CNA Classes in Connecticut (Top Schools)

Connecticut map

Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Connecticut means satisfying these requirements:

  • Complete a Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP)
  • Pass the Connecticut Nurse Aide Competency Exam (CT-NACE)

Once you do, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT-DPH) will issue your certification.

Also, CT-DPH has approved Prometric to help the department with the following:

  • Administer CT-NACE
  • Maintain the Nurse Aide Registry (NAR)

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Connecticut

A nurse aide’s responsibility is mainly to give residents nursing services under the senior nurse’s supervision.

To ensure that the training you receive as a future nurse aide is up to standard, the CT-DPH has approved many training facilities to give NATP.

Below are some of those CNA training facilities in Connecticut.

Overall, you will spend a minimum of 100 hours of training, where:

  • At least 75 hours of classroom instruction
  • At least 25 hours of clinical/specialized training

15 CNA Schools in Connecticut

School NameAddress
American Red CrossHartford, CT 06105
Apple Rehab CNA Training CourseAvon, CT 06001
CNA Academy of ConnecticutWaterbury, CT 06705
Cobalt Lodge Health Care and RehabilitationCobalt, CT 06414
Griffin HospitalDerby, CT 06418
Housatonic Community CollegeBridgeport, CT 06604
Jewish Senior ServicesFairfield, CT 06825
Lord Chamberlain Nursing and Rehabilitation CenterStratford, CT 06614
Middlesex Community CollegeMiddletown, CT 06457
Milford Employment and TrainingMilford, CT 06460
Naugatuck Valley Community CollegeWaterbury, CT 06708
New Milford High SchoolNew Milford, CT 06776
Noble HorizonsSalisbury, CT 06068
Robert E. Fitch High SchoolGroton, CT 06340
Sacred Heart University Certified NATPBridgeport, CT 06604

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

After completing NATP, you will now take CT-NACE through Prometric.

The competency evaluation exam has two assessments: a knowledge test and a skills test.

In the knowledge test, you have 90 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions.

Usually, this test is a written one and in English.

But if you have limited English literacy, you can opt to take an oral test upon request.

The thing is, you won’t be allowed to have translators or translation dictionaries during the test.

Instead, your privilege is to replay the questions recorded in audio as many times as needed.

Then in the skills test, you will perform competently five nurse aide skills:

  • Three of them will be randomly selected by a computer
  • Two will be handwashing and indirect care

The duration of the skills test depends on the tasks you will perform.

But on average, it takes around 31 to 40 minutes to complete all five.

Exam Results

Here are the passing scores for each test:

  • Knowledge test – at least 72%
  • Skills test – you pass if you showed competency in all five skills

Your exam results will be available shortly after you’re done with the tests.

To see the results, simply go to your Prometric account.

If you pass the two exams, you will:

  • Be added to NAR within 48 hours
  • Receive your certificate within 15 business days by mail

But if you didn’t, then you must retake the test/s you failed within 24 months of completing NATP.

Otherwise, you’ll have to re-enroll to NATP to be able to take CT-NACE again.

Exam Fees

You will pay Prometric the following exam fees:

  • Initial exam
    • Written + skills tests – $118
    • Oral + skills tests – $128
  • Exam retakers
    • Written test only – $45
    • Oral test only – $55
    • Skills test only – $73
  • Others
    • Route 5: Out-of-state CNA – $55
    • Route 7: CNA under reciprocity – $55
    • Reschedule/no show – $20

Note that you will only pay the rescheduling fee if you applied for it with less than five business days’ notice.

Eligible CNA Candidates

CT-DPH has given guidelines on who is eligible to be certified as nurse aides in the state.

Below, you’ll find who these candidates are and what they need to do.

CNA CandidateQualificationsTakes the CT-NACEAdded to NAR
Newly trained nurse aideCompleted the state-approved NATP within the past 24 months
Nursing studentCompleted 100 hours of NATP-equivalent training from their nursing program within the past 24 months
Out-of-state nurse aide (trainee)Completed a state-approved NATP in the past 24 months at the state of origin or another state

Spent at least 100 hours of training at that NATP

Have yet to take the competency evaluation exam at the state of origin or another state

CNA with lapsed certificationConnecticut-trained and certified nurse aide with lapsed certification

Was not eligible for renewal

Out-of-state CNACompleted a state-approved NATP and competency evaluation exam within the past 24 months at the state of origin or another state
CNA under reciprocityCurrently active and in good standing in NAR at the state of origin or another state

Note:

  • The first four CNA candidates can only be added to NAR if they pass CT-NACE.
  • The last two CNA candidates are added to NAR directly upon approval of their application.

Potential Salary

A CNA’s salary in Connecticut is quite promising.

Right now, the average annual salary you can receive is about $34,000, reaching up to $37,000.

The table below shows the salary information across the state.

Annual Salary Range:
$31K
$34K
$37K

Average Salary of CNAs in Connecticut

City NameSalary
Bridge Port$35,699
New Heaven$34,706
Hartford$34,176
Stamford$36,461
Waterbury$24,096
Norwalk$36,461
Danbury$35,113
New Britain$34,159
West Hartford$34,176
Greenwhich$36,461
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT4,190$38,580$18.55$46,050$31,750
Danbury, CT770$38,520$18.52$44,490$32,960
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT7,020$38,320$18.42$46,610$32,270
New Haven, CT4,440$38,330$18.43$45,620$31,930
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI1,060$39,780$19.12$49,600$33,650
Waterbury, CT900$37,410$17.99$42,970$31,130
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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