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.
Ohio offers dozens of CNA training options, but cost, completion support, and earning potential vary widely. This ranking highlights the 10 best programs for 2026, focusing on affordability, student outcomes, and quality of hands-on training. All featured programs are campus-based, as fully online CNA training is not approved in Ohio.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH | $4,000/yr (net price) | Affordable urban training with scholarship support | |
Cuyahoga Community College provides an affordable CNA pathway in Cleveland with a net price of $4,266 and institution-wide graduation rate of about 31%. Median earnings reach $35,654 a decade after leaving, with typical debt at $8,150. The non-credit Workforce Training program operates at Metro and Westshore campuses and may offer scholarships.
| |||||
| #2 | Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County | Newark, OH | Small-group, hands-on clinical training | ||
Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County reports a perfect retention rate and a low student-faculty ratio of 6:1. Median graduate debt is a manageable $6,500, and alumni earn a median $38,002 ten years after leaving. Its campus-based CNA program in Newark delivers hands-on training for entry-level healthcare roles.
| |||||
| #3 | North Central State College | Mansfield, OH | $5,000/yr (net price) | Flexible scheduling with built-in CPR training | |
North Central State College offers an STNA certificate with a net price of $4,687 and an institution-wide graduation rate of 36%. Alumni earn a median $38,158 after 10 years, with typical debt around $8,252. The flexible program partners with career centers and includes CPR certification.
| |||||
| #4 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | $4,000 – $9,000/yr | ||
Sinclair Community College's short-term nurse aide certificate costs a net price of $5,992, with an institution-wide graduation rate of 41%. Graduates see median earnings of $37,558 after 10 years and carry median debt of $12,000. The Dayton campus program partners with local employers and prepares you for STNA certification in just 75 hours.
| |||||
| #5 | James A. Rhodes State College | Lima, OH | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
James A. Rhodes State College provides a one-semester nurse assistant certificate with a net price of $8,757. The institution-wide graduation rate is 47%, and alumni have the highest median earnings in this ranking at $41,855 after 10 years, though median debt is $12,000. The Lima campus emphasizes Ohio health standards and includes a 16-hour clinical.
| |||||
| #6 | Columbus State Community College | Columbus, OH | $5,000 – $11,000/yr | ||
Columbus State Community College offers a nurse aide certificate with a net price of $8,400 and an institution-wide graduation rate of 28%. Ten-year median earnings are $39,435, and median debt is $8,749. The program serves as a gateway to other nursing pathways and is available in traditional or blended formats at the Columbus and Dublin campuses.
| |||||
| #7 | ETI Technical College | Niles, OH | $14,000/yr | ||
ETI Technical College in Niles offers a campus-based STNA program with a tuition of $850, though the institution-wide net price for other programs is $13,665. Median 10-year earnings are $34,017, and median debt is $13,805. The 12-day program includes 10 classroom days and 2 clinical days, preparing students for the Ohio state test.
| |||||
| #8 | Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus | Jefferson, OH | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus delivers an 80-hour STNA program with a net price of $9,599. Alumni earn a strong median $42,163 a decade out, though median debt data is not available. The program's $645 fee includes textbooks, background check, and state exam costs, with evening classes and weekend clinicals to fit working students.
| |||||
| #9 | Columbiana County Career and Technical Center | Lisbon, OH | $12,000/yr | ||
Columbiana County Career and Technical Center reports a net price of $12,133, with median alumni earnings of $33,552 and median debt of $12,109. The 86-clock-hour program offers day and evening schedules and boasts a 98% completer rate and 80% placement rate. Training covers body mechanics, infection control, and communication skills.
| |||||
| #10 | Central Ohio Technical College | Newark, OH | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | ||
Central Ohio Technical College's STNA certificate is a short 3.5-credit program with a net price of $9,948 and institution-wide graduation rate of 30%. Ten-year median earnings are $39,168 and median debt is $12,072. The open-enrollment program in Newark, Knox, and Pataskala offers a Talent Ready Grant for qualifying students, covering up to $2,000.
| |||||
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.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Ohio has many other quality CNA training options. The listing below includes additional schools across the state, organized by region. Each entry provides location, format, and a brief description to help you find a program that fits your needs.
