You know what it means to have southern hospitality. In fact, you’re one of the most welcoming people in your community. You’re not sure what you want to do with your life, but you do know that you want a career that lets you help people in a real way. That’s why you need to take CNA classes in North Carolina!
There’s a great career out there for compassionate people looking to make a difference in a rapidly growing industry – CNA jobs in North Carolina are on the rise! Once you get your CNA certification in North Carolina, you’ll be able to start a job that makes a real difference on people who need it the most.
This guide will teach you about a career as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). It will let you know the North Carolina CNA requirements, how to get your CNA license in North Carolina, and what the average CNA salary is in North Carolina. Are you ready to add your name to the North Carolina CNA registry?
Who is the regulatory body for CNAs in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation oversees the Nurse Aide Registry. They’re in charge of setting the educational requirements and necessary guidelines for receiving your CNA certification in North Carolina. Their website has a ton of great information for anyone interested in training to become a CNA.
North Carolina also has a Board of Nursing. While the board isn’t in charge of regulating the CNA certifications, they do have a lot of great guidelines and help on their website, including information and rules for Nurse Aide courses and tasks.
Their website is a great informational tool to help you navigate your CNA licensure, and they can also show you what you will need to do if you wish to advance into LPN or RN status and become a fully licensed nurse. The Board of Nursing handles Nurse Aide II training and certification.
Who administers the CNA exam in North Carolina?
North Caroline contracts with Pearson VUE to administer their state competency examinations for CNA licensing. Their website has tons of practice examinations, skill rubrics, an all the mandatory steps to follow in order to be allowed to take the licensing examination. As of August 12, 2019, your scores will be available online instead of having to wait for results by mail.
North Carolina State Requirements for CNAs
North Carolina requires CNA candidates to take a training program that lasts a minimum of 75 hours. These programs are offered at community colleges, health care facilities, and by private companies. Former nurse aide and emergency medical personnel can just take a refresher course and transition course instead.
Once CNA Classes in North Carolina are completed, you will need to pass a competency examination. The exam covers a written portion for knowledge and a practical portion for skills. You must pass both portions within 2 years of training or within 3 attempts.
EMTs, military medics, and unlicensed nursing school graduates along with those who trained out of state are eligible to waive the training process. Submit a request with proof to the NC DHHS and then you must pass the skills test and written test that everyone else takes. This is also the way to renew your certificate if you let it lapse.
CNA candidates must be 17 or older, must pass a drug test, and must produce a negative TB test. They will be required to pass an FBI criminal background check, pass a physical examination, and provide proof of immunization.
North Carolina CNA Exam Details
Your exam will consist of a written or oral knowledge test and a practical skills test. You must pass both of these tests to become certified in North Carolina. On your exam day, you should arrive early and wear non-skid shoes and scrubs. Bring a watch with a second hand but not a smart watch. Have 3 pencils and an eraser for the written test.
Always carry 2 forms of identification; one form must be a photo ID. Your proctor will ask for identification when you sit down for your exam, and so will your RN Test Observer before your skills exam. Your ID name must match the name you registered to take the test.
Make sure that you don’t bring tons of stuff with you because that will not be permitted inside the exam room. This includes cell phones. You should also know that if you are late, Pearson VUE will not allow you to sit for your exam. They will consider you a no show. Any no show candidates must pay the retest fee in order to be allowed to take their CNA examination. Exceptions are made for emergencies only.
How much does the North Carolina CNA exam cost?
The CNA exam may be included in your tuition for CNA Classes in North Carolina. Check with your program to see if their offer on site examinations and cover the cost in tuition.
Pearson VUE charges $120 for written and skills evaluations. If you need an oral examination in lieu of written, it is the same price.
You must take both tests on the same day if you are a new candidate. If you need to retest, the written or oral retest is $30 and the skills evaluation retest is $90.
Where can I take the CNA exam in North Carolina?
There are 2 different ways to take the CNA exam in North Carolina. Many state approved training programs have made arrangements with Pearson VUE to administer the certification exams to their students at the end of their program on a specific date. If your program does this, then you will take your exam in your facility. Just make sure you have your INF code and test date when you complete your registration with Pearson VUE.
If your program does not offer INF testing, you will need to take your exam at a Regional Testing Site (RTS). There are several sites throughout the state, and each location has specific test dates. Check Pearson VUE’s list of approved RTS locations for the place closest to you.
How much does a CNA get paid in North Carolina?
As of July 30, 2019, the average salary for a CNA in North Carolina is $29,000. The range of salaries is between $26,000 and $32,500 per year. They make great money compared to the cost of living in North Carolina, and it is a steady career with job security. So, do CNA Classes in North Carolina pay off? Yes, they do!
CNA Classes in North Carolina
All of this sounds really exciting to you, so you’re ready to go! Now that you know how quick and affordable this career change is, it’s time to start your training. This list contains the best programs that have been approved for CNA training throughout the state of North Carolina. Go ahead and contact one to start your CNA classes in North Carolina!
Pitt Community College
Pitt Community College offers programs for CNA levels I and II. Their CNA I course prepares students to take the state’s certification exam. They provide well over the state required training hours, making their students some of the most competitive in the market.
Cape Fear Community College
Cape Fear’s program offers I and II level Nurse Aide training. They are also approved as an in facility testing site for the examination, so if you’re a nervous test taker than you will like the fact that you can take the test using a facility and equipment you are familiar with.
Alamance Community College - Graham
Alamance offers a 160-hour state approved CNA certification course. They teach basic skills, mental health, psychosocial skills, patient rights, and more. Their courses stack, so if you choose to progress to another level of Aide or begin a Nursing certification and degree you can.
Sandhills Community College
Sandhills offers an advanced training program. Graduates of their program can be listed as a Nurse Aide II once they pass their certification, which makes them extremely competitive and gives them an automatic leg up on the competition.
Blue Ridge Community College – Weyers Cave
Blue Ridge offers CNA courses for those who want to take Nurse Aide levels I and II and also offers a refresher course for those who just need to recertify quickly. Their costs are extremely affordable.
Coastal Carolina Community College
Coastal offers a Nurse Aide I program that prepares students for the state competency exam. They have extremely high pass rates, with a 99% pass rate on the written exam and a 92% pass rate on the skills exam. Considering the state pass rate of 73%, those numbers are staggeringly high.
Johnston Community College
Johnston offers Nurse Aide training preparation for the CNA competency exams. They offer 160 hours, which is well above average. They offer evening and weekend classes and their program lasts 3 to 4 months.
Gaston College - Dallas
Gaston College offers nurse Aide I and II programs as well as a refresher course. Each of these courses prepares students to take the CNA competency exams. Their tuition is extremely affordable. For the refresher course, students must complete all 40 hours.
Southwestern Community College - Sylva
For Sylva residents, Southwestern's program is a fantastic option. They prepare students for the exam by teaching them measurements of vital signs, proper nutrition, communication skills, safety and emergency protocols, equipment management, patient rights, and more.
Fayetteville Technical Community College
The Fayetteville program is accredited by the NC DHHS as an approved program to train students for competency exams. The NC Board of Nursing regulates the Nurse Aide II program they offer. Their program has high success rates and they help with job placement.