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CNA Classes in Michigan: 295 State-Approved Programs (2026)

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

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

Michigan gives you room to choose. The state lists 295 state-approved CNA programs across 153 cities, which ranks it #8 of 50 for program count, among the most of any state in the country. Certifying takes a 75-hour training minimum, the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam through D&S Diversified / Headmaster, and your name on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry. With that many programs, your real decision is where to train, how fast, and how flexibly.

Sourced from Michigan LARA registrySourced from LARABLS salary dataBLS dataLast verified Jun 18, 2026Verified Jun 18
Illustration of a certified nursing assistant caring for an elderly patient, CNA classes in Michigan

AT A GLANCE

Your Michigan CNA path

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

  1. Step 1.Complete 75 hours of approved training.
  2. Step 2.Finish 16 supervised clinical hours.
  3. Step 3.Pass the D&S Diversified / Headmaster written and skills exam.
  4. Step 4.Get listed with the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry.
See the full How to Become guide →

Key numbers before you compare programs

Typical program length
2–15 weeks
Typical paid program cost
$450–$3,549
Average CNA salary
$39,570/yr (BLS, May 2025)
Reciprocity accepted
Yes, with conditions

All 295 state-approved Michigan CNA programs

Sort by cost, length, format, or city. Filter with the chips above the table. Click any row to expand full address, phone, clinical site, and next cohort.

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How this list works. Every program below is state-approved by the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry (MI LARA). 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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Showing 1–25 of 295
ProgramCityFormatLengthTotal CostSponsored

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Showing 1–25 of 295

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Fastest CNA programs in Michigan

If you need to start working soon, Michigan’s calendar can move fast. The state sets training at a 75-hour minimum, the federal baseline, so nothing in the rules forces a long program. The shortest courses wrap in about 2 weeks and the longest run near 15. Several 2-week options sit in and around Detroit, including Health Care Solutions and Career Group and ScrubbedIn Healthcare Training, so a quick path is realistic in Michigan’s largest metro.

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

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

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

A 2-week course in Michigan meets the same 75-hour minimum, including its 16 clinical hours, as a 15-week one. The hours are not trimmed; they are packed into longer, back-to-back days. That speed genuinely helps if you need a paycheck soon, but it reshapes what your weeks look like.

Several of Michigan’s fastest options cluster in metro Detroit: Health Care Solutions and Career Group and ScrubbedIn Healthcare Training both run 2-week in-person courses at $600, and Nursing Detroit CNA Program packs a 2-week hybrid into $750. Each crowds full days of classroom and lab time into a tight block, which is hard to sustain alongside another job or family care.

A compressed schedule also leaves less room to absorb skills before the exam. You still sit the same Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam through D&S Diversified / Headmaster, a 65-question knowledge test plus a hands-on skills check. A 2-week program rewards people who can study full time; if you need to space the material out, Michigan runs longer courses at similar prices, so the fast track is a choice, not a requirement.

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Online, hybrid, weekend & evening CNA programs in Michigan

Scan Michigan’s flexible listings and a pattern stands out: the hybrid courses concentrate in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, and Southfield, from Soaring CNA in Flint at $725 to Serenity Health in Southfield at $895. Every one splits the same way. The lecture and reading move online or into self-paced modules, but Michigan’s 16 clinical hours never shift, and neither does the skills lab. Both happen on a set schedule, in a real care setting, with real patients. So no Michigan CNA certificate is earned from home alone, however a program markets its “online” track. What the format actually buys you is freedom over the coursework, not an escape from the floor.

ProgramCityFormatLengthTotal CostSponsored

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?

Michigan’s hybrid options sort themselves on two axes at once: how long they run and what they cost. Nursing Detroit CNA Program and Serenity Health in Southfield compress the online-plus-clinical format into about 2 weeks, at $750 and $895. Soaring CNA in Flint at $725 and Top Tier Healthcare Training in Wayne at $850 spread the same structure across roughly 3 weeks. Same format, very different demands on your calendar.

What none of them change is the in-person half. Michigan’s 16 clinical hours happen in a real care setting, and the skills lab cannot be streamed. You will not learn to transfer a patient or read vital signs from a module, so the honest question is never whether you can skip the floor. It is how much of the coursework you can carry on your own time, and whether you want it stretched over a few weeks or packed into two.

That is where the format rewards or punishes you. Self-paced coursework only helps if you actually finish the modules, and the clinical days are scheduled by the program, not around your shifts. If a fixed rhythm suits you better, Michigan also runs evening formats. Before enrolling, pin down which hours are online, which put you on site, and whether those clinical days fit the life you already have.

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Cheapest CNA programs in Michigan

Cost is usually the first question, so here are Michigan’s real numbers. Prices run from $0 to $3,549, and 96 of the 295 programs publish a verified price you can check before enrolling. If you would rather not chase a free seat, the cheapest paid program is Huron Valley Adult Education in White Lake at $450, and 17 programs land at or below that $450 mark, so a genuinely low-cost option exists across much of the state.

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

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

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

Michigan’s price spread is wide, and the lowest sticker is not automatically the best value. Hazel Findlay Country Manor in Saint Johns lists a CNA course at $0, the paid floor sits at Huron Valley Adult Education in White Lake for $450, and the top of the range reaches $3,549.

A $0 program is usually funded by one facility, district, or workforce source, and some come with conditions, like a commitment to work for the sponsoring employer after you certify. A modestly priced paid program tends to leave you free to work anywhere in Michigan once you pass.

Location shapes the choice too. Detroit lists 24 programs, Flint 10, and Southfield 9, so readers there can line up several affordable options side by side. In a smaller Michigan city with a single program, the cheapest course may also be the only one within a reasonable commute, so weigh price against schedule, format, and any conditions attached.

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Free & employer-sponsored CNA training in Michigan

Michigan lists 16 CNA programs that cost you nothing, funded through government grants or scholarships, with one employer-sponsored option in the mix. The lowest-priced course in the data is Hazel Findlay Country Manor in Saint Johns at $0. A free seat can erase the tuition, so it is worth checking before you commit to paying.

Free programs you can enroll in directly

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

Government-funded & scholarship-eligible programs

Funding sourceEligible programsEligibility notesApply
Michigan NATCEP Nurse Aide Training and Testing ReimbursementApply →

Michigan also runs a NATCEP Nurse Aide Training and Testing Reimbursement program that can refund eligible training and testing costs. Check the program’s terms for what qualifies. Check your eligibility through that program before paying out of pocket, since the rules are set by the funder, not the school.

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

Michigan’s 16 free programs split into two kinds of arrangement, and the difference matters more than the $0 price tag. Hazel Findlay Country Manor in Saint Johns, for instance, lists a CNA course at $0, the lowest in the state’s data.

Most free seats are covered by government funding or a scholarship, which usually carry their own eligibility terms set by the funder. Because those terms vary program to program and are not published in one place, confirm what a specific program asks for before you count on a seat.

One of the 16 is employer-sponsored, a different deal: a care provider funds your training, and in exchange you commit to work there after you certify. If you already want a job in long-term care and the facility suits you, that exchange can be a fair trade. If you would rather keep your options open across Michigan’s other 294 programs, a work commitment to one employer can feel limiting once you hold the credential.

Either way, free does not mean lighter. You still clear the same 75-hour minimum, including its 16 clinical hours, and you still pass the same competency exam. What you are weighing is money saved now against flexibility later, so be honest about which one you can give up.

CNA salary in Michigan

BLS wage data for Michigan and its top 3 metros.

Michigan’s median pay for nursing assistants is $19.03 an hour, about $39,570 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That runs roughly 5.8% below the national median of $20.21. The 10th percentile sits near $17.71 an hour and the 90th percentile reaches about $22.47, so the spread from the bottom to the top of the range is a little under $5 an hour.

Entry-level (10th)
$17.71/hr
$36,837/yr
Median (50th)
$19.03/hr
$39,570/yr
Top end (90th)
$22.47/hr
$46,738/yr

Pay by setting in Michigan

SettingMedian hourlyNotes
Hospitals$19.98/hrEstimated from the state wage distribution
Skilled nursing / SNF$19.03/hrEstimated
Assisted living / residential$17.70/hrEstimated

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

In Michigan the same certification pays $17.70 an hour in an assisted living or residential setting and $19.98 in a hospital, with skilled nursing at the $19.03 state median in between. An aide who reaches a hospital floor earns about $2.28 more an hour than at a residential facility, even though both roles clear the same 75-hour minimum and sit for the same exam. Where you work is worth weighing. Beyond the role’s 90th-percentile ceiling of $22.47, the next step is usually into nursing; the CNA to LPN and CNA to RN guides map that path.

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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Michigan SNAPSHOT

What makes CNA training in Michigan different

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

TRAINING HOURS

75 hours minimum

Michigan sits at the federal baseline of 75 hours, which includes 16 clinical hours, keeping the path efficient.

EXAM VENDOR

D&S Diversified / Headmaster

A 65-question knowledge or audio exam plus a hands-on manual skills test, scheduled online.

PROGRAM CHOICE

295 programs, #8 nationally

Michigan ranks 8th of 50 for program count, spread across 153 cities.

Federal-baseline training hours
295 programs statewide
Evening and hybrid formats

Training hours: 75, the federal baseline

Michigan sets CNA training at a 75-hour minimum, with 16 of those hours as supervised clinical practice; OBRA '87 and 42 CFR 483.152 set that same federal floor. It makes for an efficient route to certification, not a watered-down one, and the exam standard is identical statewide. Because 75 is a minimum, Michigan programs range from about 2 weeks to 15, and some listings do not publish a fixed calendar length, so confirm dates directly with the school.

Testing runs through D&S Diversified and Headmaster

Michigan uses D&S Diversified Technologies and Headmaster for the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam, not Prometric or Credentia. You take a 65-question knowledge exam, offered in a standard or audio format, plus a manual skills test built on LARA-approved tasks. The exam runs $175 in total, and you schedule it through the vendor's online calendar at mi.tmutest.com.

Renew every two years through paid work

The Michigan Nurse Aide Registry, run by LARA, lists you once you pass the competency exam. Initial registration costs $40 through MI-NATES, and renewal also costs $40 every 24 months. To renew, you must complete at least 40 paid hours of nurse aide work within each two-year window, so Michigan keeps you active through verified employment rather than continuing-education hours.

Bottom line for Michigan students

Michigan gives you a 75-hour minimum, 295 programs to choose from, and pay near the national norm, so your real decision is speed versus cost versus schedule.

CNA classes by city in Michigan

CNA programs reach across 153 Michigan cities, but they cluster in the big metros. Detroit leads with 24 approved programs, followed by Flint with 10 and Southfield with 9. Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Midland each add several more, so most readers have options within driving distance.

Top 10 Michigan metros by program count

  • Detroit24 programs
  • Flint10 programs
  • Southfield9 programs
  • Saginaw7 programs
  • Grand Rapids6 programs
  • Muskegon6 programs
  • Midland6 programs
  • Livonia5 programs
  • Redford5 programs
  • Jackson4 programs

Michigan Nurse Aide Registry: contacts & reference

The Michigan Nurse Aide Registry, run by LARA, maintains your CNA status and lets anyone verify it. You can reach the registry at 517-284-8961 or look up a record through its online portal.

Managing agencyMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Phone(517) 284-8961
Websitemichigan.gov
Typical processingN/A
Renewal windowEvery 24 months; At least 40 paid hours as a nurse aide
Fee structureInitial registration fee: $40 via MI-NATES; renewal fee: $40; reciprocity/new nurse aide application fee: $40.

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

Frequently asked questions

A handful of questions come up again and again for Michigan CNA candidates. Here are direct answers, with anything the state has not published routed to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry.

How do I renew my nurse aide certificate in Michigan?
You renew your Michigan Nurse Aide Registry listing every 24 months by completing at least 40 paid hours of nurse aide work within that window and paying the $40 renewal fee through LARA. The paid-hours piece is the key: Michigan keeps you active through verified employment, not continuing-education credits. For the exact steps and timing that fit your record, the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry has the current rules.
Does Michigan Works pay for CNA classes?
Michigan runs a NATCEP Nurse Aide Training and Testing Reimbursement program that can cover or refund eligible CNA training and testing costs, which is the state’s main route for offsetting those expenses. Whether you qualify depends on the funder’s terms, so confirm eligibility through that program before you enroll. Paired with Michigan’s 16 free programs and the many courses at or below $450, reimbursement can bring your out-of-pocket cost close to zero.
What states does Michigan have reciprocity in?
Michigan offers nurse aide reciprocity, with conditions. If you are certified in another state, you can apply through LARA to have your credential recognized in Michigan, and the application carries a $40 fee. Because the specific conditions and which states qualify depend on your record and current LARA policy, the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry has the exact requirements for your situation. Confirm them before you move or take a job here.
What can stop you from getting your CNA license?
In Michigan, the certification basics are clear: you must complete the 75-hour training minimum, including its 16 clinical hours, and pass the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam before LARA lists you on the registry. Beyond that, the data we verified does not publish a list of disqualifiers, so confirm how a specific record affects certification with the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry. For how a specific record is treated, the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry has the current rules.
What shows up on a CNA background check?
Michigan requires you to be listed on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry before you can work as a CNA; the registry has the current requirements for that listing. The specifics of what the check covers and how findings are weighed are not published in the data we verified, so confirm your situation with the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry. For exactly what appears and how it is handled, check with the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry and your training program before you enroll.
How many questions are on the Michigan CNA exam?
The Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam includes a 65-question knowledge test, plus a separate hands-on manual skills test built on LARA-approved tasks. Both are administered through D&S Diversified Technologies and Headmaster. The knowledge portion comes in a standard or audio format if you would rather listen than read, and you schedule both parts through the vendor at mi.tmutest.com.
How much is the CNA exam in MI?
The Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam costs $175 in total through D&S Diversified / Headmaster, covering both the 65-question knowledge test and the hands-on skills test. Separately, listing on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry through LARA carries a $40 registration fee. If cost is a concern, Michigan’s NATCEP reimbursement program and its 16 free CNA programs can offset testing and training expenses, so check those first.
Can I renew my CNA license online?
Michigan handles registry transactions, including registration, through LARA’s online MI-NATES system, where the renewal fee is $40. The part you cannot do online is the underlying requirement: you must have worked at least 40 paid hours as a nurse aide within the 24-month window first. The online step records and pays for the renewal, but the qualifying paid work has to happen on the job. For the current online steps, the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry has the details.
Is there a grace period for CNA renewal in Michigan?
Michigan requires renewal of your nurse aide listing every 24 months, tied to at least 40 paid hours of work in that window. The data we verified does not spell out a grace period or the exact reinstatement steps if a listing lapses, so confirm the process with the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry. Before your renewal date passes, confirm any short window and the reinstatement process with the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry (LARA).
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