Nursing Assistant Schools in Moorhead, MN and the Fargo Area

Compare local CNA training, real all-in costs, class formats, and paths to the MN registry

By Maria Delgado, RNReviewed by TopNursing.org TeamUpdated October 12, 202612 min read
Nursing Assistant (CNA) Schools in Moorhead, MN | 2027

Points of interest…

  • Minnesota CNA training requires in-person skills lab and supervised clinical hours.
  • Employer or workforce agency may cover Moorhead-area CNA tuition and exam.
  • M State trains Moorhead students at Moorhead Career Academy with Eventide clinicals.

Minnesota requires at least 75 hours of approved nursing assistant training before you can sit for the state competency exam, and most Moorhead-area programs finish in a few weeks instead of a full semester. Fargo-Moorhead hospitals and long-term care facilities hire CNAs year-round, so a class on either side of the Red River usually puts you close to a job.

But cost, free-training options, CNA training requirements by state, and registry rules vary. Compare real all-in costs, employer-paid classes, and the Minnesota registry path before you commit.

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CNA Jobs and Pay in the Fargo-Moorhead Area

We could not confirm the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics wage percentiles or headcount for nursing assistants in the Fargo, ND-MN metro, so treat any local figure you see as approximate. For context, the 2025 national median for the occupation was $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year), and one compilation of the same federal data puts Minnesota's statewide median at $46,680, which would sit above the national figure.1

Who Is Hiring

Recent job-board listings show a mix of employer types, though we could not verify that every posting is still open:

  • Hospitals: Sanford Medical Center Fargo has listed CNA roles at $17 to $24 an hour, with a sign-on bonus for eligible applicants.2
  • Long-term care: Eventide Fargo Care Center has advertised $22 to $24.64 an hour, plus $2 an hour differentials for evenings, overnights, and weekends. Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead has posted part-time day shifts.
  • Home care: Interim HealthCare Fargo-Moorhead has listed $25 to $30 an hour2, and HIA Health has advertised senior care transport and CNA roles in the area.3

Pay varies with shift, setting, and experience. Many facilities hire new graduates straight from local CNA training programs, so ask your program about employer partnerships. If you are open to training or working elsewhere, see CNA programs in Minnesota.

Can You Take CNA Classes Online in Minnesota?

Can you become a CNA in Minnesota entirely online? No. A fully online course will not make you eligible for the Minnesota nursing assistant registry, because hands-on skills lab work and supervised clinical hours have to be completed in person.

What you can find is a hybrid format. Some providers deliver the theory portion online, then require you to attend an in-person skills lab and clinical rotations at a long-term care facility. That setup suits students juggling work or family, since the classroom portion can be done on your own schedule.

Minnesota requires at least 75 training hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Most Minnesota courses run about 2 to 6 weeks, depending on whether you choose day, evening, or weekend sessions. Evening and weekend tracks usually stretch toward the longer end.

Before you pay for any online or hybrid course, confirm it is approved by the Minnesota Department of Health, whether the provider is one of the nursing schools in Moorhead MN or another of the top nursing schools in Minnesota. Completing an unapproved course can leave you unable to sit for the competency exam or appear on the registry, and that money is hard to recover.

What CNA Training in Moorhead Really Costs

What CNA Training in Moorhead Really Costs

Free and Employer-Sponsored CNA Classes in the Moorhead Area

Free CNA training programs in Minnesota usually mean an employer or a workforce agency covers your tuition, testing, or both. Minnesota CareerForce guidance for Finding Free Nursing Assistant Training in Minnesota points job seekers to local senior-care employers, and many of them cover training and the competency exam. Research did not confirm a specific Fargo-Moorhead facility currently offering this, so ask directly.

Realistic paths

  • Nursing homes and senior living: Some pay for your training and require a work commitment after you pass. Terms vary, so get the length and any repayment clause in writing.
  • Hospital-sponsored programs: Occasionally offered. Check hospital HR pages for current openings.
  • WIOA funding: Minnesota State marks eligible courses "W-E," but approval runs through CareerForce.1 Eligibility rules and award amounts for 2026 were not confirmed.

Paid while you train

Some employers hire you first, then pay wages during class and clinicals. Expect to accept a position at that facility once certified.

State money mostly flows to employers, not individuals. Minnesota's 2026 Dual Training Grant, for example, awarded $4.87 million to 71 businesses, and health care was eligible.2 You can't apply for it yourself, but it may help explain why an employer offers training.

Whom to call

Contact the CareerForce location in Moorhead and ask about CNA training and WIOA eligibility. Then call HR departments at long-term care facilities and ask whether they run or fund a nursing assistant class.

Training in Fargo, ND vs. Moorhead, MN

Crossing the Red River trades convenience now for paperwork later. A Fargo or West Fargo fast-track CNA program may start sooner or sit closer to home, but you need registry approval in the state where you plan to work. NDSCS's main campus in Wahpeton is about 50 miles south, while Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls keep you in Minnesota.

North Dakota options listed for 2026 include:

  • Bethany CNA Class: Three weeks, in person, listed at no cost. Seats and eligibility can vary.
  • Emerald Cares: Four weeks, $1,150.
  • NDSCS Nursing Assistant certificate: 75 hours, hybrid. Contact the school for tuition.

C3TEC in West Fargo has also announced a 2026-27 testing partnership with NDSCS and TrainND.

Transfers between the two registries work like this:

  • North Dakota to Minnesota: File Minnesota's Interstate Endorsement Form. You need good standing and at least 8 hours of paid nursing-assistant work in the past 24 months, plus employment verification. The transfer is free, but approval can take up to 30 days, and nursing-home work must wait until you're listed.
  • Minnesota to North Dakota: Provide proof you met another state's requirements and verification from every state where you're certified. There's no fee.

A brand-new graduate may lack that work history, so confirm Minnesota eligibility before enrolling.

Before You Enroll: Minnesota CNA Course Requirements

Most Moorhead-area CNA classes share the same core requirements, but confirm specifics with your program before paying.

  1. Age and prerequisites
    M State Moorhead enrolls students at 15, though you must be at least 16 to work as a nursing assistant. The course currently lists no prerequisite coursework.
  2. Minnesota DHS background study
    A background study is required for clinical. M State initiates it and covers the $44 DHS fee; students pay a $13.50 fingerprinting fee only if fingerprinting is required. The study runs through NETStudy 2.0.
  3. TB screening
    A negative Mantoux/TB skin test is required within 90 days before clinical and must be submitted during the first two weeks of class. Clay County Public Health in Moorhead offers testing for about $20.
  4. Immunizations and health screenings
    COVID-19 vaccination is not required, but clinical sites may ask you to report vaccination status. Routine immunization requirements are not specified in current program materials, so check with the clinical facility.
  5. English proficiency and CPR
    The current Moorhead program listing does not state a separate English proficiency or CPR requirement; confirm both with the program before enrolling.

Top CNA Programs Serving Moorhead Students

Moorhead students have a clear local anchor in Minnesota State Community and Technical College, which delivers its Nursing Assistant course at Moorhead Career Academy and uses Eventide Senior Living for clinical rotations. For readers comparing commute, cost, and clinical placement, this is the starting point. Explore additional options in the statewide directory at topnursing.org/cna/programs/mn/.

Factors considered
  • First-year retention
  • Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Local clinical placement access
  • Program length and format
  • Tuition and scholarship availability
Data sources
  • BEA state price parities, used to adjust tuition — bea.gov
  • College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Program-level records maintained in house
  • Original research on individual programs
  • National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
RankSchoolLocationNet priceBest for
#1
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fergus Falls, MN~$13,000/yr (est.)Moorhead residents seeking local clinical training

Minnesota State Community and Technical College maintains a Moorhead presence at 1900 28th Avenue South and runs its Nursing Assistant course through Moorhead Career Academy. The Moorhead cohort completes clinical experience at Eventide Senior Living, giving students a directly local training pipeline. M State combines low tuition with Workforce Development Scholarships and tuition-free options for eligible students, making it a practical choice for Fargo-Moorhead residents entering healthcare.

Visit Website
  • 75-hour course with 59 hours of classroom and 16 hours of clinical training
  • Moorhead cohort completes clinicals at Eventide Senior Living
  • No prerequisite and accepts students age 15 and up
  • M State covers the $44 background-study initiation fee
  • Free training available for eligible students who pass the Minnesota DHS background study
  • Listed Moorhead course cost is $700

Questions to Ask Yourself

Do you plan to work in Minnesota, North Dakota, or both?
Each state keeps its own nurse aide registry, so the state where you plan to work should shape where you test first. Moorhead sits across the river from Fargo, so check how each state handles reciprocity before you pay for an exam.
Would a nursing home pay for your training in exchange for a work commitment?
Some long-term care facilities cover tuition if you agree to work for them for several months. That can save you the full cost of a course, but ask what happens if you leave early.
Can your schedule handle a daytime clinical rotation?
Hands-on clinical hours are required, and many cohorts run on weekdays. If you work or have family duties, look for an evening or weekend cohort before you commit.
Is CNA training a stepping stone to LPN or RN school?
A college-based course may offer credits or an easier path into a nursing program later. If you only want to start working quickly, a shorter community or employer-run class may fit better.

Moorhead CNA Training FAQ

Approved training is at least 75 hours, including 16 clinical hours; some programs require 128 hours. After passing both parts of the Minnesota Nurse Aide Competency Exam and meeting nursing licensure requirements, registry listing typically appears within a few business days. Scheduling and processing vary, so confirm timing with the Minnesota Department of Health.

Generally yes, but Minnesota certification does not automatically substitute for North Dakota registration. You must apply for ND endorsement or reciprocity through North Dakota Health and Human Services, provide official verification from each state where you hold or held certification, and be active and in good standing.

Minnesota does not automatically transfer CNA training hours as credit in LPN programs in Minnesota. Whether your 75 training hours, 16 clinical hours, or 128 program hours satisfy an LPN prerequisite, clinical requirement, or elective depends on the individual nursing program. Contact the program directly to confirm.

Minnesota requires at least 8 hours of paid nursing assistant work every 24 months to stay active. If your status expires, you generally need to retake both the knowledge and skills exams and may be treated as a test-out or challenge candidate rather than automatically required to repeat training.

Minnesota by City

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