Arizona CNA Classes Online: Compare Schools & Get Program Info
Becoming a CNA is a great entry point to the healthcare industry, and the first step is to take a CNA course. CNA classes in Arizona — whether online or in person — will give you basic healthcare knowledge to ensure patients at hospitals and long-term care facilities have their core needs met, from professional intake procedures to compassionate hygienic care. To help you decide if enrolling in CNA classes is right for you, we compiled a list of top courses in Arizona and details about what they entail.
Why Trust EduMed? We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare. Meet our team and review our editorial values.
Arizona CNA Programs: A Comparison
Online or partially online CNA classes in Arizona give you the flexibility to learn essential skills while accommodating your busy schedule. By contrast, on-campus learning will allow you to interact more with classmates and instructors. Many programs in Arizona blend the two.
Regardless of your learning format, graduating from an Arizona CNA program will prepare you to join an in-demand career path that can serve as a starting point for more advanced healthcare positions. To give you a better idea of what these programs look like (and how often you may have to go to campus), check out three of the best online CNA courses in Arizona. Each stood out in terms of academics, affordability, and potential career paths.
Nursing Program — Eastern Arizona College
The Nursing Program at Eastern Arizona College gives students the necessary instruction and experience to assist patients with their routine healthcare needs. The required coursework provides training in universal precautions in the professional field, accurate data collection in clinical settings, and guidelines for conforming to HIPAA confidentiality standards. Students can complete the program in as little as one semester, with lecture-style classes offered online. The course also includes 40 hours in a clinical setting, which must be completed in-person. By the end of the course, students are well prepared to take the state board of nursing assistant exam. EAC’s average nursing assistant examination pass rates are 89% on the written exam and 85% on the skills exam.
Duration: One semester
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $882 per credit in-state /$1,176 per credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Pass a background test
- Current CPR certification
- Pass a reading exam
- Unofficial transcripts for all other academic institutions
Curriculum:
- NUR100 (one semester)
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Nurse Assisting Program — Mesa Community College
With Mesa Community College’s Nurse Assisting Program, students can become CNAs after just six weeks of study. This program stands out for its scheduling flexibility and ability to accommodate students who are balancing the demands of their current employment and personal obligations. Students can choose from morning and evening weekday or weekend courses during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. For students with previous direct patient care experience, there’s also a fast-track advanced placement study option. MCC students gain expertise in the safe performance of nurse assistant skills, effective patient communication, and managing information confidentially and ethically before taking the Arizona CNA exam. MCC has an 87% pass rate on the written exam and an 88% pass rate on the skills exam.
Duration: Six weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $97 per credit hour in-state / $372 per credit hour out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Pass a background test
- Current CPR certification
- Unofficial transcripts for all other academic institutions
Curriculum:
- Students choose between the four-credit NUR158 or two-credit NCE150AP
Nursing Assistant Training Program — Northland Pioneer College
Northland Pioneer College’s Nursing Assistant Training Program prepares graduates for careers in nursing and residential care facilities or hospitals as CNAs. To give students the maximum opportunity for flexible study, mandatory lecture portions of the program are offered in online or in-person formats. Plus, students can fulfill their hands-on lab training hours on the Show Low, Snowflake/Taylor, or Winslow campuses or at the Whiteriver or Springerville centers. The NPC Nursing Assistant program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. On average, graduates of NPC receive first-time pass rates of 85% on the written and 82% on the skills portions of the nursing assistant examination.
Duration: One semester
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $73 per credit hour in-county | $91 per credit hour in-state | $410 per credit hour out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Pass a background test
- Current CPR certification
- Possess certain reading and math test scores
- Pass a TB skin test and provide proof of immunizations
Curriculum:
- NAT 101 Nursing Assistant (5 credits)
Student Resources: Answers to Common CNA Questions
While the spotlights above provide a comprehensive picture of individual programs, they probably don’t answer all your questions about becoming a CNA. The information below addresses the most pressing questions about how much CNA classes cost, ways to pay for these courses in Arizona, and Arizona’s official process to become a CNA.
How much do CNA classes cost in Arizona?
Students can expect the typical costs of becoming a CNA to be about $1,500. That estimate includes course tuition, required textbooks, and necessary supplies such as nursing scrubs. Some programs may also have additional fees for the application process, such as paying for a background check. To make enrollment even more approachable for prospective students, many schools provide the option to pay tuition in multiple installments. There’s also financial aid available, including scholarships specifically for CNA courses. If cost is a concern, keep in mind that the most affordable programs are often online. Plus, online programs cut down on student fees and transportation costs.
How long do CNA classes in Arizona take to finish?
CNA courses typically take four to eight weeks in Arizona. Nursing assistant curriculums cover a range of skills to prepare students for success in diverse medical settings. CNAs must learn clinical care competencies, such as patient care and changing bed sheets, clerical skills, and patient intake procedures. The time it takes to accomplish adequate training varies. For example, Sumner College nursing assistant education is completed in one month, while Cochise College’s CNA program takes one semester. If time is of the essence, talk with an admissions counselor about a program’s timeline before applying.
Do CNA classes accept financial aid?
When it comes to paying for CNA programs in Arizona, you have several options. Because many accelerated CNA programs are classified as vocational training and not secondary education, they are not eligible for federal financial aid funds. However, students enrolled in nursing assistant programs can usually receive private or school-based grants, student loans, scholarships, and some federal and state grants. To increase your chances of receiving aid, choose a program approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. This approval ensures that your chosen course fulfills the core educational obligations and minimum required hours of instruction to become a nursing assistant.
How else can I pay for CNA classes in Arizona?
Even though CNA assistant programs are quite affordable and can be completed quickly, the tuition and related expenses might present an obstacle for some students. If you need assistance to pay for CNA programs in Arizona, there are funding sources available.
Several Arizona-based scholarship programs welcome CNA students. The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona offers a one-time grant to individuals pursuing training toward a vocational certification. The Association for Career Technical Education of Arizona awards scholarships to students enrolled in career and technical education programs. Additionally, specific schools may provide individual needs-based scholarships.
Arizona also invests in nursing professionals and caregiver training. The state set aside funds for recruiting, training, and employing CNAs in the state’s skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers. Consult the AHCA Works site for details.
How do I become a CNA in Arizona?
To become a CNA in Arizona, you must transfer your license from another state or undergo training for new nursing assistants. If you’ve never worked as a CNA before, you’ll need to complete a CNA program approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing before successfully passing the Arizona nursing assistant exam offered by D&S Diversified Technologies. To register for the test, you must provide D&S with a physical exam application, proof of completion at an approved nurse assistant training program, and evidence of legal residence in the United States. Test fees of $130 to $140 also apply.
Arizona’s CNA Job & Pay Outlook
Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Arizona is an excellent career choice. The state’s job growth rate for CNAs is 23.50%, which is over five times the national average of 4.20%. This means CNAs in Arizona shouldn’t struggle to find a job and may have some leverage in negotiating more time off or other job perks. A high job growth rate also indicates there’s room to advance, meaning employers may reimburse tuition for continuing education courses or offer leadership roles to CNAs. Arizona CNAs also command a healthy salary, ranging from $34,760 to $47,870. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area, nurses tend to make more than the state average. In certain areas, such as Tucson and the Lake Havasu City-Kingman area, nurses may earn below this state average. In addition to location, education and experience also influence salaries. CNAs looking to command higher salaries may consider taking specialized continuing education courses.
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $34,760 | $39,920 | $47,870 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $38,270 | $39,800 | $47,120 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $32,640 | $37,190 | $44,860 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $35,710 | $40,610 | $48,750 |
| Prescott, AZ | $34,760 | $38,570 | $47,760 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $32,120 | $36,460 | $43,700 |
| Tucson, AZ | $33,690 | $37,550 | $45,750 |
| Yuma, AZ | $34,020 | $35,910 | $42,330 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,361,300 | 1,417,800 | 56,500 | 4.20% | 202,400 |
| Arizona | 17,830 | 22,020 | 4,190 | 23.50% | 3,240 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
