CNA Classes in Indiana (Top Schools)

Training and testing (examination) are the two main components on the basis of which a CNA candidate is evaluated in Indiana.

Overcoming School Choice Difficulties

In absence of other qualified training, a completion of programs approved by ISDH (Indiana State Department of Health) is required.

These programs last 105 hours at a minimum (usually consisting of 75 hours of clinical practice training 30 hours of class attendance).

A general two year limit to take the exam also applies to candidates not working in the field (after which retraining in an approved program is required).

Please consult the below list which will aid you in choosing a CNA school.

CNA Testing: Rules and Regulations

Both nursing students and graduates are allowed to take the test.

Graduates who previously failed the test must complete both a written and skill test; on the first attempt, only a written examination is required.

Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School can approve nurses coming from foreign countries (after they pass both parts of the exam); those registered in other states only have to take a written test.

A CNA coming from outside of the state has the opportunity to start working immediately, but he has to pass the tests after no longer than 120 days.

The testing (Indiana Nurse Aide Competency Exam) is organized by the Ivy Tech Community College.

A candidate must be approved as eligible before being allowed to take the test.

A completed (ISDH-approved) program must be confirmed by the director, while the clinical supervisor will be required to confirm the attendance of the required number of clinical hours.

For a current nursing student, an official letter from the attended nursing school also has to be submitted; it has to be sent to this address: Ivy Tech Community College, ATTN: CNA Testing, P.O. Box 1621, Indianapolis, IN 46206

Minimum required attained grade in nursing fundamentals is C.

For a nursing graduate, transcript that indicates the date of the completion of the program is required (grade C in nursing fundamentals is also required as a minimum).

For a psychiatric technician, either an official letter or a copy of the completion certificate is required.

For special cases, such as nurses coming from other countries, a written approval letter of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or other approved agency is required.

From a military medic, a copy of DD214 or other suitable documentation is expected.

For CNAs coming from outside of the state of Indiana, a copy of qualifying certificate is needed (with indicating the number and certification date); if this certificate is no older than 2 years, work experience doesn’t have to be proven.

For states that don’t provide such certificate, such as Illinois or Alabama, a letter from employer with indicates work title and employment history and hours (8-hour shift at minimum) has to be provided.

Application documents are sent to “CAN Testing”; for standard mail, post office box is used, and a physical address is provided for UPS or FedEx delivery services.

A successful testing will result in a license, but this may take some time (even 8-10 weeks in some cases).

Knowledge test is taken in written form (oral testing may be allowed in special cases like visual impairment or literacy shortcomings).

These tests come with special fees: $75 is required to take both test, while taking just one part of the test costs $65 (may be paid by facility check, Visa, MasterCard or money order).

The nearest testing site is automatically chosen for a candidate, but it’s possible to indicate a different preference.

The candidates will be contacted 2 weeks after submitting the application, and testing will occur within 30 days; usually both tests are done on the same day.

If a candidate cannot respect the scheduled term, he may reschedule, but it has to be done at least 48 hours in advance (else, fees have to be paid again).

An official government ID document is required to take the test, such as driver’s license.

The results of testing will usually be available immediately at the testing location; if a candidate fails the test, information and advice on improving the results in the future will be provided.

The test can only be taken 3 times before retraining is required.

Practice questions can be found on the Ivy Tech website.

Additionally: if a CAN has at least 1,000 hours of (recent) work experience, he or she may enroll in training for adjunct credentialing as a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA); the candidate has to be aged at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED.

What Kind of Salary Can I expect as a CNA?

The work of a CNA may not be the best paid in the world, but it offers great professional satisfaction, job security, and other, especially emotional rewards (if you like helping people).

Naturally, a salary will vary based on various factors, but at average, in the state of Indiana, it stands at $30,901.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2020

CNA Schools by City

• Fort Wayne
• Indianapolis