CNA Classes in Ohio

Start your healthcare career in the Buckeye State. Ohio's State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) programs offer fast, affordable training across Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and communities statewide.

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Training Hours

$104

State Exam Fee

$39,840

Average Salary

3-8 Wks

Program Length

Become an STNA in Ohio

In Ohio, Certified Nursing Assistants are known as State Tested Nurse Aides (STNAs). These essential healthcare professionals provide hands-on care in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home health settings throughout the state—from Cleveland and Columbus to Cincinnati and smaller rural communities. Ohio's STNA training pathway is structured to be hands-on, skill-driven, and workforce-ready, making it one of the quickest and most affordable ways to enter healthcare.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) oversees STNA certification through the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). Exams are administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) through the TMU online portal. With Ohio's aging population and strong healthcare infrastructure—including major hospital networks like Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and UC Health—STNAs remain in steady demand across the state. Many programs offer paid training through employer sponsorship, and nursing students can use STNA certification as a stepping stone toward LPN or RN programs.

Quick Facts

Official Title STNA

Regulatory Body Ohio Dept of Health

Exam Provider D&SDT-Headmaster

Training Hours 75 minimum

Clinical Hours 16 minimum

Exam Fee $104 (combined)

Renewal Period 24 months

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Compare training programs across Ohio, from Cleveland to Cincinnati to Columbus. Review costs, schedules, and start your certification journey.

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How to Become an STNA in Ohio

Follow these three steps to earn your State Tested Nurse Aide certification and join the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in an ODH-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) with at least 75 hours of instruction. Programs include approximately 59 hours of classroom/lab training and a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical practice in a long-term care facility. You must be at least 16 years old with a high school diploma or GED. After completing 16 classroom hours covering infection control, safety, and emergency procedures, you may begin clinical training. Programs are available at community colleges like Columbus State, Cuyahoga Community College, and Sinclair Community College, as well as vocational schools and many nursing homes that offer free training with employment commitments. Programs typically take 3-8 weeks to complete.

Pass the STNA Competency Exam

After completing training with at least an 80% average, take the Ohio STNA competency exam administered by D&SDT-Headmaster through the TMU portal at oh.tmuniverse.com. The exam consists of two parts: a knowledge test with 79 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes, 70% passing score) and a skills evaluation demonstrating 5 randomly selected tasks (including hand washing). The combined exam fee is $104 ($26 for knowledge, $78 for skills). An audio/oral version is available for $36. You have three attempts per component within 24 months of training completion. Results are typically available within 24 hours for digital tests. Plan to spend 4-6 hours at the test site on testing day.

Get Listed on the Registry

Upon passing both exam components, Headmaster automatically reports your results to ODH and your name is added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry—no additional application is required. Your certification status will show as Active, authorizing you to work as an STNA throughout Ohio. Employers are required to verify your registry status before hiring. Note: Ohio allows a 4-month grace period where you can work as an STNA while enrolled in a NATCEP before passing the exam—this period is cumulative across employers. Your certification is valid for 24 months from the date of initial listing or last verified work date. Request reimbursement for training and testing costs from your employer if hired within 12 months of completing training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about STNA certification in Ohio

The timeline to become an STNA in Ohio typically ranges from 3 to 8 weeks, depending on your program format. Accelerated full-time programs can be completed in as little as 2-3 weeks with intensive daily instruction. Community college programs at institutions like Columbus State, Sinclair, or Cuyahoga Community College typically run 4-8 weeks with options for day, evening, or weekend schedules. Part-time programs accommodate working adults and may take longer. After completing your training with at least an 80% average, you can schedule your competency exam through the TMU portal at oh.tmuniverse.com. Testing appointments are typically available within 1-2 weeks at regional sites throughout Ohio. Digital test results are usually available within 24 hours, and your name is automatically added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry once you pass both components. Most students complete the entire process from enrollment to active registry status within 4-10 weeks.

STNA training costs in Ohio typically range from $500 to $1,500 depending on the institution. Community college programs often fall in the $600-$1,000 range, while private vocational schools may charge more but offer flexible scheduling. In addition to tuition, budget for the $104 state exam fee (paid separately to Headmaster through TMU: $26 for knowledge, $78 for skills), scrubs and uniforms ($50-$100), and any required textbooks. However, Ohio offers excellent opportunities to reduce or eliminate these costs. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities provide free STNA training in exchange for a work commitment. Under federal OBRA regulations, if you are hired by a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facility within 12 months of completing training, your employer must reimburse you 100% of your out-of-pocket training and testing expenses. This reimbursement may be prorated based on your employment start date relative to graduation. Some facilities offer paid training where you earn wages while learning.

There is no practical difference between a CNA and an STNA—they are the same role. STNA (State Tested Nurse Aide) is simply Ohio's official term for what most other states call a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). The responsibilities, training requirements, and scope of practice are identical. STNAs provide hands-on patient care including bathing, feeding, dressing, monitoring vital signs, assisting with mobility, and providing emotional support under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Some other states use different terminology as well—for example, New Hampshire calls them Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNA). If you're certified as a CNA in another state and want to work in Ohio, you can apply for reciprocity to be recognized as an STNA without retaking the exam, as long as you're in good standing and your original certification met federal OBRA requirements.

The Ohio STNA competency exam consists of two parts administered by D&SDT-Headmaster. The knowledge test is a 79-question multiple-choice exam to be completed in 90 minutes. It covers: Physical Care Skills (bathing, grooming, feeding, toileting), Role of the Nurse Aide (teamwork, communication, observation), Promotion of Safety (fall prevention, emergency procedures), Promotion of Function and Health of Residents, Psychosocial Care Skills, and Specialized Care (dementia, mental health). You must score at least 70% to pass. The test is available in written, computer-delivered (WebETest), or audio/oral format. The skills evaluation requires you to demonstrate 5 randomly selected tasks from a list of 25 possible skills. Hand washing is always included. You must score at least 80% on each skill without missing any critical (key) steps. Common skills include vital signs, bed-to-wheelchair transfers, positioning, and perineal care. Plan to spend 4-6 hours at the test site, as both portions are typically completed on the same day.

Ohio accepts CNA reciprocity for nurse aides certified in other U.S. states who are in good standing. To transfer your certification, complete form HEA 6907 (Request for Reciprocity) available on the ODH website. Section II of the form must be completed by your home state registry and sent directly to the Ohio Department of Health to verify your certification status, training completion, and confirm no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. You must provide a copy of your government-issued ID. Your original certification must have met federal OBRA requirements (at least 75 hours of training and competency testing). There is no reciprocity exam requirement if you're in good standing. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks. Once approved, your name will be added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry as an STNA and you can begin working in Ohio facilities. Contact the Nurse Aide Registry at (800) 582-5908 (in-state) or (614) 752-9500 (out-of-state) for questions about reciprocity status.

STNA License Renewal in Ohio

Ohio STNA certification must be renewed every 24 months to maintain active status on the Nurse Aide Registry. The renewal process is employer-driven in Ohio—your employer submits the verification form on your behalf, making it one of the simplest renewal processes in the country. There is no renewal fee required for standard renewals.

To qualify for renewal, you must have provided nursing or nursing-related services for compensation for at least 7.5 consecutive hours OR 8 hours within a 48-hour period during your 24-month certification period. The work must be supervised by a licensed nurse. Your employer verifies your work hours directly through the registry system using form HEA 7713. If you haven't worked the required hours within 24 months, your certification will expire and you must retake and pass both portions of the STNA competency exam to regain active status—retraining may not be required if you test within the allowed timeframe. Keep your contact information current with the registry to receive any important notices.

Renewal Requirements

Work at least 7.5 consecutive hours OR 8 hours within 48 hours during 24-month period
Employer submits HEA 7713 form to verify employment
No renewal fee required for standard renewals
No continuing education units required
Must have no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation
If not renewed, must retest both exam components

Career Outlook in Ohio

Ohio's diverse healthcare sector offers steady opportunities for STNAs

Competitive Wages

Ohio STNAs earn an average salary of $39,840/year ($19.16/hour). Higher wages available in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati metro areas. Hospitals typically pay more than nursing homes.

Major Healthcare Systems

Work at leading institutions including Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, UC Health, Mercy Health, and Kettering Health throughout the state.

Career Advancement

Ohio community colleges offer pathways to LPN and RN programs. Many employers provide tuition assistance. STNA experience fulfills nursing school prerequisites at many institutions.