Compare costs, program length, and outcomes at Tennessee's highest-rated CNA training schools.
Tennessee’s healthcare employers continue to hire CNAs at a strong pace, and accelerated programs now put certification within reach in five to eight weeks. While some coursework can be completed online, state rules still require in-person clinical hours, a bottleneck that shapes program availability.
Net prices across the programs ranked here run from $4,270 at Roane State Community College to $24,345 at Southern Adventist University, with several TCAT campuses charging under $1,250 in total tuition and fees. Because clinical placements are capped, the cheapest seats often fill months ahead; the best program for you may be the one with an open slot when you’re ready to enroll.
This ranking evaluates Tennessee CNA programs through an affordability-weighted lens, emphasizing net price, financial aid, and student outcomes like graduation rates and earnings. Programs are scored based on cost, completion metrics, and workforce readiness. The result is a practical list for budget-conscious nursing students.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman | Harriman, TN | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Hybrid learners on a budget | |
TCAT Harriman's CNA program is an affordable, state-approved pathway with a blend of online didactic work and on-campus clinical training. The institution reports a net price of $11,148 and an overall graduation rate of 69%. The 120-hour program can be completed in about two months, with evening classes to accommodate working students.
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| #2 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville | Huntsville, TN | $16,000/yr | Personalized instruction in small cohorts | |
TCAT Oneida-Huntsville provides a highly personalized CNA experience with a student-faculty ratio of just 7:1 and an institutional graduation rate near 74%. The campus-based Nursing Aide program costs $576 in tuition, with a net price of $15,875, and opens doors to diverse healthcare settings. Day classes include 40 hours of clinical training in real care facilities.
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| #3 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | Flexible day and night class options | |
TCAT Knoxville's Nursing Aide program is designed for working adults with day and night class options across multiple campus locations in Knoxville and Maryville. At a net price of $20,012 and an institutional graduation rate of 71%, it offers flexibility without sacrificing training quality. The fast-track format includes 120 clock hours and costs approximately $850 all-in.
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| #4 | Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | ||
Dyersburg State Community College offers a highly affordable CNA program with a net price of just $4,612 and 90% of students receiving Pell Grants. The institution-wide graduation rate of 34% reflects the open-access mission, and graduates see median earnings of $36,132. The program is a 3-credit course covering patient care fundamentals and documentation.
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| #5 | Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN | $4,000/yr (net price) | ||
Roane State's Clinical Nurse Aide program has over 20 years of experience and a low net price of $4,270, with 90% of students receiving Pell Grants. The institution reports a graduation rate of 36% and graduates earn a median of $39,407. Campus-based training integrates Tennessee licensure preparation.
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| #6 | Walters State Community College | Morristown, TN | $5,000/yr | ||
Walters State Community College in Morristown provides a swift path to CNA certification with a program completed in less than 12 weeks, meeting Tennessee's 75-hour requirement. The net price is $5,387, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 33%. The program includes vital sign monitoring, patient hygiene, and direct care skills.
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| #7 | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Miller-Motte College in Chattanooga is a private career college with a 5-week accelerated CNA program that accepts students on a rolling basis every five weeks. The net price is $23,958, and the institution reports a 60% graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $31,102, and the school offers career services and financial aid.
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| #8 | Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Southern Adventist University offers a distinctive hybrid Clinical Nurse Aide program with online didactic coursework and local clinical rotations in Tennessee, lasting 4-6 months. The net price is $24,345, but graduates see high median earnings of $53,723. The institution has a 49% graduation rate and a strong 83% retention rate.
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The path from zero experience to working CNA in Tennessee typically spans 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the program’s pace and format. Here is a step-by-step timeline of what to expect.
State regulations establish a 75-hour floor for CNA programs in Tennessee, but many schools exceed that benchmark, providing extra clinical practice or classroom instruction. That contrast matters because where you train can shape how prepared you feel on day one of the job.
Tennessee requires all CNA training programs to include a minimum of 75 total hours. Of those, at least 16 hours must be supervised clinical training in a long-term care facility. This mirrors the federal minimum set by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987. While the state does not demand more than the federal floor, program graduates still need to demonstrate competence through a state-administered competency exam before they can be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry.
Before starting a program, students must meet several non-academic requirements:
A state-approved CNA program is one that appears on the Tennessee Department of Health’s list of approved nurse aide training providers. Only these programs satisfy the licensing board’s curriculum standards and clinical site agreements. Completing a non-approved program, even one that covers the same material, will not qualify you to sit for the competency exam. The Department of Health audits programs regularly to ensure instructors, facilities, and curricula remain compliant.
Although 75 hours is the baseline, many community colleges, technical schools, and healthcare employers offer programs that stretch to 100, 120, or even 150 hours. Longer programs often weave in additional lab time, more diverse clinical rotations, or soft-skills workshops. For a student weighing cost and speed against depth of preparation, this variation is worth investigating upfront. Employers sometimes prefer graduates from extended programs because those candidates tend to need less remediation on the job. Checking a program’s total hours and clinical structure before enrolling can make a tangible difference in your first months as a nursing assistant.
Passing a state-approved training program is only half the battle; the real gatekeeper for Tennessee CNAs is the two-part competency evaluation administered by Headmaster. Even well-prepared graduates can struggle if they underestimate the clinical skills demonstration or the time pressure of the knowledge test. Understanding the exam structure, registration logistics, and what comes after you pass helps you move from student to certified nursing assistant without unnecessary delays.
Tennessee uses D&S Diversified Technologies, operating as Headmaster, to assess new CNAs. The exam has two components that you must schedule and pass separately: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation.
The total exam fee is $98, $30 for the knowledge portion and $68 for the skills, and you have up to 24 months from your training completion date to pass both parts. If you fail one section, you can retake just that portion, but Headmaster limits retest attempts to three before you must retrain.
Create an account on the Headmaster website, select your training program, and pay the fees online. Testing centers are located across Tennessee, including sites in Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga. Schedule early because high-demand slots fill weeks ahead. On test day, bring your Headmaster admission ticket, a valid government-issued photo ID, and your social security card. Wear a clean, short-sleeved uniform top, closed-toe non-skid shoes, and minimal jewelry. You are also expected to bring a wristwatch with a second hand for the skills test, digital or smart watches are not allowed.
Once you pass both portions, Headmaster forwards your results to the Tennessee Department of Health, which places your name on the Nurse Aide Registry within about 10 business days. No additional state application fee exists beyond the exam costs. Employers verify your active status through the online registry, so keep your name and address current with the department.
Statewide pass-rate statistics are not centrally published, but many training programs track their graduates’ first-time success. If pass rates matter to you, ask a school for its recent outcomes before you enroll.
Tennessee requires CNAs to renew their registration every 24 months. To stay active, you must have worked at least eight hours as a paid nursing assistant during that two-year window. Qualifying employment includes work in a licensed nursing home, hospital, or home health agency. If you fall short of the eight-hour minimum, your certification lapses, and you must retake the competency exam. There is no continuing education requirement for renewal, but any formal in-service training you receive at work can strengthen your resume.
CNAs who hold an active, unencumbered certification in another state can apply for reciprocity to join the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. Submit a completed endorsement application, a $20 processing fee, and verification of your current license from the other state’s registry. Tennessee does not accept endorsements from Florida because Florida’s registry does not meet Tennessee’s equivalency standards. If you have been out of practice longer than two years, you may need to retrain or re-test, regardless of your out-of-state status.
When you look for online CNA programs in Tennessee, you won't find a fully remote option. The state requires every nursing assistant candidate to complete hands-on clinical hours in a licensed healthcare facility. That means programs can move the lecture portion online, but skill practice and patient care experience must happen in person. Most of the programs in our ranking reflect this: schools like Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman, Dyersburg State Community College, and Roane State Community College are campus-based, with classes meeting on a set schedule. However, some programs incorporate digital learning tools or self-paced lectures to reduce time in the classroom. Southern Adventist University, for example, describes its clinical nurse aide program as "100% online with clinical rotations." While the didactic portion is delivered through video lectures and online modules, students still report to a clinical site for the required lab and patient-care hours.
A hybrid CNA program splits training into two parts. You study topics like infection control, patient rights, and basic nursing skills through an online platform, watching videos, taking quizzes, and reading on your own time. Then you attend scheduled clinical shifts at a partner nursing facility, usually a long-term care center or hospital. The balance varies by school. Some compress clinicals into a few full-day weekends; others spread them over several weeks.
The programs listed on this page are predominantly campus-based, so if you're seeking a true hybrid option, you'll need to look closely at the program description or contact the admissions office directly. Southern Adventist is one clear example where the listed highlights indicate an online component, though it still culminates in in-person clinical training.
For working adults, the online theory portion can be a major plus, but it's not a shortcut. You'll still need to complete every required clinical hour, usually 40 to 60 hours total, under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
Several Tennessee nursing homes and healthcare systems offer free CNA training in 2026, often in exchange for a work commitment. CareRite Centers provides a three-week program at no cost with a one-year full-time commitment, while Ballad Health delivers a 100-hour hybrid program. Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, NHC, and Tennessee State Veterans' Homes also waive tuition, and state policy under the Tennessee Department of Health supports free training and testing for candidates employed by skilled nursing facilities. For those seeking a college-based path, the following programs are among the most affordable when ranked by average net price after financial aid.
| School | In-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|
| Roane State Community College | $4,998 | $4,270 |
| Dyersburg State Community College | $4,758 | $4,612 |
| Walters State Community College | $4,752 | $5,387 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman | N/A | $11,148 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville | N/A | $15,875 |
CNA training programs in Tennessee are often short and affordable, many costing under $1,500 and taking just a few weeks to complete. With a median salary of $35,040 per year statewide, newly certified nursing assistants can quickly see a strong return on investment. The table below breaks down wages and employment across Tennessee's major metro areas.
| Location | 25th Percentile | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile | Total Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (Statewide) | $31,160 | $35,040 | $37,450 | 33,020 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $36,050 | $38,780 | $45,040 | 6,630 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,220 | $36,830 | $38,520 | 4,000 |
| Knoxville, TN | $32,630 | $36,920 | $37,740 | 3,100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,320 | $36,050 | $38,780 | 1,930 |
Tennessee nursing assistants earn a median annual wage of $36,750, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure serves as a baseline for comparing earnings across metropolitan areas and against national averages. Cost of living adjustments make these comparisons important for career planning.
Tennessee’s investment in healthcare workforce development is paying off with an unprecedented number of bridge programs that let nursing assistants become licensed practical nurses in under a year.
Certified nursing assistants can move into licensed practical nursing through dedicated bridge programs at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) and community colleges. These pathways often require 6–12 months of CNA work experience and 9–14 months of full-time study. For example, TCAT Memphis and Southwest Tennessee Community College both offer low-cost CNA-to-LPN bridges that build on your clinical foundation. The salary jump is substantial: in Memphis, LPNs typically earn $38,000–$52,000, compared to the $28,000–$38,000 range for CNAs. TCAT Elizabethton even grants a Nursing Assistant certificate after the first 36 clinical hours, giving students an early credential to work while they finish the LPN diploma.
LPNs ready to advance can pursue an associate degree in nursing (ADN) through an LPN-to-RN bridge program, which typically takes 12–18 months. Jackson State Community College, for instance, offers a 20-credit career mobility track with a February 1 deadline that leads to RN licensure after passing the NCLEX-RN. Many community colleges across the state pair CNA and LPN training with an ADN pathway, so students can actually start their nursing education at one institution and move seamlessly into advanced nursing roles. Registered nurses in the Memphis area see salaries between $55,000 and $72,000 for ADN-prepared RNs and $60,000–$80,000 with a bachelor’s degree. Across Tennessee, the earning potential follows a similar upward trajectory.
Once you hold an RN license, online RN-to-BSN programs let you earn a bachelor’s degree while working, often in as little as 12 months. A BSN opens doors to management roles and is required for graduate study leading to nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse educator positions. Many Tennessee employers now prefer or reimburse nurses pursuing their BSN. The step from RN to advanced practice registered nurse can more than double the typical CNA salary, making the investment in each level of education a strategic financial decision.
What makes this career ladder especially accessible in Tennessee is the alignment among TCATs, community colleges, and four‑year universities. Students commonly begin at a TCAT for practical nursing, then transfer credits to a partner college’s ADN program, and later complete a BSN online through a state university. Before enrolling in any CNA program, ask about articulation agreements and bridge options, the right choice can save both time and cost as you climb the nursing ladder.
Choosing a CNA program is a big step toward a nursing career. These answers cover the most common questions about training, costs, and licensure in Tennessee, helping you make an informed decision.
