CNA Classes in Oregon | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs
OSBN-Approved Programs

CNA Classes in Oregon

Start your healthcare career in the Beaver State. Oregon offers some of the highest CNA wages in the nation—with a median salary of $49,970/year—and comprehensive training programs across Portland, Eugene, Salem, and communities statewide.

Find CNA Schools View Requirements
155
Training Hours
$106
Application Fee
$49,970
Median Salary
6-10 Wks
Program Length

Become a CNA in Oregon

Oregon offers one of the best job markets in the nation for Certified Nursing Assistants, combining top-tier wages with a comparatively lower cost of living than neighboring California. CNAs play a vital role in patient care across hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home health settings—from the Portland metro area to the scenic Oregon Coast and rural communities throughout the state.

The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) regulates CNA certification, and testing is administered by D&SDT-Headmaster through the TMU portal. As of July 1, 2025, Oregon consolidated its former CNA 1 and CNA 2 designations into a single unified CNA certification. Oregon requires more training hours than the federal minimum—155 total hours with 75 hours of supervised clinical practice—ensuring graduates are exceptionally prepared. Advanced skills formerly taught in CNA 2 are now "additional authorized duties" that can be taught and validated on the job by a Registered Nurse. Oregon also requires fingerprint-based FBI background checks for all applicants, and CNAs must complete two hours of cultural competency education every 48 months.

Quick Facts
Regulatory Body OSBN
Exam Provider D&SDT-Headmaster
Training Hours 155 minimum
Clinical Hours 75 minimum
Application Fee $106
Fingerprint Fee $70.50
Renewal Period 24 months

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Compare training programs across Oregon, from Portland to Eugene to Salem and beyond. Review costs, schedules, and start your certification journey.

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How to Become a CNA in Oregon

Follow these three steps to earn your CNA certification and join the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry

1

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in an OSBN-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program with at least 155 hours of instruction, including a minimum of 75 hours of supervised clinical practice. Programs typically include 40+ hours of classroom/online theory, 40 hours of skills lab practice, and 40+ hours of clinical experience in a licensed healthcare facility. Students must be at least 16 years old (parental consent required for minors under 18). Training covers infection control, basic nursing skills, communication, personal care, client rights, and mental health. Programs are available at Oregon community colleges such as Central Oregon Community College, Chemeketa, Clackamas, and Lane Community College, as well as private training schools. Programs typically take 6-10 weeks to complete, though accelerated options may be available.

2

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing training, create an account in the OSBN Nurse Portal and submit your CNA application with the $106 fee. Then schedule your fingerprint-based FBI background check through Fieldprint ($70.50). Once released to test, schedule your exam through the D&SDT-Headmaster TMU portal at or.tmutest.com. The exam has two parts: a knowledge test with 80 multiple-choice questions and a clinical skills evaluation. The knowledge test can be taken at a regional test site, an approved in-facility site, or remotely proctored from home. You must apply for the exam within one year of completing your training program. Results are available 1-3 business days after testing (faster for electronic tests). You have unlimited attempts within one year of application.

3

Get Listed on the Registry

Once you pass both exam components and your fingerprint background check clears, OSBN will issue your CNA certification and list your name on the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry. No physical license card is issued—certification status is verified electronically through the OSBN License Lookup. Your certification is valid for two years, expiring at midnight the day before your birthday in even-numbered years if you were born in an even year, or odd-numbered years if born in an odd year. Under federal law, if you're hired by a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facility, your employer must reimburse your training and testing costs. CNAs must also complete two hours of cultural competency continuing education every 48 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about CNA certification in Oregon

The timeline to become a CNA in Oregon typically ranges from 8 to 12 weeks total. Oregon requires 155 hours of training—significantly more than the federal 75-hour minimum—which means programs take longer than in many other states. Most community college programs run 6-10 weeks depending on whether you're enrolled full-time or part-time. Programs typically combine 40+ hours of online or classroom instruction, 40 hours of skills lab practice, and 40+ hours of clinical experience in a licensed healthcare facility. After completing training, you must submit your application to OSBN ($106), complete fingerprinting through Fieldprint ($70.50), and schedule your competency exam through Headmaster's TMU portal. OSBN processes applications and releases candidates to test by 5 PM each business day. Exam results for electronic (WebETest) tests are available one business day after 6 PM Mountain time; paper tests take 3-5 business days. Once you pass and your background check clears, your name is added to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry. Most students complete the entire process in 8-12 weeks.
CNA training costs in Oregon vary depending on the program, typically ranging from $800 to $2,000+ for tuition. Oregon Coast Community College's 120-hour program, for example, includes textbooks and BLS/CPR certification in its tuition. In addition to tuition, budget for the $106 OSBN application fee (paid when you apply to test), the $70.50 Fieldprint fingerprinting fee (required for the FBI background check), scrubs and supplies ($50-$100), and any required immunizations. The total investment typically ranges from $1,100 to $2,500. However, there are ways to reduce costs: some nursing homes and long-term care facilities offer free or paid training in exchange for work commitments. Under federal OBRA regulations, if you're hired by a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facility, your employer must reimburse your training and testing costs. Some community colleges offer scholarships or financial aid for qualifying students. Oregon also has workforce development programs that may cover training costs for eligible participants.
As of July 1, 2025, Oregon consolidated CNA 1 and CNA 2 into a single unified CNA certification. Previously, Oregon had a tiered system where CNAs started at Level 1 and could advance to Level 2 with additional education and experience—Level 2 CNAs could perform expanded duties like mentoring peers, crisis intervention, adjusting oxygen flow rates, and other advanced tasks. Under the new system, all CNAs earn the same certification. The advanced skills that were formerly taught in CNA 2 programs are now classified as "additional authorized duties" that can be taught and validated on the job by a Registered Nurse, rather than through a separate certification process. This change simplifies the certification pathway while still allowing CNAs to expand their skills through workplace training. If you held a CNA 1 or CNA 2 certification before July 1, 2025, your certification transitioned to the new unified CNA designation.
The Oregon CNA competency exam is administered by D&SDT-Headmaster and consists of two parts. The knowledge test has 80 multiple-choice questions covering: Safety, Infection Control, Personal Care Skills, Mental Health and Social Services Needs, Care of Cognitively Impaired Clients, Clients' Rights, Communication, Data Collection, Basic Nursing Skills, and Roles and Responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant. The test is available in three formats: traditional paper and pencil, electronic testing (TMUniverse/WebETest) at approved test sites, or remotely proctored from home using a webcam. The knowledge test is administered in English only—no translation dictionaries or devices are permitted. The clinical skills evaluation requires you to demonstrate nursing assistant skills selected by the evaluator, including hand washing and other randomly selected tasks from the OSBN-approved skills list. Arrive 20-30 minutes early with two valid IDs (one with photo). You cannot test if you have a temporary physical limitation (cast, crutches, illness) that would prevent you from performing CNA duties.
Oregon does not allow CNAs to work using an out-of-state certification—you must obtain Oregon CNA certification through endorsement before working. To apply for CNA certification by endorsement, create an account in the OSBN Nurse Portal and select the "CNA by Endorsement" application. The fee is $60. You must have completed training that meets federal OBRA standards, hold a current active CNA certification in another U.S. state, and have completed at least 400 hours of paid CNA work in the past two years. Alternatively, military corpsmen/medics with qualifying training and work experience may be eligible. You'll need to arrange for primary source verification of your out-of-state certification to be sent directly to OSBN. Oregon also requires fingerprint-based FBI background checks for all applicants—schedule your appointment through Fieldprint ($70.50) after submitting your application. Processing time varies but typically takes a few weeks. Once approved, your name will be added to the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry. Contact OSBN at 971-673-0685 for questions about endorsement applications.

CNA Certification Renewal in Oregon

Oregon CNA certification must be renewed every two years through the OSBN Nurse Portal. Your certification expires at midnight the day before your birthday—in even-numbered years if you were born in an even year, or odd-numbered years if born in an odd year. Renewal opens 45 days before your expiration date. There is no grace period for certification renewal.

To qualify for renewal, you must complete at least 400 hours of paid, supervised CNA work during your 24-month certification period (approximately 3 months full-time). Volunteer work does not count—only paid employment. Work performed as a CMA counts toward CNA renewal. Hours worked in other U.S. states with active CNA certification also count. If you're within two years of completing your training program, the 400-hour requirement is waived. CNAs must also complete two hours of cultural competency continuing education every 48 months (every other renewal). The renewal fee is $60, with a $100 late fee if renewing after expiration. Renewals more than 30 days late require reactivation and new fingerprints. If your certification has been expired for more than two years, you must retrain and retest.

Renewal Requirements
  • Complete 400 hours of paid CNA work within 24 months (waived if within 2 years of training)
  • Renewal fee: $60 (additional $100 late fee if expired)
  • 2 hours cultural competency CE every 48 months
  • Renew through OSBN Nurse Portal (opens 45 days before expiration)
  • No grace period—cannot work with expired certification
  • Reactivation required if more than 30 days late

Career Outlook in Oregon

Oregon offers some of the highest CNA wages in the nation with excellent career opportunities

Top-Tier Wages

Oregon CNAs earn a median salary of $49,970/year ($24.03/hour)—among the highest in the nation. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Salem, and Grants Pass offer the highest wages in the state.

Major Healthcare Systems

Work at leading institutions including Providence Health, Legacy Health, OHSU, Kaiser Permanente, PeaceHealth, and Salem Health. Over 8,000 CNA jobs in the Portland area alone.

Career Advancement

Oregon community colleges offer pathways to LPN and RN programs. Become a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) with additional training. OSBN regulates a comprehensive career ladder.

CNA Requirements in Neighboring States

Explore certification requirements in nearby states

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Official Resources

Access official links and contact information for Oregon CNA certification

Oregon State Board of Nursing

Official state agency for CNA certification, training program approval, and registry maintenance.

Visit Website

OSBN Nurse Portal

Create account, apply for certification, schedule exams, and manage renewals online.

Access Portal

D&SDT-Headmaster Testing

Official exam administrator. Schedule exams, access candidate handbook, and view results.

TMU Portal

Fieldprint Fingerprinting

Schedule your required FBI background check fingerprinting appointment.

Schedule Appointment

OSBN Contact

17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd
Portland, OR 97224

Call: (971) 673-0685

Email Support

Contact OSBN or Headmaster for questions about certification, testing, or renewals.

oregon.bn.info@osbn.oregon.gov