CNA Classes in North Carolina (Top Schools)

A Certified Nurse Aide is referred to as Nurse Aide I in North Carolina.

In this state, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) oversees Nurse Aide I training and certification.

For you to become Nurse Aide I, you must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program (NATP)
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam

Taking on a Nurse Aide I Training Program in North Carolina

Your journey toward becoming a Nurse Aide I starts with enrolling in a state-approved NATP.

This program is offered mostly by the following institutions:

• Community colleges
• Technical and vocational schools
• Nursing facilities

During the program, you will spend 75 hours of training, with 16 hours of supervised clinical practice at a long-term care facility.

The table below lists some of the approved training facilities by DPHHS.

Evaluating a Nurse Aide I Candidate

After training, you can now sit in for the NC NNAAP exam administered by Credentia.

The exam evaluates your competency as a nurse aide, testing your knowledge and skills to ensure you can perform nursing care to residents.

Nurse Aide I Candidates Eligible to Take the NC NNAAP Exam

Certain candidates have permission to sit for the NNAAP exam.

Let’s take a look at each eligibility route and see if you fit in any one of them.

• Newly-trained NC nurse aides
• Nurse aides who completed a state-approved Nurse Aide I refresher course
• Nursing students currently enrolled in a state-approved nursing education program
• Other trained individuals
  • Emergency medical technicians (EMT)
  • Nursing graduates who have yet to take the state nursing board exam
  • Out-of-state licensed nurses
  • Military veterans who received nurse aide training in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Out-of-state nurse aides who:
  • Completed Nurse Aide I training equivalent in another state in the last 24 months
  • Aren’t listed on that state’s Nurse Aide Registry
• Nurse Aide I individuals who have:
  • Active listing and in good standing on NC Nurse Aide I Registry
  • Not met the registry listing renewal requirements

Waiving of NC NNAAP Exam

Out-of-state CNAs can waive the exam, as well as training, if they have:

• An active status on another state’s registry
• A good standing on that state’s registry

You will then submit a duly accomplished Reciprocity Application Form to DHHS for review and approval.

If the department approves, you’ll be listed on NC Nurse Aide I Registry.

Note: Changing your eligibility route may require you to complete an NC-approved training and exam.

The NC NNAAP Exam

You will take two tests, which comprise the NNAAP exam.

• Written (oral) test
• Skills test

Let’s explore each test below.

Written (Oral) Test

• Questions are based on the exam content outline published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
• It consists of 70 multiple-choice questions to be completed in two hours.
• You can opt for an oral test in English or Spanish upon request.
• Oral test has two parts:
  • Part I – 60 knowledge questions
  • Part II – 10 reading comprehension questions
• Oral test-takers will have the questions read aloud over the earphones provided at the test site.

Skills Test

• Testing site will simulate an actual caregiving situation.
• A Nurse Aide Evaluator will assess your skills competency by following a checklist.
• You will perform five skills, consisting of the following:
  • One mandatory skill – handwashing
  • Four randomly selected skills, one of which will include a measurement skill
• Each skill represents a task that’s broken down into a series of steps.
• Some steps are critical steps and must be performed correctly.
• You have 30 minutes to complete all five skills.

Exam Results

Shortly after your tests, you will receive an email notification that the results are now available on your CNA365 account.

If you pass both tests, you will be added to NC Nurse Aide I Registry.

It can take two to five business days for the registry to process your listing.

By then, you can verify if your name is on the registry by visiting https://ncnar.ncdhhs.gov.

But if you don’t pass, you will have to retake the test/s you failed.

You can refer to your Score Report for retesting instructions.

Do note that you have three attempts to pass both tests within two years of training completion.

Otherwise, you’ll have to retrain in NATP to be able to retake the NC NNAAP exam.

Exam Fees

You will pay the following fees to take the exam:

• Initial exam
  • Written and skills tests – $140
  • Oral and skills tests (English or Spanish) – $140
• Retake exam
  • Written test – $40
  • Oral test (English or Spanish) – $40
  • Skills test – $100

Potential Salary

As of this writing, you can receive an average salary of $30,174 in a year.

Of course, this amount has the potential to increase if you invest in the following:

• Skill level
• Continuing education
• Working experience

In the table below, you’ll find the salary information in different cities in North Carolina.

Regional Salary

CNA Schools by City

• Charlotte5 Schools
• Durham2 Schools
• Raleigh3 Schools