CNA Classes & Nurse Aide Training Programs in Ohio

1. State-Approved CNA Schools & Training Providers in Ohio

All 77 approved regional and county Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs) for Ohio are consolidated into the interactive directory below. Filter by county (44 counties/regions), program type, or search by city, ZIP code, or school name:

2. Ohio CNA Curriculum Breakdown, Admission Rules & Tuition Costs

In Ohio, nursing assistants who complete a 75-hour NATCEP course and pass the Headmaster D&SDT state exam earn the official title of State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) on the Ohio Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry.

• Classroom & Clinical Clock-Hour Split (75 Hours (16 Clinical)): Every accredited Ohio NATCEP curriculum includes at least 59 hours of classroom theory and mannequin skills-lab instruction (covering infection control, vital signs, medical terminology, resident rights, and body mechanics) followed by 16 hours of supervised hands-on clinical rotations in a licensed Ohio skilled nursing facility or hospital under a Registered Nurse instructor.
• Pre-Enrollment Screening Requirements in Ohio: 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 Ohio 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 Ohio that hires you within 12 months of certification must reimburse your out-of-pocket course and exam costs.

3. Ohio CNA Certification Exam, Registry Lookup & Wage Outlook

Upon graduating from an approved Ohio training program, candidates register with Headmaster D&SDT 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 State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) credential is issued by the Ohio Department of Health - Nurse Aide Registry (Official OH Registry Portal ↗). Across Ohio, certified nurse aides earn a median wage of $18.75 per hour ($39,010 per year), ranging from $35,060 at the 10th percentile to $46,570+ at the 90th percentile in acute care hospitals and metropolitan health systems.

4. Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Classes in Ohio