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Becoming a CNA in Oklahoma

If you’re considering a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Oklahoma, this guide will walk you through the steps needed to achieve certification. Becoming a CNA in Oklahoma involves meeting specific requirements, attending an accredited CNA program, passing the CNA exam, and maintaining your certification. This process ensures that you are well-prepared to provide essential care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings.

Steps to Become a CNA in Oklahoma

Meet Basic Requirements: Ensure that you meet the age, health, and background criteria for CNA school admission and certification.

Attend a School: Enroll in a state-approved CNA program, and complete both classroom and clinical training hours.

Pass the CNA Exam: Understand the structure of the written and skills portions of the state certification exam.

Certification Registration and Upkeep: Learn how to register as a CNA and the steps needed to maintain your certification.

1. Meet Basic Requirements

Before enrolling in a CNA training program, you must meet the basic requirements set by the state of Oklahoma. These prerequisites ensure that you are eligible for certification and prepared for the role of a CNA.

Eligibility Criteria:

Age Requirement: You must be at least 16 years old to enroll in a CNA program in Oklahoma.

Education: While a high school diploma or GED is not explicitly required, many CNA programs prefer or recommend having one.

Physical and Health Requirements: Applicants must be in good physical health, have up-to-date immunization records, and pass a criminal background check.

Immunizations: This includes two TB tests and a flu shot. If you do not have a current flu shot, you may be required to wear a face mask during clinical training.

Background Check: All applicants must submit to a national background check. You must be able to provide proof of your Social Security Number (SSN) via your Social Security card, a letter from the Social Security Administration, or a W-2 form.

By meeting these basic requirements, you are eligible to begin training to become a CNA in Oklahoma.

2. Attend a School

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is to enroll in a state-approved CNA training program. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education oversees CNA training programs across the state.

Types of CNA Programs in Oklahoma:

Oklahoma offers various types of CNA certifications depending on the area of care you are interested in. The primary types of CNA certifications include:

Long-Term Care Aide (LTC): For working in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Home Health Aide (HHA): For working in home health care settings.

Developmentally Disabled Direct Care Aide (DDCA): For working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Residential Care Aide (RCA): For working in residential care facilities.

Adult Day Care Aide (ADC): For working in adult day care centers.

Certified Medication Aide (CMA): For those who want to administer medications in addition to CNA duties.

CNA Program Requirements:

CNA programs in Oklahoma require a minimum of 75 hours of training. This includes:

53 hours of classroom instruction, covering important nursing assistant knowledge and skills.

16 hours of supervised clinical training, where students work with patients under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). This hands-on clinical experience is essential for mastering the skills needed in real-world healthcare settings.

Some accelerated programs allow you to complete the training in as little as four weeks, while others offer part-time options that can be completed over several months. There are also hybrid programs that combine online coursework with in-person clinical training. Make sure to pass all coursework with at least a C average.

CNA Program Costs:

The cost of CNA programs in Oklahoma ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on the school and location. Some nursing homes offer free CNA training if you commit to working for them after becoming certified. Financial aid and payment plans may also be available at some institutions.

Featured CNA Programs in Oklahoma

Online

$449

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$1,558

$425

3. Pass the CNA Exam

Once you complete your CNA training, the next step is to take and pass the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Competency Exam. This exam is administered by Prometric, a testing company that works with the state of Oklahoma to certify nursing assistants.

Exam Components:

The CNA exam consists of two parts:

Written (or Oral) Test: This test includes 55 multiple-choice questions covering various aspects of patient care, safety, and healthcare practices. You have 90 minutes to complete the test. If English is not your first language, you may request an oral version of the exam.

To pass, you must score at least 70% on the written portion.

Skills Test: In this part of the exam, you will be required to demonstrate 5 randomly selected clinical skills out of 22 possible skills. These skills may include tasks such as taking vital signs, moving a patient using a gait belt, and providing personal hygiene care.

You will have 45 minutes to complete the skills test, and you must score at least 80% to pass this section.

Exam Fees:

Here is the cost breakdown for the CNA exam in Oklahoma:

Written (or Oral) Exam: $25

Skills Test: $30

Retesting Fees: If you need to retake either portion of the test, the same fees apply for each retake.

On the Day of the Exam:

You’ll need to bring the following items with you on the day of the exam:

Photo ID: A valid, government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license.

Original Training Verification Form: This is the certificate proving you have completed the required CNA training.

Proof of Social Security Number: Acceptable documents include a Social Security card, letter from the Social Security Administration, or W-2 form.

Non-skid, closed-toe shoes and scrub-like clothing for the skills test.

A watch with a second hand for timing tasks during the clinical skills portion of the test.

Exam Results:

You will receive your exam results on the same day you complete the test. Once you pass both the written and skills portions of the exam, you can officially be listed on the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

After successfully passing the CNA exam, you will be added to the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry. Your certification allows you to begin working as a CNA in healthcare facilities across the state.

Certification Renewal:

CNA certifications in Oklahoma are valid for 24 months. To renew your certification, you must complete the following requirements:

8 hours of paid work as a CNA or in a nursing-related field during the 24-month certification period.

In-service training: You must receive two hours of in-service training specific to your job assignment every month. This includes a performance review to ensure you are maintaining the necessary skills and competencies.

If your certification expires, you have a 30-day grace period to renew without penalty. If you renew after the grace period, a penalty fee will be applied in addition to the renewal fee. The penalty is 1.5% per month of the balance owed.

How to Renew:

You can submit your renewal application along with any applicable fees by mailing it to the Oklahoma State Department of Health or by emailing or faxing your application if no payment is required. The renewal process usually takes a few weeks, so be sure to start the process before your certification expires.

CNA Certification Summary

Requirement	Details
Training Hours	53 classroom hours, 16 clinical hours
Exam Components	Written (or Oral) and Skills Evaluation
Exam Cost	$25 Written Exam, $30 Skills Exam
Renewal Period	Every 24 months
Work Requirement for Renewal	8 hours of paid work in the past 24 months
In-Service Training Requirement	2 hours per month

By following these steps, you can become a CNA in Oklahoma and begin working in a healthcare setting, providing critical care to patients. Be sure to maintain your certification by completing the required work hours and in-service training to stay compliant with state regulations.

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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
1,467	Autry Technology Center	https://autrytech.edu/	1201 W Willow Rd	Enid	OK	73703	C493+J2 Enid, Oklahoma	(580) 242-2750	36.42	-97.90	36.4190559-97.8974685	Technical school	29	4.0	15	7	2	2	3	7:30AM to 8PM	7:30AM to 8PM	7:30AM to 8PM	7:30AM to 8PM	7:30AM to 4PM	Closed	Closed	More details
1,468	Cedarcrest Care Center	https://cedarcrestcarecenter.com/	1306 E College St	Broken Arrow	OK	74012	363G+MR Broken Arrow, Oklahoma	(918) 251-3200	36.05	-95.77	36.05415-95.7729837	Nursing home	18	3.3	9	1	1	0	7	9AM to 8:30PM	9AM to 8:30PM	9AM to 8:30PM	9AM to 8:30PM	9AM to 8:30PM	9AM to 8:30PM	9AM to 8:30PM	More details
1,469	Center of Family Love	https://centeroffamilylove.org/	635 Texas Ave	Okarche	OK	73762	P2C9+F3 Okarche, Oklahoma	(405) 263-4658	35.72	-97.98	35.7212295-97.9822616	Disability services and support organization	50	4.6	43	2	1	0	4	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
1,470	Connors State College West Campus	https://connorsstate.edu/	2501 N 41st St E	Muskogee	OK	74403	QMHQ+43 Muskogee, Oklahoma	(918) 687-6747	35.78	-95.31	35.7778042-95.3122926	College	30	4.3	22	2	2	0	4								More details
1,471	Golden Age Nursing Home	https://goldenageguthrie.com/	419 E Oklahoma Ave	Guthrie	OK	73044	VHHH+2P Guthrie, Oklahoma	(405) 282-0144	35.88	-97.42	35.8775841-97.4207136	Nursing home	20	3.2	10	1	0	0	9	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
1,472	Great Plains Technology Center - Lawton	https://www.greatplains.edu/	4500 SW Lee Blvd	Lawton	OK	73505	HGVX+CG Lawton, Oklahoma	(580) 355-6371	34.59	-98.45	34.5935819-98.4512306	Technical school	15	4.5	12	1	1	0	1	7:45AM to 9PM	7:45AM to 9PM	7:45AM to 9PM	7:45AM to 9PM	7:45AM to 4:15PM	Closed	Closed	More details
1,473	Guthrie Job Corps Center	https://guthrie.jobcorps.gov/	3106 W University Ave	Guthrie	OK	73044	VGCP+99 Guthrie, Oklahoma	(405) 282-9930	35.87	-97.46	35.8709206-97.464021	Employment center	123	2.8	38	14	10	11	50	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
1,474	Home of Hope Inc	https://homeofhope.com/	226 W Dwain Willis Ave	Vinita	OK	74301	JRHP+6M Vinita, Oklahoma	(918) 256-7825	36.63	-95.16	36.6280674-95.1632992	Social services organization	38	4.0	24	2	5	2	5	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8:30AM to 4:30PM	8:30AM to 4:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details
1,475	High Plains Technology Center	https://www.hptc.edu/	3921 34th St	Woodward	OK	73801	CH4F+F4 Woodward, Oklahoma	(580) 256-6618	36.41	-99.43	36.406173-99.42716	Vocational school	36	4.7	33	0	0	0	3	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details
1,476	Jensen's Harvest Home	https://jensensharvesthome.yolasite.com/	miles west of I-35-map is wrong, 17364 OK-9 Located 2 1/2	Norman	OK	73072	5FJ5+M9 Norman, Oklahoma	(405) 387-5057	35.18	-97.54	35.1817071-97.5415369																More details