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
The Enhanced Nurse Aide Certificate I at Paris Junior College prepares students for a dynamic healthcare career in just 16 semester credit hours. Designed for those seeking quick entry into medical support roles, this program equips students with comprehensive skills in patient care, medical terminology, and wellness promotion. Graduates can work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies, with average Texas wages around $28,240 annually. The curriculum covers critical areas like anatomy, gerontology, and clinical practice, ensuring students are well-prepared for certification and professional success.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Paris Junior College in Texas offers an Enhanced Nurse Aide Certificate III, a comprehensive program designed to equip students with essential healthcare skills. This campus-based program covers medical terminology, anatomy, and phlebotomy, preparing students for roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. With a focus on hands-on clinical experience, graduates are ready to meet the demands of the healthcare industry. The program emphasizes communication, patient care, and medical documentation, ensuring a solid foundation for aspiring nurse aides.
Port Arthur, TX - Public 2-Year - lamarpa.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Nurse Aide Certificate is a fast-track healthcare training program preparing students for an exciting career as a Certified Nurse Aide. Students gain hands-on technical skills in patient care, learning essential clinical techniques like basic caregiving, infection control, and communication strategies. With a growing job market and average annual salaries around $30,860 in Texas, this program offers excellent entry-level opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.
Dallas, TX - Public 4-Year - dallascollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Dallas College's Certified Nurse's Aide program provides a strategic entry point into the healthcare industry, addressing the critical nursing shortage with comprehensive training. Students learn essential patient care skills, infection control principles, and communication techniques across various healthcare settings like clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. The program follows Texas Department of Aging and Accessibility Services standards and prepares students for the state certification exam, ensuring graduates are workforce-ready with in-demand healthcare skills.
Denison, TX - Public 4-Year - grayson.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Grayson College's Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program provides comprehensive training for healthcare professionals seeking entry into long-term care and home health agencies. Students gain essential skills in patient care, communication, and safety through a hybrid learning model combining 96 classroom and 48 clinical hours. The program covers crucial healthcare competencies, including resident rights, effective team interaction, and fundamental patient care techniques. Tuition of $1,349 includes textbooks, study materials, scrubs, and one licensure exam attempt. Graduates earn a THECB-recognized Occupational Skills Award and qualify to take the CNA certification examination.
Amarillo, TX - Public 2-Year - actx.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Amarillo College's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program offers a swift 8-week pathway into healthcare, providing students with comprehensive hands-on training and classroom instruction. Designed for flexible learning with morning, afternoon, and evening classes, the program prepares students for state certification and potential career advancement. Affordable and financially accessible, with financial aid options available, students can complete the program at the West Campus location. The curriculum equips learners with essential skills for immediate employment in various healthcare settings, making it an excellent entry point for those seeking a rewarding healthcare career.
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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