CNA Classes in New York

As one of the most populated states in the country, and with a large elderly population, the state of New York has a large demand for skilled healthcare professionals, and that includes certified nursing assistants (CNAs). For people interested in working in health care, becoming a CNA in New York can be a great first step in a rewarding career. This site will provide you with the information you need to learn how to become a CNA in NY.

The state of New York requires CNAs to have a certification before gaining employment and it’s required that they remain registered with the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Registry. That may sound like a lot but fortunately, unlike many jobs that require a certification, you can become a CNA rather quickly, usually between four and twelve weeks. Read on to learn more about available employer-sponsored, free CNA classes in New York as well as tuition based CNA classes that will allow you to earn your CNA certification in New York.

New York CNA Certification Requirements

Not everyone can become a CNA in New York, or even apply for their CNA certification. There are a few requirements that must be met before someone can take a CNA class. These include:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Passing a background check
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Demonstrated basic reading comprehension skills
• Negative drug test
• Negative TB test
• Current immunization records
• Ability to lift 40 pounds or more

New York CNA Classes & Testing Costs

To gain a CNA certification in the state of New York you must pass a state-approved course. These courses may vary slightly in required hours but must have a minimum of 100 hours that are split between classroom hours (minimum of 70) and hands-on CNA classes (minimum of 30 hours). This combination of in-person and classroom learning is designed to make graduates job ready to work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other medical facilities that employ nurse aides.

Certification costs vary depending on your location and program. Typically, CNA classes in New York will cost in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $3,000. There are several incremental costs as you gain your CNA certification in New York as well, which includes the cost of the CNA skills test and written examination as well as any duplicate certificates or score reports you may request. While this may seem expensive, New York isn’t different than other states where certain employers may offer CNA courses in exchange for agreeing to work at their facility upon completing your certification. For a list of locations offering employer-sponsored/free CNA programs in New York, visit this website.

CNA Classes & Nurse Aide Courses in New York

If becoming a CNA in New York is starting to sound like a good opportunity, we encourage you to check out the following centers to see if they’re a good fit for your current situation and schedule. Some of these locations may offer CNA classes for employment, while others may be tuition based. Please contact them directly if you have questions about their curriculum or costs.

CNA Classes in NYC

There are many opportunities for CNA programs in NYC. These are among the most well-known.

TIA Medical Training. This is one of the most popular CNA programs in NYC and one of the nice things about it is that it offers a pay-as-you-go plan so you don’t need to foot the entire tuition bill if you’re managing your budget. Tuition is extremely reasonable, and they have locations in Manhattan and Hempstead, Long Island.

New Age Training. With a curriculum focused on preparing students to pass the New York State (NYS) Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency (CNA) Exam, the New Age Training Center is a great choice for CNA classes in NYC. The program is a total of 125 hours, and they claim to be the #1 CNA program in NYC. Visit the website for a virtual tour and pricing information, including study materials, books, uniforms, and registration fees.

Access Careers. Access Careers offers a lot of flexibility in their CNA programs, with 5-week programs, 8-week programs, and weekend programs to help fit nearly any aspiring CNA’s schedule. Another attractive component of this program is the onsite job placement assistance they provide.

CNA Programs in Buffalo, NY

Upskill.org. This service is provided by the Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division. The program is 165 hours long, so it’s comprehensive, but the price is extremely reasonable. Contact them by phone at 716.871.1029 to learn more.

CNA Programs in Rochester, NY

Rochester Educational Opportunity Center. REOC students will find a program that prepares them for the Prometric Exam (used by the state of New York) through classroom, lab, and clinical learning. Many REOC grads pursue further nursing education upon graduation. The REOC is one of the few places that help you sign up for CNA classes in New York as a part of enrollment – contact them for details.

Additional New York CNA resources

The above information can likely get you started on your path to becoming a CNA in the state of New York, however, the links below may also be helpful in your educational path or in the future after you’ve gained your CNA certification in New York.

New York Nurse Aide Registry

To contact the New York Nurse Aide Registry use the information below:

NY Nurse Aide
7941 Corporate Dr.
Nottingham, MD 21236
Phone: 1.800.805.9128

Out-of-State CNAs

Every state is different in terms of how they deal with out-of-state CNAs seeking licensure. New York does allow out-of-state CNAs to obtain a license after going through the following process:

• Download and submit the application form from the Prometric NY website with copies of your current state’s certificate
• Pay NY state fees
• Show proof of employment, signed by a supervisor, proving you’ve worked as a CNA in the past 24 months

Renewal

Once you’ve become a CNA in New York your license is good for two years and you are eligible for renewal if you worked for seven paid hours within those two years. If so, your employer can fill out a renewal application and submit it with the renewal fee. If you fail to meet these requirements you’ll need to retake the written and skills test portions of the CNA exam before regaining your certification and being able to work as a CNA in New York.

How much does a CNA make in New York?

CNA salary is dependent on many things, the two most critical factors being the location and the facility where you are employed. CNAs can earn higher wages if they have specialized skills or work at more unique locations such as research facilities. Living in more urban areas also can lead to higher pay as organizations are willing to pay more to fill positions. On average, the hourly pay for a CNA is $19.53, or a yearly salary of $40,620.

How long does it take to become a CNA in New York?

Anywhere from 4 – 16 weeks. The duration of CNA programs in New York depends largely on how frequently the program offers classes. Most full-time classes can be completed in as little as four weeks while part-time and weekend classes may take up to three months. Individuals must complete a minimum of 70 classroom hours and a minimum of 30 hands-on CNA clinical hours throughout the duration of the program.