CNA Classes in Louisiana (Top Schools)

Louisiana map

In Louisiana, an individual becomes a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) when they complete the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP).

It’s the LA Department of Health – Health Standards Section (LDH – HSS) that ensures that NATCEPs being offered meets the state’s requirements.

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Louisiana

You can receive a CNA education and training provided by a state-approved training facility,

The purpose of this program is to ensure that you’ll become a nurse aide capable of working in long-term and nursing facilities.

Many training facilities can provide the training across the state, like:

  • Community colleges
  • Vocational-technical programs
  • Other educational entities

According to the state curriculum, you’ll undergo 80 hours of training:

  • 40 hours of classroom learning
  • 40 hours of clinical instruction

If you happen to enroll in a facility or non-facility-based program, you must complete at least 16 hours of class instruction before proceeding to clinical.

Then, you can take clinical instruction at long-term and nursing facilities.

There, you’ll be trained and have to demonstrate proficiency in:

  • Basic nursing skills
  • Personal care skills
  • Mental health and social service
  • Basic restorative services
  • Maintaining a resident’s rights
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Safety and emergency procedures
  • Promoting residents’ independence
  • Heimlich maneuver

Here are some of the state-approved CNA schools that you may want to check out.

For a full list of training facilities, visit the LDH – HSS website.

13 CNA Schools in Louisiana

School NameAddress
Advance Nursing Training, LLCNew Orleans, LA 70114
Baton Rouge Health Care CenterBaton Rouge, Louisiana 70811
Central Louisiana Technical Community CollegeMultiple Locations
Evangeline Parish School Board Ville Platte - HSVille Platte, LA 70586
Forest Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation CenterCovington, LA 70433
Jefferson Davis Parish CNA ProgramJennings, LA 70546
Louisiana Delta Community College Center for Adult DevelopmentMonroe, LA 71202
New Orleans Job Corps CenterNew Orleans, LA 70118
Old Brownlee Community Care CenterBossier City, Louisiana 71111
Prairie Manor Nursing HomePine Prairie, LA 70576
River Parishes Institute, LLCBrusly, Louisiana 70719
Tender Love and Care Allied Health TrainingMetairie, LA 70003
Wynhoven Health Care CenterMarrero, LA 70072

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

After the training, you will then undergo the Competency Evaluation Program (CEP).

Its purpose is to assess whether you meet the minimum training requirements for CNA through a certification exam.

Also, Prometric will administer the CEP for a standardized exam in Louisiana.

In the CEP, you will take a knowledge test (written or oral) and a clinical skills test.

The knowledge test is usually in a written format.

It consists of 60 questions to be completed in 90 minutes.

You can take the knowledge test in an oral format only if you have limited literacy skills.

But do note that your knowledge test will now include a 15-item reading comprehension test.

This test will determine if you have the reading skills to work in the capacity of a nurse aide at a nursing facility.

Meanwhile, in the clinical skills test, you will demonstrate five skills within a given time frame.

In regards to the passing rate, you will need at least a 70% score to pass each test.

The testing facility will post the results immediately after your tests.

Also, they will provide the printed official results at the regional testing facility.

After Completing CEP

If you pass, Prometric will send your information to LDH so you can be added to the LA Nurse Aide Registry (NAR).

Prometric and the training facility both have 30 days to submit all necessary documents to LDH to signify your successful completion of NATCEP.

Your status as a CNA is going to be valid for two years from the issue date.

Your certification will be automatically renewed provided that you’ve worked as a nurse aid with pay for 24 months.

Otherwise, you will have to retake the certification exam.

However, if you fail, you will have to retake the test.

CNA Candidates Eligible to Take the CEP

Candidates will submit the necessary documents to Prometric to take the CEP.

CNA CandidateRequirementsType of TestNo. of Attempts to Pass

Newly trained nurse aide

CNA with lapsed status but has retrained

Completed the state-approved CNA program within the last 12 months

Duly accomplished application form

Payment of exam fees

Knowledge test

Clinical skills test

3 attempts each
CNA with a lapsed status (less than 24 months)

Duly accomplished application form

Payment of exam fees

Knowledge test

Clinical skills test

1 attempt each

Nursing student

Foreign-trained RN or LPN

Military-trained medic

Suspended or probationary LPN

An Approval to Test letter from LDH

Duly accomplished application form

Payment of exam fees

Knowledge test

Clinical skills test

1 attempt each
CNA under reciprocity

Copy of any of the following IDs:

  • SSN card
  • Government-issued LA ID
  • Military ID

Duly accomplished application form

Payment of exam fees

N/AN/A

You must pass the evaluation within 12 months of finishing your training.

If after the required attempts you still fail, then you’ll have to go retraining at any LA training facility.

For CNAs under reciprocity, you won’t have to take the certification exam.

Once Prometric has verified your application, they will submit to LDH your information to add you to the LA NAR.

You can submit the application form either online or by mail to this address:

Prometric
ATTN: LA Nurse Aide Program
7941 Corporate Drive
Nottingham, MD 21236

CEP Exam Fees

For the certification exam, you will have to pay the following:

  • Newly trained, lapsed, and other candidates test takers:
    • Written and clinical tests – $125
    • Oral and clinical tests – $125
  • Exam retakers
    • Written test only – $40
    • Oral test only – $40
    • Clinical test only – $85
  • Reciprocity – $35
  • Rescheduling (at least five business days before the exam) – $25

Note that the oral test includes the reading comprehension test already.

Potential Salary

As a CNA, you can expect to earn enough to lead a comfortable lifestyle.

Also, the job has its perks and benefits that you, as a health professional, will find rewarding.

Currently, the average annual salary in Louisiana is $30,300.

The table below shows the salary information across Louisiana.

Annual Salary Range:
$27K
$30K
$33K

Average Salary of CNAs in Louisiana

City NameSalary
New Orleans$31,399
Baton Rouge$29,408
Shreveport$29,079
Lafayette$29,060
Lake Charles$28,661
Kenner$31,382
Bossier City$29,079
Monroe$28,928
Alexandria$28,023
New Iberia$28,891
* 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
Alexandria, LA740$27,640$13.29$35,270$22,030
Baton Rouge, LA2,790$29,790$14.32$35,480$24,360
Hammond, LA550$29,520$14.19$35,560$23,810
Houma-Thibodaux, LA470$26,190$12.59$29,700$21,710
Lafayette, LA1,660$26,870$12.92$32,670$20,020
Lake Charles, LA690$28,160$13.54$36,450$22,200
Monroe, LA1,220$25,570$12.3$31,860$19,490
New Orleans-Metairie, LA3,870$30,150$14.49$35,790$24,180
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA2,030$31,100$14.95$39,730$23,430
* 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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