CNA Classes in AZ | 12 Best Nursing Assistant Programs in Arizona

The time has never been better to apply for CNA classes in Arizona. The job field for Certified Nursing Assistants is growing as the elderly population continues to live longer and require more and more care. However, knowing which of the CNA classes in Arizona is right for you takes time and research.

Why not let our guide do the heavy lifting? Read on to find the best CNA programs in Arizona along with plenty of other critical information related to CNA licensure and the examination.

Who is the Regulatory Body for CNAs in Arizona?

The Arizona State Board of Nursing regulates the certification and testing of new and old CNAs. They utilize an online platform called Headmaster to administer tests and allow candidates to register for the examination which leads to CNA certification.

Who Administers the CNA Exam in Arizona?

The CNA Arizona examinations are administered by Headmaster. There are handbooks available on the Headmaster website that provides some learning recommendations and practice material to prepare students for the test.

Arizona State Requirements for CNAs

To obtain a CNA license in Arizona, you must either complete a board-approved program or have training from a previous healthcare position. In the latter circumstance, you can apply for a waiver that allows you to be granted CNA licensure immediately without having to go through extra training.

All board-approved CNA classes in Arizona are 120 hours or longer. 80 of those hours must be classroom and lecture training to provide students with the theoretical knowledge necessary for the variety of medical focused jobs they will undertake.

The remaining 40 of those hours are clinical or practical training and take place at a licensed medical facility or a laboratory setting at the program facility. Some or all of a CNA program may qualify for credits for University use.

After completion of the program, CNA candidates must pass the Certified Nursing Assistant Examination. 

In addition, all Arizona CNAs require a fingerprint-based background check. Anyone with a criminal history may face a much longer application acceptance time. The background check usually takes around four weeks before the Board receives results.

Arizona CNA Exam Details

The exam has two parts: one tests the candidate’s knowledge and the other tests their practical skills.

The first part of the test can be taken in either a written or audio format depending on student preference or ability.

Anyone who fails the knowledge portion of the test must wait 45 days before they can apply to take it again. They will have to pay the testing fees once more. In addition, both portions of the test must be passed within two years of completing a CNA program.

How Much Does the Arizona CNA Exam Cost?

The Arizona CNA examination costs $28 for the written knowledge test or $38 for the oral variant. The practical skills test costs $85. The combined total is either $113 or $123.

Where Can I Take the CNA Exam in Arizona?

You can take the CNA exam at various regional test sites that can be found all throughout the state of Arizona. Certain CNA training program facilities may also have their own examination rooms or test sites. However, Headmaster will still administrate the tests even if they take place at your program’s facility.

In the former case, students must apply for the examination on the Headmaster website. Testing schedules and potential dates are all listed on the website.

An extra fee for the test may be required for application, usually around $10.

In the latter case, students may not need to submit an application for the exam to Headmaster, as the school or training program automatically submits the candidate for examination upon completing the program.

How Much Does a CNA Get Paid in Arizona?

The typical CNA salary in Arizona is between $23,000 and $35,000. The hourly rate is usually between $11 and $17.

The discrepancy in salary between various CNA jobs is due to geographic location or the prestige of the medical facility or nursing home. Places that have more patients and which require their CNAs to do more work will necessarily pay more. In addition, CNA jobs in Arizona cities will pay more due to a higher cost of living than in rural communities.

CNAs in Arizona can increase their pay with more experience and practice. Higher paid CNA’s usually also have seniority compared to newer graduates.

List of CNA Classes

Prime Community College, Tucson

This program is a fast track to CNA licensure since you can complete the entire thing in as little as 8 weeks. This truncated schedule is a good option for students who want to become registered CNA’s quickly.

In addition, this program combines elements of a GNA (geriatric nursing assistant) program as well.

This allows students to take the DNA test if they desire, and definitely increases employability in long-term healthcare facilities for the elderly or disabled.

The program offers variable scheduling and has classes for day or evening slots. In addition, it can be completed in part-time segments if you require a slower pace.

Mesa Community College

This training program adequately prepares students for assisting patients in medical facilities under the supervision of a registered nurse. The program is an eight-week course, so it’s very quick to complete.

All the classes are taught by a registered nurse. Students are in class one day per week for eight hours and are in the laboratory one day per week for 4 to 8 hours. Two days of the week are dedicated to clinical practice at a medical site facility for 8 to 10 hours. This rapid learning pace is ideal for those who want to become a CNA quickly.

This program already has low tuition rates but also provides various financial aid opportunities like scholarships and student loans.

Phoenix College

This community college program offers clinical experiences in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

This means that students will have the opportunity to get practical experience facilities and in the homes of the elderly and disabled. This focus on practical experience also has students rotate through various facilities.

To get used to a wide variety of medical needs and interpersonal communication styles. Classroom education is included, as well.

The program’s huge emphasis on clinical connections means that the opportunities for networking and immediate employment after graduation are high.

Estrella Mountain Community College

This program can be taken without having to enter the major nursing program of the Estrella community college. However, if you apply for the college and are accepted you can earn between 2 to 6 credits for use at the same university or a different one depending on your desires.

The program offers a wide variety of educational experience in both practical and classroom settings.

Tuition for the school is $401 per credit hour if you are an out of county in-state resident, $326 per credit hour if you are an out-of-state applicant, or $85 if you are in in-county resident. Naturally, this makes Estrella one of the best CNA schools in Arizona if you reside in Maricopa county.

Yavapai College, Prescott

This program is a five credit hour course that can provide you with the same credit hour value for future use at a different university.

It promotes effective practical and written knowledge in all students and also teaches future CNAs about the legal and ethical implications of their nursing assistant roles. This prepares them for many of the situations based on long-term care facilities.

The emphasis is on assisting and promoting client independence. So it’s particularly well-suited for caring for the elderly and those who want to pursue a career in that sphere.

Scottsdale Community College

This training college offers a CNA program with classes that are also provided by certified CNA instructors. This ensures that future CNAs are learning the skills and knowledge required to be a good nursing assistant in the future.

Applicants can enter the CNA training program multiple times per year, allowing a lot of scheduling flexibility if a student’s current schedule doesn’t work with a typical Fall or Spring rotations. Scottsdale offers flexible payment options so students can take care of their fees in installments.

Financial aid programs are available, and it’s possible to attend the program for no cost if one is funded by the state scholarship or grant.

Paradise Valley Community College

This college’s CNA program provides practical and classroom education and also places a high priority on placing students in acute care experiences.

Acute care refers to care given at actual hospitals, so this training program is particularly good for those who want to become a CNA in a hospital setting as opposed to a nursing home.

The class experiences and the practical clinical hours are all overseen by either registered CNAs or licensed nurses.

Tuition for Paradise Valley is $326 for an out-of-state resident, $85 for a county resident and $401 for an out of county resident.

Arizona Western College

This CNA program has a curriculum that focuses on applying client self-care concepts. It’s well-suited for CNAs who work at long care homes with an independent client population.

The curriculum is structured so that classroom and theoretical knowledge are implemented first, followed by extensive knowledge laboratory education. Faculty supervised education in clinical settings the experience.

Tuition adds up to about $650 not counting other supplies and textbooks.

Central Arizona College

This program requires students to take on clinical practice right away. The emphasis on hands-on training can lead to increased employment opportunity upon graduation from the program.

The 60 hours of classwork take place at Casa Grande Centers. The 90 clinical hours required will take place in various hospitals or nursing homes.

Each of these locations has contracts with the college to guarantee that each student receives at least some practical experience.

Both the training and classroom portions of the program last between 16 to 18 weeks. Classes meet from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, although any given students exact schedule will depend on their personal progress for the semester.

Mohave Community College, Kingman

The program offered by Mohave is offered in the fall and spring semesters, although some summer semesters to run the class depending on instructor availability. All the programs are taught by licensed CNAs or nurses.

Financial aid is available on the school website for scholarships or loans to help out-of-state students accommodate the higher costs of the program.

Tuition for the program is $486 for in-state residents and $1701 for out-of-state residents. These numbers do not include other supplies or textbooks.

East Valley Institute of Technology

The curriculum offered by East Valley covers a wide topic of nursing and medical subjects.

Communication and interpersonal skills are both covered with thoroughness, as are infection control, personal care skills, safety, and emergency procedures and basic nursing skills.

To learn how to handle a wide variety of patients in situations, a high priority is placed on laboratory and clinical settings. 170 hours in total are required for program completion, making it one of the longest CNA classes available.

The classes run Monday through Wednesday from 8 AM to 11 AM or a total of 10 to 12 weeks. This may be an optimal choice for those who require schedules with more flexibility and who can afford to reach their certification more slowly.

Both scholarships and interest-free payment plans are available to help offset the costs. 

Glendale Community College of Arizona

This CNA training program has an interesting division of its allotted hours. 36 of the hours will be spent in lecture halls to learn about theoretical nursing knowledge and 44 hours will be spent in a laboratory setting so students can get their hands on real nursing materials.

The remaining 40 hours of the program is completed on a long-term basis at various clinical sites either in the city or at the school’s facility.

Tuition for this program costs $847 when accounting for the tuition as well as books and supplies.