CNA Classes & Nurse Aide Training Programs in District of Columbia

1. State-Approved CNA Schools & Training Providers in District of Columbia

All 22 approved regional and county Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs) for District of Columbia are consolidated into the interactive directory below. Filter by county (6 counties/regions), program type, or search by city, ZIP code, or school name:

2. District of Columbia CNA Curriculum Breakdown, Admission Rules & Tuition Costs

In District of Columbia, prospective nurse aides must complete a state-approved 120 Hours (45 Clinical) NATCEP curriculum (consisting of 75 classroom/skills-lab hours and 45 supervised clinical hours), pass both components of the Credentia (NNAAP) competency evaluation, and clear state criminal background screening prior to active placement on the DC Health Regulation and Licensing Administration.

• Classroom & Clinical Clock-Hour Split (120 Hours (45 Clinical)): Every accredited District of Columbia NATCEP curriculum includes at least 75 hours of classroom theory and mannequin skills-lab instruction (covering infection control, vital signs, medical terminology, resident rights, and body mechanics) followed by 45 hours of supervised hands-on clinical rotations in a licensed District of Columbia skilled nursing facility or hospital under a Registered Nurse instructor.
• Pre-Enrollment Screening Requirements in District of Columbia: Prior to starting clinical rotations, students must complete state fingerprint criminal background screening, submit a negative two-step TB skin test (PPD) or QuantiFERON blood test, provide immunization records, and pass a physical health clearance.
• Free Nursing Home Training & OBRA Tuition Reimbursement: While community colleges and vocational schools in District of Columbia typically charge $550 to $1,450 for tuition, many skilled nursing facilities listed in the table above sponsor tuition-free in-house CNA classes for new hires. Furthermore, under federal OBRA law (42 CFR § 483.152), any Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facility in District of Columbia that hires you within 12 months of certification must reimburse your out-of-pocket course and exam costs.

3. District of Columbia CNA Certification Exam, Registry Lookup & Wage Outlook

Upon graduating from an approved District of Columbia training program, candidates register with Credentia (NNAAP) to complete the two-part state competency examination: a multiple-choice written (or oral audio) knowledge test and a live clinical skills evaluation drawn from the 22 testable CNA clinical skills.

Once you pass both exam components, your active Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential is issued by the DC Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (Official DC Registry Portal ↗). Across District of Columbia, certified nurse aides earn a median wage of $22.93 per hour ($47,700 per year), ranging from $38,900 at the 10th percentile to $57,500+ at the 90th percentile in acute care hospitals and metropolitan health systems.

4. Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Classes in District of Columbia