How to Become a CNA (STNA) in Ohio

To become a CNA in Ohio, you’ll complete 75 hours of state-approved training, pass a background check, pass the Ohio Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (a written and hands-on exam), and get listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. Ohio calls this certification an STNA — State Tested Nurse Aide — but CNA and STNA refer to the same role, the same training, and the same exam. Most people complete the entire process in 5 to 18 weeks.

This guide covers every step: what to expect, what it costs, how long it takes, and what distinguishes Ohio’s process from other states. If you’re looking for CNA classes or are new to the idea of healthcare as a career, start here.

CNA vs. STNA — What Ohio Calls Its Nursing Assistants

If you’ve been searching for CNA certification in Ohio and keep seeing “STNA” on training program pages and state websites, you’re in the right place. STNA stands for State Tested Nurse Aide. Ohio is one of the few states that uses this term instead of the nationally recognized “CNA” — but the certification, training requirements, exam, and registry listing are exactly the same.

The state exam is formally called the “Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation,” though you’ll hear it called the CNA exam, the STNA exam, or the state test. Even the Ohio testing vendor — D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) — uses both terms inconsistently. Their page title says “Ohio CNA Testing” while their URLs reference “STNA.” If you’re still exploring whether this path is right for you, see our overview of what a CNA is.

Ohio CNA Requirements at a Glance

Here’s what you need to become a certified nurse aide in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health:

Requirement	Detail
Age	16 years or older
Education	None statewide (individual programs may require a HS diploma or GED)
Training	75 hours minimum (59 classroom/lab + 16 clinical) at an ODH-approved program
Background check	FBI + Ohio BCI fingerprints (Webcheck locations)
Exam	Knowledge: 79 questions, 70% to pass; Skills: 5 skills, 80% per skill
Total cost	~$544-$1,360 (training + exam + background check)

Ohio does not set a statewide education prerequisite for STNA certification. However, most training programs and employers require a high school diploma or GED for admission or hiring. Confirm prerequisites with your chosen program before enrolling.

Ohio’s 75-hour training requirement is among the shortest in the country. That means you can be certified and working in as little as 5 weeks if you choose an accelerated program.

Step 1 — Complete an Approved Training Program

Ohio requires a minimum of 75 hours of CNA training: at least 59 hours of classroom and lab instruction, plus 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. This requirement comes from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) under the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), and is codified in OAC 3701-18-23.

Every program you attend must be licensed by ODH. If it’s not on the ODH-approved training program list, your training hours won’t count toward certification — regardless of how good the program is. Check before you enroll.

Ohio’s 75-hour minimum is significantly shorter than most states. California requires 150 hours and Florida requires 120. That’s a meaningful advantage if you need income quickly.

What to Look For in an Ohio CNA Program

Programs vary in cost, schedule, and quality. Here’s how they compare:

Program Type	Typical Cost	Duration	Best For
Community college	$500-$800	6-10 weeks	Flexible schedules, access to financial aid
Vocational/career center	$400-$700	2.5-6 weeks	Accelerated completion
Nursing home-sponsored	$0 (free)	2.5-4 weeks	Working adults who can commit to employment
Nonprofit (American Red Cross)	Varies	4-8 weeks	Community-based training

Columbus State Community College’s STNA program costs $625 including books — a specific, transparent number that’s harder to find than it should be. Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) offers CNA training in Cleveland. Ohio CTC serves the Dayton area. CNA classes in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dayton are all available through Ohio CNA programs. For the complete statewide directory, use the ODH program list.

When evaluating any program, confirm three things: ODH-licensed status (non-negotiable), schedule options (day, evening, or weekend), and cost transparency. If a program won’t tell you the total cost upfront, that’s a warning sign. For a full evaluation checklist, see our guide on how to choose a CNA program.

Per ODH policy, any training hours you miss must be made up within 60 calendar days. Check the attendance policy before you commit.

Choosing the right program matters more than people think. One CNA student on Reddit put it directly:

“Failing. Spending all the money and still not making it”

— Reddit user in r/cna, 117 upvotes

That’s why verifying ODH-licensed status before enrolling is step one. A non-approved program means your training hours may not count toward certification.

Alternative Pathways to the Exam

Two groups can take the Ohio Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation without completing a NATCEP training program:

• Nursing students who have completed basic nursing skills coursework at an accredited program
• Hospital aides with 1,600+ hours of documented nursing assistant experience in the past 5 years

Both pathways are recognized by ODH. If you qualify, contact ODH directly to confirm eligibility before registering for the exam.

Online and Hybrid Options

Fully online CNA certification is not possible in Ohio. The 16 hours of clinical training must be completed in person at a long-term care facility — there’s no way around this requirement. Some programs offer a hybrid format: online classroom and lab instruction combined with in-person clinicals, which reduces the number of days you physically attend.

If you’ve seen ads for “8-hour online CNA courses in Ohio,” those refer to continuing education or temporary aide courses — not initial certification. Getting your Ohio CNA/STNA certification requires the full 75 hours. For what online options actually look like in practice, see our overview of online CNA classes.

Step 2 — Pass the Background Check

Before you can take the state exam, Ohio requires two fingerprint-based background checks: one through the FBI (federal) and one through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Both are electronic fingerprinting done at a Webcheck-approved location in Ohio. Find your nearest Webcheck location through the Ohio Attorney General’s website.

Results go directly to the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN), not to you. Budget $40-$60 total for both checks, and plan for 1-2 weeks of processing time. Start this process during or right after your training — not the week before your exam.

Certain criminal convictions disqualify you from CNA certification under OAC 3701-13-05. The Ohio Department of Health maintains the full list of disqualifying offenses. Major categories include: abuse or neglect offenses, aggravated murder, kidnapping, felonious assault, sexual offenses, and theft/fraud involving elderly or vulnerable adults. Ohio does have a rehabilitation review process for some offenses — if you have concerns, contact ODH before enrolling in training to avoid spending money on a program you may not be able to use.

Step 3 — Pass the Ohio CNA Competency Exam

The Ohio Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster). You’ll schedule both portions through their TMU portal. You have 3 attempts to pass the knowledge and skills portions within 2 years of your training program completion date, per the Ohio Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook from D&S Headmaster. If you exhaust all 3 attempts or your 2-year window expires, you must complete a new ODH-approved training program before testing again. If you fail one portion, you only retake the failed part.

Knowledge Exam (Written)

The knowledge exam has 79 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit, per the Hocking College exam guide. You need at least 70% correct — roughly 56 of 79 questions.

That works out to just over one minute per question. Most people finish with time to spare. Topics include safety, infection control, communication, resident rights, and personal care skills.

The fee is $26 for the standard written version. An oral version is available for ESL candidates at $36 — it includes some reading comprehension questions even in audio format. For practice questions, work through our CNA practice exam. Our CNA exam guide covers the exam in more depth, and our how to study for the CNA exam guide walks through the most effective study strategies.

Skills Exam (Hands-On)

The skills exam tests 5 randomly selected nursing assistant skills in front of an evaluator, with a 35-minute time limit — about 7 minutes per skill. You must score at least 80% on each individual skill, not just an average of 80% across all five.

One skill is always tested: handwashing. Practice it until it’s automatic. For detailed breakdowns of every tested skill, see our CNA skills test guide. The skills exam fee is $78. Combined with the knowledge exam, your total exam cost is $104.

What to Bring and What to Wear

Attire (CRITICAL): You must wear full clinical scrubs — top and pants or skirt — plus closed-toe shoes to BOTH the knowledge and skills exams. Most test-takers expect a dress code for the hands-on portion only. The written exam requires it too. You will be turned away at the door without proper attire, per D&S Headmaster.

ID (CRITICAL): Bring a valid, non-expired, government-issued, signed photo ID AND your original Social Security card. Copies are not accepted. Forgetting your original Social Security card is one of the most common reasons people are turned away on exam day.

What to Expect on Exam Day

Plan for approximately 6 hours on exam day, based on the Hocking College exam walkthrough. Arrive early, show your ID and Social Security card, and the proctor will verify your attire. The knowledge exam typically comes first, then a break, then the skills portion.

The 16 hours of clinicals in your training program are where most students feel the most pressure. You’re working with real residents in a real facility, and that intensity catches many people off guard.

“cried after my first day of clinicals”

— Reddit user in r/cna, 158 upvotes

That reaction is almost universal — and temporary. The same thread is full of students who felt the same way on day one and came back the next week feeling capable. Because plenty of students have the opposite experience:

“First day of clinicals = success!!!”

— Reddit user in r/StudentNurse, 160 upvotes

Whether your first day looks more like the first quote or the second, those nearly equal upvote counts — 158 and 160 — prove that both reactions are part of the process. Your experience depends a lot on your instructor, your facility, and your mindset going in. Focus on learning, not perfection. You have 16 hours — that’s enough to build real confidence.

Step 4 — Get Listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry

Once you pass both the knowledge and skills portions, you’re a certified nurse aide in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Health automatically adds your name to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry — the official database employers check before hiring. No additional paperwork required from you.

The registry is managed by ODH (not the Ohio Board of Nursing). To stay active on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, you must complete at least 7.5 consecutive paid hours (or 8 total hours within a 48-hour period) of nursing or nursing-related services during each 24-month certification period. Renewal is free — submit the renewal form to ODH. If you do not meet the work requirement, your registry listing lapses and you must complete additional training and/or retake the competency evaluation before working as a CNA again. Check your current status through the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.

For everything about looking up your status, verifying it for employers, renewing, and transferring your CNA from another state, see our complete Ohio Nurse Aide Registry Guide.

How Much Does a CNA Make in Ohio?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131) in Ohio earn a median of $36,220 per year ($17.41 per hour). The full wage distribution breaks down as follows:

Percentile	Hourly Wage	Annual Wage
10th	$14.10	$29,320
25th	$15.48	$32,200
50th (Median)	$17.41	$36,220
75th	$19.67	$40,910
90th	$22.16	$46,100

The pay conversation around CNA work is blunt. On Reddit, it comes up constantly:

“CNA’s are definitely underpaid and sometime don’t even get benefits. What should we do?”

— Reddit user in r/cna, 117 upvotes

That frustration is real, and the numbers back it up — Ohio’s median falls below the national CNA median. But where you work in Ohio matters almost as much as the job title.

Salary by Facility Type

Setting	Typical Hourly	Notes
Hospital	$20-22+/hr	Benefits package and tuition assistance common
Nursing home / SNF	$17-19/hr	Most CNA positions are in this setting
Home health	$15-18/hr	More schedule flexibility
Staffing agency	$18-25+/hr	Higher hourly; fewer benefits and inconsistent hours

Salary by Metro Area

BLS publishes MSA-level wage data for nursing assistants in Ohio’s major metro areas:

Metro Area	Median Hourly	Median Annual
Columbus	$18.26	$37,980
Cleveland	$17.67	$36,760
Cincinnati	$18.05	$37,540
Dayton	$17.22	$35,820
Akron	$17.09	$35,540

Source: BLS OES, Nursing Assistants by State and Metro Area

Columbus and Cincinnati pay the highest among Ohio metros, roughly 4-5% above the statewide median. Hospital positions in those metros reach the upper end of the $20-22/hr range. ZipRecruiter estimates a higher statewide average ($19.08/hr), though that figure reflects job-posting claims rather than verified payroll data.

Ohio’s lower cost of living partially offsets the pay gap compared to coastal states. Many Ohio hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for CNAs pursuing LPN or RN programs.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a CNA in Ohio?

Here’s the complete cost picture:

Item	Cost	Notes
Training program	$400-$1,200	Varies by institution; some nursing homes offer free training
Knowledge exam	$26 ($36 oral)	Paid through D&S Headmaster TMU portal
Skills exam	$78	Paid through D&S Headmaster TMU portal
Background check	~$40-60	FBI + BCI fingerprints at Webcheck location
Total	$544-$1,360	Out-of-pocket without financial aid
Renewal	$0	Free with qualifying work hours
Reciprocity	$0	Free transfer from other states

For reference, Columbus State Community College’s STNA program costs $625 including books. Some nursing homes offer free CNA training in exchange for a 6-12 month work commitment — that brings your total down to just $144-$164 (exam plus background check only).

Financial Aid and Free Training Options

Seven programs can help offset or eliminate your costs:

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act): Government grants for eligible adults through your county’s Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. Contact your local ODJFS office to check eligibility. Free CNA classes in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo are available through WIOA-funded programs in those counties.

BVR (Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation): Grants for students with documented disabilities. Contact your regional BVR office.

VA Benefits / GI Bill: D&S Diversified Technologies is an approved VA testing vendor, so exam fees are reimbursable for eligible service members and veterans.

Employer reimbursement: Many long-term care employers reimburse training and testing costs up to 12 months after you complete certification. Ask about this during job interviews.

NEALP (Nursing Education Assistance Loan Program): A state loan program through the Ohio Board of Nursing for nursing students.

NELRP (Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program): State loan repayment assistance for practicing nurses carrying education debt, also through OBN.

Ohio Nurses Foundation Scholarships: Research grants and scholarships for Ohio nursing students and professionals.

Eligibility requirements vary. Your best first call is your county ODJFS office — they can tell you within a conversation which programs you qualify for.

How Long Does It Take to Become a CNA in Ohio?

Here’s the full timeline, from enrollment to your first day of work:

Phase	Duration	Notes
Training	2.5-10 weeks	Accelerated day programs are fastest; evening/weekend programs take longer
Exam scheduling	1-4 weeks	Schedule through D&S TMU portal after training completion
Background check	1-2 weeks	Electronic fingerprints at Webcheck location
Registry listing	1-2 weeks	Automatic after passing both exam portions
Total	5-18 weeks	From enrollment to working

The fastest path: enroll in an accelerated day program and schedule your exam right after training. That puts you certified and working in as little as 5-6 weeks. Ohio’s 75-hour training requirement is among the shortest in the country — California requires 150 hours and Florida requires 120. That difference is real time you’re not waiting to earn a paycheck.

Career Advancement for Ohio CNAs

CNA certification in Ohio is an endpoint and a starting point. Both are legitimate choices.

For CNAs who want to stay in the role long-term, higher pay runs through facility type and specialization. Hospital positions pay more than nursing homes and typically include better benefits. Specialty areas — dialysis technician, home health, hospice — add skills and often command higher rates. Agency work offers the highest raw hourly rate but without stable scheduling.

For CNAs who want to advance, the CNA-to-LPN-to-RN ladder is well-worn in Ohio. Many Ohio hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for CNAs actively pursuing nursing credentials. One common hesitation: “Am I too old to start this path?” The CNA community puts that concern to rest quickly:

“I started nursing school at 46”

— Reddit user in r/StudentNurse, 467 upvotes

That poster completed a CNA course, worked as a CNA for a year, and then enrolled in nursing school. CNA experience isn’t a detour — it’s a direct advantage in nursing programs. The financial case for making that move is significant. As one CNA on Reddit put it:

“Theres a big difference between putting up with shit for 16 dollars an hour vs 40”

— Reddit user in r/cna, 355 upvotes

Ohio RNs earn a median of approximately $73,000-$78,000 per year. The CNA-to-RN pathway is a 2-4 year investment — through bridge programs, LPN stepping stones, or direct RN programs — that roughly doubles or triples your income. Ohio’s bridge programs, including STNA-to-LPN and LPN-to-RN pathways, make that transition achievable for working adults with full-time commitments.