Top Online CNA Classes in Ohio
Online Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes in Ohio offer a flexible, affordable, and quick route to a healthcare career. This guide will help you explore top programs and learn how to get certified.
Are you a high school student with dreams of making a difference in people’s lives? Perhaps you’re a new graduate eager to take your first step into the nursing field. Or maybe you want to transition to a healthcare career.
Fortunately, online CNA classes in Ohio offer a convenient solution for everyone interested in this career and open the door to a field full of opportunity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing assistant jobs are projected to grow at a rate of 4% and home health aides at a rate of 17% over the next decade.
If you’ve decided to become a state-tested nurse aide (STNA), which is what Ohio calls CNAs, get to know the best online CNA classes in Ohio. Many community colleges offer affordable options. To help you in your search, we put together this comprehensive guide that examines features of top schools, explains how to become a CNA, explores your earning potential as a nurse aide, and answers frequently asked questions. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about starting your new career.
Inside Ohio’s Standout Online CNA Classes
Below, we take a closer look at three quality online CNA classes in Ohio and key features such as tuition, financial aid options, and program length. They aren’t ranked, so you can consider each one as an option or even use them as examples of what to look for when choosing the right program for you.
Marion Tech
Marion Tech offers a three-week designed for students who want to begin working as a nurse aide quickly.. This three-credit program combines classroom instruction, labs, and clinical experiences to prepare students for giving long-term care to the elderly population. During the course, they learn about communication, critical thinking, infection control, safety and emergency measures, legal rights, and basic nursing skills.
As with all online CNA classes in Ohio, students receive a Certificate of Completion from the Ohio Department of Health upon finishing the course. They are then eligible to take the state exam and get added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.
Tuition is $205 per credit, so this program costs $615. Non-degree-seeking students who enroll in this program may be eligible for financial aid that may cover most of the costs. The college also partners with local employers to provide jobs and additional financial aid to students enrolled in the program.
Ohio State Career Training Center
Prospective students searching for the shortest online CNA classes in Ohio may like the nurse aide program at the Ohio State Career Training Center (OSTC), which can be completed in two and a half weeks. Students gain a foundation in body mechanics, nutrition, human disease processes, infection control, communication, and resident rights. Students learn basic personal care skills that they practice during two days (16 hours) of clinicals.
OSCTC is a state-approved test site, which streamlines the testing process for students. For those interested in pursuing a nursing degree or a CNA to LPN bridge program, note that this class is the prerequisite course required by several Ohio nursing schools.
As a nonprofit charitable and educational organization, OSCTC works to provide financial aid for students in various circumstances, including veterans, those with disabilities, and adults in need of employment. OSCTC is an approved training provider for the Ohio Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2013 (WIOA) funds.
Warren County Career Center
Warren County Career Center offers a 76-hour, hybrid STNA program consisting of 30 hours of theory, 30 hours of labs, and 16 hours of clinicals that take two to three weeks to complete.
Students finish 40 hours of online instruction before moving on to in-person labs. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The curriculum covers injuries and diseases, infection control, restorative care, wound care, and skills needed for daily activities. The class includes four review sessions in preparation for the state board exam.
The $1,000 tuition includes registration, one set of scrubs, textbook, and workbook, a Workkeys® assessment, and the state testing fee. Applicants must be 16 years of age, complete the Workkeys® assessment, and undergo a physical examination and a two-step TB test. The program doesn’t require proof of the COVID-19 vaccination, but clinical sites do, so students must be ready to submit it.
How to Become a CNA in Ohio Online
To become a CNA in Ohio, you must complete specific steps and meet state requirements that involve background checks, education, and examination. Read below to get an overview of what to expect during the process.
Step 1: Meet Basic Background Requirements
To become an STNA in Ohio, applicants must be at least 16 years old. A high school diploma isn’t necessary, but some CNA programs may require it. In general, the high school diploma proves helpful when finding employment. Before applying to the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) for a license, they must undergo a background check and submit their fingerprints to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Step 2: Graduate from an Approved CNA Program
According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), prospective nurse aides must complete an approved CNA program of at least 75 hours, consisting of 59 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of clinicals. Students receive training in basic nursing and personal care skills, resident rights, infection control, and safety procedures. Upon completing an approved class, students receive a Certificate of Completion and become eligible to take the state nurse aide test.
Step 3: Take the NNAAP Examination
After completing an approved CNA class, students must take the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program exam (NNAAP), which is used to assess the preparedness of prospective nurse aides. The exam consists of a written section that tests students’ knowledge of infection control, legal issues, and patient care, as well as a skills test that demonstrates students’ ability to perform essential nurse aide skills in a clinical setting. A passing grade verifies that students are competent to practice.
Step 4: Start Working as a CNA
Licensed CNAs/STNAs can work in long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and home health, where they provide hands-on care and assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, eating, dressing, walking, and using the toilet. Tasks also include taking vitals, tidying rooms, making beds, answering calls for help, and conveying messages to other members of the healthcare team. As the principal caregivers, they observe important details about residents’ physical, mental, and emotional condition.
Step 5: Renew Your CNA License Periodically
To remain on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, STNAs must renew their license every two years. Renewal requirements state that they must work seven and a half consecutive hours or an eight-hour shift within 48 hours during those two years. No continuing education is required. If they fail to meet this requirement, they must either provide proof of eight hours of working for pay during that time or complete additional training and evaluation.
Salary and Career Prospects for CNAs in Ohio
Two critical factors you must consider when becoming a nurse aide are job opportunities and salaries in healthcare.The average salary for STNAs in Ohio is just under $35,000, with the 10th percentile earning $28,740 a year.
With that in mind, the Cleveland-Elyria area offers the highest pay in the 10th percentile range of $30,190. Cleveland proves to be the most profitable location in Ohio for all three income categories with a top salary of $39,710, making it an ideal place for both new nurse aides and those with more experience. Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus follow close behind Cleveland as top-paying spots.
Lima, Canton, and Youngstown have the lowest possible salaries. Canton has 90th percentile salary of $39,310, making it a profitable place for CNAs with more extensive experience. For new nurse aides, Ohio’s larger cities hold the most opportunity with greater demand and higher pay than small towns and rural areas.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $28,740 | $34,990 | $38,830 |
| Akron, OH | $28,950 | $34,410 | $38,210 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $27,090 | $31,750 | $39,310 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $28,450 | $35,590 | $39,870 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | $30,190 | $36,240 | $39,710 |
| Columbus, OH | $28,320 | $35,400 | $39,400 |
| Dayton, OH | $29,160 | $35,250 | $38,240 |
| Lima, OH | $27,860 | $29,630 | $37,400 |
| Mansfield, OH | $28,180 | $29,710 | $35,170 |
| Springfield, OH | $29,220 | $32,870 | $36,720 |
| Toledo, OH | $29,010 | $35,260 | $39,620 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | $27,520 | $31,170 | $35,130 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 115,300 | 8.3% | 187,000 |
| Ohio | 890 | 1.4% | 7,770 |
Source: Projections Central
Frequently Asked Questions About Online CNA Classes in Ohio
We’ve put together answers to FAQs below. Read on to learn more!
Are there free STNA courses in Ohio?
Yes, there are free STNA courses in Ohio, although they may not be online. offers a nursing assistant class along with a tuition grant that covers the cost of the class for students who qualify. Cleveland Job Corps also has a free CNA class that’s open to low-income 16- to 24-year-old American citizens.
Can you become an STNA online in Ohio?
You can take online CNA classes in Ohio, but you’ll need to complete the required clinical hours on site, along with the skills portion of the state exam. Therefore, the majority of classes can be completed online, but to become an STNA who’s eligible for employment, you’ll have to appear in person to fulfill state requirements.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Ohio?
You can complete nurse aide training in as little as two and a half weeks, and there may also be four-week CNA classes. Many CNA classes average eight weeks in length. Ohio allows aides in training to work up to four months while they finish their classes and/or take the exam.
How much is it to get your STNA in Ohio?
The cost of becoming an STNA can vary, depending on the class you take and the scholarships and resources you use. Most classes are $600 and up, and tools, scrubs, vitals equipment, and miscellaneous supplies will have additional costs. The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam costs $104 for the first attempt. Additional fees apply if you retake it.
What topics are covered in online Ohio CNA courses?
In addition to basic nursing skills, nurse aide courses give students foundational knowledge of infection control, safety procedures, residents’ rights, communication, documentation, body mechanics, and human disease processes. They also learn how to recognize changes in condition, take vitals, and transfer people manually or with mechanical lifts.
What is the difference between an STNA and a CNA?
There is no difference between an STNA and a CNA, other than the state they work in. Ohio is the only state that uses the title “state-tested nurse aide” for people performing the tasks of a CNA. They carry out the same duties and undergo the same training and certification and approval process.
