Home » Colorado

Becoming a CNA in Colorado

Steps to Become a CNA in Colorado:

If you’re considering becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Colorado, it’s important to understand the steps and requirements involved. This guide will provide you with a clear path to follow, including everything from the initial requirements to maintaining your certification. Whether you’re new to the healthcare field or looking to make a career change, this breakdown will give you the information you need.

1. Requirements: Understand the key qualifications for becoming a CNA in Colorado.

1. Attend a School: Learn about CNA programs in Colorado and what to consider when selecting one.

1. Test Information: Familiarize yourself with the CNA state exam and how to prepare.

1. Certification Registration and Upkeep: Get details on how to register and keep your certification active.

1. Requirements

To begin your career as a CNA in Colorado, you must meet certain requirements. These qualifications ensure that you are prepared to provide safe and effective care to patients.

Basic Eligibility:

Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to start CNA training, although some programs allow 16-year-olds with parental consent.

Educational Requirement: A high school diploma or GED is typically required. However, this may vary slightly depending on the training program.

Background Check: You will need to pass a state and federal background check, which ensures that individuals with a criminal history related to patient care or abuse are not permitted to work in healthcare settings.

Immunizations: Proof of immunizations, such as the COVID-19 vaccine and TB test, is necessary before you can begin working with patients. This is to ensure the safety of both you and the people in your care.

Meeting these requirements is the first step in becoming a CNA in Colorado. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you can move on to selecting a training program.

2. Attend a CNA Program in Colorado

To qualify for the CNA exam and certification, you must attend a state-approved training program. Here’s what you need to know when selecting a program:

Program Length and Structure:

Training Hours: Colorado requires a minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of clinical practice in a healthcare setting. This training includes classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience.

Duration: Programs in Colorado can range from as short as 3 weeks to a full semester (typically 10-12 weeks), depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time.

Program Considerations:

When choosing a CNA program, keep the following in mind:

Accreditation: Make sure the program is approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing. Only graduates of accredited programs are eligible to sit for the state certification exam.

Cost: CNA programs in Colorado typically cost between $500 to $1,500. This may or may not include additional fees for uniforms, textbooks, and testing. Some facilities, like nursing homes, offer free training in exchange for a commitment to work for them after certification.

Location and Schedule: Consider how far you’re willing to travel and what schedule works best for you. Many programs offer flexible schedules, including evening or weekend classes.

Reputation: Look for programs with high graduation and certification rates. Smaller class sizes often offer more personalized instruction.

Once you’ve chosen a program, you can start preparing for the training and the state exam.

Featured CNA Programs in Colorado

Online

Online

$700

$2,700

Online

$700

Online

$845

Online

$599

Online

$1,300

3. CNA Test Information

After completing your training program, the next step is to pass the Colorado CNA exam, which consists of two parts: a written (or oral) exam and a skills evaluation.

Test Breakdown:

Written Exam: This portion of the exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. You have two hours to complete it. If you choose the oral version, it includes the same content but may be easier for those who struggle with reading comprehension.

Skills Evaluation: In this section, you will demonstrate five randomly selected nursing skills. These could include tasks such as patient hygiene, transferring patients, or measuring vital signs. You will have 30 minutes to complete this portion.

Test Registration:

To take the exam, you need to create an account through Credentia’s CNA365 system, which manages the exam registration for Colorado.

You can schedule your exam after completing your state-approved training program.

The exam fees are $50 for the written portion and $85 for the skills test, which can be paid online through the CNA365 portal.

CTA: Click here to access our practice test

To improve your chances of passing, it’s helpful to take practice tests and review study materials that reflect the content of the actual exam.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you’ve passed the CNA exam, you’re ready to register for certification. However, getting certified is only the beginning—you’ll need to maintain your active status through the Colorado Board of Nursing.

Registering for Certification:

Submit your exam results: After passing both portions of the CNA exam, you’ll need to submit your test scores, along with proof of completing the CNA training program, to the Colorado Board of Nursing.

Background Check and Fingerprinting: You must also complete a background check and fingerprinting process. Fingerprints are submitted electronically to ensure your compliance with state laws, and this step confirms you’re fit to work in healthcare.

Once your application is approved, you will be added to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry, allowing you to start working as a CNA.

Maintaining Your Certification:

Keeping your certification active requires ongoing education and periodic renewal. Here’s what you need to do:

Renewal Frequency: CNA certification in Colorado must be renewed every two years.

Continuing Education: You are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education each year to remain eligible for renewal. This could include courses related to healthcare ethics, infection control, or any skill enhancements relevant to your CNA duties.

Work Requirement: Colorado requires CNAs to have worked at least 8 hours in a nursing-related role during the last 24 months. If you haven’t met this requirement, you may need to retake the CNA exam to renew your certification.

Renewing your certification on time is crucial to continue working as a CNA in Colorado. Make sure to stay updated on your continuing education and work requirements to avoid any lapses in certification.

Fingerprinting Requirements:

Fingerprinting is an essential step in maintaining your eligibility as a CNA in Colorado. You will need to get your fingerprints scanned by an approved Livescan provider and ensure that the results are submitted to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

The process ensures that all CNAs in the state meet the necessary safety and ethical standards for working in healthcare environments.

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
259	Agape Angelicum School of Nursing Arts INC.	https://agapeangelicum.tripod.com/	5005 W 81st Pl	Westminster	CO	80031	RWVX+QC Westminster, Colorado	(720) 470-6563	39.84	-105.05	39.8443903-105.0514035	Nursing school	21	4.5	18	0	0	2	1	7:30AM to 12:30PM, 1 to 5:30PM	7:30AM to 12:30PM, 1 to 5:30PM	7:30AM to 12:30PM, 1 to 5:30PM	7:30AM to 12:30PM, 1 to 5:30PM	7:30AM to 12:30PM, 1 to 5:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details
260	Larchwood Inns	https://larchwoodinns.com/	2845 N 15th St	Grand Junction	CO	81506	3FV2+6H Grand Junction, Colorado	(970) 245-0022	39.09	-108.55	39.093081-108.548577	Rehabilitation center	22	3.0	10	1	1	0	10	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
261	Saint Luke's Lutheran Church	https://www.saintlukes-cs.org/	5265 N Union Blvd	Colorado Springs	CO	80918	W65G+7F Colorado Springs, Colorado	(719) 598-4397	38.91	-104.77	38.9081965-104.7737937	Lutheran church	18	4.6	14	3	0	0	1	10AM to 4PM	10AM to 4PM	10AM to 4PM	10AM to 4PM	Closed	Closed	8AM to 12PM	More details
262	Aims Community College	https://www.aims.edu/	5401 W 20th St	Greeley	CO	80634	C65Q+V2 Greeley, Colorado	(970) 330-8008	40.41	-104.76	40.409654-104.7623827	Community college	148	4.3	106	16	4	2	20								More details
263	Arapahoe Community College	https://www.arapahoe.edu/	5900 S Santa Fe Dr	Littleton	CO	80120	JX5J+6F Littleton, Colorado	(303) 797-4222	39.61	-105.02	39.6080683-105.0188452	Community college	183	4.0	109	27	8	9	30	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 7PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
264	Community College Of Denver	https://www.ccd.edu/	800 Curtis Street	Denver	CO	80204	PXRV+GQ Denver, Colorado	(303) 556-2600	39.74	-105.01	39.7413492-105.0055108	Community college	156	3.2	65	17	14	11	49	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
265	Christian Living Communities	https://christianlivingcommunities.org/	9570 S Kingston Ct Ste. 300	Englewood	CO	80112	G4VR+P2 Englewood, Colorado	(720) 974-3555	39.54	-104.86	39.5443025-104.8599189	Retirement community	4	5.0	4	0	0	0	0	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
266	Colorado Northwestern Community College	https://www.cncc.edu/	500 Kennedy Dr	Rangely	CO	81648	36J6+83 Rangely, Colorado	(800) 562-1105	40.08	-108.79	40.0808639-108.7898101	Community college	22	3.3	12	1	0	0	9	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
267	CollegeAmerica	https://www.collegeamerica.edu/locations/denver/	1385 S Colorado Blvd Building A, 5th floor	Denver	CO	80222	M3R5+JG Denver, Colorado	(303) 534-0226	39.69	-104.94	39.6915116-104.9411669		43	4.3	32	5	0	1	5								More details
268	Columbine Health Systems	https://www.columbinehealth.com/	802 W Drake Rd	Fort Collins	CO	80526	HW35+HF Fort Collins, Colorado	(970) 482-0198	40.55	-105.09	40.5539992-105.0912676	Nursing home	22	3.0	10	1	0	0	11	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details