As the population in Arizona ages, the demand for well-qualified and properly trained CNAs is dramatically increasing. Those looking to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant can find an extremely demanding yet rewarding career path. Additionally, the state of Arizona offers a large number of job opportunities for CNAs, particularly as the population ages.
Who is the Regulatory Body for CNAs in Arizona?
CNA certification in Arizona is controlled by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Who Administers the CNA Exam in Arizona?
The CNA certification exam in Arizona is administered internally by the state of Arizona within the Arizona State Board of Nursing, with a platform called Headmaster. You can take a free CNA practice test on this site to help prepare yourself for the exam. You can take additional practice test by visiting the following pages.
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Arizona State Requirements for CNAs
It is required that those seeking to become CNAs in Arizona completed a CNA program and obtain a passing score on the state-administered CNA exam. In Arizona, a minimum of 120 hours of CNA classes must be completed at an accredited program. These 120 hours are broken up into 80 hours of classroom learning and 40 hours of clinical experience. The average cost for a CNA program in Arizona ranges from $500 to $1700. A variety of institutions offer accredited classes, including career programs at high schools, community colleges, hospitals, nursing homes and also the American Red Cross.
Arizona CNA Exam Details
In Arizona, a candidate can apply to take the CNA exam by completing the application once they have completed a state-approved program. The Arizona CNA exam has two parts, a knowledge section, and a skills section. The knowledge section can be taken in either audio or written formats. If a candidate chooses to take the oral exam they will have the option to do so in English or Spanish, though Spanish speakers will be expected to know some basic spoken and written English. The exams are handled by Pearson Vue and following NNAAP exam model guidelines.
Upon passing the Arizona CNA exam, you are added to the Arizona Nurse Aide Registry. Nurse aide certificates must be renewed every two years in even-numbered years regardless of when the certificate was issued.
How Much Does the Arizona CNA Exam Cost?
The following is a breakdown of costs for CNA exams in Arizona:
- $30 – Knowledge Test Written
- $40 – Knowledge Test Oral
- $88 – Skills Test
Where Can I Take the CNA Exam in Arizona?
There are regional test sites throughout the state of Arizona, as well as in-facility test sites that are offered by CNA programs offered by CNA institutions to students.
How Much Does a CNA Get Paid in Arizona?
The average annual salary for a CNA in Arizona is $40,950, with average hourly wages at $19.69 according to data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, May 2024.
Arizona Nurse Aide Registry
If you need to contact the registry you can find that information on our Arizona Nurse Aide Registry page. To check the standing of a CNA on the Arizona registry, follow the link.
Free CNA Classes in Arizona
If you live in Arizona and you’re looking for free CNA classes near you, we have compiled listings of many accredited providers in the state including CNA classes in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale. We urge you to contact these facilities directly or visit their websites to learn more about the specifics of their free CNA programs as some of these medical and senior care facilities may have work contracts tied to their programs for tuition reimbursement. You can also look at lists that specifically outline free CNA classes in Phoenix. If you are a provider of free CNA courses in Arizona, please contact us so we can add you to our database.
| CNA Free Class Locations | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler Health Care Center | Chandler, AZ 85224 | 480-899-6717 |
| Fountain View Village | Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 | (888) 779-8653, (480) 836-4800, 480-351-7641 |
| Gardens Care Center | Kingman, AZ 86401 | (928) 718-4852, (928) 718-0718 |
| Arizona Medical Training Institute | Mesa, AZ 85201 | (480) 835-7679 |
| Banner Baywood Medical Center | Mesa, AZ 85206 | (480) 321-2000 |
| Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital | Nogales, AZ 85621 | (520) 285-3000 |
| Forum At Desert Harbor | Peoria, AZ 85381 | 623-972-0995 |
| Cactus Wren Training Program LLC | Phoenix, AZ 85029 | (602) 741-5526 |
| Boswell Extended Care Center | Sun City, AZ 85351 | (623) 876-5364 |
| Catalina Health Care Center | Tucson, AZ 85719 | (520) 795-9574 |
Locations Offering CNA Classes in Arizona
There are a number of other reasonably priced educational centers offering CNA certifications in Arizona. The list below is a comprehensive grouping of CNA classes, resources, and information across the state of Arizona. Additionally, there is another list of CNA programs in Arizona here.
| Location | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ 85392 | (623) 535-2700 |
| The Legacy Rehab & Care Center | Bullhead City, AZ 86442 | (928) 763-1404 |
| Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology | Coolidge, AZ 85128 | (520)423-1944 |
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ 85128 | (800) 237-9814 |
| Mingus Union High School District | Cottonwood, AZ 86326 | (928) 634-753 |
| Coconino Community College | Flagstaff, AZ 86001-2701 | (928) 226-4348 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ 85302 | (623) 845-3000 |
| Gila Community College | Globe, AZ 85502-2656 | (928) 425-8481 |
| Yond Institute of Learning | Goodyear, AZ 85338 | (866) 829-2286 |
| North Pioneer College | Holbrook, AZ 86025-0610 | (800) 266-7845 |
| The Lingenfelter Center | Kingman, AZ 86401 | (928) 718-4852 |
| The Gardens Rehab & Care Center | Kingman, AZ 86401 | (928) 718-0718 |
| Mohave Community College | Kingman, AZ 86409 | (928) 757-4331 |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Mesa, AZ 85201 | (480) 461-4000 |
| The Arizona Medical Training Institute | Mesa, AZ 85201 | (480) 835-7676 |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ 85207 | (480) 654-7200 |
| Nogales Unified School District | Nogales, AZ 85621 | (520) 287-0800 |
| Phoenix Job Corps Center | Phoenix, AZ 85004 | (602) 254-5921 |
| Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ 85013 | (602) 285-7800 |
| Providence Training Institute | Phoenix, AZ 85018 | (602) 606-8879 |
| Brookline College | Phoenix, AZ 85021-5820 | (602) 242-6265 |
| Paradise Valley High School | Phoenix, AZ 85032 | (602) 449-7000 |
| Yavapai College | Prescott, AZ 86301 | (928) 445-7300 |
| Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626 | (480) 423-6000 |
| Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. | Somerton, AZ 85350 | (928) 627-9222 |
| East Valley Career Institute | Tempe, AZ 85283 | (480) 454-6535 |
| Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ 85709 | (520) 206-3210 |
| Tucson Medical Center | Tucson, AZ 85712 | (520) 327-5461 |
| Caregiver Training Institute | Tucson, AZ 85713-3865 | (520) 325-4870 |
| Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center | Tucson, AZ 85719 | (520) 792-3015 |
| Southern Arizona VA Health Care System | Tucson, AZ 85723 | (520) 792-1450 |
| Pima County JTED | Tucson, AZ 85741 | (520) 352-JTED (5833) |
| Arizona Western College | Yuma, AZ 85365 | (928) 317-6000 |
| Paradise Valley Community College | Phoenix, AZ 85032 | (602) 787-7000 |
| Saguaro High School | Scottsdale, AZ 85250 | (480) 484-7100 |