CNA Classes in Wisconsin

The timeline to become a CNA in Wisconsin typically ranges from 5 to 12 weeks from enrollment to certification. Wisconsin requires a minimum of 120 hours of training—significantly exceeding the federal minimum of 75 hours and among the most comprehensive requirements in the nation—including classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. This extensive training ensures Wisconsin CNAs receive exceptional preparation for professional nursing assistant careers. Full-time accelerated programs at Wisconsin Technical College System institutions including Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Madison Area Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, and others can be completed in as little as 4-6 weeks with intensive daily schedules Monday through Friday. Standard programs typically run 6-8 weeks with morning or afternoon sessions. Part-time programs accommodate working students with evening or weekend classes and generally take 8-10 weeks to complete. Many healthcare facilities throughout Wisconsin—particularly in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and other metropolitan areas—offer employer-sponsored training programs with flexible schedules based on facility needs and employee availability. After completing training, you'll register with Prometric to schedule your competency exam. Testing is available at Prometric centers throughout Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Eau Claire, La Crosse, and other communities. 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 Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry within 7-10 business days. Most students complete the entire process—from first day of class to active registry status—within 6 to 14 weeks.

CNA training costs in Wisconsin typically range from free to approximately $2,000 depending on the program type and location. Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) institutions including Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Madison Area Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Gateway Technical College, Waukesha County Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, and Western Technical College offer programs ranging from $1,200 to $2,000 for Wisconsin residents. These technical colleges receive state funding for workforce development programs, making them cost-effective options for comprehensive 120-hour training that significantly exceeds federal minimums. Tuition typically includes textbooks, supplies, and materials needed for training. Private vocational schools and healthcare training centers throughout Wisconsin typically charge $1,500-$2,000 but often provide accelerated schedules and smaller class sizes. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities across Wisconsin offer FREE CNA training through employer-sponsored programs in exchange for employment commitments of 6-12 months after certification. This "earn while you learn" model is common in Wisconsin's healthcare sector, particularly in areas experiencing worker shortages. Under federal OBRA regulations, if you're employed by or receive an offer from a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facility, your employer must pay all training and testing costs. In addition to tuition, budget for the $122 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). Wisconsin residents may qualify for financial assistance through Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation scholarships, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, Wisconsin Grant for higher education costs, or WisWorker program for workforce training.

The Wisconsin CNA competency exam is administered by Prometric and consists of two mandatory components that comprehensively test your knowledge and practical nursing skills. 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, elimination), Infection Control (handwashing, standard precautions, PPE use, isolation procedures), Safety and Emergency Procedures (fall prevention, fire safety, emergency response, use of restraints), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (therapeutic communication, cultural sensitivity, resident interactions, reporting and documentation), Residents' Rights (privacy, dignity, independence, informed consent, confidentiality), Mental Health and Social Service Needs (emotional support, behavior management, coping with loss, end-of-life care), and Role of the Nurse Aide (scope of practice, legal responsibilities, ethical behavior). The Oral Examination is available upon request for candidates who prefer auditory testing or have reading difficulties. The Clinical Skills Evaluation requires you to demonstrate five randomly selected nursing assistant skills in front of a trained evaluator with approximately 30 minutes to complete all skills. 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 using proper body mechanics and safety equipment; 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 focusing on safety, infection control, patient dignity, and proper technique. Testing centers are located throughout Wisconsin including Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, and other communities.

Wisconsin 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 federal requirements (minimum 75 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 Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance. You can find the reciprocity application form on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. Submit the completed application along with verification of your current CNA certification from your state's registry (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. Wisconsin requires a criminal background check as part of the reciprocity process, which you can complete through approved vendors including the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Processing time typically takes 3-6 weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once approved, you'll be added to the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry and can begin working immediately at Wisconsin healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies across all 72 counties. For questions about reciprocity or to verify the status of your application, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services or check the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry online. Wisconsin's competitive wages, excellent quality of life, and strong healthcare sector make it an attractive destination for CNAs relocating from other states, particularly from neighboring Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan.

Wisconsin offers excellent employment opportunities for CNAs across its robust healthcare sector. Milwaukee—Wisconsin's largest city—features major employers including Froedtert Health (operating Froedtert Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center with 598 beds, and Community Memorial Hospital), Advocate Aurora Health (operating Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center with 896 beds and Aurora Sinai Medical Center), Ascension Wisconsin (operating Columbia St. Mary's Hospital and Wheaton Franciscan facilities), and Children's Wisconsin. Madison features UW Health (operating University Hospital—a nationally ranked academic medical center with 505 beds and Level I Trauma Center), SSM Health (operating St. Mary's Hospital and Dean Medical Group), and Meriter Hospital. Green Bay's healthcare is anchored by Bellin Health and HSHS hospitals including St. Vincent Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center. Other major employment centers include Froedtert South (Kenosha and Racine), ThedaCare (Appleton and Fox Valley), Gundersen Health System (La Crosse), Marshfield Clinic Health System (Marshfield and north-central Wisconsin), and Mayo Clinic Health System (Eau Claire and western Wisconsin). The highest-paying areas include the Milwaukee metropolitan area, Madison, and suburban Waukesha County, where CNAs can earn $36,000-$40,000 annually. Wisconsin CNAs earn a median salary of $35,010 annually ($16.83/hour)—well above the national median. Combined with Wisconsin's excellent quality of life including four beautiful seasons, access to the Great Lakes, outdoor recreation, strong public schools, vibrant cities and charming small towns, and genuine Midwestern hospitality, CNAs achieve rewarding careers while enjoying exceptional living conditions throughout the Badger State.