CNA Classes in Pennsylvania

The timeline to become a CNA in Pennsylvania typically ranges from 4 to 12 weeks depending on your chosen program format. Pennsylvania requires a minimum of 80 training hours, which is faster than many neighboring states like New York (100 hours) or Delaware (150 hours). Accelerated programs at some facilities can be completed in as little as 4 weeks with intensive full-time schedules. HACC's popular 120-hour program, offered at campuses throughout Central Pennsylvania including Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, and Lebanon, can be completed in approximately 18 days of intensive training. Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in the Pittsburgh area offers a 168-hour program that provides thorough preparation. Evening and weekend programs at facilities like Community College of Philadelphia accommodate working students but take longer to complete. After finishing your training, you must create a CNA365 account through Credentia, schedule your NNAAP exam (written/oral and skills evaluation), and pass both components. Electronic test results are typically available within hours of completing your exam. Once you pass and your Pennsylvania State Police background check clears (plus FBI check if required), you'll be added to the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Most students complete the entire process—from enrollment to certification—within 6 to 12 weeks.

CNA training costs in Pennsylvania vary widely depending on the institution, ranging from free to approximately $2,000 or more. Community college programs typically cost between $800 and $1,500 for tuition. HACC's 120-hour program, for example, is competitively priced and includes classroom instruction, lab practice, and clinical experience. CCAC in Pittsburgh offers comprehensive training with costs varying by program length. Delaware County Community College and Bucks County Community College provide programs in the Philadelphia suburbs at similar price points. In addition to tuition, you'll need to budget for the $135 Credentia exam fee (covering both written and skills components), Pennsylvania State Police background check (approximately $22), FBI background check if required ($23.50 for electronic submission), scrubs and clinical supplies ($50-$100), textbooks ($50-$100), and any required immunizations or health screenings. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout Pennsylvania offer free CNA training in exchange for employment commitments—facilities like ManorCare, Genesis Healthcare, and various county-operated nursing homes regularly provide this option. Under federal OBRA regulations, if you're hired by a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility within 12 months of completing training, your employer must reimburse your training and testing costs on a prorated basis (50% after 130 hours of work, the remainder after 260 hours).

The Pennsylvania CNA competency exam is the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) administered by Credentia through the CNA365 portal. The exam consists of two parts that must both be passed to earn certification. The Written (or Oral) Examination contains 70 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit. Questions cover: Physical Care Skills (bathing, dressing, feeding, positioning), Psychosocial Care Skills (communication, emotional support), Role of the Nurse Aide (scope of practice, delegation), Safety and Emergency Procedures, Infection Control, Basic Nursing Skills (vital signs, intake/output), and Residents' Rights. An oral examination in English is available upon request for candidates who may have difficulty reading, consisting of 50 audio questions plus 10 reading comprehension items. The Skills Evaluation requires you to demonstrate five randomly selected nurse aide skills in front of a trained evaluator. Hand hygiene is always included, along with at least one skill involving recording a measurement (such as blood pressure or pulse). Common skills tested include making an occupied bed, positioning patients, range of motion exercises, catheter care, and measuring vital signs. You must perform each skill satisfactorily according to the standardized checklist. Test centers are located throughout Pennsylvania, including permanent sites in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and other cities. The written exam can also be taken remotely proctored from home through Credentia's online platform.

Pennsylvania allows CNAs certified in other states to apply for reciprocity to join the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry without retesting, provided you meet specific requirements. To qualify for reciprocity, you must hold an active CNA certification in good standing on another state's Nurse Aide Registry with no record of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. There is no fee for reciprocity applications in Pennsylvania. To apply, create an account on the Credentia CNA365 portal and select the Reciprocity application option. You'll need to provide your full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, and details of your current certification. Credentia will verify your certification directly with the other state's registry—this process typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on response times from the originating state. You'll also need to complete a Pennsylvania State Police criminal background check, and if you haven't been a Pennsylvania resident for the past two consecutive years, you'll need an FBI fingerprint background check as well. Once approved, your name will be added to the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry, and you can verify your status through the CNA365 portal. Note that Pennsylvania does not require additional skills testing for reciprocity applicants. For questions about the reciprocity process, contact Credentia at 888-204-6249 or the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Nursing Care Facilities at 717-787-1816.

Pennsylvania offers exceptional employment opportunities for CNAs across its diverse healthcare landscape. UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) is the state's largest nongovernment employer with 100,000+ employees across 40+ hospitals and 800 outpatient sites—facilities like UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and UPMC Harrisburg consistently rank among the nation's best hospitals. In the Philadelphia region, Penn Medicine's six-hospital system (including Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian, and Pennsylvania Hospital—the nation's first hospital) employs thousands of nursing assistants, as does Jefferson Health, Temple University Health System, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Geisinger Health System serves central and northeastern Pennsylvania with major facilities in Danville, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton. Allegheny Health Network (AHN) operates hospitals throughout Western Pennsylvania including Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. For those seeking alternatives to hospital settings, Pennsylvania's extensive network of skilled nursing facilities—including ManorCare, Genesis Healthcare, and county-operated homes—offers stable employment with often-competitive wages. Home health agencies provide flexibility for CNAs preferring one-on-one care. The highest-paying metropolitan areas for CNAs in Pennsylvania include Lebanon, Chambersburg, and Reading. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows CNAs in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $41,700 annually ($20.05/hour), with experienced CNAs in specialized settings earning significantly more.