How to Become a CNA in Wisconsin

Q: How much does a CNA course cost in Wisconsin?

CNA classes may cost you $500 to $2,000 plus. This can vary depending on the inclusions of your tuition. Additional fees may be collected for your books, uniforms, and more. Some schools are allowing students to pay for a portion of their tuition ranging from $200 to $300 plus so they can start the training without breaking the bank.

Q: How old do you need to be to be a CNA in Wisconsin?

Based on the Wisconsin Health Careers official website, employers prefer to hire CNAs who have a high school diploma and are age 18. This age is also the usual requirement for schools to admit you to CNA classes.

By Marce ArnejoUpdated Jun 11, 2026

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Learn how to become a CNA in Wisconsin and provide essential nursing care to the elderly and chronically ill. Discover the state-approved training, exam requirements, and potential earnings for a fulfilling healthcare career.

In Wisconsin, compassionate CNAs provide vital nursing care, enhancing the well-being of the elderly and chronically ill. They offer essential support for medical needs and daily grooming, improving residents' quality of life in nursing homes.

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What are the requirements to become a CNA in Wisconsin?

If you want to become a CNA in Wisconsin, you need to meet certain requirements. Once you gain the necessary knowledge and get certified, you can start working as a caring and skilled CNA in the state's healthcare industry. Here are the requirements that you'd need to comply with:

Complete state-approved training: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) requires 120 hours of training with 32 clinical hours.
Age: To qualify for certification, you must be at least 18.
Pass a background check: You need to undergo a check on your criminal history. You cannot have any past convictions that would make you ineligible to work as a nurse aide.
Be up to date on immunizations: Before enrolling in the nursing assistant program, you must fulfill and record all necessary prerequisites. The Wisconsin Immunization Record online is a helpful resource for checking vaccination status. Annual tuberculosis (TB) screening is also a must, with a set due date of one year. These results are separate from the Wisconsin Immunization Registry because it's a screening rather than a vaccine.
Be in good physical health: Once you become a CNA, you must be physically healthy to do your job well. It's essential to carry out your duties effectively, provide the best patient care, and keep everyone safe.
Pass the state exam: You must pass the competency exam for CNAs in Wisconsin. Passing the certification exam shows that you meet all the requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to be eligible to be on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry (WNAR) list. It will also open doors to a fulfilling career in the healthcare field for you.

The CNA state exam in Wisconsin

As you start your nursing career, you must pass the competency exam. Passing this exam ensures you understand the nurse aide's knowledge and skills standards. It proves that you can competently and safely perform the job of an entry-level nurse aide.

Wisconsin uses the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) test. It has two parts: a skills demonstration and a written (or oral) test. Both parts are necessary to get listed on the WNAR. D&S Diversified Technologies LLP Headmaster conducts the examination. Here's what you need to know about the two-part test:

Written or oral test: You have up to 60 minutes to complete the 75-question knowledge test. The proctor will read the first 67 questions orally for the Oral Test. You need to answer the remaining eight questions by yourself to assess your English reading comprehension. The passing score for the knowledge portion is at least 71%.
Skills Demonstration Test: You have 30 minutes to complete the three or four tasks randomly assigned to you. The tasks are all scenarios based on the Wisconsin-approved nurse aide skill tasks. The RN test observer will read all the scenarios to you. You must perform all key steps and at least 80% of the non-key steps on each task to pass.

If you’re thinking of how much you have to spend for the exam, here’s a breakdown to help you:

Written & Skills Evaluation: $125
Oral & Skills Evaluation: $130
Written Exam only: $32
Oral or Audio version of Written Exam only: $37
Skills Exam only: $93

So, what should you bring on the day of the exam? Make sure to bring the following:

A current identification with a photo I.D.
Social Security card
Non-skid, closed-toe shoes for the clinical evaluation
Three No. 2 pencils and an eraser
A watch with a secondhand

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do CNAs make in Wisconsin?

As of May 2023, the typical yearly income for a CNA in Wisconsin is around $40,600. On an hourly basis, the average pay is approximately $19.52. Some may earn more depending on factors like experience and the type of facility you work at. The overall salary range for CNAs in Wisconsin is around $35,220 to $45,910.

What state pays CNAs the highest?

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2023 report, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in Washington D.C. earn an average hourly wage of $23.01, which amounts to an annual salary of $47,860. This makes Washington, D.C. the highest-paying region for CNAs, followed by Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington State. Other reliable online job sites also rank D.C. in the top four or five highest-paying states for this profession.

How much does a CNA course cost in Wisconsin?

CNA classes may cost you $500 to $2,000 plus. This can vary depending on the inclusions of your tuition. Additional fees may be collected for your books, uniforms, and more. Some schools are allowing students to pay for a portion of their tuition ranging from $200 to $300 plus so they can start the training without breaking the bank.

What score do you need to pass the CNA written exam in Wisconsin?

According to the D&S, to pass the knowledge portion of the exam, your score should be 71% or better. As for the skills or demonstration portion, you need to correctly complete all the main steps (highlighted in bold) and at least 80% of the other steps in each task given.

If you think you've made an error while doing a task, let your observer know. You'll have to show them the step or steps you think you've done wrong so they can take note of the correction. You can redo or correct any step you believe you've made a mistake on, at any point during your 30-minute test duration or until you tell the RN Test Observer that you're done with the skill test.

Keep in mind that all steps must be demonstrated. Steps that are only verbalized are not counted!

How old do you need to be to be a CNA in Wisconsin?

Based on the Wisconsin Health Careers official website, employers prefer to hire CNAs who have a high school diploma and are age 18. This age is also the usual requirement for schools to admit you to CNA classes.

How many times can you take the CNA exam in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has a unique rule for retaking CNA exams. As per the D&S May 2024 CNA handbook, you have the chance to take the test as many times as you want within a year from the day you finish your CNA training! If a year has passed and you still need to take the test, you'll have to take and complete another approved CNA training before you can schedule more tests.

Takeaway

Becoming a CNA in Wisconsin opens doors to a fulfilling healthcare career full of growth opportunities. You get the chance to make a difference through compassionate care and pave the way for further education and career advancement. Your journey as a CNA leads to a rewarding future where your passion for helping others thrives and positively impacts patients and their families. Explore what comes after CNA, and discover what awaits you!‍

‍Consider Dreambound as a valuable resource if you're thinking about getting started in this field. We've written many guides to help you: