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Becoming a CNA in Kansas

Steps to Become a CNA in Kansas

If you’re thinking about becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Kansas, this guide will walk you through each step of the process. Whether you’re just starting out in healthcare or transitioning from another career, this will give you the information you need to move forward.

Meet Basic Requirements: Learn about the age, background check, and vaccination requirements for becoming a CNA in Kansas.

Attend a School: Understand what to consider when choosing a CNA program and what the training involves.

Test Information: Details about the Kansas Nurse Aide Test, including test formats and fees. Includes a link to a practice test.

Certification Registration and Upkeep: Know how to register your certification and maintain it over time.

1. Meet Basic Requirements

Before you start your CNA training in Kansas, you need to meet several basic requirements. These requirements ensure that you’re qualified to work in healthcare settings and that you’re prepared to handle patient care responsibilities.

Requirements to Begin CNA Training in Kansas:

Age: You must be at least 16 years old to start CNA training. If you’re under 18, you’ll need a parental consent waiver.

Criminal Background Check: A background check is required to ensure there are no disqualifying criminal convictions. This is a mandatory step for all prospective CNAs.

Vaccinations or Waiver: CNAs in Kansas must either be vaccinated against Hepatitis B, Influenza, Tuberculosis (TB), and COVID-19, or sign a waiver if necessary. Check with your training program for specific vaccination policies.

By meeting these basic requirements, you’ll be ready to start your CNA training and enter the healthcare field.

2. Attend a School

Once you meet the basic qualifications, it’s time to choose a CNA training program in Kansas. Training programs are available at various locations, including community colleges, vocational schools, and healthcare facilities.

What to Expect from a Kansas CNA Program:

In Kansas, CNA training programs are 90 hours in total and include both classroom and clinical instruction.

Classroom Education (45 hours): The classroom portion covers patient care, safety protocols, infection control, and communication skills. It provides the theoretical knowledge you need to handle basic nursing tasks.

Clinical Training (45 hours): The clinical portion allows you to apply what you’ve learned in a real healthcare setting under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Types of CNA Programs:

Kansas offers a variety of training schedules to fit your needs:

Accelerated Programs: Complete your training in as little as four weeks.

Weeknight and Weekend Classes: If you work during the day, these programs offer more flexibility.

Online/Hybrid Programs: Some schools offer the classroom portion online, with clinical hours done in person.

Where to Attend CNA Training in Kansas:

Some well-known schools offering CNA training programs in Kansas include:

Salina Area Technical College – Offers an 8-week program with both daytime and evening class options.

Johnson County Community College – A popular option with in-person and hybrid learning formats.

Wichita State University – Provides flexible schedules for students.

Make sure to ask the program administrators about the total costs, including tuition, textbooks, lab fees, uniforms, and exam fees. Some schools may also offer financial aid or scholarships to help offset these costs.

Featured CNA Programs in Kansas

3. Test Information

After completing your CNA training, you’ll need to pass the Kansas Nurse Aide State Exam to become certified. This exam is split into two parts: the written exam and the clinical skills test.

CNA Exam Structure:

Written Exam: The written portion consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics like patient care, infection control, and safety procedures. A score of 75% or higher is required to pass. If English is your second language, you may use a bilingual dictionary during the test or request extra time.

Skills Test: This part involves performing a set of clinical tasks in front of an examiner. You’ll be asked to demonstrate key CNA skills like:

Proper handwashing techniques

Transferring a patient using a gait belt

Feeding a resident

Taking and recording vital signs

You have three attempts to pass both parts of the exam within 12 months of completing your training program. If you don’t pass within those attempts, you’ll need to retake the entire CNA course.

CNA Exam Fees:

Here’s a breakdown of the costs for the Kansas CNA exam:

Written Exam: $25

Clinical Skills Exam: $30

Application Fee: $20 (non-refundable)

We recommend taking a CNA practice test to prepare. Click here to access our free CNA practice test. This will help you get comfortable with the test format and questions, improving your chances of passing on the first attempt.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you’ve passed both the written and skills portions of the exam, you will be added to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry. Registration is required to work as a CNA in Kansas and helps employers verify your certification status.

Certification Registration:

After passing the exam, your name will be added to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Being listed on the registry is necessary to legally work as a CNA in Kansas, and there is no cost to be included.

Keeping Your Certification Active:

To keep your CNA certification active, Kansas requires you to:

Work Requirement: You must work at least 8 hours in a nurse aide role every two years. The work must be in a healthcare facility such as a hospital or nursing home—working in a doctor’s office or clinic does not count toward this requirement.

Refresher Course: If you haven’t worked in a CNA role within the two-year period, you’ll need to take a 10-hour refresher course to reactivate your certification. You can find available refresher courses on the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry website.

Renewal Process:

Every two years, you’ll need to renew your CNA certification by submitting an Employment Verification Form. This form must be completed by your employer and submitted to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry. If you’re unable to provide proof of employment, you’ll need to complete the refresher course or pass a skills assessment.

You can renew your certification online through the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry website, and it’s important to stay on top of the renewal dates to avoid your certification becoming inactive.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a certified CNA in Kansas. Whether you’re selecting a training program, preparing for the exam, or keeping your certification active, this guide covers everything you need to start your career as a CNA in Kansas.

Other Local CNA Programs

id	Name	Website	Street Address	City	State	Zip Code	plus_code	Phone	latitude	longitude	latlong	Category	Reviews	Rating	5star	4star	3star	2star	1star	Monday Hours	Tuesday Hours	Wednesday Hours	Thursday Hours	Friday Hours	Saturday Hours	Sunday Hours	Details
686	Aberdeen Village	https://www.presbyterianmanors.org/communities/aberdeen-village/	17520 W 119th St	Olathe	KS	66061	W675+FR Olathe, Kansas	(913) 562-1329	38.91	-94.79	38.9137366-94.790497	Retirement community	16	4.3	13	0	0	1	2	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
687	Barton Community College 1	https://bartonccc.edu/	245 NE 30 Rd	Great Bend	KS	67530	C738+GP Great Bend, Kansas	(800) 748-7594	38.40	-98.73	38.4037674-98.7331466	Community college	58	4.1	38	6	2	3	9	7:30AM to 4:30PM	7:30AM to 4:30PM	7:30AM to 4:30PM	7:30AM to 4:30PM	7:30AM to 4:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details
688	ANEW Healthcare and Rehab-Easton	https://www.anewmgt.com/	515 Dawson St	Easton	KS	66020	8VWH+F9 Easton, Kansas	(913) 773-5517	39.35	-95.12	39.3462391-95.121506	Nursing home	5	3.4	3	0	0	0	2	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
689	Dodge City Community College	https://dc3.edu/	2501 N 14th Ave	Dodge City	KS	67801	QXG7+QH Dodge City, Kansas	(620) 225-1321	37.78	-100.04	37.7769298-100.0360516	Community college	35	4.3	23	6	2	1	3	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
690	Flint Hills Job Corps Center	https://flinthills.jobcorps.gov/	4620 Eureka Dr	Manhattan	KS	66503	583X+G6 Manhattan, Kansas	(800) 733-5627	39.15	-96.65	39.1538347-96.6519598	Technical school	50	3.6	22	6	10	4	8	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
691	Highland Community College	http://highlandcc.edu/	606 W Main St	Highland	KS	66035	VP5H+X9 Highland, Kansas	(785) 442-6000	39.86	-95.27	39.859988-95.2715864	Community college	40	3.7	22	4	3	1	10	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
692	KANSAS COLLEGE OF NURSING	https://www.kansascollegeofnursing.com/	7721 Quivira Rd	Lenexa	KS	66216	X7QG+JM Lenexa, Kansas	(913) 248-2838	38.99	-94.72	38.9890707-94.7232575	Nursing school	42	4.2	31	3	0	0	8	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	More details
694	Parkside Homes Inc	https://parksideks.org/	200 Willow Rd	Hillsboro	KS	67063	8QVW+F7 Hillsboro, Kansas	(620) 947-2301	38.34	-97.20	38.3436918-97.2043702	Nursing home	38	4.0	24	4	1	4	5								More details
695	Cedars Inc	https://thecedars.org/	1021 Cedars Dr	McPherson	KS	67460	98HW+XR McPherson, Kansas	(620) 241-0919	38.38	-97.65	38.379907-97.652883	Retirement home	9	3.9	5	2	0	0	2	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	Closed	Closed	More details
696	WSU Tech	https://wsutech.edu/	4004 N Webb Rd	Wichita	KS	67226	QQ4G+Q7 Wichita, Kansas	(316) 677-9400	37.76	-97.22	37.756972-97.2242927	Aviation training institute	47	3.2	15	11	3	3	15	8AM to 6PM	8AM to 6PM	8AM to 6PM	8AM to 6PM	9AM to 12PM	Closed	Closed	More details