CNA Classes in Kansas | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

CNA Classes & Training Programs in Kansas

The Sunflower State | Start Your Healthcare Career in as Little as 3-6 Weeks

Find Programs Near You How to Get Certified

Minimum Training Hours

$115

State Exam Fee

$30,500

Average Annual Salary

3-6

Weeks to Complete

About CNA Certification in Kansas

Begin Your Healthcare Journey in The Sunflower State

Kansas offers exceptional opportunities for aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants, with a healthcare sector experiencing consistent growth across both metropolitan and rural communities. The state's aging population, combined with its commitment to quality healthcare delivery, creates strong demand for qualified CNAs throughout Kansas. Major healthcare hubs in Wichita, Kansas City (Kansas side), Topeka, and Lawrence offer abundant employment opportunities, while smaller communities often provide attractive incentives to recruit healthcare workers. Kansas requires 90 hours of comprehensive training, regulated by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), providing a solid foundation for your nursing career.

The Sunflower State's CNA profession offers competitive wages relative to the cost of living, making it financially attractive for healthcare workers. Kansas's central location, family-friendly communities, and robust healthcare infrastructure create an ideal environment for building a sustainable career in nursing. Whether you're entering healthcare for the first time or seeking a stable career with advancement opportunities, Kansas provides clear pathways from CNA to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN), with numerous educational institutions offering bridge programs throughout the state.

Complete training in just 3-6 weeks with flexible schedules
Growing job market in urban and rural communities
Affordable cost of living with competitive wages
Strong educational infrastructure for career advancement

Quick Facts

Training Hours Required 90 Hours

Classroom/Lab Hours 40 Hours

Clinical Hours 50 Hours

Exam Format Written + Skills

Exam Fee $115

Regulatory Body KDADS

Registry Kansas Nurse Aide Registry

Browse CNA Schools in Kansas

Explore our directory of Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services-approved nursing assistant training programs. Filter by location, cost, and program type to find the perfect fit for your career goals.

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Certification Process

How to Become a CNA in Kansas

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in a 90-hour training program approved by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). Kansas's curriculum includes 40 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction covering fundamental nursing concepts, infection control, patient safety, communication skills, and residents' rights, plus 50 hours of supervised clinical experience in a licensed healthcare facility such as a nursing home or hospital. Training is offered by community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, and nursing homes throughout Kansas. Full-time programs typically run 3-4 weeks, while part-time options accommodate working students over 6-8 weeks. You'll learn essential skills including taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), safe patient transfers and positioning, infection prevention, and emergency response procedures. Upon successful completion, your training facility will issue a certificate and submit your eligibility information to KDADS for exam registration.

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing training, you'll take the Kansas Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies). The exam has two components: a written or oral knowledge test containing 70 multiple-choice questions covering nursing fundamentals, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, communication, and patient rights (you need 70% or 49 correct answers to pass), and a clinical skills demonstration where you'll perform 5 randomly selected nursing skills from a list of 22 possible tasks. Skills may include handwashing, vital signs measurement, catheter care, transferring patients, or providing personal hygiene assistance. The entire exam takes approximately 3 hours. You must pass both sections to earn certification—if you pass one but fail the other, you only retake the failed portion. Kansas allows three testing attempts; if you fail all three, you must complete training again. The current exam fee is $115. Most testing locations are in Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, Lawrence, and Manhattan, with exams scheduled regularly throughout the month.

Complete Background Check & Registry Enrollment

Before beginning CNA employment in Kansas, you must complete a background check coordinated through your employer and register with the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry. Kansas requires both state and federal criminal background screenings, including fingerprinting, to ensure patient safety. Most healthcare facilities handle the background check process as part of their hiring procedures, though some prospective CNAs initiate it independently through KDADS. Once you pass both portions of the competency exam, your results are electronically transmitted to KDADS and processed within 7-10 business days. You'll receive a Registry Identification Number and official certificate from KDADS confirming your active status. Kansas CNAs must maintain active registry status by working in a paid nursing assistant position for at least 8 hours within each 24-month certification period. You can verify your certification status at any time through the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry online portal at www.kdads.ks.gov. With certification complete, you're qualified to work in any of Kansas's 300+ nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, or assisted living communities across the state.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Certification in Kansas

Becoming a CNA in Kansas typically takes 4-8 weeks from enrollment to certification. The state requires 90 hours of training, which includes 40 hours of classroom/laboratory instruction and 50 hours of supervised clinical practice. Full-time accelerated programs complete training in 3-4 weeks by offering daily classes Monday through Friday, making them ideal for those seeking rapid entry into healthcare employment. Part-time programs extend over 6-8 weeks with evening or weekend schedules to accommodate students who work or have family obligations. After completing your training program, you'll schedule the state competency exam through Headmaster, typically available within 1-2 weeks at testing centers in major Kansas cities including Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, and Lawrence. Exam results are usually available immediately after testing, and successful candidates are added to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry within 7-10 business days. The complete timeline from first day of class to starting your first CNA job typically ranges from 5-10 weeks, making Kansas one of the faster states for CNA certification. Some training programs coordinate exam scheduling as part of the curriculum, further streamlining the process.

CNA training costs in Kansas range from $500 to $1,800 depending on the institution type and location. Kansas community colleges like Johnson County Community College, Butler Community College, and Wichita Area Technical College offer the most affordable options at $500-$900, as they receive state subsidies for workforce training programs. Private vocational schools and healthcare academies typically charge $1,200-$1,800 but often provide accelerated schedules and smaller class sizes. Many Kansas nursing homes and long-term care facilities offer FREE CNA training programs in exchange for a 6-12 month employment commitment—this "earn while you learn" approach is particularly prevalent in rural areas experiencing nursing shortages. Most program fees include textbooks, training materials, and clinical supplies, though you should budget an additional $115 for the state competency exam fee and $30-50 for background check processing. Kansas residents may qualify for financial assistance through Kansas WorkReady Scholarship (WIOA funds), Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or Kansas Promise Scholarship for two-year programs. Several major healthcare employers like Stormont Vail Health, The University of Kansas Health System, and Via Christi Health offer tuition reimbursement and signing bonuses ($500-$2,000) that can offset training costs within your first few months of employment.

Kansas allows hybrid CNA training programs where theoretical classroom content can be delivered online, but hands-on clinical training must be completed in person at an approved healthcare facility. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) permits up to 40 hours of didactic instruction—lectures, reading assignments, videos, and written assessments—to be completed through distance learning platforms. However, the mandatory 50 hours of clinical skills training must be conducted face-to-face in a licensed nursing home, hospital, or long-term care facility under direct supervision of a registered nurse instructor. This hybrid approach provides flexibility for students managing work or family commitments while ensuring you gain essential hands-on patient care experience. Several Kansas institutions including Butler Community College, Barton County Community College, and Kansas City Kansas Community College now offer hybrid options combining online theory with weekend or evening clinical rotations. It's critical to understand that FULLY online CNA programs (100% virtual with no in-person clinical component) are NOT recognized by Kansas and will not qualify you to take the state competency exam or obtain certification. When researching programs, always verify that the provider is KDADS-approved and includes the required 50 hours of supervised clinical experience in a licensed facility.

The Kansas CNA competency exam, administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies), consists of two mandatory components: a written or oral knowledge test and a hands-on clinical skills evaluation. The written exam contains 70 multiple-choice questions covering basic nursing skills, infection prevention and control, safety and emergency procedures, communication and interpersonal skills, residents' rights, and personal care skills. You have 2 hours to complete the exam and need a score of 70% (49 out of 70 questions correct) to pass. The test is available in English and Spanish, and an oral version is offered for those who prefer auditory testing. After completing the written portion, you'll proceed to the clinical skills test where you'll demonstrate 5 randomly selected nursing procedures from a list of 22 possible skills. Common skills include proper handwashing technique, measuring and recording vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature), assisting residents with ambulation using gait belts, providing catheter care, performing range of motion exercises, and assisting with personal hygiene. You'll perform these skills on a mannequin or live "patient" while a trained evaluator observes and scores your performance using a detailed checklist. The skills test typically takes 45-60 minutes. You must pass BOTH sections on the same day to earn certification—if you pass one section but fail the other, you only need to retake the failed component. Kansas allows three testing attempts; failing all three requires repeating the entire training program. The current exam fee is $115 for both sections. Testing centers are located in Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, and Salina.

Yes, Kansas accepts CNA certifications from other states through reciprocity or endorsement, provided you meet specific requirements. If you hold an active, unexpired CNA certification from another state and are in good standing on that state's nurse aide registry, you can apply for Kansas certification by endorsement through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). The endorsement process requires submitting a completed application form available on the KDADS website, requesting verification of your out-of-state certification sent directly from your current state's registry to KDADS, completing a Kansas-specific criminal background check including fingerprinting through FieldPrint or another approved vendor, and paying applicable fees (approximately $50-75 for background checks plus a $40 endorsement application fee). Kansas requires that your out-of-state training met or exceeded Kansas's 90-hour minimum standard—since most states have equal or higher requirements, this is rarely an issue. If your certification has been expired for more than 24 months or you haven't worked as a CNA during that period, Kansas may require you to complete a competency evaluation or refresher training before granting endorsement. The entire reciprocity process typically takes 4-6 weeks from application submission to approval. It's essential to begin this process BEFORE starting employment in Kansas, as federal regulations prohibit healthcare facilities from hiring CNAs who aren't properly certified in the state where they're working. Once approved, you'll receive a Kansas Registry Identification Number and can begin working immediately in any licensed healthcare facility across the state.

Maintaining Your Certification

CNA Certification Renewal in Kansas

How to Renew Your Kansas CNA Certification

Kansas maintains a unique employment-based renewal system for CNA certifications. Your certification remains active on the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry indefinitely as long as you work in a paid nursing assistant position for at least 8 hours (one shift) during each 24-month certification period. Unlike many states requiring formal renewal applications, continuing education credits, or renewal fees, Kansas automatically maintains your active status through employer-reported work verification. When you're employed as a CNA in Kansas, your healthcare facility is responsible for reporting your employment activity to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), which keeps your registry status current.

If your certification lapses due to not working for 24 consecutive months, you must reactivate it through one of two pathways. The first option is completing a competency evaluation where you demonstrate proficiency in required nursing skills through testing with an approved evaluator, typically costing $150-250. The second option involves completing a state-approved refresher training course (usually 40-60 hours of instruction) followed by passing the clinical skills portion of the state competency exam. Refresher courses cost $400-700 depending on the training provider. After successfully completing either reactivation method, you'll be reinstated on the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry and eligible to resume CNA employment.

It's important to verify your registry status annually by checking the Kansas KDADS Nurse Aide Registry online portal or calling (785) 296-1240. If you change employers, confirm that your new facility properly reports your employment to maintain your active certification. If you're planning an extended leave from healthcare work, try to work at least one 8-hour shift before your 24-month activity window expires to avoid lapsing. CNAs working in multiple states should maintain separate active status in each state, as Kansas's registry operates independently from other state registries and reciprocity agreements don't automatically transfer renewal requirements.

Renewal Fee

Work Requirement

8 Hours/24 Months

CEU Requirement

None Required

Reactivation Cost

$150-$700

Career Opportunities

CNA Job Outlook & Salary in Kansas

Kansas's healthcare sector provides strong career prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants, with steady employment growth projected through 2030. The state's aging population—Kansas has one of the highest median ages in the Midwest—combined with increasing demand for long-term care services, creates ongoing need for qualified CNAs. The Kansas Department of Labor projects 9-11% growth in CNA positions over the next decade, exceeding the national average for most occupations. Major employment centers include the Wichita metropolitan area, Kansas City (Kansas side), Topeka, Lawrence, and Overland Park, though rural communities throughout western and central Kansas often offer competitive wages and recruitment incentives including signing bonuses ($1,000-$3,000) and housing assistance to attract healthcare workers.

CNAs in Kansas earn competitive salaries relative to the state's cost of living, which is approximately 11% below the national average. The Kansas City metro area and Johnson County typically offer the highest wages at $15-18/hour, while Wichita, Topeka, and Lawrence range $14-16/hour. Hospital-based CNAs generally earn premium pay compared to long-term care facilities, and night shift differential pay often adds $2-4 extra per hour. Experienced CNAs working in specialized settings like intensive care units, emergency departments, rehabilitation facilities, or dialysis centers can earn $17-20/hour. Kansas healthcare employers typically provide comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement plans with employer matching, paid time off, tuition reimbursement for nursing school advancement, and flexible scheduling options. The combination of reasonable wages and low cost of living means Kansas CNAs can achieve comfortable living standards while building long-term careers in healthcare.

Average CNA Salary in Kansas

$30,500

per year

Hourly Wage

$14.66/hr

Nearby States