Points of interest…
- Chesterwood Advanced Therapy Center advertised STNA jobs at $17 to $21.50 hourly.
- No Ohio STNA program is fully online; clinical hours require in-person training.
- Ohio treats CNA and STNA as the same state approved credential.
Chesterwood Advanced Therapy Center, a long-term care employer in West Chester, has advertised STNA openings at $17.00 to $21.50 an hour, and the training to qualify, a key step in how to become a certified nursing assistant, can wrap up in a few weeks. Ohio calls the credential STNA (State Tested Nurse Aide), so local job boards and school sites use STNA and CNA interchangeably.
The real tension is speed versus legitimacy. Ohio requires at least 75 hours of state-approved training, including 16 supervised clinical hours that cannot be completed online. Free CNA training programs and other bargain offers vary widely in what they cover, and the nearest approved classes may meet in Middletown, Dayton, or Cincinnati rather than in West Chester itself.
Who Hires Nurse Aides Around West Chester and Butler County
Chesterwood Advanced Therapy Center in West Chester (45069) listed STNA openings in March 2026 at $17.00 to $21.50 an hour1, with day and evening shifts and full-time options.2 It is one of several long-term care and rehab employers in the area, alongside Country Lane Gardens, which has advertised full-time and part-time STNA roles.4
Where the Openings Are
Demand stretches across West Chester, Fairfield, Mason, Hamilton, Middletown, and northern Cincinnati, so a commute of 20 to 30 minutes opens up many more listings. Staffing and home care options include:
- IntelyCare: per-diem STNA shifts in West Chester Township, with flexible scheduling and pay advertised up to $34 an hour.3
- Assisting Hands Home Care: caregiver roles in West Chester at $16 to $17 an hour.1
- A Place At Home West Chester: home health aide jobs that require Ohio STNA certification and welcome new graduates.5
- Addus HomeCare: hospice STNA roles in Mason at $18.00 to $25.00 an hour.6
- Amazing Grace Home Health Care: pay from $19 an hour, with paid training.7
A Hamilton home health agency also advertises weekday STNA work for new graduates, with paid onboarding and weekly pay. Current openings at a specific major hospital system in Butler County were not confirmed, so check hospital career pages directly.
Nursing Homes vs. Hospitals
Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities typically hire the most STNAs and are the likeliest to sponsor CNA training in Ohio. Hospitals often title the job "patient care tech" and may prefer some experience.
Why STNA Works as a First Step
The credential is quick to earn, and it is a common on-ramp to LPN programs in West Chester or RN programs in the Cincinnati area, so you can earn while you decide how far to go.
CNA vs. STNA: What Ohio Requires Before You Can Work
Cheap, fast CNA programs look like the quickest path to a nurse aide job, but in Ohio speed only matters if the training is state approved. The titles, at least, are simple: a CNA and an STNA are the same role here. Ohio's credential is the State Tested Nurse Aide, and STNA is the term local job postings use.
Training Hours Ohio Requires
All CNA training programs must be approved by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and include at least 75 clock hours. That means a minimum of 59 hours of classroom and lab instruction plus 16 hours of supervised clinical work in a nursing home or long-term care setting. Some approved programs move part of the nonclinical coursework online, but the clinical hours stay in person.
The Competency Exam
D&S Diversified Technologies (D&SDT-Headmaster) runs Ohio's Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation. You must pass both parts:
- Knowledge test: Multiple choice, $26. An optional audio (oral) version costs $36.
- Skills test: Hands-on demonstration of nurse aide tasks, $78.
Fees are nonrefundable, and faxing the registration form adds $5. If you fail one part, you pay for and retake only that part. You get three attempts to pass within two years of finishing training. After that, expect to complete a new ODH-approved course. Confirm fees with Headmaster when you register, since they can change.
Getting on the Registry
Once you pass both components, the testing provider sends your results to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, usually without a separate application from you. Employers check the registry before hiring, so that listing is what makes you employable.
Verify Approval Before You Pay
Before paying tuition, ask any West Chester program for proof of current ODH approval and check it against the state's records. Training from an unapproved course won't qualify you to test or get listed.
Related Articles
What Ohio's $49 Background Check Covers Before Vendor Fees
A reliable all-in cost for Butler Tech's adult STNA program is not posted on its official adult education page as of 2026, so directory totals may not match. Ohio's Attorney General lists a $22 BCI fee and a $27 FBI fee, or $49 in government processing before fingerprinting vendor charges, which commonly add $5 to $40. TB testing and uniform or scrub costs vary by program and are not listed publicly, so trust the school's official price over third-party listings and confirm what is bundled before enrolling.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Can you train during the day, or do you need an evening or weekend section?
Daytime classes usually finish sooner, while evening and weekend sections often stretch across more weeks. If you work now, a longer schedule may be the only workable option, so confirm the full timeline before you enroll.
Would you accept a work commitment at a nursing home in exchange for free training?
Some long-term care facilities cover tuition if you agree to work for them after certification. That saves money, but it narrows your first job choice, so ask about the length of the commitment and what happens if you leave early.
Is the training site or clinical facility a realistic drive from West Chester at the hours classes meet?
Clinical hours often take place at a nursing facility, not the classroom campus. Check both addresses and your commute during early morning or evening traffic on I-75 or Route 747, since missed sessions can delay your finish.
Do you plan to move on to an LPN or RN program later?
A college-based course may be easier to build on, since it can fit into the same school's nursing pathway and give you familiarity with its advisors and admissions steps. If CNA work is your final goal, a shorter standalone course may be enough.
CNA Schools Near West Chester, OH, Ranked
Below are the top CNA programs serving West Chester students. Each entry lists the school's city, program format, and net price, plus key details on cost and clinical training. Use the program bullets to compare schedules, prerequisites, and certifications before you choose.
Factors considered
- First-year retention rates
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Accreditation and approval status
- Program fit for Ohio STNA
- Net price after aid
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
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools | Groveport, OH | $16,000/yr (est. net price) | Hands-on learners wanting quick STNA certification | |
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools offers a State Tested Nurse Aide program with campus-based training and hands-on clinical experience. The program covers patient care skills, vital signs, hygiene, and medical terminology. Graduates are eligible for Ohio's STNA certification exam and can enter healthcare roles quickly.
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| #2 | Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County | Newark, OH | Central Ohio students seeking campus clinical training | ||
C-TEC of Licking County prepares students for entry-level nurse aide roles through a campus-based Certified Nurse Aide program. Training includes vital signs monitoring, infection control, daily living assistance, and classroom plus clinical instruction. The program meets Ohio state certification requirements.
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| #3 | ETI Technical College | Niles, OH | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | Cost-conscious students needing short weekday schedules | |
ETI Technical College offers a State Tested Nurse Aide program with a total tuition of $850 and payment plan options. The schedule includes 10 classroom days and 2 clinical days on weekdays. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED, background check, and TB test.
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| #4 | Columbiana County Career and Technical Center | Lisbon, OH | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Columbiana County Career and Technical Center provides an 86-clock-hour Certified Nurse Assistant program meeting Ohio Department of Health requirements. Students choose day or evening schedules and complete clinical experience at nursing facilities. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED and health clearances.
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| #5 | Sandusky Career Center | Sandusky, OH | |||
Sandusky Career Center offers a 76-hour Certified Nursing Assistant program over three weeks. The total cost of $810 covers tuition and exam fees, with classes Monday through Wednesday. Training includes patient care, safety, communication, and clinical practice.
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| #6 | Central Ohio Technical College | Newark, OH | $5,000 – $8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Central Ohio Technical College offers a Basic Healthcare Skills certificate that qualifies students to take the state CNA exam. The program is 3.5 credit hours, delivered on campus in Newark, Knox, or Pataskala. Open enrollment and a Talent Ready Grant up to $2,000 may help eligible students.
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| #7 | North Central State College | Mansfield, OH | $5,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
North Central State College offers a State Tested Nurse Assistant Certificate with six credit hours across three courses. The FLEX format does not follow the college calendar, and courses are taught off campus. The certificate counts toward a Health Services Technology associate degree.
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| #8 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | $4,000 – $9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Sinclair Community College offers a 4-credit-hour Nurse Aide short-term certificate. The campus-based program includes 75 hours of training and clinical experience, meeting Ohio Department of Health requirements. Graduates can pursue roles as nurse aides, home health aides, or patient care assistants.
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| #9 | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH | $4,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Cuyahoga Community College offers an Ohio Department of Health-approved Certified Nursing Assistant program at Metro and Westshore campuses. The non-credit workforce program includes clinical experience and requires a valid Social Security card and government ID. Workforce scholarships may be available.
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| #10 | Belmont College | St Clairsville, OH | $7,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Belmont College provides a fast-track Certified Nurses Assistant program with total upfront costs around $1,101.70, including tuition, fees, and materials. Admission requires high school or GED transcripts, state and federal background checks, and a two-step TB test. The program prepares students for state testing.
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Enrollment Requirements and Next Steps After Certification
Ohio STNA prerequisites vary by school, but most students clear several common requirements before the first clinical day.
- Minimum age and readinessPlan on being at least 16 and able to read and follow care instructions. Some programs may test reading level or require placement documentation.
- Background checkExpect a fingerprint background check, commonly BCI, with FBI added if you have lived in Ohio fewer than five years or came from another state. Some schools require both. Programs review results individually and may deny admission for disqualifying offenses.
- Medical clearanceClinical sites usually require a current TB test (two-step skin test, blood test, or chest X-ray after a prior positive), immunizations such as hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, and flu, and a physical exam. Butler Tech and Great Oaks also require a 10-panel drug screen that includes marijuana; not every program does.
- After you passBring government photo ID and your Social Security card for state exam registration. Once you pass, confirm your listing on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry before applying for jobs, then compare more Ohio programs on this site.
STNA Questions West Chester Students Ask
The best program depends on your schedule, location, and budget. Look for an Ohio-approved provider that fits evening or daytime availability, clinical site access, and total cost. Use the ranked list below to compare options by those fit factors rather than looking for a single universal pick.
The Ohio STNA exam is commonly reported as $104 total: $26 for the written knowledge portion and $78 for the skills demonstration. Some testing sources quote $120, so confirm current fees. Many employers or training programs cover or reimburse exam costs when you commit to work for them.
Ohio accepts out-of-state CNAs by reciprocity if you are currently listed in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry with no disqualifying findings. Reciprocity is not automatic: you complete Section I of Ohio's HEA 6907 reciprocity application, which covers nursing licensure requirements, while the other state's registry sends Section II directly to the Ohio Department of Health. Kentucky and Indiana follow the same general process.
Ohio keeps your STNA status active on a 24-month cycle. To remain listed, you must perform paid nursing or nursing-related work for at least 7.5 hours within each 24-month period. Ohio does not charge a registry renewal fee, and long-term-care employers often require 12 hours of annual in-service training. If paid work lapses, you may need to retest.
