The state of Mississippi is no stranger to the ever-changing, ever-demanding, field of healthcare. In 1963, Dr James Harvey of the University of Mississippi was the first to perform a human lung transplant, and the pioneering work continues to this day. With a large, diverse population that is only growing, modern-day Mississippi is more in need of healthcare providers than ever. A crucial sector of health care is Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), who can make a difference for every patient.
The state of Mississippi requires classes before certification and registration of a CNA, though there is a 140-day grace period where those pursuing certification may offer direct care. It is up to the employer to make sure their employees are or will be registered within this time period. A minimum of 75 hours of class time must be completed before the exam unless you fall into one of the categories who can apply for class exemption (student nurses, military nurses, and graduate nurses).
Mississippi CNA Certification Requirements
The limitations on who can train and be certified as a CNA depend largely on the institution in Mississippi. There are no formal educational requirements, though many programs will require a reading and literacy competency test. A high school diploma or GED are not always prerequisites, but they are highly recommended. Other important requirements covering the whole state include:
- Being 18 or older
- Have a photo ID and passport-sized photographs
- Proof of immunization (MMR, Varicella, Hep B) and a clean TB test within 6 months
- Ability to lift a minimum of 40 pounds and stay upright for hours
- CPR certification
- Liability insurance
- Passing a criminal background check
Mississippi CNA Classes & Testing Costs
The cost of tuition for CNA classes varies depending on the location within the state. On average, tuition costs are between $800 to $2500, but there are a number of options for reduced-pricing tuition. State-sponsored programs may offer low-cost classes, and some workplaces also sponsor the courses in exchange for employment. Those who achieve employment within a year of certifying may also be able to have their tuition reimbursed. Resources for program options can be found here.
The cost of testing for CNAs in Mississippi is split across two different tests – a written (or oral) examination, and a skills examination. The total cost for both is $101. In the case of resit, the written/oral examination is $32 and the skills is $69, while recertification or reciprocation costs $26.
CNA Classes & Nurse Aide Courses in Mississippi
If becoming a CNA in Mississippi is starting to sound like a good opportunity, we encourage you to check out the following program locations to see if they’re a good fit for your current situation and schedule. Some of these locations may offer CNA classes, while others may be tuition-based. Please contact them directly if you have questions on their curriculum or costs.
| Training Program | City | Zip Code | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Nursing & Rehab Center | Brandon, MS | 39042 | 601-825-3192 |
| Madison County Nursing Home | Canton, MS | 39046 | 601-855-5760 |
| Carthage Health and Rehab Center | Carthage, MS | 39051 | 601-267-1352 |
| Leake County Career & Technical Center | Carthage, MS | 39051 | 601-267-8442 |
| Choctaw Residential Center | Choctaw, MS | 39350 | 601-656-2582 |
| McKellar Technology Center | Columbus, MS | 39702 | 662-241-7290 |
| MS Care Center | Corinth, MS | 38834 | 662-287-8071 |
| Copiah Living Center | Crystal Springs, MS | 39059 | 601-892-1880 |
| Mississippi Job Corps Center Records | Crystal Springs, MS | 39059 | 601-892-3348 |
| Jones County Rest Home | Ellisville, MS | 39437 | 601-477-3334 |
| Jones College | Ellisville, MS | 39437 | 601-477-4000 |
| Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 38843 | 662-862-8000 |
| Itawamba Career & Technical Center | Fulton, MS | 38843 | 662-862-3137 |
| Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | 39079 | 662-472-2312 |
| Crystal Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center | Greenwood, MS | 38930 | 662-453-9173 |
| Grenada Living Center | Grenada, MS | 38901 | 662-226-9554 |
| Holmes Community College | Grenada, MS | 38901 | 662-226-0830 |
| Boyington Health and Rehabilitation Center | Gulfport, MS | 39501 | 228-864-6544 |
| Gulfport Job Corps | Gulfport, MS | 39501 | 228-863-1141 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Jefferson Davis Campus | Gulfport, MS | 39507 | 228-896-2536 |
| Blue Cliff College - Gulfport | Gulfport, MS | 39503 | 228-896-9727 |
| Lakeview Nursing Center | Gulfport, MS | 39503 | 228-831-3001 |
| Pearl River Community College | Hattiesburg, MS | 39401 | 601-554-5555 |
| Delta Technical College | Horn Lake, MS | 38637 | 662-280-1443 |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena, MS | 38941 | 662-254-3347 |
| Tishomingo Manor | Iuka, MS | 38852 | 662-423-9112 |
| Chadwick Nursing & Rehab Center | Jackson, MS | 39204 | 601-372-0231 |
| Millsaps College | Jackson, MS | 39210 | 601-974-1000 |
| Access Training, Inc | Jackson, MS | 39206 | 601-366-6001 |
| Community & Jr Colleges Board | Jackson, MS | 39211 | 601-432-6518 |
| Cna Training | Jackson, MS | 39213 | 601-364-1188 |
| Cna Training | Jackson, MS | 39213 | 601-364-1188 |
| Attala County Nursing Center | Kosciusko, MS | 39090 | 662-289-1200 |
| Kosciusko-Attala County Career Technical Center | Kosciusko, MS | 39090 | 662-289-2689 |
| Care Center of Laurel | Laurel, MS | 39440 | 601-649-8006 |
| A P Fatheree Vo-Tech | Laurel, MS | 39440 | 601-425-2378 |
| East MS State Hospital | Meridian, MS | 39307 | 601-581-7600 |
| Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | 38761 | 662-246-6322 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center | Oxford, MS | 38655 | 662-236-2023 |
| B1 Nursing Care | Pearl, MS | 39208 | 769-428-5008 |
| Mississippi State Hospital | Pearl, MS | 39208 | 601-351-8000 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Perkinston Campus | Perkinston, MS | 39573 | 601-928-5211 |
| Pearl River Community College | Poplarville, MS | 39470 | 601-403-1000 |
| Gulf Coast Health Care LLC | Quitman, MS | 39355 | 601-776-9129 |
| Alaska CNA Program | Quitman, MS | 39355 | 601-776-9129 |
| Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | 39154 | 601-857-5261 |
| Highland Home | Ridgeland, MS | 39157 | 601-853-0415 |
| East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | 39358 | 662-476-5000 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS | 38668 | 662-562-3200 |
| Blue Care Medical Academy | Southaven, MS | 38671 | 662-245-6543 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Southaven, MS | 38671 | 662-342-1570 |
| Southwest Mississippi Community College | Summit, MS | 39666 | 601-276-2000 |
| Itawamba Community College - Tupelo Campus | Tupelo, MS | 38804 | 662-620-5000 |
| Tupelo Training Center | Tupelo, MS | 38801 | 662-841-6814 |
| Medical2 Career College & Certification Agency | Tupelo, MS | 38804 | 877-741-1996 |
| Heritage House of Vicksburg Nursing Center | Vicksburg, MS | 39180 | 601-638-1514 |
| Winona Career & Technical Center | Winona, MS | 38967 | 662-283-3601 |
CNA Classes in Jackson, MS
CNA Training Center This is an extremely comprehensive and focus course at an institution focused directly on the field. The course is 130 hours and 6 weeks long, and though it carries a steep cost of $2,500, this includes books, tuition, and administrative fees. After completion of the course, graduates who pass certification are eligible to work immediately.
Career Development Center This is a part-time course with a focus on giving adults new employability skills and helping the state reach targets for medicinal staff, including CNAs. As such, places on this course are funded by state and federal agencies. It is a part-time course, meeting two evenings a week for three hours and lasting a total of 14 weeks.
Hinds Community College This 100-hour course prepares students for employment immediately upon certification. The course covers a wide range of topics related to CNA work, including practical skills as well as laws and ethics. The college also offers payment plans.
Learn more about CNA classes in Jackson.
CNA Classes in Gulfport, MS
SAAD Healthcare This is a fast-tracked course, running full time over two weeks. It has seven full classroom days and 3 days of supervised patient care. Tuition costs $375 and afterwards you will be eligible for the examination.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College This course does not provide college credits, but registration in and completion of this course will make applicants eligible to sit the state CNA examination and start work in a variety of approved roles upon completion. The course lasts two weeks, and the $570 tuition price also includes books and exam cost.
CNA Classes in Southaven, MS
Bluecare Medical Academy Tuition at Bluecare is $1149 including all incremental costs and fees and is available as a part-time daytime or nighttime course. The nice thing about this program is that they offer a four-part payment plan spread out across the six weeks of the course, allowing access to students who may need it.
Additional Mississippi CNA resources
The above information can likely get you started on your path to becoming a CNA in the state of Mississippi, however, the links below may also be helpful in your educational path or in the future after you’ve gained your CNA certification in Mississippi.
Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry
To contact the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry use the information below:
Mississippi Department of Health Facilities
Licensure & Certification
570 East Woodrow Wilson
Osborne Building, Suite 200,
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 576-7300 / (888) 204-6213
The Online Certified Nurse Aide Registry is managed by Promissor.
Out of State CNAs
If you are actively registered in your home state, have no record of abuse or neglect, and your home state’s program is in line with the OBRA ’87 regulations, you may use this application to apply for a reciprocal license in Mississippi. The fee for this is $26. If reciprocity is denied, you must undergo a Mississippi course as detailed above.
CNA Renewal in Mississippi
So long as you have worked at least eight hours in a two year period, your license will be eligible for renewal (for a fee of $26) upon expiration. You and your employer should fill out this form and send it off at least two weeks before your application is expired, and make sure all details are up to date.
How much does a CNA make in Mississippi?
Like any job, CNA salary varies depending on where in the state you work, in which institution, and in which industry. CNAs working in scientific research will likely earn significantly more than those working in private companies and homes, for example. Those in urban areas are likely to earn more than rural areas, but of course, the cost of living will be higher as a result. On average, the hourly pay for a CNA is $13.05 and $27,140 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is liable to rise as experience and education increase.