How to Become a CNA in Connecticut

To become a CNA in Connecticut, you need to complete 100 hours of CNA training at a state-approved program, pass the Prometric competency exam, and you’re automatically placed on the CT Nurse Aide Registry. The whole process takes about 6 weeks and costs anywhere from $0 (if you land employer-sponsored training) to $1,799 at CT State Community College, which includes your textbooks and exam fee. Connecticut’s governor and healthcare unions reached an agreement to raise CNA wages in unionized long-term care facilities to $26 per hour. Until this rate is fully implemented, the statewide average remains $18.43/hr according to Connecticut Department of Labor data. This applies specifically to unionized workers in long-term care, not all CNA employers.

That journey starts with understanding Connecticut’s specific requirements. Here’s what you need to know.

Connecticut CNA Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Minimum age	16 (parental consent required under 18)
Training hours	100 hours (classroom + clinical combined)
Exam	Written (or oral) + clinical skills evaluation
Training cost	$0 employer-sponsored to $1,799 (CT State, all-inclusive)
Timeline	~6 weeks training + 1-2 weeks exam scheduling
Certification period	24 months (free to renew on time)

That’s the quick version. Below, we break down each step with exact costs, program options, and the specific details Connecticut requires. If you want background on what a CNA does before diving in, that resource covers the role in full.

Step 1 — Meet Eligibility Requirements

Connecticut’s eligibility requirements are minimal, and most people who look into this role qualify.

Age and Education

You must be at least 16 years old to enroll in a CNA training program. If you’re under 18, you’ll need parental or guardian consent for clinical placement health forms.

Connecticut does NOT require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification at the state level. Many candidates assume a diploma is mandatory and never look further. Some individual training programs may require one for admission, so check with your specific program, but the state itself has no diploma requirement.

Background Check (ABCMS)

Connecticut uses the Applicant Background Check Management System (ABCMS) for a fingerprint-based criminal history records check, per the CT Department of Public Health. This check is required before you can work in a long-term care facility. It’s a pre-employment requirement, not a prerequisite for starting training at the state level.

Your training program may have its own background check requirements for clinical rotations. Certain convictions (particularly involving abuse, neglect, or theft from patients) can affect eligibility to work in long-term care. Contact CT DPH at (860) 509-7603 with questions about a specific offense.

Health Requirements

Most training programs require a physician-signed physical exam form before your clinical placement begins. Some programs, including CT State Community College, also require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Requirements vary by program. Confirm specifics when you inquire about enrollment.

Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible, the next step is finding a training program.

Step 2 — Complete an Approved Training Program

The 100-hour minimum requirement from the Connecticut Department of Public Health covers both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. At least 16 of those hours must be foundational classroom work completed before you have any direct contact with residents. Your clinical hours must take place in a licensed chronic/convalescent nursing home. The program coordinator must be a registered nurse with at least two years of experience, including one year in a licensed nursing home.

The 16-hour foundational classroom requirement exists so Connecticut builds a knowledge floor before any resident contact, so you arrive at clinicals prepared rather than thrown in blind.

What Training Covers

CNA training covers communication, resident rights, safety and emergency procedures, infection control, basic nursing skills (vital signs, bathing, feeding), and patient mobility. These topics map directly to what Prometric tests, so what you learn in training is what the exam covers.

Training Program Options in Connecticut

This is where the decision gets real. Connecticut has several program types, and the cost difference is enormous.

For the cheapest CNA classes in Connecticut, start with employer-sponsored programs. They cost nothing.

Program Type	Example	Approximate Cost	Duration	Format
Community College	CT State Community College CNA program (11 campuses)	$1,799 (includes textbooks + exam fee)	~6 weeks	On-ground and hybrid
Private Vocational	Northeast Medical Institute CNA program	Contact for pricing	Varies	In-person
Private Vocational	CNA Bootcamp of CT (Norwich)	Contact for pricing	Accelerated	Day/Evening options
Private Vocational	Farmington Valley CNA program	Contact for pricing	Varies	In-person
Employer-Sponsored	Hartford HealthCare Senior Services	$0 (grant-funded: tuition + books + scrubs + exam fee)	Varies	Paid training
Employer-Sponsored	Waveny LifeCare Network	$0 (tuition-free + paid training + guaranteed job)	Varies	On-site

Source: CT State Community College; 211 Connecticut. Private program pricing not publicly listed at time of research. Contact programs directly for current rates.

CT DPH maintains the official list of approved nurse aide training programs. The table above highlights major options, but check the state directory for programs closest to you. Before enrolling in any program, confirm it appears on the current approved list. If a program cannot show CT DPH approval, do not enroll.

If you can get into an employer-sponsored program, that’s the strongest deal: free training, and at Waveny, you get paid during training plus a guaranteed job after certification. If you go the employer-sponsored route, that’s $1,799 you’re not spending, plus the cost of books, scrubs, and the exam fee, which Hartford HealthCare covers too. CT State at $1,799 is the most accessible option statewide, with the cost covering your textbooks and exam fee across 11 campuses.

Not sure which type fits your situation? Our guide on how to choose a CNA program covers the key decision factors.

Free CNA Training Programs

Free CNA classes in Connecticut exist through employer-sponsored programs at nursing homes and senior care facilities. Hartford HealthCare Senior Services and Waveny LifeCare Network are the most established options in the state. Other facilities run similar programs when they have staffing needs, even if they don’t advertise them publicly. Call and ask.

WIOA funding through CT Works One Stop Centers and SNAP Employment and Training funds can also cover full training costs for eligible candidates. The financial aid section below covers all funding paths in detail.

Online CNA Classes in Connecticut

Some programs offer hybrid formats where theory and coursework happen online. But Connecticut requires in-person clinical hours at a licensed nursing home. There is no fully online path to CNA certification in CT. If any program claims to be 100% online and CT-approved, verify that directly with CT DPH before enrolling.

The hybrid format works well for working adults: online lectures at night, in-person clinical shifts on weekends or scheduled days.

CT State Community College Campuses

CT State offers the program at 11 campuses: Capital, Gateway, Housatonic, Manchester, Middlesex, Naugatuck Valley, Northwestern, Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley, Three Rivers, and Tunxis. Most Connecticut residents are within reasonable driving distance of at least one campus.

If cost is a concern, the next section covers every way to reduce or eliminate it.

Step 3 — Pass the Connecticut CNA Competency Exam

The Connecticut CNA competency exam is administered by Prometric and has two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation. You must pass both to earn certification.

Written Exam

The written exam is 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. You need a 72% to pass, which is 43 out of 60 questions correct. The cost is $118 plus a $20 processing fee ($138 total).

Before your test date, practice with our CNA practice exam and review our CNA exam guide for a full overview of what’s covered.

Oral Exam Option

If you prefer to have questions read aloud, you can request the oral exam format on your Prometric application. The oral version costs $128 (vs. $118 for written) plus the same $20 processing fee, $148 total. The content is identical to the written exam. This option is particularly useful for ESL test-takers or anyone who finds reading comprehension under time pressure difficult.

Clinical Skills Evaluation

You’ll demonstrate 5 randomly selected nursing skills in front of a nurse evaluator. Hand washing is always one of the 5. The time limit is 31 to 40 minutes total. The evaluator scores each skill against a checklist; you must complete every critical step to pass that skill.

Our CNA skills test guide breaks down the evaluation format, and our guide on how to study for the CNA exam covers preparation strategies for both portions.

Preparation is what makes the difference. Practice each skill from the Prometric checklist until the steps are automatic.

Retake Policy

If you don’t pass one or both parts, you can retake the section you failed. You get unlimited attempts within 24 months of your training program completion date. Each retake costs the same as the original. If 24 months pass without a passing score, you’ll need to complete a new training program before testing again.

How to Register for the Exam

Register at prometric.com/NurseAide/CT or call 866-499-7485. Bring a valid government-issued ID to the testing center and arrive early. Personal items aren’t allowed in the testing area.

Once you pass both parts, you’re automatically placed on the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry.

Step 4 — Get Listed on the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry

Passing both portions of the exam places you on the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry automatically. You don’t file a separate application.

What the Registry Includes

Prometric maintains the registry on behalf of CT DPH. It lists all certified nurse aides authorized to work in Connecticut. Employers are required by law to verify CNA credentials through the registry before hiring. The registry also records any findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property following a CT DPH investigation.

How to Verify Your Certification

To verify your certification status, use Connecticut’s official e-License Lookup portal. Search by name or certificate number to confirm active status. This is the same portal employers use for Connecticut CNA license verification before hiring. If your result does not appear after passing the exam, contact Prometric at 866-499-7485 for exam-processing questions or CT DPH at (860) 509-7603 for certification-status issues.

Registry Contact Information

Contact	Phone	Email
CT DPH Nurse Aide unit	(860) 509-7603 (option #1)	[email protected]
Prometric CT CNA	866-499-7485	[email protected]

Use CT DPH for certification status questions. Use Prometric for exam results and technical registry issues.

With the certification steps covered, here’s how to handle the question most students ask first: how to pay for it.

How to Pay for CNA Training in Connecticut

The cheapest CNA classes in Connecticut are free. Several employers cover the full cost of training in exchange for a work commitment, and federal workforce programs can cover tuition for qualifying candidates.

Employer-Sponsored Programs

Hartford HealthCare Senior Services runs a grant-funded program covering tuition, books, scrubs, and the exam fee. In exchange, you commit to working at a Hartford HealthCare facility after certification.

Waveny LifeCare Network goes further: tuition-free training, you get paid during training, and you receive a guaranteed job after certification.

According to 211 Connecticut, both are the most established employer-sponsored programs in Connecticut. Other nursing homes run similar arrangements when they need staff, even when they don’t advertise them publicly.

Employer-sponsored training is one of the best-kept paths in CNA certification. The trade is your time commitment, not your money. Call local nursing homes and senior care facilities in your area. Not all of them advertise training programs, but many will sponsor you if they need staff.

WIOA Funding

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) can pay for CNA training if you’re unemployed, low-income, or receiving public benefits. Access it through CT Works One Stop Centers. Connecticut has four regional Workforce Investment Boards: Northwest Regional WIB, Capitol Workforce Partners, Workforce Alliance, and Eastern WIB. Contact your nearest One Stop Center to start the process.

SNAP Employment and Training

If you receive SNAP benefits, Connecticut’s SNAP Employment and Training program can cover CNA training costs. Contact your local Department of Social Services office for eligibility details.

Scholarships and Grants

The SkillPointe Foundation awards scholarships for vocational and technical training including healthcare. CT State Community College students may also qualify for institutional financial aid through their campus financial aid office.

211 Connecticut maintains a full directory of funded CNA training options across the state. It’s the best single resource if you want to see everything available in your area.

Now that you know what training costs (or how to get it free), here’s what you’ll earn once you’re certified.

CNA Salary in Connecticut

Connecticut CNAs earn a median of $39,700 per year ($19.09 per hour), according to BLS data. The range runs from $32,020 at the 10th percentile to $52,800 at the 90th.

Percentile	Annual	Hourly
10th	$32,020	$15.39
25th	$35,680	$17.15
Median (50th)	$39,700	$19.09
75th	$44,700	$21.49
90th	$52,800	$25.38

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 31-1131, Connecticut. Verify current figures at bls.gov/oes.

These numbers tell part of the story. For many CNAs, the value goes beyond the hourly rate. CNA work provides benefits, a set schedule, overtime availability, and direct patient care experience that counts toward nursing school admission at most programs.

The $26/hr Long-Term Care Wage Deal

The Connecticut governor and healthcare unions reached an agreement to raise CNA wages in unionized long-term care facilities to $26 per hour, according to McKnight’s Senior Living. At 40 hours per week, that’s $1,040 before taxes. This rate applies to unionized long-term care facilities specifically. If you are applying to an LTC facility, ask whether they are part of this wage agreement. The Connecticut Department of Labor reported the statewide average for nursing assistants at $18.43/hr in 2023, so the LTC deal represents a significant increase for workers at covered facilities.

Highest-Paying Areas

CNAs in Stamford and Greenwich earn above the state average, driven by the higher cost of living in Fairfield County and proximity to the New York City labor market.

Career Advancement

Many CNAs use their certification as the starting point for a longer healthcare career. Connecticut’s community college system makes this path accessible. Several CT State campuses offer both CNA and nursing programs, so you can advance without switching schools. CNA experience also counts toward nursing school admission at most programs, and some employers offer tuition assistance for LPN and RN advancement.

That covers the full path from enrollment to certification and what you’ll earn. If you’re already certified in another state, here’s how to transfer.

Transferring Your CNA License to Connecticut (Reciprocity)

Moving to a new state is stressful enough. Here’s the exact process for Connecticut CNA reciprocity, step by step.

Eligibility

You need active certification in good standing from another U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia, with no disciplinary actions on your record. No additional Connecticut-specific training is required.

How to Apply (Route 7)

Apply online through Prometric at prometric.com/NurseAide/CT. Here’s the navigation:

1. Go to Prometric’s CT Nurse Aide page
2. Select “reciprocity” as your application type
3. Select “route 7”
4. Pay the fee: $55-$75
5. Prometric verifies your certification status with your original state registry

No background check is required for reciprocity. That’s a significant difference from initial certification, which requires the ABCMS fingerprint check. No employer input is needed either. Individual employers may still run their own background checks when you’re hired, but the reciprocity application itself doesn’t require one.

CNAs moving to New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island need to apply for reciprocity in those states separately. Each has its own registry and process.

Fees and Processing

The fee is $55-$75 depending on application type, per the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Processing time varies; Prometric doesn’t publish a guaranteed timeline. Contact Prometric at 866-499-7485 or [email protected] with questions.

Once your Connecticut certification is active, you’ll need to renew it every 24 months.

Renewing Your Connecticut CNA Certification

Connecticut CNA certification runs on a 24-month cycle. Renewal is free if you meet the requirements. The consequence of missing the window is significant enough to plan around.

Renewal Requirements

According to the CT DPH Recertification page, within each 24-month period you must:

• Work at least one paid 8-hour shift providing direct personal or nursing care as a CNA
• Have your employer complete the Nurse Aide Employment Verification Form (you complete your portion; your employer completes theirs)

No fee for timely renewal. Track your expiration date, because the employer verification step requires active employment and can’t be done retroactively after your certification lapses.

What Happens If Your Certification Expires

If your certification expires and you haven’t worked a qualifying paid shift within 24 months, you’ll need to retake the full competency exam. You don’t need to repeat the 100-hour training, just the exam. Contact CT DPH at (860) 509-7603 or Prometric at 866-499-7485 with renewal questions.

Those are the core requirements. Below, we cover the most common specific questions about Connecticut CNA certification.