Do You Need a Degree to Become a CNA in 2025

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Share

What are the standard CNA degree requirements for aspiring nursing assistants?

CNA degree requirements are designed to ensure that aspiring nursing assistants have the right foundation before beginning their journey. These requirements are generally minimal compared to other healthcare roles, which makes the CNA path more accessible. Still, understanding them is important so you can prepare for enrollment and certification.

Below are the most common CNA degree requirements you should expect before starting a program:

• High School Diploma or GED: 29% of certified nursing assistants hold a high school diploma. This is the basic educational foundation for most CNAs (Zippia, 2025).
• State-Approved CNA Training Program: Enrollment in a state-approved program is mandatory, as only these programs meet the standards required to qualify students for the CNA certification exam.
• Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree (Optional): While not imperative for becoming a CNA, holding an advanced degree in healthcare can provide an advantage in career advancement and higher earning potential later on.
• Health and Immunizations: Most programs require proof of vaccinations, a physical exam, and sometimes a negative TB test to ensure student and patient safety.
• Background Check: Applicants must typically undergo a criminal background check to confirm eligibility for work in healthcare settings.
• Age Requirement: Many states require students to be at least 16-18 years old to enroll in a CNA program.
• CPR Certification: Some programs may ask for current CPR training, or they may include it as part of the curriculum.

By understanding CNA degree requirements and preparing for the certification process, you can set yourself up for success in this rewarding career. For those eager to get started quickly, accelerated certified nursing assistant programs online provide a flexible way to gain the knowledge and skills needed to begin working in as little as a few weeks.

What are the most relevant degrees for aspiring CNA professionals?

Although CNA degree requirements typically involve a certificate or diploma, some degree programs can provide aspiring professionals with a broader foundation. These degrees are not mandatory for CNA work but can strengthen knowledge and open doors for advancement. 

Below are some of the most relevant degrees for those pursuing a CNA career path:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Gives students a strong academic and clinical base that builds on CNA skills. It also prepares graduates to move directly into RN licensure, creating a clear path for career progression.
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Sciences: Provides students with a broad education in healthcare while including foundational courses relevant to CNA training.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences: Expands beyond CNA-level training to include advanced coursework in healthcare policy, management, and clinical practice.
• Allied Health Degrees: Exposes students to a wide range of healthcare specialties beyond nursing, giving aspiring CNAs more flexibility to pivot into related fields such as medical assisting or radiology.

For those who want to continue their education, advanced pathways like an accelerated MSN in forensic nursing online build on these same fundamentals, showing how CNA training can be the first step toward specialized nursing careers.

What skills will you hone after enrolling in a CNA training program?

While CNA degree requirements emphasize structured education and training, the real value lies in the skills you will sharpen along the way. These abilities prepare you for the daily responsibilities of patient care and give you the confidence to thrive in real-world healthcare settings. Mastering them ensures you graduate ready for certification and a meaningful career.

Below are the key skills you will hone while completing a CNA training program:

• Patient Care: Basic knowledge of assisting with daily living activities, hygiene, and comfort helps create a supportive environment for patients.
• Communication Skills: The ability to listen carefully, explain instructions clearly, and show empathy is essential in working with patients and healthcare teams.
• Attention to Detail: CNAs must follow protocols accurately, document patient information correctly, and notice small changes in patient conditions.
• Physical Stamina: The job often involves long shifts, lifting, and assisting patients with mobility, which requires strength and endurance.
• Time Management: CNAs are responsible for multiple patients at once, so organizing tasks efficiently is critical.
• Compassion and Patience: Providing care with kindness and respect builds trust and ensures a positive experience for patients.

Mastering these core skills gives you the confidence and readiness to handle patient care from day one. They not only help you successfully meet CNA degree requirements but also create a strong foundation if you decide to advance through options like the shortest CNA to RN bridge programs online. 

To make things clearer, the chart below breaks down the most essential skills for CNAs and highlights why each one is vital in everyday practice:

What subjects are typically covered in a CNA curriculum?

Meeting CNA degree requirements involves more than just meeting eligibility criteria; it also means mastering a core set of subjects that prepare you for real-world patient care. CNA programs are designed to give students both the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to perform their duties safely and effectively. 

Below are the standard subjects you can expect to study in a CNA program:

• Basic Nursing Skills: Covers essential techniques like taking vital signs, assisting with mobility, and monitoring patient conditions.
• Infection Control: Teaches protocols to reduce the spread of disease and maintain a safe healthcare environment.
• Anatomy and Physiology: Introduces students to the human body systems and how they relate to patient care.
• Ethics and Patient Rights: Emphasizes legal and ethical responsibilities, including respecting patient privacy and dignity.
• Nutrition and Diet: Explains dietary needs, feeding assistance, and recognizing nutrition-related health issues.
• Emergency Procedures: Prepares CNAs to handle urgent situations, including CPR and first aid.

Mastering these subjects builds the foundation for competent, compassionate care and ensures that new CNAs are ready to step into a variety of healthcare environments with confidence. Today, there are more than 1,351,760 CNAs in the US, and every one of them relies on these core skills to make a direct impact on patient lives every day.

Interestingly, graduates sometimes compare their role to other healthcare paths. For example, students exploring SLP work settings notice that both CNAs and speech-language pathologists rely heavily on patient interaction and core health science principles, even though the specializations differ.

How do I choose the best CNA program?

Selecting the right CNA program is an important step toward meeting CNA degree requirements and building a strong foundation in healthcare. With so many options available, it’s essential to evaluate programs carefully to ensure they align with your goals. The right choice can save you time, money, and help you transition smoothly into the workforce.

Here are the most important factors to consider when choosing a CNA program:

• State Approval: CNA programs must be approved by your state’s nursing board to qualify you for the certification exam and employment.
• Clinical Training Hours: Check that the program meets your state’s minimum requirement for supervised clinical practice. It’s anywhere between 75 and 120 hours.
• Exam Pass Rates: Programs with high CNA certification exam pass rates indicate strong preparation and quality instruction.
• Instructor Expertise: Look for programs where instructors are licensed nurses with hands-on experience in long-term care, hospitals, or home health.
• Job Placement Partnerships: Some CNA programs partner directly with nursing homes, hospitals, or rehab centers, increasing your chance of immediate employment.
• Flexible Scheduling: Evening, weekend, or hybrid (online + in-person) formats are ideal for students balancing other responsibilities.

For students interested in advancing beyond entry-level positions, exploring the shortest health sciences online programs for accelerated options is wise, as it can also open doors to broader healthcare opportunities and allow you to join the workforce quickly.

What is the average cost of a CNA training program?

The cost of a CNA degree program can vary widely depending on the type of school, location, and program length. To avoid roadblocks, students must plan for the financial commitment of tuition and fees. 

According to Data USA (2023), the median in-state tuition for public CNA programs is around $3,941. By contrast, out-of-state students attending private programs pay a median tuition closer to $11,850. These figures highlight the importance of evaluating both tuition and residency status before enrolling.

Just as future nurses might weigh the benefits of getting a DNP for nurse practitioners, CNAs should think ahead when considering costs. An affordable CNA program that still meets state requirements can set the stage for steady career progression without burdening students with overwhelming debt.

Carefully comparing tuition against available support can help students find the best value for their education. For your visual reference, below's a side by side comparison of the cost of CNA programs at public vs. private institutions.

How long does it take to complete a CNA training program?

Most CNA training programs are designed to be completed quickly, since they emphasize both classroom learning and hands-on practice. This allows students to enter the workforce in a relatively short amount of time compared to other healthcare careers.

According to CareRev (2025), CNA training typically ranges from 4 to 12 weeks, with accelerated options finishing in as little as 2 weeks. The structure of the program often balances flexible scheduling with required in-person components. This makes it possible for students to advance at their own pace while still meeting state-mandated guidelines.

Clinical practice is another factor in program length, as students must complete 75 to 120 hours of supervised hands-on training. These hours are designed to prepare students for real-world patient care and ensure competency before certification exams.

This quick turnaround is a major contrast to more complex fields, such as cybersecurity, where training sparks questions like do you need to know coding for cyber security. CNA training, by comparison, is streamlined to get students into direct care roles as quickly as possible.

What are the prerequisites of a CNA certification exam?

Before sitting for the CNA certification exam, students must meet certain educational and training benchmarks. These prerequisites align closely with CNA degree requirements, ensuring candidates are adequately prepared for both the written and clinical portions of the test. 

To help you understand what’s expected, here are the common prerequisites for the CNA certification exam:

• Completion of a State-Approved Program: Candidates must graduate from a program that meets state standards for classroom and clinical training.
• Minimum Clinical Practice Hours: Most states require 75-120 hours of supervised hands-on training before eligibility.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent: While not always mandatory, many programs expect proof of basic education.
• Background Check and Health Screening: States often require a criminal background check, immunization records, and proof of good physical health.
• Application and Exam Fees: Students must submit the required paperwork and pay the standard exam fee of $120 to secure a testing slot.

Furthermore, exploring pathways like the best associate of science in nursing online can open even more doors in nursing and patient care — all from the comfort of your home. With the right foundation, you can build a career that grows alongside your ambitions.

What advancement opportunities are available after a CNA certification?

Meeting CNA degree requirements and earning certification is often just the beginning of a healthcare career. Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone to higher-paying and more specialized nursing roles. By continuing education and gaining new skills, CNAs can expand their opportunities and career growth.

Here are some of the most common advancement opportunities after CNA certification:

• Pursue a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) role: With additional training, CNAs can advance to LPNs, providing more complex patient care and earning higher salaries.
• Become a Registered Nurse (RN): Earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing allows CNAs to transition into RN roles with greater responsibilities.
• Specialize in a Nursing Field: CNAs can further their education to enter areas such as geriatrics, pediatrics, or surgical nursing.
• Move into Healthcare Administration: By pursuing degrees in health sciences or healthcare administration, CNAs can shift into leadership and management roles.
• Advance to Graduate Programs: Ambitious CNAs may continue toward MSN or doctoral programs, preparing for careers as nurse practitioners, educators, or specialists.

Every shift, every patient interaction, and every new skill adds to the foundation you’re building for the future. Whether you see yourself leading a care team, specializing in a niche field, or shaping healthcare policy one day, the path you choose starts with the steps you take today.

For some, this path sparks curiosity about broader academic progression, such as whether can a biology degree lead to medical school. In the same way, a CNA role can be the first rung of a ladder that leads to advanced degrees, more responsibilities, and entirely new career horizons in healthcare.

What is the job outlook for graduates of CNA programs?

The job outlook for graduates of CNA programs highlights both opportunities and challenges tied to CNA degree requirements. While overall growth may be slower compared to other fields, the need for nursing assistants remains steady due to workforce turnover and increasing healthcare demands. 

Here are some factors shaping the CNA job outlook:

• Meet Growing Elderly Care Needs: An aging population will continue to drive demand for CNAs to care for patients with chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.
• Fill Workforce Gaps: About 211,800 openings are projected each year as current nursing assistants retire or move into other roles.
• Adapt to Shifts in Care Settings: While some nursing homes face financial challenges, opportunities are expanding in home health and community-based care.
• Navigate Slower Growth: Employment is projected to grow 2% from 2024 to 2034, slower than the average for all occupations but stable enough to provide consistent openings.

While the journey may begin with training and certification, it often opens doors to long-term growth in healthcare. Whether you remain a CNA or use it as a stepping stone, this career offers purpose, stability, and the chance to make a difference where it matters most.

Here’s What Graduates Have to Say About Their CNA Degrees

Other Things You Need to Know About CNA Degree Requirements

How do CNA programs prepare students for patient safety and infection control?

CNA programs emphasize safety protocols through both classroom instruction and clinical practice. Students learn proper hygiene, sanitation, and infection control techniques to protect both patients and healthcare staff. By the end of training, they are equipped to handle daily patient care tasks while minimizing health risks.

Are online CNA degree programs accepted by employers?

Employers typically accept online CNA programs if they are state-approved and include the required clinical practice hours. The online portion allows students to complete theory coursework flexibly, but in-person training is still mandatory. As long as both requirements are met, graduates are qualified for employment.

What is the passing score for the CNA certification exam?

According to the Union Test Prep (n.d.), passing scores vary by state, but most require at least 70% to 80% on the written portion. Additionally, students must demonstrate competency in a series of clinical skills. Both parts must be successfully completed to earn certification.

How often do you need to renew a CNA license after certification?

CNA licenses typically need to be renewed every 2 years, though this requirement may differ by state. Renewal often includes proof of employment in a healthcare setting and sometimes continuing education credits. Keeping the license current ensures CNAs remain eligible to work.