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CNA Classes in Connecticut: Programs, Costs, and State Requirements

Published June 18, 2026 · Last updated June 18, 2026

Connecticut runs 88 state-approved CNA programs across 38 cities, which ranks it #28 of 50 for program count. Waterbury leads with 8, Bridgeport has 7, and Hartford has 6, so a local seat is rarely far off. Every program meets the same 100-hour training requirement and ends at the Connecticut Certified Nurse Aide Examination through Prometric. The pay is a genuine draw: a state median of $21.53/hr, about 6.5% above the national figure.

Sourced from Connecticut DPH registrySourced from DPHBLS salary dataBLS dataLast verified Jun 18, 2026Verified Jun 18

Illustration of a certified nursing assistant caring for an elderly patient, CNA classes in Connecticut

AT A GLANCE

Your Connecticut CNA path

Four steps from interest to certification. Most students complete this in 6–8 weeks.

Step 1.Complete 100 hours of approved training.
Step 2.Finish the required number of supervised clinical hours.
Step 3.Pass the Prometric written and skills exam.
Step 4.Get listed with the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry.

See the full How to Become guide →

Key numbers before you compare programs

Typical program length: 2–18 weeks
Typical paid program cost: $350–$2,250
Average CNA salary: $44,790/yr (BLS, May 2025)
Reciprocity accepted: Yes, with conditions

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All 88 state-approved Connecticut CNA programs

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How this list works. Every program below is state-approved by the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry (CT DPH). Cost, length, and format come directly from each program’s published materials. Blanks (“N/A”) mean the program hasn’t published that detail yet. Programs with a linked name have a verified profile we maintain. Last verified June 18, 2026.

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Showper pageShowing 1–25 of 88

	Program	City	Format	Length	Total Cost
	Northeast Medical Institute – Woodbridge	Woodbridge	In-person	3 wk	$1,150
Address: 270 Amity Rd, Suite 220C, Woodbridge, CT 06525 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college View this program →
	Wallingford Adult Education	Wallingford	In-person	Contact school	$2,095
Address: 37 Hall Ave, Wallingford, CT 06492 Phone: (203) 294-3900 Facility: Other View this program → Call this program
	C.G. Nursing Services (Farmington Valley Program)	Farmington	In-person	3 wk	Contact school
Address: 3 Forest Park Drive, Farmington, CT 06032 Phone: (860) 255-7723 Facility: Technical college View this program → Call this program
	Capital Community College	Hartford	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 950 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: (860) 906-5130 Facility: Community college Call this program
	CNA Academy at Gaylord	Wallingford	In-person	Contact school	$1,175
Address: 50 Gaylord Farm Road, Wallingford, CT 06492 Phone: (203) 284-2784 Facility: Hospital Call this program
	CNA Academy at Hospital for Special Care	New Britain	In-person	5 wk	Free
Address: 2150 Corbin Ave, New Britain, CT 06053-2266 Phone: (860) 827-1958 Facility: Hospital Call this program
	CNA Boot Camp of CT	Hartford	In-person	100 hrs	$1,400
Address: Hartford, CT Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	CNA Bootcamp of CT LLC	Norwich	In-person	Contact school	$1,400
Address: 190 W. Town St, Unit H, Norwich, CT 06360 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	CNA Pathways to College Program	Hartford	In-person	4 wk	Free
Address: 151 New Park Ave Ste 3C, Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: (860) 231-6250 Facility: Other Call this program
	CT State Gateway Community College	New Haven	In-person	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 20 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510 Phone: (203) 285-2000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Excel Academy – North Haven	North Haven	Hybrid	4 wk	$1,500
Address: 100 Broadway, North Haven, CT 06473 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Excel Academy – Stamford	Stamford	Hybrid	4 wk	$1,500
Address: 482 Summer Street, Suites 1 & 2, Stamford, CT 06901 Phone: (203) 691-7989 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Harborview School of Phlebotomy	West Haven	In-person	8 wk	$1,400
Address: 141 Captain Thomas Boulevard, West Haven, CT 06516 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Harriot Community Healthcare Academy	Hartford	In-person	5 wk	Free
Address: 10 Love Lane, Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: (860) 519-5234 Facility: Other Call this program
	Hospital of Central Connecticut	New Britain	Hybrid	6 wk	Free
Address: 100 Grand Street, New Britain, CT 06050 Phone: (860) 224-5011 Facility: Hospital Call this program
	Housatonic Community College	Bridgeport	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport, CT 06604 Phone: (203) 332-8535 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Manchester Adult Education	Manchester	In-person	120 hrs	$350
Address: 134 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT 06040 Phone: (860) 647-5075 Facility: High school Call this program
	Manchester Community College	Manchester	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: Great Path, Manchester, CT 06042 Phone: (860) 512-3000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Middlesex Community College	Middletown	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457 Phone: (860) 343-5800 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Naugatuck Valley Community College	Waterbury	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: (203) 575-8040 Facility: Community college Call this program
	New Haven Adult Education	New Haven	In-person	Contact school	Free
Address: 580 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, New Haven, CT 06519 Phone: (475) 220-8200 Facility: Workforce program Call this program
	New London Adult & Continuing Education	New London	In-person	100 hrs	$1,200
Address: New London, CT Phone: (860) 437-2385 Facility: Other Call this program
	Northeast Medical Institute – East Hartford	East Hartford	In-person	3 wk	$1,150
Address: 121 Roberts St, East Hartford, CT 06108 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Northeast Medical Institute – Middlebury	Middlebury	Hybrid	3 wk	$1,150
Address: 1000 Straits Tpke, Middlebury, CT 06762-2813 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Northeast Medical Institute – Stamford	Stamford	Hybrid	3 wk	$1,150
Address: 135 Bedford St, Stamford, CT 06901-1907 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Northwestern Connecticut Community College	Winsted	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: Park Place East, Winsted, CT 06098 Phone: (860) 738-6300 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Norwalk Community College	Norwalk	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 188 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854 Phone: (203) 857-7000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Quinebaug Valley Community College	Danielson	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson, CT 06239 Phone: (860) 932-4000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Quinnipiac University School of Nursing	North Haven	Hybrid	6 wk	$2,250
Address: 370 Bassett Rd, North Haven, CT 06473 Phone: N/A Facility: Community college
	Three Rivers Community College	Norwich	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360 Phone: (860) 215-9000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Tunxis Community College	Farmington	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 271 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032 Phone: (860) 773-1300 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Waterbury Adult Education	Waterbury	In-person	135 hrs	$1,000
Address: 11 Draher Ave, Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone: (203) 574-8038 Facility: High school Call this program
	A.I. Prince Vocational-Technical School	Hartford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 500 Brookfield St, Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Academy of Medical Training	Waterbury	In-person	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: 521 Wolcott St, Waterbury, CT 06705 Phone: (203) 528-0433 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	American Institute	West Hartford	In-person	4 wk	Contact school
Address: 99 South Street, West Hartford, CT 06110 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	American Institute of Healthcare & Technology	Stratford	Hybrid	6 wk	Contact school
Address: 480 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, CT 06615 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Apple Rehab CNA Training Course	Avon	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 21 Waterville Rd, Avon, CT 06001 Phone: (860) 678-9755 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Believe Health Institute	Bridgeport	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 945 East Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06608 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Beyond An Education	Hamden	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 2285 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT 06518 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Bristol Technical Education Center	Bristol	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 431 Minor St, Bristol, CT 06010 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Bullard Havens Regional Vocational Technical School	Bridgeport	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 500 Palisade Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06610 Phone: (203) 579-6333 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	City of Milford Employment and Training	Milford	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 150 Gulf Street, Milford, CT 06460 Phone: (203) 783-3242 Facility: Workforce program Call this program
	CompassCare Institute of Caregiving LLC	Stamford	Hybrid	6 wk	Contact school
Address: 1799 Summer Street, Suite 1, Stamford, CT 06905 Phone: (203) 951-1188 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Connecticut Health Career Institute	Danbury	In-person	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: Danbury, CT Phone: (203) 942-2505 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Cornerstone Medical Training Center	Fairfield	Hybrid	4 wk	Contact school
Address: 685-689 Kings Hwy E, Fairfield, CT 06825 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	CT State Asnuntuck Community College	Enfield	Hybrid	6 wk	Contact school
Address: 170 Elm Street, Enfield, CT 06082 Phone: (860) 253-3000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Danae's Training Center – Bridgeport	Bridgeport	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 75 Middle Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604 Phone: (203) 540-5364 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Danbury High School	Danbury	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	East Hartford High School	East Hartford	In-person	60 hrs	Contact school
Address: 869 Forbes St, East Hartford, CT 06118 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	East Haven High School	East Haven	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 35 Wheelbarrow Ln, East Haven, CT 06512 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	EdAdvance Corp	Litchfield	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 355 Goshen Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759 Phone: (860) 567-0863 Facility: Workforce program Call this program
	Eli Whitney Regional Vocational Technical School	Hamden	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 71 Jones Rd, Hamden, CT 06514 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Emmett O'Brien Technical High School	Ansonia	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 141 Prindle Ave, Ansonia, CT 06401 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Enfield Adult Education	Enfield	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 124 N Maple St, Enfield, CT 06082 Phone: (860) 763-7032 Facility: High school Call this program
	Frank Scott Bunnell High School	Stratford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1 Bulldog Blvd, Stratford, CT 06615 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Goodwin University	East Hartford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: One Riverside Drive, East Hartford, CT 06118 Phone: (860) 528-4111 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Griffin Hospital	Derby	In-person	6 wk	Contact school
Address: 130 Division St, Derby, CT 06418 Phone: (203) 732-1276 Facility: Hospital Call this program
	H.C. Wilcox Regional Vocational Technical School	Meriden	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 298 Oregon Rd, Meriden, CT 06450 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School	Danielson	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 613 Upper Maple St, Danielson, CT 06239 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Henry Abbott Technical High School	Waterbury	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 850 Blue Hills Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: (203) 574-6800 Facility: High school Call this program
	Immaculate High School	Danbury	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 73 Southern Blvd, Danbury, CT 06810 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	JM Wright Technical High School	Stamford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 120 Bridge St, Stamford, CT 06905 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Jonathan Law High School	Milford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 20 Lansdale Ave, Milford, CT 06460 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Joseph Foran High School	Milford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 80 Foran Rd, Milford, CT 06460 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Kennedy High School	Waterbury	In-person	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: 422 Highland Ave, Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Loving Hands Home Care School	Norwalk	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 14 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06855 06851 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Maloney High School	Meriden	In-person	180 hrs	Contact school
Address: 121 Gravel St, Meriden, CT 06450 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Manchester High School	Manchester	In-person	120 hrs	Contact school
Address: 134 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT 06040 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	New Britain High School	New Britain	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 110 Mill St, New Britain, CT 06051 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Norwich Technical High School	Norwich	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 97 Salem Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360 Phone: (860) 892-5721 Facility: High school Call this program
	Oliver Wolcott Regional Vocational Technical School	Torrington	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 75 Oliver St, Torrington, CT 06790 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Opportunities Industrialization Center of New London County	New London	In-person	18 wk	Contact school
Address: 106 Truman St, New London, CT 06320 Phone: (860) 447-1731 Facility: Other Call this program
	Phoenix Training Center	Danbury	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 215 Main St Fl 2, Danbury, CT 06810 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Quality Staffing Training Program	Woodbridge	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 21 Hazel Ter Ste 4, Woodbridge, CT 06525 Phone: (203) 387-1975 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Robert E. Fitch High School	Groton	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 101 Groton Long Point Rd, Groton, CT 06340 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Saint Martin's Episcopal Church	Hartford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 290 Cornwall St, Hartford, CT 06112-1427 Phone: N/A Facility: Other
	Stratford High School	Stratford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 245 King St, Stratford, CT 06615 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	The CNA Preparatory School, LLC	Manchester	In-person	2 wk	Contact school
Address: 330 Main Street Suite 10, Manchester, CT 06040 Phone: (203) 710-3461 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Training Direct, LLC	Bridgeport	In-person	4 wk	Contact school
Address: 3885 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606 Phone: (203) 372-8842 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Valley Medical Institute	Bridgeport	In-person	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: 4637 Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06606 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	W.F. Kaynor Technical High School	Waterbury	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 43 Tompkins St, Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Wallingford Public Schools/Sheehan High School	Wallingford	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 142 Hope Hill Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Warren Harding High School	Bridgeport	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 06604 06610 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Waterbury Career Academy High School	Waterbury	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 175 Birch Street, Waterbury, CT 06704 06702 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	West Haven High School	West Haven	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1 McDonough Plz, West Haven, CT 06516 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Wilby High School	Waterbury	In-person	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: 460 Bucks Hill Rd, Waterbury, CT 06704 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Windham Technical High School	Willimantic	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 210 Birch Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 Phone: (860) 456-3789 Facility: High school Call this program
	Wolcott High School	Wolcott	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 457 Bound Line Rd, Wolcott, CT 06716 Phone: N/A Facility: High school

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Fastest CNA programs in Connecticut

The shortest CNA programs in Connecticut run about two weeks, and the longest stretch to roughly 18. The CNA Preparatory School in Manchester is the fastest verified option at two weeks, with three-week programs like Northeast Medical Institute in Woodbridge and the Farmington Valley program close behind. Most land somewhere in between, so the calendar you pick depends mostly on how many hours a week you can commit. Every approved program meets the same 100-hour requirement and the same Prometric exam.

	Program	City	Length	Total Cost
	The CNA Preparatory School, LLC	Manchester	2 wk	Contact school
Address: 330 Main Street Suite 10, Manchester, CT 06040 Phone: (203) 710-3461 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Northeast Medical Institute – Woodbridge	Woodbridge	3 wk	$1,150
Address: 270 Amity Rd, Suite 220C, Woodbridge, CT 06525 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college View this program →
	C.G. Nursing Services (Farmington Valley Program)	Farmington	3 wk	Contact school
Address: 3 Forest Park Drive, Farmington, CT 06032 Phone: (860) 255-7723 Facility: Technical college View this program → Call this program
	New London Adult & Continuing Education	New London	100 hrs	$1,200
Address: New London, CT Phone: (860) 437-2385 Facility: Other Call this program
	CNA Boot Camp of CT	Hartford	100 hrs	$1,400
Address: Hartford, CT Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Academy of Medical Training	Waterbury	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: 521 Wolcott St, Waterbury, CT 06705 Phone: (203) 528-0433 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Connecticut Health Career Institute	Danbury	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: Danbury, CT Phone: (203) 942-2505 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Valley Medical Institute	Bridgeport	100 hrs	Contact school
Address: 4637 Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06606 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college

Schedules verified June 18, 2026, sourced from each program’s published calendar.

Is a 2-week CNA program in Connecticut long enough?

A two-week course like The CNA Preparatory School in Manchester is not a lighter course. Connecticut sets its training requirement at 100 hours, which is 1.3 times the 75-hour federal floor (OBRA ’87 / 42 CFR 483.152), and a two-week program packs that same requirement into back-to-back full days rather than spreading it across a couple of months.

That compression is the real tradeoff. The requirement does not shrink; your free time during those weeks does. A two-week intensive can mean long days plus clinical rotations, which is hard to pair with a full-time job. A program that runs six or eight weeks covers the same 100-hour requirement at a pace that leaves room for a work schedule.

So the question is not whether a fast program teaches less. Every approved program clears the same 100-hour requirement and ends at the same Connecticut Certified Nurse Aide Examination. The question is whether you can give two weeks of full days now, or whether a longer calendar fits your life better.

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Online, hybrid, weekend & evening CNA programs in Connecticut

Flexible scheduling in Connecticut runs through two formats: evening classes and hybrid programs. On the hybrid side, Capital Community College in Hartford and Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport both run the format, and Excel Academy in North Haven offers a hybrid track as well. Hybrid here means the classroom theory can move online or onto a flexible schedule, while the skills lab and clinical hours that are part of Connecticut’s 100-hour requirement still happen in person, on site, with a supervisor. Online-only training is not offered in Connecticut, because you cannot demonstrate a bed bath or a safe transfer through a screen.

	Program	City	Format	Length	Total Cost
	Northeast Medical Institute – East Hartford	East Hartford	In-person	3 wk	$1,150
Address: 121 Roberts St, East Hartford, CT 06108 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	New London Adult & Continuing Education	New London	In-person	100 hrs	$1,200
Address: New London, CT Phone: (860) 437-2385 Facility: Other Call this program
	CNA Boot Camp of CT	Hartford	In-person	100 hrs	$1,400
Address: Hartford, CT Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Harborview School of Phlebotomy	West Haven	In-person	8 wk	$1,400
Address: 141 Captain Thomas Boulevard, West Haven, CT 06516 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	CNA Bootcamp of CT LLC	Norwich	In-person	Contact school	$1,400
Address: 190 W. Town St, Unit H, Norwich, CT 06360 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Excel Academy – North Haven	North Haven	Hybrid	4 wk	$1,500
Address: 100 Broadway, North Haven, CT 06473 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Capital Community College	Hartford	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 950 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: (860) 906-5130 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Housatonic Community College	Bridgeport	Hybrid	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport, CT 06604 Phone: (203) 332-8535 Facility: Community college Call this program

Format and schedule options verified June 18, 2026. Confirm current online, hybrid, evening, and weekend availability with each program.

Which flexible format is right for working adults?

Picture working day shifts in Hartford and trying to fit training around them. A hybrid program like Capital Community College lets you handle the lecture material on your own schedule, then schedules the hands-on portion in blocks you can plan around. That is the practical pull of hybrid in Connecticut, where evening and hybrid are the only two flex formats programs actually offer.

What hybrid does not do is erase the in-person part. Connecticut’s 100-hour requirement includes skills-lab and clinical time the state expects you to complete face to face, so even the most flexible program, whether it is Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport or Excel Academy in North Haven, will pin you to a physical location for a real stretch of the course.

So read “online CNA classes in Connecticut” as online coursework, not an online certificate. The theory can flex around your week; the clinical skills cannot. For a working student the gain is real but partial: you save the seat time on lectures, then show up in person for the part that has to be in person. If a program advertises an online-only CNA certificate, treat that as a reason to ask questions before you pay, and map out your on-site days before you enroll.

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Cheapest CNA programs in Connecticut

The lowest-cost path in Connecticut is free. Five state-approved programs charge $0, including CNA Pathways to College in Hartford, Harriot Community Healthcare Academy in Hartford, and New Haven Adult Education. Once you move to paid programs, tuition starts around $350 and climbs to roughly $2,250 across the verified range. Paid options worth a look include Northeast Medical Institute in East Hartford, CNA Academy at Gaylord in Wallingford, and New London Adult & Continuing Education. So the price spread here is wide, from nothing to a few thousand dollars.

	Program	City	Length	Total Cost
	Northeast Medical Institute – East Hartford	East Hartford	3 wk	$1,150
Address: 121 Roberts St, East Hartford, CT 06108 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	CNA Academy at Gaylord	Wallingford	Contact school	$1,175
Address: 50 Gaylord Farm Road, Wallingford, CT 06492 Phone: (203) 284-2784 Facility: Hospital Call this program
	New London Adult & Continuing Education	New London	100 hrs	$1,200
Address: New London, CT Phone: (860) 437-2385 Facility: Other Call this program
	CNA Boot Camp of CT	Hartford	100 hrs	$1,400
Address: Hartford, CT Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Harborview School of Phlebotomy	West Haven	8 wk	$1,400
Address: 141 Captain Thomas Boulevard, West Haven, CT 06516 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	CNA Bootcamp of CT LLC	Norwich	Contact school	$1,400
Address: 190 W. Town St, Unit H, Norwich, CT 06360 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Excel Academy – North Haven	North Haven	4 wk	$1,500
Address: 100 Broadway, North Haven, CT 06473 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	CT State Gateway Community College	New Haven	6 wk	$1,799
Address: 20 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510 Phone: (203) 285-2000 Facility: Community college Call this program

Costs verified June 18, 2026, sourced from each program’s published tuition materials.

Is the cheapest CNA program always the best value in Connecticut?

Connecticut’s cheapest option is one of the five free programs, like CNA Pathways to College in Hartford. But a $0 seat is not automatically the right one, because the lowest price tends to come with the tightest conditions.

Free cohorts are small and fill up, and two of the five are employer-sponsored, meaning a facility funds the training in exchange for a work commitment after you certify. A paid program such as Northeast Medical Institute in East Hartford or CNA Academy at Gaylord in Wallingford may simply have an open seat the month you want to start.

Either way the credential is the same. Every one of the 88 programs teaches to Connecticut’s 100-hour requirement and sends you to the same Prometric exam, so price tells you about access and timing, not about whether a program will get you certified.

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Free & employer-sponsored CNA training in Connecticut

Connecticut has five free CNA programs, funded through grants, scholarships, or employer sponsorship. CNA Pathways to College in Hartford, Harriot Community Healthcare Academy in Hartford, and New Haven Adult Education all run at $0. Two of the five are employer-sponsored, where a facility funds your training in exchange for a work commitment once you certify, so those work differently from a grant-funded seat.

Free programs you can enroll in directly

	Program	City	Length	Total Cost
	CNA Pathways to College Program	Hartford	4 wk	Free
Address: 151 New Park Ave Ste 3C, Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: (860) 231-6250 Facility: Other Call this program
	Harriot Community Healthcare Academy	Hartford	5 wk	Free
Address: 10 Love Lane, Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: (860) 519-5234 Facility: Other Call this program
	New Haven Adult Education	New Haven	Contact school	Free
Address: 580 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, New Haven, CT 06519 Phone: (475) 220-8200 Facility: Workforce program Call this program

With Connecticut’s free programs, the seat already covers your full tuition, so there is rarely a second funding source to stack on top. The one thing worth confirming first is whether an employer-sponsored seat carries a work commitment, because that, not extra cost, is the real string attached.

What’s the catch with free CNA training in Connecticut?

Connecticut’s free seats cluster around Hartford: both CNA Pathways to College and Harriot Community Healthcare Academy are Hartford programs, with New Haven Adult Education the option further south. If you live near Hartford, a $0 seat is genuinely within reach; if you are set on a program in Fairfield County or eastern Connecticut, the free list thins out fast.

Two of the five free programs are employer-sponsored. That means a facility covers your training and, in return, expects you to work there after you certify. It is a fair trade if you want a job with that employer, and a poor fit if you have a specific setting or town in mind, so read the commitment before you sign rather than after.

The catch across all of them is supply. Five free programs out of 88 means cohorts are small and fill quickly, so you cannot count on a free seat opening exactly when you want to start. If the timing does not line up, a paid program like New London Adult & Continuing Education or CNA Boot Camp of CT in Hartford reaches the same Prometric exam without the wait.

Whichever route you take, the finish line does not change. Every program meets the same 100-hour requirement and ends at the same Connecticut Certified Nurse Aide Examination through Prometric, so a free seat and a paid seat leave you with the exact same credential.

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CNA salary in Connecticut

BLS wage data for Connecticut and its top 3 metros.

Connecticut CNAs earn a median of $21.53/hr, which works out to about $44,790 a year and runs 6.5% above the national median of $20.21, per BLS OEWS data. That ranks Connecticut #19 of 50 for CNA pay. The 10th percentile sits near $18.59/hr, and the 90th percentile reaches about $25.90/hr.

Entry-level (10th)

$18.59/hr

$38,667/yr

Median (50th)

$21.53/hr

$44,790/yr

Top end (90th)

$25.90/hr

$53,872/yr

Pay by setting in Connecticut

Setting	Median hourly	Notes
Hospitals	$22.61/hr	Estimated from the state wage distribution
Skilled nursing / SNF	$21.53/hr	Estimated
Assisted living / residential	$20.02/hr	Estimated

Setting figures are estimated from the verified Connecticut wage distribution (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (Nursing Assistants, 31-1131), Connecticut, May 2025); actual pay varies by employer.

Where you work shapes the number, too. In Connecticut, hospitals pay CNAs a median of $22.61/hr, skilled nursing facilities $21.53, and assisted living or residential settings $20.02, per BLS OEWS data, a spread of about $2.59/hr between the top and bottom setting for the same credential. A CNA on a hospital floor in Hartford and one in an assisted-living residence hold the same certification and clear the same 100-hour requirement, yet sit at different points on that range. When you weigh programs, it also helps to know how CNA pay differs by care setting. If you are looking past the CNA role, our CNA-to-RN bridge guide and CNA-to-LPN bridge guide walk through the next steps.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), occupation 31-1131. Cost-of-living differential: Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2024).

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Connecticut SNAPSHOT

What makes CNA training in Connecticut different

State-specific context (hours, exam vendor, and funding density) now that you’ve seen the options.

TRAINING HOURS

100 hours required

Connecticut requires 100 training hours, 1.3 times the 75-hour federal floor, so even the fastest program clears an above-floor requirement.

EXAM VENDOR

Prometric, $118

The Connecticut Certified Nurse Aide Examination pairs a 60-question written test with a 5-skill clinical test, offered in English.

PROGRAM COUNT

88 programs, 38 cities

Connecticut ranks #28 of 50 for program count, a dense set of local options for a compact state.

Above-floor 100 hours

Pay above national

88 local programs

100 training hours, above the federal floor

Connecticut sets its CNA training requirement at 100 hours, which is 1.3 times the 75-hour federal floor (OBRA '87 / 42 CFR 483.152). Every one of the 88 approved programs meets that same requirement, whether it runs two weeks or eighteen. The state does not publish a separate clinical-hour figure, so anchor your planning on the 100-hour requirement and the Prometric exam every graduate sits, not on a program's calendar length.

Pay runs 6.5% above the national median

Connecticut CNAs earn a median of $21.53/hr, about $44,790 a year, which is 6.5% above the national median of $20.21 and ranks Connecticut #19 of 50 for pay, per BLS OEWS data. Setting accounts for much of the spread: hospitals pay a median of $22.61/hr against $20.02 in assisted living. Across the state, the band runs from about $18.59/hr at the 10th percentile to $25.90/hr at the 90th.

Free renewal every 24 months through DPH

The Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry, run by the Department of Public Health, places you automatically once you pass both parts of the exam. Renewal comes due every 24 months and costs nothing. If you are certifying in from another state, Connecticut's Route 7 reciprocity path runs $55, with conditions. For license, transfer, and renewal specifics, see Connecticut's how-to-become-a-CNA guide.

Bottom line for Connecticut students

Connecticut gives you 88 programs across 38 cities, an above-floor 100-hour requirement, and pay 6.5% above the national median, so choose for fit, format, and setting rather than price alone.

CNA classes by city in Connecticut

Connecticut’s 88 programs sit in 38 cities, but they concentrate in a handful of metros. Waterbury leads with 8, Bridgeport has 7, and Hartford has 6, while Stamford, Manchester, and Danbury each carry 4.

Top 10 Connecticut metros by program count

Waterbury8 programs
Bridgeport7 programs
Hartford6 programs
Stamford4 programs
Manchester4 programs
Danbury4 programs
Wallingford3 programs
Norwich3 programs
Milford3 programs
East Hartford3 programs

Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry: contacts & reference

The Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry, run by the Department of Public Health, handles your certification and renewal. Renewal comes due every 24 months and is free.

Managing agency	Connecticut Department of Public Health
Phone	(860) 509-7603
Website	portal.ct.gov
Typical processing	N/A
Renewal window	Every 24 months
Fee structure	Initial placement is automatic after passing both exams. Renewal is free. Route 7 reciprocity is $55.

Always verify with the registry directly before enrolling. Approved-program lists update periodically.

Frequently asked questions

Quick, straight answers to what Connecticut CNAs ask most about licenses, transfers, reciprocity, and staying certified.

Can I still work as a CNA if my Connecticut certification expires?

Connecticut renews CNA certifications through the Department of Public Health every 24 months, and renewal is free. What happens during a lapse, including whether you can keep working and how to get reinstated, depends on your specific status, so check the current rules with the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry or see Connecticut’s how-to-become-a-CNA guide before you assume anything about your situation.

How do I transfer my CNA certification to Connecticut?

Connecticut accepts out-of-state CNAs through a reciprocity process handled by the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry at the Department of Public Health. You apply to have your existing certification recognized rather than repeating the state’s 100-hour training. Because the documents and eligibility depend on your current state and standing, follow the step-by-step transfer process in Connecticut’s how-to-become-a-CNA guide.

Which states have reciprocity with Connecticut?

Connecticut offers CNA reciprocity, with conditions, through its Department of Public Health registry rather than a fixed list of partner states. Whether your current certification qualifies depends on how your home state’s standards line up with Connecticut’s, including its 100-hour training requirement. For the current conditions and which credentials Connecticut will recognize, see Connecticut’s how-to-become-a-CNA guide.

How much does it cost to transfer a CNA certification to Connecticut?

Connecticut’s Route 7 reciprocity path costs $55 to move an out-of-state certification onto the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry. That is separate from initial certification, which the Department of Public Health places automatically and free once you pass both parts of the exam. For the documents you file alongside the $55 fee, see Connecticut’s how-to-become-a-CNA guide.

What can stop you from becoming a CNA in Connecticut?

Eligibility to join the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry is decided by the Department of Public Health, and certain findings can affect placement. Connecticut reviews each applicant individually rather than against a single fixed checklist, so the only reliable answer for your situation comes from the state. Check directly with the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry or see Connecticut’s how-to-become-a-CNA guide before you pay for a program or the $118 exam.

Can you have a criminal record and still become a CNA in Connecticut?

Possibly. A record does not automatically bar you from the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry, but the Department of Public Health weighs each applicant’s history individually, and the outcome depends on the specifics. Connecticut does not publish a single universal rule, so confirm your own situation with the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry or through Connecticut’s how-to-become-a-CNA guide before enrolling in a 100-hour program.

Can I renew my Connecticut CNA certification online?

Connecticut renews CNA certifications through the Department of Public Health’s Nurse Aide Registry every 24 months, and renewal is free. Whether the full renewal can be completed online depends on the registry’s current process, so confirm the available renewal method with the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry or see Connecticut’s how-to-become-a-CNA guide for the current steps.

CNA Classes in Connecticut: 5 Free + 88 Total (2026)

CNA Classes in Connecticut: Programs, Costs, and State Requirements

Your Connecticut CNA path

Key numbers before you compare programs

Start with what matters most to you.

All 88 state-approved Connecticut CNA programs

See programs near you

Still comparing? Let us narrow the list.

Fastest CNA programs in Connecticut

Is a 2-week CNA program in Connecticut long enough?

See CNA training options near you

Online, hybrid, weekend & evening CNA programs in Connecticut

Which flexible format is right for working adults?

Looking for CNA training around your schedule?

Cheapest CNA programs in Connecticut

Is the cheapest CNA program always the best value in Connecticut?

Looking for affordable training?

Free & employer-sponsored CNA training in Connecticut

Free programs you can enroll in directly

What’s the catch with free CNA training in Connecticut?

CNA salary in Connecticut

Pay by setting in Connecticut

Ready to start earning Connecticut CNA wages?

What makes CNA training in Connecticut different

100 training hours, above the federal floor

Pay runs 6.5% above the national median

Free renewal every 24 months through DPH

Bottom line for Connecticut students

CNA classes by city in Connecticut

Top 10 Connecticut metros by program count

Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry: contacts & reference

Frequently asked questions

On this page

Your CNA Career Starts Here

Your CNA Career Starts Here

CNA Classes in Connecticut: 5 Free + 88 Total (2026)

CNA Classes in Connecticut: Programs, Costs, and State Requirements

Your Connecticut CNA path

Key numbers before you compare programs

Start with what matters most to you.

See programs near you

Still comparing? Let us narrow the list.

Is a 2-week CNA program in Connecticut long enough?

See CNA training options near you

Which flexible format is right for working adults?

Looking for CNA training around your schedule?

Is the cheapest CNA program always the best value in Connecticut?

Looking for affordable training?

Free programs you can enroll in directly

What’s the catch with free CNA training in Connecticut?

Pay by setting in Connecticut

Ready to start earning Connecticut CNA wages?

What makes CNA training in Connecticut different

100 training hours, above the federal floor

Pay runs 6.5% above the national median

Free renewal every 24 months through DPH

Bottom line for Connecticut students

Top 10 Connecticut metros by program count

How to become a CNA in Connecticut

Why become a CNA in Connecticut

CNA resume examples

CNA to RN bridge programs

CNA skills test guide

CNA written exam guide

Your CNA Career Starts Here

Your CNA Career Starts Here