How to become a CNA in Pennsylvania (2024)

Certified Nursing Assistant

If you have a passion for helping others and are seeking a rewarding career in healthcare, you've come to the perfect place. This blog post will guide you through every step of your CNA journey in Pennsylvania, from the necessary training and certification processes to finding the best CNA jobs near you in the Keystone State. Let's get started!

Key Points

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic care to patients, including tasks like bathing and dressing, under the supervision of registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.
To become a CNA in Pennsylvania, you need to complete a state-approved training program of at least 80 hours, including clinical practice, and pass the CNA exam.
The average CNA class in Pennsylvania costs $1,300 and takes between 4 to 12 weeks to complete, with some programs available in as little as 2 weeks.
In Pennsylvania, the average CNA salary is about $39,780 per year, or $19.12 per hour.
The CNA exam in Pennsylvania costs $135 and includes both a written and skills component, with a total of 3 attempts allowed to pass.

What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a healthcare worker who provides basic care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). CNAs help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and feeding patients, making sure they feel comfortable and safe in places like hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. Their support is essential in helping patients with their daily needs and overall well-being.

What are the requirements to be a CNA in Pennsylvania?

To be a CNA in Pennsylvania, you must be at least 16 and be able to pass a background check, physical, and TB test. You do not need a high school diploma or GED in order to become a CNA, but you will need to be able to demonstrate basic math and reading competency (usually via 8th-grade equivalent or higher).

Steps to Become a CNA in Pennsylvania

1. Find a CNA class

You can use Dreambound to find a CNA class. Dreambound allows you to search by distance, length of program, payment options available, and more.

CNA programs in Pennsylvania must be at least 80 hours long, including at least 37.5 hours of hands-on clinical training under the supervision of a nurse. Training can be done in a nursing facility as long as it satisfies the state's requirements.

You can also find the list published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The list is updated once a year.

2. Meet CNA class requirements

Pennsylvania requires CNAs to be at least 16 years old. However, some employers may only hire those who are at least 18 years old.
You must be able to pass a background check to become a CNA in Pennsylvania. The background check checks for any felonies and certain misdemeanors involving theft or assault in the last 5 years. If you’ve lived in PA for fewer than 2 years, you’ll also need an FBI report.
In Pennsylvania, you must be able to pass a physical, which also includes a tuberculosis (TB) test. If you test positive for TB, you will need to get a chest x-ray. Your physical may also have to check that you are able to lift 40 pounds.
In Pennsylvania, you do not need a high school diploma or GED in order to become a CNA. However, some schools may require this anyway, especially any community colleges or technical colleges. If you don't have a high school diploma or GED, a small, private training program is your best bet. You can view which schools require and don't require a high school diploma on Dreambound. However, you are still required to have basic proficiency in reading/math, so these schools will administer an 8th-grade equivalent exam testing both of these.

3. Complete your CNA class

Pennsylvania CNA training programs are required to be at least 80 hours long, slightly above the federal minimum of 75 hours. There is a theory component, which may be online, and a 37.5-hour in-person clinicals component conducted at a nursing home. CNA training programs in Pennsylvania are not allowed to be fully online.

4. Pass the CNA exam

The Pennsylvania National Nurse Aide Assessment Program is offered by Credentia. You must pass within 24 months of completing your training or you will need to retake the class. You also must pass within 3 tries or you will need to retake the class.

CNAs are able to work for up to 4 months after completing training before needing to complete the exam.

The Written Examination consists of 70 multiple-choice questions written in English. For the Skills Evaluation, you will be asked to perform 5 randomly selected CNA skills. You will be rated on these skills by a Nurse Evaluator.

If you would rather take an oral exam, you can do that. The Oral Examination consists of 60 multiple-choice questions plus 10 reading comprehension questions.

Where can I find CNA training programs in Pennsylvania?

Dreambound allows you to look for CNA training programs based on the zip code of your choice. You’ll be able to compare various schools at the same time and view important enrollment information such as class schedules, payment plans, and upcoming class date information.

You can also search by metro:

How do I register for the Pennsylvania CNA exam?

Credentia, which administers the CNA exam in Pennsylvania as of September 2024, offers a comprehensive handbook for candidates. You can register for your CNA exam on Credentia, but note that if you just completed a training program, your school will likely handle this for you.

Much like the training program, the exam has two components: a theory portion, which can be taken written or orally, and a skills portion. The full CNA exam in Pennsylvania costs $135. You have 3 chances to pass both parts of the exam. If you do not pass the first time, retaking just the written or oral section costs $50. Taking just the skills portion costs $85.

You can contact Pennsylvania NNAAP at (800) 457-6752 for your questions or concerns.

How do I get a job as a CNA in Pennsylvania?

You may work for 4 months or 120 days while participating in your CNA training. That means that you also have 4 months to pass the exam before you can’t work as a CNA anymore, although many employers require the certification.

Dreambound graduates have found success finding CNA roles using job boards, support from their training provider, or inquiring with their clinical site. Important: If you get a job offer from a nursing facility within 12 months of completing your training, the facility must reimburse the cost of your training for the period you are employed as a CNA.

Navigate the certification journey in this field with Dreambound's detailed guides, each crafted for various cities. Our additional guides may be able to help you gain a deeper understanding of the process in other states.

What are programs similar to CNA I should consider?

Consider the following programs which are similar and commonly considered next to CNA:

LVN Training in Pennsylvania: LPNs are much more clinically skilled, so the classes take 1-2 years. However, LPNs are paid much more and have immediate pathways to becoming a Registered Nurse.
Patient Care Technician Training in Pennsylvania: a PCT is a CNA, Phlebotomist, and EKG Technician all in one. Plus, this class can be done online, although it is longer than CNA classes.
Phlebotomy Training in Pennsylvania: Phlebomists draw blood. Dreambound students who are considering becoming CNAs also consider phlebotomy the most of any other type of program. Phlebotomy programs are about the same length and cost and also can be done online.
EKG Training in Pennsylvania: an EKG Technician takes measurements of the heart for diagnostics. EKG Technician training is as short or even shorter than CNA training and can be done fully online. Pay is about the same or slightly higher.
Medical Assistant Training in Pennsylvania: A Medical Assistant has more clinical skills than a CNA and is also paid more. However, the class is longer and more expensive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to be a CNA in Pennsylvania?

Most CNA classes in Pennsylvania take 4-12 weeks to complete. There are some accelerated programs that can even be 2 weeks long, although these are full-time programs.

Pennsylvania requires 80 hours of training, 37.5 hours of which must be in-person clinicals.

How much does a CNA make in PA?

CNAs in Pennsylvania make on average $39,780 per year ($19.12 per hour). You may make more if you work in a hospital or travel staffing agency, or have more years of experience. You may also make more if you work in a higher-cost-of-living area such as Philadelphia.

Can you take the CNA test without classes in PA?

No, you must complete a state-approved training program.

How much does CNA training cost in PA?

The average CNA class in Pennsylvania costs $1,425, with ranges from $770-$1,800.

What is a CNA called in PA?

In Pennsylvania, a CNA are most commonly referred to as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Some other job titles a CNA can have are "nursing assistants", “nursing aides", "certified nurse aides", or "orderlies."

How much is the CNA exam in PA?

As of January 2024, on the Credentia CNA candidate handbook, the cost of the CNA exam in Pennsylvania is as follows:

Written Examination and Skills Evaluation - $135
The Oral Examination and Skills Evaluation - $135
Re-test fee for the Written Examination - $50
Re-test fee for the Skills Evaluation - $85
Re-test fee for the Oral Examination - $50

Is the PA CNA exam hard?

The difficulty of the PA CNA exam is subjective and depends on the individual's preparation level. The exam includes a written test and a clinical skills test and is intended for students who have passed a CNA training program.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on a journey as a CNA in Pennsylvania can be a life-changing decision. This rewarding healthcare career offers a chance to make a positive impact on patient lives!

Turn to Dreambound as your go-to guide in this journey. We've crafted numerous easy-to-follow guides to assist you in kick-starting your CNA career:

If you're looking for other healthcare careers, why not give these other articles a try:

Written by

Athena Kan

Athena is Co-founder and CEO of Dreambound.

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