Key Points
- A CNA in Alaska gives hands-on patient care under a licensed nurse, including bathing, feeding, moving patients, and recording vital signs.
- Alaska requires a 140-hour state-approved training program, split into 60 classroom hours and 80 clinical hours.
- You must pass the NNAAP competency exam, administered by Credentia, and clear a fingerprint background check through the Alaska Board of Nursing.
- Training usually takes about six weeks, and some Alaska hospitals sponsor free training if you agree to work for them afterward.
- Alaska CNAs earn a median of $46,370 a year ($22.29 an hour), about $4,110 above the national median.
What a CNA Does in Alaska
A CNA spends more direct time with patients than almost anyone else on a care team. Working under a licensed nurse, you handle the daily personal care that keeps patients safe and comfortable, including bathing, dressing, feeding, moving patients, and tracking vital signs like temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. In Alaska, CNAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living and long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and tribal and community health organizations, with the most jobs concentrated in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The 5 Steps to Become a CNA in Alaska
Becoming a CNA in Alaska runs through five steps: meet the eligibility rules, finish an approved program, pass the competency exam, clear the background check and register, and start working. Our guide to getting a CNA certification covers the general process, and the Alaska specifics are below.
Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Requirements
Alaska programs set their own admission rules, but most ask for the following:
- At least 18 years old, though some programs accept younger students with restrictions
- A high school diploma or GED, if the program requires one
- The ability to read, write, and speak English
- A negative TB test
- A criminal background check
- Current immunizations required by the clinical site
Check each program's exact list before you apply, since requirements vary from school to school.
Step 2: Complete a 140-Hour State-Approved Training Program
Alaska requires a nurse aide training program approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing, totaling 140 hours: 60 hours of classroom instruction and 80 hours of hands-on clinical training, usually completed in a licensed care facility such as a hospital or nursing home. That is nearly double the 75-hour federal minimum, so Alaska programs run longer than in many states, usually about six weeks full time. Training is offered through the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, hospitals, and private vocational schools.
Costs vary widely. University and private programs charge tuition, while some Alaska hospitals cover training for students who commit to a work period afterward, so ask before you pay. Comparing the cheapest and fastest programs lets you weigh price against speed, and it also helps to know what to buy for a CNA class before your first day.
Step 3: Pass the NNAAP Competency Exam
After you finish training, you apply to test with the Alaska Board of Nursing and receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. Alaska uses Credentia to administer the NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) exam, which has two parts:
- A written test of 70 multiple-choice questions, with an oral version available
- A skills evaluation where you perform five randomly selected skills
You must pass both parts to qualify for certification. Our guide on how to prepare for the CNA exam walks through both before your test date.
Step 4: Clear the Background Check and Join the Registry
Alaska requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Alaska Board of Nursing. Once you pass the exam and clear the check, you submit your certification application to the Board, which you can file and track through the state's licensing portal. After it is approved, your name is added to the Alaska Nurse Aide Registry, and you can work as a CNA anywhere in the state.
Step 5: Apply for CNA Jobs
With your name on the registry, you can apply at hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and care facilities across Alaska, with the most openings in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Because Alaska pays CNAs well and demand is steady, new CNAs often find work quickly. If you are starting out, our guide to getting a CNA job with no experience covers how to stand out.
CNA Salary in Alaska and Job Outlook
The median pay for an Alaska CNA is $46,370 a year, or about $3,864 a month and $22.29 an hour, based on May 2025 data. That runs roughly $4,110 above the national median of $42,260, which makes Alaska one of the better-paying states for CNAs, partly because of its higher cost of living and steady demand for care workers. Pay is higher in hospitals and larger facilities, and shift differentials add to it for evenings, overnights, and weekends. Within the state, Anchorage and Fairbanks generally pay more than smaller towns, though some remote communities offer incentives to attract staff.
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of nursing assistants to grow about 2% through 2034, with roughly 211,800 openings each year. Because training is short, the path to your first paycheck is one of the fastest in healthcare.
Free and Employer-Sponsored CNA Training in Alaska
You may not have to pay for training at all. Several Alaska hospitals and long-term care employers, including large systems in Anchorage and Fairbanks, run sponsored CNA programs that cover or reimburse training and testing costs in exchange for a work commitment after you certify. These programs are competitive and fill quickly, but they let you train, test, and start earning without tuition. To find one, contact the HR or education departments at hospitals and long-term care facilities in Anchorage and Fairbanks and ask about paid or sponsored nurse aide training.
If you are paying out of pocket, university and private programs are the other route. Online and hybrid options can cover the classroom hours for students outside the main cities, and you can compare CNA classes near you to check locations, costs, and start dates.
