CNA Classes

• Students must be 15 years or older on the first day of class. (Please note: Most employers require age 16+ to work as a CNA.)
• Your seat in the class is not guaranteed until your payer source is confirmed.
• Attendance is mandatory for all 75 hours of class (42 hours of classroom instruction and 33 hours of clinical instruction).
• Scrubs of any color and clean, comfortable healthcare-appropriate footwear (no Crocs or open-toed shoes) are required for all classes. You must have a watch with a second hand on it. Smartwatches are not allowed.
• The COVID-19 vaccine - or an approved medical or religious exemption with accommodation - is required to take the class. The clinical portion of this class most often takes place at skilled nursing centers/nursing homes. • Due to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate, even if you plan to work at an assisted living residence or other non-mandated vaccine setting after the class, the above still applies to be a student in the class.

If you are receiving financial assistance from another entity, this class fee section may not apply to you.

We offer two fee structures based on your purpose for taking the CNA class. Your seat in the class is not guaranteed until we have received your class payment. Once we receive the full payment, we will send you an email confirming your seat in the class.

• Option 1: CNA Class Only - $525
  If you are only taking the class as a pre-requisite for school/college and you do NOT intend to work as a CNA after the class is over, this is the option for you. The fee covers the cost of class materials and textbooks but does not include the $130 fee for the state exam.
• Option 2: CNA Class and State Exam - $655
  If you intend to work as a CNA after completing the class, you will need to take the state exam. This fee covers the cost of class materials, textbooks, and the $130 state exam. In addition, our educators will help you sign up for a testing date.

Please note: If you are not successful on your first attempt and need to retake any portion of the state exam, you will be responsible for any additional testing fees.

If you need assistance paying for the CNA class, please consider the following options and resources:

• Your current or future healthcare employer may offer to pay for all or a portion of the class. Contact the employer prior to registering for the class.
• After completion of the CNA class, you may be eligible for 100% reimbursement of the class fee through your healthcare employer. Ask prior to registering for the class.
• If you are a student, prior to registering for a class, contact your guidance counselor or program advisor to see if your school offers tuition assistance to become a CNA.
• WisCaregiver Career Programs
• Barron County Job Center
  331 S Main St # 6 • Rice Lake, WI 54868 • (715) 234-6302
• Chippewa County Job Center
  2829 County Highway I, Suite 2A • Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 • (715) 723-2248
• Eau Claire County Job Center
  221 W Madison St, Suite 140-A • Eau Claire, WI 54703 • (715) 858-9675
• Trempealeau County Job Center
  36084 Walnut St • Independence, WI 54747 • (715) 985-2118
• Other County Job Centers in WI
• West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc. (WEST CAP)
  525 Second St • PO Box 308 • Glenwood City, WI 54013 • (715) 265-4271 or (800) 606-9227

You may request a refund in writing up to 10 days prior to the first day of class. There is a 10% administrative fee for all refunds. Send an email to

The Healthcare Workforce Training Institute shares space with two local CNA testing sites. We offer practice sessions prior to the test to help ensure you understand the correct performance of skills and to help relieve any test-related anxiety you may be experiencing. After successfully completing the course, you will be eligible to take the state exam. This test includes a written and a skills portion. Once you pass both tests, we enter your name into the state CNA registry.

Ready to take the CNA state exam? Register here.

If you want to start working as a CNA again, but your CNA license has lapsed or expired, you will need to contact the statewide testing agency Headmaster at 877-201-0758. Headmaster will navigate you through the steps to prepare you for retesting. In most cases, retaking the nurse aide training program is not necessary.

Are you a CNA moving to Wisconsin and would like to transfer your license so you can continue your CNA career? Complete the Out-of-State Transfer Application now.