Compare ISDH-approved CNA training options by cost, length, format, and location across Indiana.
Fast entry into healthcare in Indiana comes with a clear trade-off: the shortest CNA training programs get you to the state exam in under three weeks, but they often compress the clinical hours that build hands-on confidence. Indiana requires 105 hours of instruction, and demand for nursing assistants remains strong as hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies compete for aides. Program costs range from zero when an employer sponsors your training to over $2,000 at a community college. Formats include daytime, evening, and hybrid models, though state rules mandate in-person clinicals for all students. That constraint shapes every scheduling decision, because the quickest route to certification isn’t always the one that leaves you most prepared for the competency evaluation and a career ladder into LPN programs or RN roles.
Indiana offers a range of CNA training pathways, from short-term certificates embedded in statewide workforce initiatives to pre-nursing tracks that feed into degree completion. The programs below were selected for their affordability, alignment with Indiana Department of Health standards, and institutional outcomes for graduates.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | $7,000/yr | Indiana residents seeking state-approved training | |
Ivy Tech Community College anchors Indiana's healthcare training pipeline with CNA preparation tightly aligned to Indiana State Department of Health requirements. Students can choose from multiple certificate and associate degree pathways, often stacking short-term credentials into a Healthcare Specialist AAS. The hybrid course format and extensive campus network make it accessible across the state, with a strong record of graduates earning a median of $37,186 ten years after entry, despite an institution-wide graduation rate of 40.5%.
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| #2 | Vincennes University | Vincennes, IN | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | Pre-nursing students on a degree pathway | |
Vincennes University provides a focused CNA track through its Health Care Professional Pre-Nursing Certificate, designed for students aiming to enter nursing degree programs. The campus-based offering at the Jasper campus emphasizes foundational nursing skills and general education coursework. While program-level earnings are not yet reported, institution-wide data show a median income of $41,110 for graduates after ten years, alongside a graduation rate of 38.9%.
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Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Indiana follows a clear, state-regulated path. You'll need to meet age and background check requirements, finish an approved training program, and pass a competency evaluation. With accelerated options, the entire process can be completed in as little as 2-6 weeks.
CNA training costs in Indiana span a wide range, from zero-cost employer programs to college-based certificates that run several thousand dollars. Most stand-alone CNA classes at nursing homes or career schools charge between $500 and $2,000, covering instruction, textbooks, and basic supplies. The two highly ranked programs on our list illustrate the higher end: Ivy Tech Community College’s Patient Care Technician certificate, which includes CNA preparation, carries an in-state tuition of $5,154, while Vincennes University lists its Pre-Nursing CNA certificate at $7,126 for Indiana residents. These figures represent institutional tuition, so they may include broader coursework beyond the core CNA training.
Several Indiana healthcare employers eliminate tuition altogether. American Senior Communities (ASC) runs a free, 4–5 week CNA training program open to anyone, with no work commitment required afterward. The program provides 30 classroom hours and 75 clinical hours, exactly the state minimums, and applications are accepted online. Other organizations tie training to employment. TLC Management’s Rise Up Healthcare Academy offers on-site CNA training at multiple locations (Albany, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and others), though you will need to contact them directly for current pricing. Genesis HealthCare takes a different approach: it hires trainees into paid, non-patient-care roles during a four-month training period, with all costs covered by the employer. Many nursing homes and hospital systems across the state provide similar earn-while-you-learn opportunities, typically with a work commitment after certification.
If out-of-pocket costs are a barrier, several funding sources can help. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) may cover CNA tuition for eligible individuals through Indiana WorkOne centers. For college-based programs like those at Ivy Tech and Vincennes, federal Pell Grants may apply if the certificate is part of an eligible academic pathway. Some community organizations also offer direct scholarships; Easterseals Northeast Indiana, for instance, provides scholarships for its $1,000 CNA program (next application deadline: May 25, 2026). Always confirm aid eligibility with both the program and the funding agency, as requirements vary.
Tuition often does not include the state certification exam. The Indiana CNA knowledge and skills evaluation, administered by a third-party vendor, typically costs $75 to $100. Some employer-sponsored programs cover this fee, but if you are paying for training yourself, budget for it as a separate out-of-pocket expense.
Indiana does not permit fully online CNA training. State law requires every student to complete clinical hours in person under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Programs that advertise a "100% online CNA" are either misleading or not approved by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).
Hybrid CNA programs split the curriculum into two parts. The 30 hours of classroom theory (covering infection control, anatomy, and patient rights) may be delivered online or through self-paced modules. The remaining 75 hours of skills labs and clinical rotations must be done at an approved healthcare facility, providing hands-on practice with tasks such as taking vital signs and assisting with mobility. This blend allows you to study theory on your own schedule while still satisfying the in-person requirements for state certification.
Our 2026 rankings feature two top campus-based programs, though both schools offer some flexibility. Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis offers a Patient Care Technician program with "flexible campus and format options." Primarily campus-based, its multiple locations and scheduling choices can still accommodate working adults. Vincennes University, with its main campus in Vincennes and a Jasper Campus, runs a traditional campus-based CNA certificate. Although neither program is marketed as purely hybrid, many community colleges and private training centers across Indiana (including those in Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend) combine online theory with in-person clinicals. Contact a program directly to confirm the exact delivery format before enrolling.
Not every training provider listed online is legitimate. The ISDH maintains a list of approved CNA training programs, and graduation from an approved program is mandatory to sit for the state's competency exam. Before paying a deposit, verify the program's status on the ISDH website. Avoid any "online CNA" course promising full certification without in-person clinical hours. Your certificate will not be recognized by Indiana employers or the state registry.
Some CNA training programs in Indiana can be completed in as few as 16 days, like the hybrid course offered by Evansville Institute in Indianapolis. For students who need to enter the workforce immediately, accelerated programs compress the full curriculum into two to four weeks of full-time study, a fraction of the six to twelve weeks typical of standard-paced classes.
Accelerated CNA programs are intensive, often requiring daytime attendance five days a week. Humble Hearts Academy in Fort Wayne, for example, runs a four-week program with weekend clinical rotations. Easterseals Arc, also in Fort Wayne, operates a four- to six-week track. These condensed schedules work best for individuals who can commit fully to training without outside employment or caregiving duties during the program.
Standard programs, by comparison, spread the same 105-hour requirement over 10 weeks, as seen at Cardinal School of Care in Fort Wayne, or 6 to 8 weeks at Indy Institute in Indianapolis. While less grueling day to day, they delay entry into the job market.
Evening and weekend sections are a major unmet need for working adults, and many Indiana training centers now respond to that demand. In Fort Wayne, Cardinal School of Care holds classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings; Essential Healthcare Academy offers an evening track; and Legacy Medical Academy combines online classroom work with evening sessions. Indy Institute in Indianapolis provides weekend and morning/afternoon options, while Humble Hearts Academy schedules clinicals on weekends. Even traditional daytime programs like ASC Care in Indianapolis occasionally add evening sections.
The American Red Cross CNA program in Indiana is not currently operating, but community colleges and vocational schools across Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville fill the gap with flexible cohorts. Always confirm the schedule for the intake you need, as night or weekend sections are not guaranteed every term.
Regardless of pace, every CNA program in Indiana must include in-person clinical hours. Accelerated tracks, in particular, fill rapidly because clinical sites can only accommodate a limited number of students. Before enrolling, verify that the program has a confirmed clinical site and that your slot is secured. Schools like Easterseals Arc and Humble Hearts Academy often have established partnerships, but waitlists can still form. Early application and direct communication with the program coordinator are the best ways to lock in a seat in the fastest or most flexible cohort.
The Indiana CNA competency exam is administered by Ivy Tech Community College through its Central Testing Office. The exam has two separate parts that evaluate both knowledge and practical ability.1
Both portions must be passed to earn a spot on the Indiana Aides Registry. Scheduling and site availability are managed directly through Ivy Tech’s testing portal. Many test-takers complete both parts on the same day, though separate scheduling is sometimes possible.
Full exam fees are $100 when both written and skills portions are taken together. If you need to retake only one part, the fee is $90 for that single component.1 You get three attempts per part, offering flexibility if you don’t pass on the first try.
If you exhaust all three attempts for either portion, you must typically complete another state-approved CNA training program before becoming eligible to test again. This makes thorough preparation important. Most programs include practice exams and skills labs to help students build confidence before exam day.
CNA certification in Indiana follows a 24-month renewal cycle managed by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).1 To maintain active status on the Indiana Aides Registry, you must meet two key requirements during each two-year period:
If you do not meet these criteria, your CNA certification becomes inactive. Reactivation may require retesting or completing additional training, depending on how long your status has lapsed. Always confirm your renewal date through the ISDH registry portal and keep personal records of completed in-service hours.
Indiana nursing assistants earned a median annual wage of $37,780 as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to roughly $18.16 per hour. Where you work in the state , and the type of facility that employs you , can move that figure noticeably higher or lower.
The statewide median gives a useful baseline, but the range is wide. The lowest-earning 10% of CNAs in Indiana made less than $29,610 annually, while the top 10% exceeded $47,710. These numbers cover all nursing assistants across every metro area and work setting in the state. Experience, additional certifications, and shift differentials all influence where an individual falls within that spread.
Wages vary meaningfully by location. Among the major Indiana metros, annual median pay breaks down as follows:
The Indianapolis area typically runs slightly above the statewide median, while Fort Wayne and Evansville are closer to the lower end. Cost of living differences mean that a modestly lower wage in a smaller metro may still stretch further for housing and everyday expenses. Employers in and around Indianapolis often compete more aggressively for staff, which can push base pay upward.
The employer type matters at least as much as geography. BLS data by industry for Indiana shows clear separation:
These industry medians are specific to Indiana and reflect only the May 2023 survey period. Actual job postings today may list slightly different ranges, particularly in tight labor markets where signing bonuses and wage adjustments have become common.
When comparing offers, it is wise to look beyond the hourly rate. Shift differentials for evening, night, or weekend work can add a dollar or two per hour. Some employers also cover the cost of continuing education at Indiana nursing programsIndiana nursing programs or provide a clear path to higher-paying patient care technician or medication aide roles. Checking current postings on Indiana Department of Workforce Development job boards or directly with large healthcare employers in your target metro area will give the most up-to-date picture of real-world earnings.
Indiana CNA programs require 105 training hours, cost between $0 and over $2,000, and can be finished in 2 to 6 weeks. The median salary for CNAs in the state ranges from approximately $33,000 to $37,000 per year.
Indiana offers clear pathways for CNAs to advance their careers through additional education and certification. Each step typically brings higher responsibilities and median wages.
Considering a nursing assistant career in Indiana? These are the questions we hear most often about CNA training, certification, and earnings. Our answers draw on the detailed program comparisons and state data covered earlier in this guide.
