Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 24, 2025
Texas offers Certified Nursing Assistant training programs which provide swift entry into healthcare work for individuals who want patient contact. The healthcare services of hospitals, nursing facilities, assisted-living residences, and home-health agencies in Texas function properly because of the CNA staff from El Paso to Houston.
Paris, TX - Public 2-Year - parisjc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Paris Junior College's Enhanced Nurse Aide - Certificate I program offers a fast-track path to healthcare roles, requiring only 16 semester credit hours. It focuses on patient care, medical terminology, and wellness promotion, with hands-on clinical practice. Graduates are prepared for certification and employment in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and home health, with average Texas wages around $28,240 annually. The curriculum includes anatomy, gerontology, and multilingual communication skills, emphasizing high-demand healthcare competencies.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Enhanced Nurse Aide - Certificate III at Paris Junior College is a comprehensive 30-credit hour campus program that includes phlebotomy training, medical terminology, and clinical experience. It prepares students for diverse healthcare settings by covering anatomy, patient care, and medical documentation, with a strong emphasis on communication skills. This program equips graduates for roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities, providing a solid foundation in essential healthcare practices.
Port Arthur, TX - Public 2-Year - lamarpa.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lamar State College-Port Arthur offers a one-semester Nurse Aide Certificate program that provides hands-on training in patient care, infection control, and communication skills. This campus-based program prepares students for state certification and entry into diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals and home health agencies, with a strong job outlook in Texas's growing market.
Dallas, TX - Public 4-Year - dallascollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Dallas College's Certified Nurse's Aide program offers a strategic entry into healthcare, addressing the nursing shortage with hands-on training in patient care, infection control, and communication. It prepares students for the state certification exam through a skills-focused curriculum and supervised clinical experiences in diverse settings like hospitals and long-term care facilities. This program adheres to Texas Department of Aging and Accessibility Services standards, ensuring graduates are workforce-ready for high-demand roles without requiring entrance exams, as it is a certificate-level program.
Denison, TX - Public 4-Year - grayson.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Grayson College offers a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program with a hybrid learning model, blending 96 classroom hours with 48 clinical hours for hands-on experience. The curriculum focuses on essential patient care skills, communication, and safety, preparing graduates for roles in long-term care and home health. At a total cost of $1,349, tuition covers textbooks, scrubs, study materials, and one licensure exam attempt. This program leads to a THECB-recognized Occupational Skills Award and includes flexible scheduling and bilingual options, ensuring comprehensive training without entrance exams required.
Amarillo, TX - Public 2-Year - actx.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Amarillo College's 8-week Certified Nursing Assistant program delivers intensive hands-on and classroom training, preparing students for Texas state certification. With flexible morning, afternoon, and evening classes at the West Campus, it offers an affordable entry into healthcare, supported by financial aid. The curriculum focuses on practical skills for immediate employment in diverse settings, with minimal additional costs for essentials like immunizations and background checks.
Texas state authorities allow online delivery of the theoretical CNA education component through approved programs which expands educational access for students living in rural areas and those who work. Students in hybrid programs must complete their virtual video demonstrations and online quizzes through distance learning but still need to participate in face-to-face skills lab practice and forty hours of clinical training at a licensed facility. Colleges unite online learning components with weekday laboratory sessions but private academies combine study with weekend intensive practicum sessions. The scheduling flexibility of evening courses enables working professionals and caregivers to pursue their education during non-work hours.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Clarendon College |
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| Texas Southmost College |
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| College of the Mainland |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 16, submit a New Nurse Aide by Examination application via TULIP, clear DPS/FBI fingerprint background check, and meet health/immunization requirements |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Texas Health and Human Services Commission – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | Complete a HHSC-approved Nurse Aide Training & Competency Evaluation Program of at least 100 hours (60 classroom, 40 supervised clinical) |
| Exam and Application Fees | No state registry fee, Prometric exam fees paid at scheduling (around $125 for combined tests) |
| Certification Exam | Pass both the Clinical Skills Test and Written/Oral Test within 24 months of training completion (up to three attempts each) |
| Registry Activation Time | Added to the registry via TULIP within two business days of passing both exams |
| Renewal Requirements | Every 24 months, complete 24 hours of in-service education and submit employment verification, no renewal fee |
| License by Endorsement | Active, unencumbered out-of-state CNAs apply via reciprocity in TULIP with proof of certification and work history, no retesting required |
The employment situation for Certified Nursing Assistants in Texas remains stable while their salaries demonstrate consistency. The annual compensation for CNAs amounts to approximately $32,000 with an average hourly wage of $15 though their total pay increases through overtime work, differential payments, and periodic bonus opportunities. The wage levels for nursing assistants in urban centers such as Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio exceed those in rural clinics though the latter often provides adaptable working hours. Employer facilities impact earnings since hospital systems and government facilities offer comprehensive benefits packages whereas home-health agencies compensate through mileage reimbursement and flexible caseload-based incentives.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Texas | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $33,600 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $16.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$43,540 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $33,600 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$31,020 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~22,100 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Grayson College |
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| Amarillo College |
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| McLennan Community College |
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Many students who complete CNA certification programs use this credential to advance their careers in nursing or related health fields. Working as a bedside caregiver enables professionals to develop medical terminology skills and improve their organizational abilities and patient relationships that nursing admissions committees consider important factors. Working CNAs who want to become LVNs can get application advantages and priority access to seats at community colleges which reduces their competition and requirements. LVNs who earn licensure can continue their education to become registered nurses by joining associate or bachelor’s nursing programs. Certain healthcare facilities provide financial assistance for education expenses and scheduled study sessions to their employees.
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