Basic Life Support and Dementia Care, that employers in long-term and acute care look for. It is a local option for Hudson County residents who want state certification without leaving the area.
- Enhanced CNA training through Workforce Development
- Prepares students for the NJ Department of Health exam
- Classroom and clinical instruction
- Includes Basic Life Support certification
- Includes Dementia Care certification
- TABE test proficiency required for admission
- Background check, fingerprints, and immunizations required
- Evening cohorts scheduled for working adults
Mercer County Community College
#3West Windsor, NJ · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Future nurses stacking credit toward an associate degree
Mercer County Community College teaches its CNA course inside a larger Direct Health Care Provider Program, a state-approved pathway that runs about 15 weeks. Students complete the 90-hour nurse aide curriculum and can add Certified Home Health Aide or Certified Medication Aide training on top. The course also carries academic credit, which makes it a smart starting point for readers who plan to keep going toward a nursing degree.
- 15-week Direct Health Care Provider pathway
- Embeds a 90-hour state-approved CNA course
- Optional Certified Home Health Aide training
- Optional Certified Medication Aide course
- CNA course awards one academic credit toward an AAS
- Offered at the West Windsor and Trenton campuses
- Prerequisites include immunizations and a background check
- Personal health insurance required for enrollment
County College of Morris
#4Randolph, NJ · ~$9,000/yr (est.)
County College of Morris runs a short Certified Nurse Aide program through its Center for Workforce Development, aimed at adults in Morris County and northern New Jersey. Students move from the college's nursing labs into clinical placements at care facilities, completing 50 lecture hours and 40 clinical hours in six to nine weeks. Tuition is modest, but uniforms, textbooks, and a non-refundable processing fee are separate.
- Certified Nurse Aide program runs 6 to 9 weeks
- 50 lecture hours plus 40 clinical hours
- Training in college nursing labs and New Jersey care facilities
- Includes Basic Life Support certification
- A screening course is required before the core CNA course
- Criminal background check and drug screening required
- Textbook, uniform, and processing fees are extra
- Prepares students for the New Jersey certification exam
Brookdale Community College
#5Lincroft, NJ · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Brookdale Community College's Certified Nurse Aide in Long Term Care program is approved by the New Jersey Department of Health and is designed around small, intensive cohorts. Clinical shifts take place at nursing homes across Monmouth County, and the 90-hour course also satisfies a prerequisite for Brookdale's nursing program. The college notes that CNA classes resume in Fall 2026 and is keeping a registration waitlist.
- Approved by the New Jersey Department of Health
- 90-hour course with clinicals at Monmouth County nursing homes
- Class size capped at 10 students
- 100% attendance required; make-up hours cost extra
- Tuition about $1,599 total, with payment plans available
- Certification test fee is $84; textbook about $56
- Satisfies a prerequisite for Brookdale's nursing program
- Classes resume Fall 2026 with a registration waitlist
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester
#6Sewell, NJ · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Rowan College of South Jersey's Gloucester campus offers a state-approved Certified Nursing Assistant program with 50 classroom hours and 40 clinical hours. Through a partnership with Gloucester County and its workforce development board, eligible residents can complete day or evening cohorts at no cost, and licensed graduates receive priority for openings at county facilities. The college also works with South Jersey health systems, which widens the set of local employers graduates can approach.
- 50 classroom hours and 40 clinical hours
- Free training for eligible Gloucester County residents
- Day and evening cohorts available
- Graduates prioritized for openings at county facilities
- High school diploma or HSE required for admission
- Background check, fingerprinting, and immunizations required
- Covers vital signs, infection control, and patient care
- Health system partnerships across South Jersey
Common Questions About CNA Training in New Jersey
Navigating CNA training requirements can feel overwhelming, especially when rules vary by state. Below are answers to the questions prospective nursing assistants in New Jersey ask most often, drawn from current state regulations and workforce development resources.
What are the prerequisites to enroll in a CNA program in New Jersey?
Can I work as a CNA in NJ while my certification is pending?
How many times can I retake the NJ CNA competency exam?
Does New Jersey accept CNA certifications from other states?
What happens if my NJ CNA certification lapses?
Are there CNA apprenticeship programs in New Jersey?
Do NJ community colleges offer CNA programs with financial aid?
What is the difference between a CNA and a certified homemaker-home health aide in NJ?
Steps to Earning Your CNA Credential in New Jersey
Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in New Jersey follows a clear, state-regulated path. Most candidates move from enrollment to registry listing in roughly two to four months, depending on program format and exam scheduling.
New Jersey CNA Training Hours and State Requirements
Some CNA programs in New Jersey teach only the state-required 90 hours; others add extra classroom instruction, CPR certification, and additional clinical rotations to help graduates feel more prepared on day one.
The 90-Hour Foundation
New Jersey requires every CNA candidate to complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program, or NATCEP. The minimum is 90 hours: 50 classroom hours and 40 supervised clinical hours. Clinical hours must take place in a state-licensed long-term care facility, which gives students hands-on experience with the residents they are most likely to serve early in their careers. This standard appears in N.J.A.C. 8:39-43.10 and remains in place for 2026. The state minimum is a floor, not a ceiling; many approved programs build in more time to review skills, practice bedside routines, and run extra simulation or clinical shifts.
State Approval and How to Check a Program
CNA training in New Jersey must be completed at a facility approved by the New Jersey Department of Health. Approval is not permanent: programs receive written approval for a 24-month period, and the department must approve a program before students are enrolled or training begins. To find current options, review the NJDOH directory titled "APPROVED NURSING AIDE TRAINING CLASSES" through the Health Facilities portal, or contact the department at [email protected] with "NATCEP" in the subject line.
Admission Requirements Vary by Program
New Jersey's rules do not spell out one statewide age or academic cutoff, so individual schools set many entrance requirements. Many CNA programs ask students to be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and demonstrate basic reading and math skills through a placement test. Expect to complete a nursing background check, which often includes New Jersey fingerprinting, before clinical placement. TB testing, medical clearance, and nursing school immunization requirements are also common. TB screening routes may include a two-step PPD, QuantiFERON-TB Gold, or chest X-ray within the last two years. Because these prerequisites are provider-specific, confirm them with the program before applying.
How Long CNA Training Takes: Accelerated, Standard, and Flexible Schedules
How many weeks will you actually spend in CNA class before you can sit for the state exam? In New Jersey, the answer ranges from about four weeks to three months, depending on the schedule format and whether the school sticks to the state minimum or builds in extra instruction.
4-Week Accelerated Programs
These accelerated nursing programs compress the full curriculum into roughly 20 business days. Expect classes Monday through Friday, often 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or later, with clinical rotations packed into the final week or two. These intensives work well if you can step away from a job or have childcare covered, but they leave little room for makeup days if you miss a session. Searches for a 4 week CNA program in NJ do turn up real options at private career schools and some Red Cross training sites, just be honest about the full-day time commitment before enrolling.
6-8 Week Standard Daytime Programs
The most common format runs six to eight weeks of weekday daytime classes, usually with sessions three to five days per week. This pace gives you time to absorb clinical skills, practice on mannequins, and complete your supervised patient care hours without burning out. Community colleges and vocational schools typically follow this timeline.
10-12 Week Evening and Weekend Programs
If you are working or caring for family, evening classes (often two or three weeknights) or Saturday-only tracks stretch the same content across 10 to 12 weeks. Some schools, including several of the best nursing schools in New Jersey, also exceed the 90-hour state minimum, adding extra classroom or lab time, which lengthens the calendar further.
Clinicals Cannot Be Shortcut
Regardless of format, the supervised clinical rotation happens in person at a licensed long-term care facility. Even hybrid programs with online lectures require you to show up for hands-on patient care hours.
Free and Employer-Sponsored CNA Training in New Jersey
Free tuition sounds like an easy win, but it always comes with strings attached in the form of a work commitment, and understanding those terms matters as much as finding financial aid for nursing students.
Most No-Cost CNA Programs in New Jersey are concentrated in long-term care rather than hospitals. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state routinely cover the full cost of a six to nine week CNA course for candidates who agree to work for the facility afterward, typically for six to twelve months. Leave early and some employers will bill you back for the training cost, so read any agreement carefully before signing.
County and State-Funded Pathways
Gloucester County runs one of the more established free options through Rowan College of South Jersey's Allied Health Program, funded by the county and its partners. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalency, a HIPAA course, a background check, and up-to-date immunizations. Graduates sit for the New Jersey CNA exam and are guaranteed placement in county nursing homes, a structure aimed at closing a shortage of well over a thousand aide positions locally.
Beyond that county model, the New Jersey Department of Labor administers several workforce grants, including WIOA funding, WorkFirst New Jersey, and newer Upskills, GAINS, and PACE grants, that can offset or eliminate CNA training costs for eligible residents. These programs don't name specific CNA classes outright, so the practical move is to contact your county's One-Stop Career Center directly and ask what's currently funded.
Nonprofit and Employer Options
The American Red Cross and similar nonprofits sometimes offer subsidized CNA classes in New Jersey, though availability shifts by chapter and season. Combined with employer-sponsored slots at nursing homes, roughly a dozen free or heavily discounted CNA pathways exist statewide right now. None are guaranteed to run on a fixed schedule, so calling ahead to confirm current openings and commitment terms is worth the effort before you commit your time.
Hybrid and Online CNA Classes in New Jersey
Some New Jersey training providers now offer a hybrid model that combines online lectures and theory coursework with scheduled in-person clinical labs and clinical rotations. This format appeals to students who need scheduling flexibility but should not be confused with a fully online program. New Jersey requires all CNA candidates to complete hands-on clinical hours in person, so earning your certification entirely online is not possible in the state.
Pros
- The online didactic portion allows self-paced learning, so you can study theory modules around your existing work or family schedule.
- Hybrid formats reduce the number of days you must physically attend a training site, cutting down on commuting time and related costs.
- Students can review recorded lectures and course materials multiple times, reinforcing concepts before clinical practice sessions.
- Working students benefit from completing coursework on evenings or weekends without sacrificing income during the training period.
Cons
- In-person clinical attendance is still mandatory, meaning you must commit to specific dates, times, and locations for hands-on practice.
- Fewer programs in New Jersey currently offer a hybrid option compared to the wide availability of traditional in-person training.
- Hybrid schedules may stretch the total program length beyond what a fully in-person accelerated track (such as a four-week program) requires.
- Students who learn best through direct, real-time instructor interaction may find the online theory portion less engaging or harder to absorb.
NJ CNA Competency Exam: Fees, Locations, and What to Expect
The New Jersey CNA competency exam is a two-part test you take after finishing your 90-hour state-approved training (see What to Expect During & After CNA Training): a hands-on skills evaluation administered by D&S Diversified Technologies, and a knowledge test delivered by PSI Services. You must pass the skills portion first. D&S then reports your result to PSI, which allows you to schedule the written or oral exam.
Format and Fees
The knowledge test is 60 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes long, with a passing score of 75%. The written version is offered in English; an oral version is available in English and Spanish for candidates who prefer it. Current fee estimates for 2026:
- Written plus skills: around $76
- Oral plus skills: around $90
- Skills retake: about $23
- Written retake: about $53
- Oral retake: about $67
Because PSI periodically updates its bulletin, confirm the exact amount when you register. A criminal background check with fingerprinting is also required before you can test.
Registration and Testing Locations
You can register for the PSI portion online through the PSI candidate portal, by phone at 1-877-774-4243, or by mail to the PSI Regional Processing Center at 3525 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 1000, Mercerville, NJ 08619-1226. Skills testing is scheduled through your training program's regional test site; PSI publishes the current list of knowledge-test locations across New Jersey when you log in to schedule.
Retakes and Registry Listing
If you fail one portion, you can retake just that part, paying only the applicable retake fee. New Jersey does not publish a fixed waiting period between attempts, so timing depends on seat availability. Candidates who fail three times are generally required to complete additional training before testing again.
Once you pass both parts, PSI forwards your results to the New Jersey Nurse Aide Registry and adds your name to the active list. You can confirm your status or ask about processing timelines by emailing [email protected]. Only after you appear on the registry can you legally work as a CNA in New Jersey.
CNA Pay Across New Jersey Metro Areas
CNA wages in New Jersey vary depending on where you work. According to May 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the New Jersey Department of Labor, the statewide median annual wage for nursing assistants is approximately $46,830, with roughly 32,400 CNAs employed across the state. Multi-state metro areas that include parts of New Jersey show meaningful pay differences, so understanding the local wage landscape can help you target the right region for your career.
| Area | Approximate Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (Statewide) | 32,400 | $22.50 | $46,810 | $46,830 |
| New York, Newark, Jersey City Metro (NY, NJ, PA) | 80,540 | $22.81 | $47,450 | N/A |
| Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington Metro (PA, NJ, DE, MD) | 32,410 | $19.83 | $41,240 | N/A |
| Burlington County, NJ | 5,520 | N/A | $40,860 | $36,768 |
| Cape May County, NJ | 240 | N/A | $39,581 | $35,933 |
New Jersey CNA Salary Snapshot
Certified nursing assistants in New Jersey earn a statewide median annual wage of $46,830, which is notably higher than the national median for the occupation.