Nurse Aide Training Programs in Wisconsin

Do I become a certified nurse aide upon completion of a CNA training class? The answer to this question is no. To become state certified you need to pass the CNA competency exam. The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services has created a standard test which can be challenged by every person graduating from a nurse aide training program. Successfully passing both the written and skill components of the state test results in earning the CNA certification.

A nurse aide is allowed to work for three months prior to becoming certified. To qualify for working as a nursing assistant for three months without a nurse aide certification you must: be a full-time employee, perform nurse aide duties under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse, and have already completed a CNA training program. For additional information regarding the nurse aide state exam you are encouraged to ask your instructor for a copy of the Wisconsin nurse aide candidate handbook. The average CNA wage in the state of Wisconsin is approximately $25,500 per year.

Approved CNA Schools in Brown County

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College - Green Bay
P.O. Box 19042, Green Bay, WI 54307
Phone: 920-498-7141

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College- Ell - Green Bay
P.O. Box 19042, Green Bay, WI 54307
Phone: 920-498-7141

American Red Cross - Lakeland Chapter - Green Bay
2131 Deckner Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54308
Phone: 715-271-9914

Chippewa County

Wissota Health and Regional Vent Center - Chippewa Falls
2815 County Highway I, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: 715-720-9341

Dane County

Madison Area Technical College
211 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-258-2479

Madison Area Technical College - Portage
211 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-258-2479

Madison Area Technical College - Blackboard
211 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-258-2479

Madison Area Technical College - Watertown
211 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-258-2479

Neway Directions - Madison
6400 Gisholt Drive, Suite102, Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-221-1920

Madison Area Technical College - Reedsburg
211 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-258-2479

Madison Area Technical College - Fort Atkinson
211 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-258-2479

Madison Area Technical College - Esl
211 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-258-2479

Ingleside Nursing Home - Mount Horeb
407 N 8th Street, Mount Horeb, WI 53572
Phone: 608-437-5511

Waunakee Manor Health Care Center
801 Klein Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: 608-849-5016

CNA Classes in Wisconsin ( Page 2 )

Nursing assistant programs prepare individuals for challenging the nurse aide certification exam and for entry level positions in health care environments. Each state has the authority to decide how many hours of training a nursing assistant course must consist of, as long as the minimum federal requirement of seventy-five hours is met. Students interested in attending CNA classes have a wide array of choices when it comes to selecting a training facility.

Nursing assistant courses are conducted at nursing homes, vocational schools, private schools, and community colleges. Program length, admission requirements, and cost of training vary depending on the policies of every training facility. Several states have implemented legislation which requires licensed long-term care facilities to reimburse CNA employees for the costs associated with training. An individual who has paid for nursing assistant training classes and who becomes employed by a nursing home within a year of obtaining certification, is eligible for financial reimbursement. Compared to other training programs in the health care field, nursing assistant classes are relatively short and inexpensive. Obtaining state certification as a CNA is the main requirement for securing a nurse aide job at a nursing home, hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility.

CNA Training Schools and Programs

CNA classes, schools and programs by state.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Name: Tara H. Date posted: August 02, 2013 - 05:28 PM
Message: Can you give me information on when the Gunderson Lutheren Medical Foundation Inc. and the Western Technical College both in LaCrosse WI, start their CNA courses? Thank you.


Name: Admin Date posted: August 03, 2013 - 12:25 AM
Message: The Western Technical College offers upcoming CNA training classes in August, September and October of this year. Classes take approximately two months to complete and cost about $377. I don't have any additional information about the nursing assistant classes at Gundersen Lutheren Medical Foundation but you may contact them by phone and inquire about the program. Good luck!


Michelle M. on March 01, 2012 at 09:27 AM
Who is eligible for placement on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry?


Admin on March 01, 2012 at 11:06 AM
In order to be included on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry, you must complete an approved nurse aide training program of a minimum of 120 hours and successfully pass both portions (written or oral examination and skills evaluation) of the competency test. Refer to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website which indicates that only nurse aides who completed a training program of 120 hours or more are eligible to transfer to Wisconsin. You may get the Registry Out-of-State Application form via Pearson Vue. You must complete the first part of the application and attach verification of your personal identity including you name, date of birth, and social security number. You should mail the completed form to the Nurse Aide Registry in the state where you are currently listed. Nurse aide registry personnel in the state where you are currently listed must complete the second part of the application to verify your status in that state. The other state will mail the completed application to Wisconsin. If you are transferring from another state, you must NOT provide "hands on" care in a facility in Wisconsin until you have been placed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. You can also see the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook which indicates that if you are a nurse aide currently listed on another state's nurse aide (or equivalent) registry as ACTIVE and in good standing (according to federal requirements), and have completed an approved nurse aide training program of at least one-hundred twenty (120) hours in another state, you may be eligible for placement on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. To apply for placement on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry, you must complete the Nurse Aide Registry Out-Of-State Application. It is recommended that all out-of-state and reciprocity candidates apply as far in advance as possible, as multiple agencies must verify and process your application. If you are a certified nurse aide currently listed on another state's registry, but have an INACTIVE status, and have completed an approved nurse aide training program of at least one-hundred twenty (120) hours in another state, you must successfully take the NNAAP Examination in order to be eligible for placement on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry.


Is it possible to enroll in a CNA class without a high school diploma or GED?

How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?

After becoming a CNA how much more experience, training or school has to be done to become a registered nurse?

I am in the military and I do not have too much time to actually attend a regular CNA program. Who offers online CNA classes?

How do I sign up for CNA training? I am having trouble finding the shortest training program in my area. Can you help me?

CNA Resources

CNA Training Requirements

There is a wide disparity between CNA training requirements among the states. The difference lies in the mandatory number of total training hours necessary to complete state-approved CNA classes.


While according to federal law each nursing assistant course should contain a minimum of seventy-five (75) instruction and clinical hours, individual states have the liberty to mandate extra training requirements for certified nursing assistants. The majority of states exceed the threshold federal minimum requirements for nurse aide training programs because they are considered insufficient to result in an optimal and safe level of care for clients.


A review of nationwide state requirements for nurse assistant courses has found that the following states have mandated highest number of CNA program hours: Maine with a minimum of 90 hours of theory, 20 hours of laboratory skills and 70 hours of clinical instruction for a total of 180 hours; California with one hundred and sixty (160) training hours; Delaware and Oregon each requiring one hundred and fifty (150) hours; followed by the state of Alaska with one hundred and forty (140) hours; Virginia, Arizona, and West Virginia have a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) training hours for state-approved classes.

CNA Training Programs

Nurse Aide Registries

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