If you are currently considering enrolling in to certified nursing assistant programs in Alabama, we recommend taking the time to look at our list of accredited CNA classes. The nursing assistant is a vital part of the healthcare system.
The nurse aide helps care for patients outside the hospital and that allows for resources and care to be efficiently given throughout the system. All care is done under supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
How to become a CNA in Alabama
The (ADPH) Alabama Department of Health regulates Alabama nursing assistants. Employment eligibility within the state of Alabama requires the completion of all of the ADPH’s training certification requirements and that nursing assistants get listed on the Alabama Certified Nurse Aide Registry.
Find CNA Classes in Alabama Today
Step 1 – Satisfy Entry Requirements
Meet college/technical school admission requirements
Show proof of a HS diploma/GED
Be at least 16-18 years old
Pass a health physical
Have health insurance
Have current immunizations for tuberculosis, hepatitis-B and possibly others diseases (varies by school)
Have a current Healthcare Provider level CPR certification
Pass criminal background check
Pass drug test
Step 2 – Enroll in an ADHP-approved CNA training program
Nurse Aide Courses in Alabama
If you have questions about regulations or training see the information listed here. All approved nursing assistant programs in the state of Alabama are listed below.
American Red Cross of Alabama
1101 Washington Street Northwest, Huntsville, Alabama 35801
(256) 536-0084
The Red Cross offer courses in life support, CPR and other life saving skills. CNA courses are given throughout the state of Alabama.
Calhoun Community College
102 Wynn Drive NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35805
(256) 890-4700
The CNA training program at Calhoun Community College is very well respected. It is a 6 week course that will set their students up for CNA Certification from the state! There are fees associated with training on top of tuition and they are as follow below.
TB skin test (2-part ) – $50.00
Background test and drug screen – $71.50 (at minimum)
State certification exam fee – $110.00
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
2602 College Drive, Phoenix City, Alabama 36869
(334) 291-4900
The Chattahoochee Valley Community College CNA course is one semester in length. It will require completion of NAS 100 – Long Term Care Nursing Assistant. That is a four credit-hour classroom and clinical course. After passing NAS 100, graduates are eligible to take the Nurse Aide Certification Exam.
Coastal Alabama Community College
1900 Highway 31 South Bay, Minette, AL 36507
(800) 381-3722
The Center for Professional Development (CPD) at Coastal Alabama Community College gives their amazing support of economic growth through education in professional development, workforce training initiatives and recreational classes. They offer a wonderful CNA training program and you can register here for classes.
Bevill State Community College
491 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Carrolton, Alabama 35447
800-648-3271, ext. 5941
Bevill State Community College’s CNA program is one of the best in Alabama and gives great classroom and clinical training to their students. Graduates will be able to sit for the certification exam when finished.
Easter Seals Central Alabama
2185 Normandie Drive, Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 288-0240
The Easter Seals CNA training program is just fantastic and is one of a kind! The curriculum at Easter Seals in Montgomery for CNA training is part classroom and practical instruction. Subjects are health, nutrition, safety, personal care, developmental and emotional needs. Easter Seals boasts a great reputation for getting their CNA program graduates hired after their training. Their website says 93% of their graduates get work. That is astounding!
Gadsden State Community College
1001 George Wallace Drive, Gadsden, Alabama 35903
256-439-6883
Gadsden State Community College has a top tier nursing aide and nursing assistant program. At GSCC, CNA trainees can expect to earn certifications in CPR, phlebotomy, medical terminology and professional development training. The CNA program at Gadsden State CC is 10 weeks in length.
Trenholm State Technical College
1225 Air Base Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36108
(334) 420-4200
Nurse aide training at Trenholm State Technical College preps their students for the Certification Examination for Nursing Assisting given by the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). Details of the CNA program at TSTC can be found here.
J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College
3421 Meridian Street, North Huntsville, Alabama 35811
(256) 539-8161
Students will have to have proof of a TB Skin Test & Hepatitis Series B Immunization test. A current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification is also required for program entry. The cost of the CNA course at J.F. Drake is $1030.00. This cost does in fact include books, tuition, uniforms and the fee of the NNAAP certification test.
Lawson State Community College
3060 Wilson Road SW, Birmingham, Alabama 35221
(205) 925-2515
At Lawson State, students can get their CNA training is a state of the art environment and at an affordable cost of around $1,500. Applicants will have to follow these steps below.
1. Have high school graduate or GED certificate
2.Complete a Health Form
3. Receive certain immunizations at own expense. I.E. influenza, measles, hepatitis – B.
Live Oak Village Independent and Assisted Living
2300 North Cedar Street, Foley, Alabama 36535
(251) 943-6733
Live Oak has career training for new employees and CNA training is offered. There are many career opportunities with Live Oak and their partners.
Morningside
Cullman
2021 Dahlke Drive Northeast, Cullman, Alabama 35058
(256) 737-1088
Sheffield
413 Cox Boulevard, Sheffield, Alabama- 35660
(256)-381-1058
Morningside offers CNA training to their new nurse aides and has the resources for making great nurse aides out of their employees.
Northwest – Shoals Community College
800 George Wallace Boulevard, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661
(256) 331-5200
The training program at Shoals CC for nursing assisting is an 80 hour training course. All training is certified with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and graduates of the program will be prepared to take the NNAAP exam. Total cost of the program is a little over $800 on average according to the school’s latest data.
Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, Alabama- 35986
(256)-228-6001
Students can register here for access to the great CNA program at NACC. Career services at Northeast Alabama Community College are also outstanding and should be taken advantage of as much as possible.
Reid State Technical College
P.O. Box- 588, Evergreen, Alabama 36401
(251) 578-1313
The course given to future nursing assistants at Reid State Technical College is some of the best in all of Alabama! The program is a 6 week full time program that will prepare graduates to take the NNAAP exam for their CNA certification. Details about the program and its costs are detailed here.
Shelton State Community College
9500 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405
(205) 391-2211
The 25 hour CNA training program at Sheldon State is a combination training with classroom and clinical training. All graduates will be eligible to take the NNAAP exam for the Alabama CNA certification.
Southern Union State Community College
1701 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika, Alabama 36801
(334) 745-6437
The 5-10 week CNA course at Southern Union State CC preps students for the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP).
What Does CNA Training in Alabama Cost?
The typical cost for the education portion of becoming a certified nursing assistant is around $800 for tuition and about $1200 when you include all the training materials and books.
Step 3 – Complete the state-required classroom and clinical hours
You will not be considered eligible to take the state’s certification exam (the NACES) unless you have met this requirement.
Step 4 – Pass either the NNAAP or NACES certification exam
These exams are administered by national testing services PearsonVUE (NNAAP) and ProMetric (NACES). Monthly test sites in Alabama are usually in the cities listed below. Please refer to the services websites for dates and times.
- Eufaula
- Gadsden
- Montgomery
- Selma
- Talladega
Pearson Vue test fees are listed below and here is a link to their application.
Written Exam and Skills Evaluation $100.00
English Oral Exam and Skills Evaluation $120.00
Spanish Oral Exam and Skills Evaluation $120.00
Written Exam ONLY $40.00
English Oral Exam ONLY $60.00
Spanish Oral Exam ONLY $60.00
Skills Evaluation ONLY $60.00
Prometric fees are below and here is a link to their candidate bulletin for all new applicants.
Written Exam: $35
Oral Exam: $35
Clinical Skills Exam: $40
Step 5 – Get listed in the Alabama Certified Nursing Aide Registry
Alabama Certified Nurse Aide Registry
Alabama Department of Public Health
Division of Health Care Facilities
The RSA Tower
201 Monroe Street, Suite 700
Montgomery, AL 36104
CNA salary and jobs in Alabama
There is an expected 14.8% growth in new jobs for nursing assistants in the State of Alabama through 2024. The opportunity to work under registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provides a great opportunity to make the jump to higher level careers. Such positions are LPN, Medical Assistant and RN.
Below is a list of the largest cities in Alabama and more data on nursing assistant pay across Alabama.
| Location | Pay Type | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Hourly | $9.64 | $12.78 | $18.22 |
| Yearly | $20,040 | $26,590 | $37,900 | |
| Alabama | Hourly | $8.15 | $10.59 | $14.52 |
| Yearly | $16,950 | $22,030 | $30,200 | |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | Hourly | $8.71 | $11.31 | $14.78 |
| Yearly | $18,120 | $23,530 | $30,750 | |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | Hourly | $8.47 | $11.19 | $17.10 |
| Yearly | $17,620 | $23,280 | $35,570 | |
| Huntsville, AL | Hourly | $8.55 | $11.05 | $15.53 |
| Yearly | $17,790 | $22,980 | $32,290 | |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | Hourly | $8.36 | $11.01 | $14.87 |
| Yearly | $17,400 | $22,900 | $30,930 | |
| Southeast Alabama | Hourly | $7.98 | $10.72 | $18.45 |
| Yearly | $16,610 | $22,300 | $38,380 | |
| Gadsden, AL | Hourly | $8.28 | $10.56 | $13.06 |
| Yearly | $17,220 | $21,960 | $27,170 | |
| Decatur, AL | Hourly | $8.45 | $10.53 | $12.36 |
| Yearly | $17,570 | $21,910 | $25,700 | |
| Northwest Alabama | Hourly | $8.14 | $10.53 | $13.77 |
| Yearly | $16,920 | $21,900 | $28,640 | |
| Montgomery, AL | Hourly | $8.16 | $10.46 | $14.50 |
| Yearly | $16,970 | $21,750 | $30,150 | |
| Mobile, AL | Hourly | $8.06 | $10.40 | $13.49 |
| Yearly | $16,770 | $21,630 | $28,060 | |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | Hourly | $8.02 | $10.35 | $14.46 |
| Yearly | $16,670 | $21,520 | $30,080 | |
| Southwest Alabama | Hourly | $8.01 | $10.08 | $12.49 |
| Yearly | $16,650 | $20,960 | $25,980 | |
| Northeast Alabama | Hourly | $7.97 | $9.93 | $12.57 |
| Yearly | $16,580 | $20,650 | $26,140 | |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | Hourly | $7.83 | $9.85 | $12.72 |
| Yearly | $16,280 | $20,480 | $26,460 | |
| Columbus, GA-AL | Hourly | $7.85 | $9.83 | $13.55 |
| Yearly | $16,320 | $20,450 | $28,170 | |
| Dothan, AL | Hourly | $7.81 | $9.27 | $13.19 |
| Yearly | $16,240 | $19,270 | $27,440 |