CNA Classes in Utah

The timeline to become a CNA in Utah typically ranges from 4 to 10 weeks from enrollment to certification. Utah requires a minimum of 75 hours of training combining classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice, which meets federal standards while providing comprehensive preparation for professional nursing assistant careers. Full-time accelerated programs at institutions like Salt Lake Community College, Utah Valley University in Orem, Davis Technical College in Kaysville, and Bridgerland Technical College in Logan can be completed in as little as 3-4 weeks with intensive daily schedules Monday through Friday. Standard programs typically run 4-6 weeks with morning or afternoon sessions. Part-time programs accommodate working students with evening or weekend classes and generally take 6-8 weeks to complete. Many healthcare facilities throughout Utah—particularly along the Wasatch Front from Ogden through Salt Lake City to Provo—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 in Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and other locations along the Wasatch Front and throughout Utah. 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 Utah Nurse Aide Registry within 7-10 business days. Most students complete the entire process—from first day of class to active registry status—within 5 to 12 weeks, making Utah one of the more efficient states for CNA certification.

CNA training costs in Utah are reasonable, typically ranging from free to approximately $1,500 depending on the program type and location. Technical colleges including Salt Lake Community College, Davis Technical College in Kaysville, Bridgerland Technical College in Logan, Ogden-Weber Technical College, Mountainland Technical College in Lehi, Dixie Technical College in St. George, and Southwest Technical College in Cedar City offer programs ranging from $800 to $1,500 for Utah residents. These institutions receive state funding for workforce development programs, making them cost-effective options. Utah Valley University in Orem also offers affordable CNA training through its continuing education programs. Tuition at technical colleges typically includes textbooks, supplies, and materials needed for training. Private vocational schools and healthcare training academies throughout the Wasatch Front typically charge $1,200-$1,500 but often provide accelerated schedules, smaller class sizes, and convenient locations. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities across Utah 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 particularly common in rural areas of Utah experiencing healthcare 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 $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). Utah residents may qualify for financial assistance through Utah Department of Workforce Services programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or institutional scholarships at technical colleges.

The Utah 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 in Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and other Utah communities.

Utah 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 Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Health Facility Licensing. You can find the reciprocity application form on the Utah Department of Health 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. Utah requires a criminal background check as part of the reciprocity process, which you can complete through approved vendors including the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). Processing time typically takes 3-6 weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once approved, you'll be added to the Utah Nurse Aide Registry and can begin working immediately at Utah healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies across all 29 counties. For questions about reciprocity or to verify the status of your application, contact the Utah Department of Health at (801) 273-2709 or check the Utah Nurse Aide Registry online. Utah's straightforward reciprocity process and exceptional quality of life make it an attractive destination for CNAs relocating from other states, particularly from neighboring Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Utah offers exceptional employment opportunities for CNAs across its growing healthcare sector. Intermountain Healthcare is Utah's largest integrated health system and one of the nation's top-performing nonprofit health systems, operating 33 hospitals including flagship facilities like Intermountain Medical Center in Murray (the state's largest hospital with 504 beds), LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Primary Children's Hospital, Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, and McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden. University of Utah Health operates University Hospital (the state's only Level I Trauma Center), Huntsman Cancer Institute, and numerous specialty clinics throughout the Wasatch Front. MountainStar Healthcare operates several facilities including Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem. Steward Health Care operates hospitals in Salt Lake City including St. Mark's Hospital. Other significant employers include Davis Hospital and Medical Center in Layton, Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George serving southern Utah, and numerous skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities throughout the state. The highest-paying areas include Salt Lake County (Salt Lake City, Murray, Sandy, West Jordan), Utah County (Provo, Orem), and Davis County (Ogden, Layton). Utah CNAs earn a median salary of $33,180 annually ($15.95/hour). While not the highest in the nation, Utah offers exceptional quality of life with stunning natural beauty from the Wasatch Mountains to southern Utah's red rock country, world-class outdoor recreation including five national parks and numerous ski resorts, strong family-friendly communities, a thriving economy with low unemployment, and relatively affordable housing compared to other Mountain West states. Utah consistently ranks among the best states for overall quality of life, making it an outstanding choice for building a rewarding CNA career while enjoying an exceptional lifestyle.