CNA Classes in Arizona | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Arizona State Board of Nursing Approved

CNA Classes & Training Programs in Arizona

Start your healthcare career in the Grand Canyon State with state-approved certification programs. Arizona's booming healthcare industry offers excellent opportunities for CNAs.

Find Programs Near You How to Get Certified

120

Training Hours Required

$125

State Exam Fee

$38,340

Average Annual Salary

4-8

Weeks to Complete

About CNA Certification in Arizona

Grow Your Career in a Growing State

Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and its healthcare industry is expanding rapidly to meet the needs of both a growing population and a significant retiree community. The Arizona State Board of Nursing oversees CNA certification, requiring completion of an approved Nursing Assistant Training Program and successful passage of the state competency exam administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies).

With major healthcare systems concentrated in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, plus growing facilities in cities like Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Flagstaff, Arizona offers diverse employment opportunities. The state's warm climate attracts retirees from across the country, creating sustained demand for skilled nursing assistants in long-term care, assisted living, and home health settings.

Rapidly growing healthcare job market

Programs available at community colleges statewide

No renewal fees—just maintain employment

High demand in retirement communities

Arizona CNA Quick Facts

Training Hours 120 hours minimum

Classroom Hours 80 hours

Clinical Hours 40 hours

Exam Format 75 questions + skills test

Exam Fee $125 (written + skills)

Regulatory Body AZ State Board of Nursing

Registry AZ Nurse Aide Registry

Training Programs

Find CNA Training Programs in Arizona

Browse Arizona State Board of Nursing-approved nursing assistant training programs. Programs are available throughout the state, from Phoenix and Tucson to smaller communities.

Browse CNA Schools in Arizona

Explore our directory of Board of Nursing-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 Arizona

Follow these three steps to earn your CNA certification and start your healthcare career in Arizona.

Complete Approved Training

Enroll in a Nursing Assistant Training Program approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Arizona requires a minimum of 120 total training hours—80 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction plus 40 hours of supervised clinical experience. Training is available through Maricopa Community Colleges (including GateWay, Mesa, Phoenix College), Pima Community College in Tucson, community colleges throughout the state, and numerous private training schools. Some nursing homes and healthcare facilities also offer Board-approved training, often with financial assistance for students who commit to employment after certification.

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing your training program, pass the Arizona Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies). The exam consists of two parts: a written knowledge test with 75 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit, and a clinical skills evaluation where you demonstrate 5 randomly selected competencies. The combined exam fee is approximately $125. Testing is available at multiple sites throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Flagstaff, and Yuma. You must pass both portions within three attempts and 24 months of completing training.

Background Check & Registry

Complete a fingerprint-based background check through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Arizona uses the Fingerprint Clearance Card system—you must obtain a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card before working as a CNA. The card costs approximately $67 and is valid for six years. Once you pass the competency exam and have your Fingerprint Clearance Card, your name is placed on the Arizona Nurse Aide Registry. The Board of Nursing maintains the registry, and employers must verify your status before hiring. Your certification is valid for 24 months.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about CNA certification in Arizona.

Arizona requires 120 hours of training, which typically takes 4-8 weeks to complete depending on program format and scheduling. Full-time accelerated programs at institutions like GateWay Community College or Arizona Medical Training Institute can be completed in as little as 3-4 weeks with intensive daily sessions. Part-time evening or weekend programs may take 8-12 weeks. After completing your Board-approved training program, you'll schedule your competency exam through Headmaster Testing. Both the written and skills portions can often be completed in a single day, and results are typically available within a few business days. The fingerprint clearance card process can take 1-3 weeks depending on processing times, so many students apply for their card while still in training. From enrollment to receiving your certification and clearance card, most students can become fully certified and employment-ready CNAs in Arizona within 6-10 weeks. Some healthcare facilities may hire you conditionally while your certification is being processed, allowing you to work under supervision while completing final requirements.

CNA training costs in Arizona typically range from $800 to $2,500 depending on the institution and program type. Maricopa County Community College District programs (GateWay, Mesa, Phoenix College, etc.) generally cost $800-$1,200 including tuition and fees for Arizona residents. Pima Community College in Tucson offers similarly affordable programs. Private training schools may charge $1,500-$2,500 but often offer more flexible scheduling, smaller class sizes, or accelerated timelines. In addition to tuition, budget approximately $125 for the state competency exam (combined written and skills), $67 for the mandatory Fingerprint Clearance Card, plus costs for scrubs/uniforms ($50-$100), textbooks ($50-$150), and any required immunizations or health screenings. Many Arizona healthcare facilities, particularly those experiencing staffing shortages, offer free or subsidized CNA training in exchange for a commitment to work at their facility for a specified period—typically 6-12 months. Workforce development funding through Arizona@Work may also be available for qualifying students. The American Red Cross of Arizona periodically offers training programs as well.

Arizona permits hybrid CNA training programs that combine online theoretical instruction with mandatory in-person clinical hours, but fully online programs are not approved for state certification. The didactic portion of your training—covering topics like infection control, patient rights, basic anatomy, medical terminology, documentation, and communication skills—can often be completed through online coursework at your own pace. However, Arizona State Board of Nursing regulations require that clinical training hours (minimum 40 hours) be completed in person at an approved healthcare facility under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. This hands-on component involves practicing essential skills like taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, feeding), patient transfers, positioning, and proper body mechanics. Several Arizona programs offer hybrid formats that work well for students balancing work or family responsibilities—you complete lectures and theory online, then attend condensed in-person lab and clinical sessions. When searching for programs, look for Board of Nursing-approved hybrid options that clearly specify their online vs. in-person hour breakdown. Be cautious of any program claiming to be entirely online, as graduates would not be eligible for Arizona certification.

Arizona uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its testing provider for the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation. The exam consists of two parts that are typically taken on the same day. The written knowledge test contains 75 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit, covering essential CNA topics including patient rights and independence, communication skills, infection control, safety procedures, basic nursing skills, personal care, restorative services, and mental health concepts. If you have difficulty reading English, you may request an oral exam format when registering. The clinical skills evaluation requires you to demonstrate competency in 5 randomly selected skills from a list that includes hand hygiene, vital signs measurement, patient positioning, transfers, range of motion exercises, catheter care, and personal care tasks. You must perform all critical steps correctly and achieve overall competency to pass each skill. Testing is available at Headmaster sites throughout Arizona, including locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Flagstaff, and Yuma. The combined exam fee is approximately $125. Study materials and practice tests are available through the Headmaster website. You have three attempts to pass within 24 months of completing your training program.

Yes, Arizona accepts CNA certification from other states through reciprocity, but you must apply for endorsement through the Arizona State Board of Nursing before working in Arizona. To transfer your certification, submit a completed Certified Nursing Assistant Application for Certification by Endorsement along with verification of your current certification directly from your previous state's nurse aide registry. Your out-of-state certification must be active and in good standing with no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. Additionally, you must obtain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card—this is a critical requirement that can take several weeks to process, so apply early. The endorsement application fee is approximately $50. If your previous state required fewer than 120 training hours, the Board may require you to complete additional training or pass the Arizona competency exam. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks once all documentation is received. While your application is pending, you cannot work as a CNA in Arizona. Once approved, your Arizona certification will be valid for 24 months from the date of issue. Note that Arizona has separate requirements for Medication Assistants if you held that credential in another state. For questions about the reciprocity process, contact the Board of Nursing at (602) 771-7800.

Certification Maintenance

CNA Certification Renewal in Arizona

Arizona CNA certification is valid for 24 months and must be renewed to remain on the Nurse Aide Registry. One significant advantage of Arizona's system is that there is no renewal fee—you simply need to meet the employment requirement and maintain your Fingerprint Clearance Card. To renew, you must have performed at least 8 hours of compensated nursing-related services within the 24-month certification period. This employment must occur in a qualifying healthcare setting under the supervision of a licensed nurse, such as nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, assisted living facilities, or similar settings. Arizona does not require specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for CNA renewal, though employers may require additional in-service training as part of their facility requirements. Your Fingerprint Clearance Card must also remain valid—these cards are good for six years but must be renewed before expiration. To renew your CNA certification, submit the renewal application through the Arizona State Board of Nursing's online portal before your expiration date. If your certification lapses because you did not meet the work requirement or failed to renew on time, you will need to retake and pass both portions of the competency exam to regain active status. If your certification has been expired for more than 24 months, you may be required to complete a new training program. The Board recommends beginning the renewal process at least 30-60 days before your expiration date.

Renewal Fee

No Fee

Renewal Period

Every 24 months

Work Requirement

8 hours in 24 months

Fingerprint Card

Must remain valid (6 years)

Career Outlook

CNA Career Opportunities in Arizona

Booming Healthcare Market in the Sun Belt

Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and its healthcare industry is expanding rapidly to keep pace. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, CNAs in Arizona earn a median salary of $38,340 per year, or approximately $18.43 per hour. While this is close to the national average, Arizona's lower cost of living compared to coastal states—particularly in housing—means your paycheck stretches further. In the Phoenix metro area, the state's largest healthcare market, experienced CNAs can earn $19-22 per hour, with premium pay available for night shifts and weekend work.

Arizona's status as a premier retirement destination creates particularly strong demand for CNAs in long-term care, assisted living, and memory care facilities. Sun City, Sun City West, and similar retirement communities employ thousands of healthcare workers. Major healthcare systems including Banner Health (one of the nation's largest nonprofit health systems), HonorHealth, Dignity Health, and Tucson Medical Center offer competitive wages and benefits packages.

With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting continued strong growth in healthcare employment and Arizona's population expected to keep increasing, job security for CNAs is excellent. Many Arizona CNAs use their experience as a foundation to pursue LPN or RN degrees through the Maricopa Community Colleges nursing pathway or University of Arizona's nursing programs.

Average Annual Salary

$38,340

per year

$18.43/hour • Growing job market

Nearby States

Explore CNA Training in Nearby States

Looking for CNA programs in neighboring states? Check out these resources.

Resources

Official Arizona CNA Resources

Access official state resources for CNA certification, testing, and verification.

Arizona State Board of Nursing

State regulatory agency overseeing CNA certification, training program approval, and nurse aide registry.

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Arizona Nurse Aide Registry

Verify your CNA status and check certification details through the Board's online registry lookup.

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Headmaster Testing

Schedule Exam

Fingerprint Clearance Card

Arizona Department of Public Safety—apply for your required Fingerprint Clearance Card.

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Board of Nursing Contact

4747 N 7th Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85014

Call: (602) 771-7800

Board Email Support

Contact the Arizona State Board of Nursing for certification questions and assistance.

arizona@azbn.gov

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