CNA Classes in Rhode Island

The timeline to become a CNA in Rhode Island typically ranges from 6 to 12 weeks from enrollment to certification. Rhode Island requires a minimum of 100 hours of training—50 hours of classroom instruction and 50 hours of supervised clinical practice—which exceeds the federal minimum and ensures comprehensive preparation. Full-time accelerated programs can be completed in 4-5 weeks with intensive daily schedules. Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) offers programs at its campuses in Warwick, Lincoln, and Providence with both day and evening options, typically completing in 6-8 weeks. Part-time programs accommodate working students with evening or weekend classes and generally take 8-12 weeks. Nursing facilities like Briarcliffe Manor in Johnston offer employer-sponsored training programs that may follow a flexible schedule based on facility needs. After completing training, you'll register with Prometric to schedule your competency exam. Testing is available at Rhode Island Prometric centers in Providence and other locations. The written exam can be taken at a test center, and the clinical skills evaluation must be completed in person. Exam results are typically provided immediately after the skills test, with official scores processed within a few business days. Once you pass both components, your name is added to the Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry within 10-15 business days. Most students complete the entire process—from first day of class to active registry status—within 8 to 14 weeks.

CNA training costs in Rhode Island typically range from $800 to $2,500 depending on the program type and institution. Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)—with campuses in Warwick, Lincoln, and Providence—offers some of the most affordable options at approximately $1,200-$1,800 for in-state residents, as the college receives state funding for workforce development programs. CCRI's tuition often includes textbooks, supplies, and materials. Private training schools and vocational programs throughout Rhode Island typically charge $1,500-$2,500. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities offer FREE CNA training through employer-sponsored programs in exchange for employment commitments of 6-12 months. Facilities like Briarcliffe Manor in Johnston and other skilled nursing facilities across Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket frequently provide these "earn while you learn" opportunities. Under federal OBRA regulations, if you're employed by or receive an offer from a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility, your employer must pay all training and testing costs. In addition to tuition, budget for the $125 Prometric exam fee (covering both written and skills components), required immunizations and health screenings ($100-$200), scrubs and clinical supplies ($50-$100), and CPR/BLS certification if not included in your program ($40-$75). Rhode Island residents may qualify for financial assistance through Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training workforce programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or Rhode Island Promise (free community college for eligible residents).

The Rhode Island CNA competency exam is administered by Prometric and consists of two mandatory components. The Written Knowledge Test contains 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. You must score at least 70% (42 correct answers) to pass. Questions cover: Basic Nursing Skills (vital signs, positioning, transfers, mobility assistance), Personal Care Procedures (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting), Infection Control (handwashing, standard precautions, PPE use), Safety and Emergency Procedures (fall prevention, fire safety, emergency response), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (therapeutic communication, cultural sensitivity, resident interactions), Residents' Rights (privacy, dignity, independence, informed consent), Mental Health and Social Service Needs (emotional support, behavior management, end-of-life care), and Care of Cognitively Impaired Residents. The Oral Examination is available upon request in English, Spanish, or Portuguese for candidates who prefer auditory testing. The Clinical Skills Evaluation requires you to demonstrate five randomly selected nursing assistant skills in front of a trained evaluator. The mandatory skill is handwashing/hand hygiene, plus four additional skills randomly selected from the approved skills list. Common skills include measuring blood pressure, pulse, respiration, or temperature; assisting with ambulation or transfers; performing range of motion exercises; providing perineal care; catheter care; feeding assistance; positioning in bed; or making an occupied bed. You must perform each skill competently according to the standardized checklist. Testing is available at Prometric centers in Providence and other Rhode Island locations.

Rhode Island accepts CNA certifications from other states through reciprocity, allowing you to transfer your credentials without retraining or retesting if you meet specific eligibility requirements. To qualify for reciprocity, you must hold a current, active CNA certification in good standing from another state's nurse aide registry, have no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property on any state registry, have completed a training program that meets or exceeds Rhode Island's requirements (minimum 100 hours with both classroom and clinical components), and your out-of-state certification must not have been expired for more than 24 months. To apply for reciprocity, contact the Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Health Professions Regulation. Download and complete the Application for Nurse Aide Registration by Reciprocity from the RIDOH website at health.ri.gov. Submit the completed application along with verification of your current CNA certification sent directly from your state's registry to Rhode Island (most states can send this electronically), proof of completion of a state-approved training program if required (diploma, certificate, or official transcript), and payment for any applicable processing fees. Rhode Island may require a criminal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) as part of the reciprocity process. Processing time typically takes 4-6 weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once approved, you'll be added to the Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry and can begin working immediately at Rhode Island healthcare facilities. For questions about reciprocity, contact RIDOH at (401) 222-2827 or email health.professions@health.ri.gov.

Rhode Island offers excellent employment opportunities for CNAs across its two major healthcare systems and numerous skilled nursing facilities. Lifespan is Rhode Island's first and largest integrated health system, including Rhode Island Hospital (the state's only Level I Trauma Center and teaching hospital of Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School with 719 beds), The Miriam Hospital (247 beds offering specialized cardiovascular, oncology, and orthopedic services), Hasbro Children's Hospital (Rhode Island's only full-service children's hospital), Newport Hospital (129 beds serving Aquidneck Island and the East Bay), and Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital (nation's first psychiatric hospital for children). Care New England is Rhode Island's second-largest health system, operating Women & Infants Hospital (the nation's 10th largest maternity hospital and a leading center for women's health), Butler Hospital (a psychiatric facility affiliated with Brown University), and Kent Hospital in Warwick (359 beds serving western Rhode Island). Other major employers include CharterCARE Health Partners (Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence), South County Hospital in Wakefield serving southern Rhode Island, and numerous skilled nursing facilities throughout the state such as Briarcliffe Manor in Johnston, Greenville Health Center, and facilities in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket. Rhode Island CNAs earn a median salary of $37,930 annually ($18.24/hour)—among the highest in New England and significantly above the national median. The Providence metro area typically offers the highest wages, while coastal areas like Newport and South County also provide competitive compensation with excellent quality of life.