Compare Ohio's highest-rated CNA and STNA programs by cost, completion time, and career outcomes.
Ohio projects roughly 2,100 annual openings for nursing assistants, fueled by an aging population and persistent staffing gaps in long-term care. Training takes as few as four weeks, so the State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) credential, Ohio’s official title for the CNA, is one of the fastest healthcare entry points in the state.
In 2026, costs start at zero through employer sponsorship and cap around $1,500 out-of-pocket. Starting pay hovers between $17 and $19 per hour, with Columbus-area medians running higher. Since Ohio does not publish STNA exam pass rates by school, applicants should ask training providers directly about recent first-attempt results.
These ten Ohio schools offering CNA or STNA training stand out for affordability, access, and student outcomes. Institution-wide graduation rates are shown as context rather than program completion rates, and federal earnings and debt data appear where available. Each entry highlights the campus-based format common to state-approved nurse aide training in Ohio.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | North Central State College | Mansfield, OH | $5,000/yr (est. net price) | Career changers wanting flexible scheduling | |
North Central State College in Mansfield offers a State Tested Nurse Assistant Certificate that combines classroom, lab, and directed practice. The program uses a flex schedule outside the usual college calendar, and it includes CPR and first aid training as well as partner-based clinical experiences. Its six-credit certificate can also apply toward a Health Services Technology associate degree. Federal data show median earnings around $38,158 and median debt near $8,252.
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| #2 | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH | $4,000/yr (est. net price) | Cleveland-area learners needing in-person workforce training | |
Cuyahoga Community College District in Cleveland offers Ohio Department of Health approved CNA training at Metro and Westshore campuses. The non-credit workforce program includes clinical experience and can connect students with workforce scholarships for eligible Ohio residents. Federal data show median earnings around $35,654 and median debt about $8,150.
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| #3 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | $4,000 – $9,000/yr (est.) | Dayton students seeking a short-term pathway | |
Sinclair Community College in Dayton runs a four-credit Nurse Aide short-term certificate that includes 75 hours of training and clinical experience. The program meets Ohio Department of Health standards and can lead to roles as a nurse aide, home health aide, or patient care assistant in the Dayton area. Federal data show median earnings around $37,558 and median debt of $12,000.
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| #4 | ETI Technical College of Niles | Niles, OH | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
ETI Technical College of Niles offers a concentrated State Tested Nurse Aide program with 10 classroom days and 2 clinical days. The $850 tuition may be offset through payment plans or local Job and Family Services assistance for eligible students. Institutional median earnings are around $34,017 and median debt about $13,805.
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| #5 | Columbiana County Career and Technical Center | Lisbon, OH | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Columbiana County Career and Technical Center in Lisbon provides an 86-clock hour CNA training with day and evening options. The program includes two eight-hour clinical days and reported completer, placement, and licensure rates of 98%, 80%, and 78%, respectively. Federal data show median earnings around $33,552 and median debt near $12,109.
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| #6 | Belmont College | St Clairsville, OH | $7,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Belmont College in St. Clairsville offers a fast-track Certified Nurses Assistant program with a total upfront cost of about $1,101.70 including fees and materials. The program can serve as a prerequisite for nursing pathways, with scheduled background checks and TB testing before clinical placement. Federal data show median earnings around $35,329 and median debt near $8,747.
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| #7 | Columbus State Community College | Columbus, OH | $5,000 – $11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Columbus State Community College offers a 76-hour Nurse Aide Certificate across Columbus and Dublin campuses, with traditional and blended course sections. The program includes 16 hours of clinical preparation and can act as a gateway to other nursing programs at the college. Federal data show median earnings around $39,435 and median debt near $8,749.
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| #8 | James A. Rhodes State College | Lima, OH | $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) | ||
James A. Rhodes State College in Lima provides a one-semester Nurse Assistant Certificate with lecture, lab, and a 16-hour clinical component. The program is aligned to Ohio Department of Health standards and positions students to sit for the state CNA exam. Federal data show median earnings around $41,855 and median debt of $12,000.
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| #9 | Central Ohio Technical College | Newark, OH | $5,000 – $8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Central Ohio Technical College offers a 3.5-credit Basic Healthcare Skills certificate leading to CNA eligibility, with campuses in Newark, Knox, and Pataskala. Open enrollment and a Talent Ready Grant of up to $2,000 can lower access barriers, though the program is not eligible for standard federal financial aid. Federal data show median earnings around $39,168 and median debt near $12,072.
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| #10 | Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools | Groveport, OH | $16,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools in Groveport offers a State Tested Nurse Aide program with campus-based clinical and classroom instruction. The training covers vital signs, patient hygiene, and medical terminology, preparing students for Ohio certification. Federal data show median earnings around $43,780 and median debt of $6,333.
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Total out-of-pocket costs for a certified nursing assistant program in Ohio typically fall between $600 and $1,500, with tuition as the largest component. Employer-sponsored and workforce-funded programs can reduce your expense to $0, see the free training section for details.
The length of CNA training in Ohio is determined by a combination of state requirements and the schedule you choose. Ohio mandates a minimum of 75 hours of training, with at least 59 hours in the classroom and 16 hours of hands-on clinical practice. This baseline ensures every candidate has a consistent foundation before taking the State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) exam.
All state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEP) follow the 75-hour minimum set by the Ohio Department of Health. The 59 classroom hours cover nursing skills, personal care, mental health and social needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, restorative services, residents’ rights, and long-term-care topics. The 16 clinical hours give you direct patient-care experience under instructor supervision.
How quickly you complete those hours depends on the program’s format. Accelerated daytime programs often run 2.5 to 4 weeks, meeting most weekdays for full-day sessions. Standard part-time tracks typically spread the coursework over 4 to 10 weeks, with classes held two or three evenings a week or on weekends. If you’re balancing a job or family responsibilities, evening and weekend classes are widely available, though availability varies by training provider and city.
Some Ohio community colleges embed STNA training into a semester-long health technology or patient care course. These programs still meet the 75-hour minimum but stretch it across a full academic term, and they usually award college credit. For example, Sinclair Community College offers a nurse aide training course aligned with Ohio Department of Health standards. This route can be a stepping stone if you’re considering an LPN or RN pathway later.
Evening and weekend schedules aren’t guaranteed at every facility, but many private career centers and vocational schools design their courses specifically for adult learners. Programs in larger metro areas like Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati tend to have more scheduling options. When researching schools, ask directly about the days and times each cohort meets, some providers run monthly start dates for evening tracks while others only offer them seasonally.
How do you actually become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Ohio, and why do some employers still refer to the STNA credential?
If you are new to nursing in Ohio, the alphabet soup can be confusing. For years the state used the term State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) for the same role most of the country calls a CNA. Starting in 2025, the Ohio Department of Health officially aligned with the nationally recognized CNA title. The training, exam, and scope of practice did not change, only the name did. That means any employer, program, or job posting that mentions an STNA is referring to the same credential you now earn as an Ohio CNA. Once you pass the exam, you are listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Earning your CNA credential follows a straightforward, state-regulated sequence. First, you must complete a nurse aide training program approved by the Ohio Department of Health. Approved programs run 75 to 76 total hours, with at least 59 to 60 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 16 hours of supervised, in-person clinical work. Many schools structure the program to finish in four to eight weeks, though exact pacing varies. After finishing the training, you have up to two years to take and pass both parts of the competency exam. Once you pass, your name appears on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, and you are fully eligible to work.
Ohio’s CNA competency exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies/Headmaster LLP and has two components. The knowledge test is a 79-question, multiple-choice exam offered in written or oral format. You must score at least 70% to pass, and you get up to three attempts. The skills demonstration requires you to perform three to four randomly selected nursing tasks within a 35-minute time limit. Key steps, those critical to safety and infection control, must all be performed correctly. Non-key steps require 80% accuracy. Like the written portion, you have three chances to pass the skills test. If you fail only one component, you retake just that part.
A detail many newcomers miss is Ohio’s provisional employment rule. After completing an approved training program, you can begin working as a nurse aide for up to four months before you pass the exam. This window lets you earn a paycheck and gain hands-on experience while you prepare for testing. It is a bridge that eases the financial pressure of certification. Keep in mind, however, that you must pass both exam parts within those four months to stay on the job.
The most visible update for 2025–2026 is the shift from STNA to CNA terminology, but there are other operational changes. COVID-era emergency waivers that relaxed clinical-hour requirements have expired, so all 16 clinical hours must again be completed in person with direct patient contact. Training providers continue to be regulated by the Ohio Department of Health, and only programs on the approved list qualify you to test. These changes simply reinforce the quality and consistency Ohio employers expect.
Nursing assistant wages in Ohio vary significantly by metropolitan area. Columbus offers the top median annual salary among major Ohio metros, reflecting higher local demand and cost of living. The figures below are from May 2024 BLS estimates.
| Metro Area | Median Annual Wage | Median Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Columbus, OH | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Toledo, OH | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Akron, OH | $38,160 | $18.35 |
Ohio does not publish STNA exam pass rates for individual training providers, leaving students to dig for one of the most telling quality indicators on their own. Although the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) tracks first-attempt outcomes for every approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), that data lives inside internal reports and is not posted on any public dashboard.
Every NATCEP must deliver a minimum 75-hour curriculum and operate under ODH oversight, but the department has no mechanism to release provider-level results directly to consumers. The testing vendor, Headmaster/D&S Diversified Technologies, reports scores only to the individual candidate, not to the student body at large. That means no centralized tool exists to compare passing percentages across programs, forcing interested applicants to rely on what schools volunteer.
Nationally, a first-attempt pass rate above 80 percent is generally considered solid, and many quality providers aim much higher. While ODH does not rank top-performing schools, some programs openly advertise their numbers. For example, one Ohio STNA provider reports a 96 percent pass rate, signaling strong preparation and student support. That figure serves as a useful benchmark when weighing your options, though it represents a single program’s claim rather than a statewide average.
Before you enroll, contact the program directly and request its most recent first-attempt STNA pass rate. A specific, up-to-date percentage speaks volumes compared to vague assurances. If a provider hesitates to disclose the information, consider it a red flag. You can also reach out to the Ohio NATCEP at (614) 752-8285 or [email protected] to verify a program’s approval status and inquire about any available quality metrics, though ODH may still not release provider-specific pass rates. For individual exam-related questions, Headmaster/D&S is reachable at (877) 851-2355 or [email protected], but remember they cannot share aggregate performance data. The takeaway is clear: insist on transparency, and walk away from any program that cannot back up its promises with real numbers.
As online learning reshapes healthcare education, CNA training remains firmly rooted in hands-on patient care, making it one of the few areas where fully remote study isn’t an option in Ohio.
In fact, the Ohio Department of Health does not approve any entirely online Certified Nursing Assistant programs. All CNA training in the state must include in-person clinical hours and supervised skills practice, which simply cannot be replicated through Zoom sessions or virtual simulations.
Hybrid CNA programs blend online convenience with necessary in-person skill development. Students complete lectures, readings, and written assignments through a learning management system, often on their own schedule. Then they attend scheduled lab sessions and clinical rotations at a healthcare facility or campus lab, where they learn and demonstrate essential tasks like taking vital signs, assisting with mobility, and personal care under instructor supervision. This model can reduce time spent commuting and allow more flexibility for working adults, while still meeting every Ohio requirement.
Among the top CNA programs in Ohio for 2026, a growing number offer this hybrid model. In our ranking table, look for programs with a 'Both' delivery format, these are the closest you’ll get to online study while staying fully compliant with Ohio regulations. While we don’t list every hybrid program here, the ranking section makes it easy to spot which schools combine online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals.
Beware of out-of-state programs advertising fully online CNA training with a claim that their certificate is accepted 'nationwide.' Even if such a program is legitimate in its home state, it likely won’t meet Ohio’s STNA certification requirements. The Ohio Department of Health requires that your training program be approved by them, including a specific number of in-person clinical hours. If you complete an out-of-state online program, you may find yourself ineligible to test for the Ohio STNA exam, or face additional costly steps to remedy the situation. Always verify that any program you’re considering holds current approval from the Ohio Department of Health before you enroll.
Altercare’s employer-sponsored nurse aide training program costs $455 for tuition, plus a $105 exam fee, but many Ohio nursing homes cover all training expenses in exchange for a work commitment.
Many long-term care facilities in Ohio operate in-house STNA training programs to recruit and retain nursing assistants. Students attend classes and clinical rotations on-site, often at no cost other than a commitment to work for the facility after certification.
Help Me Care EDU offers its NATCEP training at no cost for qualifying applicants, expanding access to those who might not otherwise afford training.
Ohio’s public workforce system can help cover STNA training costs for eligible job seekers. OhioMeansJobs centers and local workforce development boards administer federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants that may pay for tuition, books, uniforms, and exam fees.
Ohio’s PASSPORT Medicaid waiver program allows eligible older adults and individuals with disabilities to receive in-home care instead of nursing home placement. In some cases, PASSPORT funds can be used to train personal care aides, including STNA certification. While not a direct training subsidy for every student, it creates employment opportunities that might include sponsored training through home care agencies. Contact the Ohio Department of Medicaid or your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about current opportunities.
Free or low-cost training usually comes with a work agreement. Understanding the terms before enrolling prevents surprises.
Ohio offers clear pathways for STNAs to advance their nursing careers through bridge programs and articulation agreements. Each step builds on prior education and experience, reducing time and cost.
Aspiring CNAs in Ohio often have practical questions about training timelines, costs, and career prospects. Below are clear answers to some of the most common inquiries, grounded in state requirements and current data.
The schools below sit outside the ranked top ten and are grouped by region so you can find training close to home. Each entry notes the campus format, the length of the program, and the published program cost or institutional net price where the school reports one. Use this as a browse list for comparison rather than a ranking.
