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

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

Arkansas gives you real room to choose where and how you train as a CNA. The state lists 77 approved nursing assistant programs across 52 cities, ranking it #29 of 50 by program count, so this is a wide network rather than a thin one. Little Rock alone lists 8 programs. Every path runs the same way: at least 90 hours of state-approved training, the Arkansas Nurse Aide Competency Exam, and your name on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry once you pass.

Sourced from Arkansas DHS registrySourced from DHSBLS salary dataBLS dataLast verified Jun 18, 2026Verified Jun 18

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

AT A GLANCE

Your Arkansas CNA path

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

Step 1.Complete 90 hours of approved training.
Step 2.Finish 16 supervised clinical hours.
Step 3.Pass the D&S Diversified / Headmaster written and skills exam.
Step 4.Get listed with the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry.

See the full How to Become guide →

Key numbers before you compare programs

Typical program length: 3–16 weeks
Typical paid program cost: $480–$2,110
Average CNA salary: $34,430/yr (BLS, May 2025)
Reciprocity accepted: Yes, with conditions

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All 77 state-approved Arkansas CNA programs

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How this list works. Every program below is state-approved by the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (AR DHS). 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 77

	Program	City	Format	Length	Total Cost
	Southern Arkansas University Tech-Camden	Camden	In-person	Contact school	Free
Address: 6415 Spellman Road, Camden, AR 71701 Phone: N/A Facility: Community college View this program →
	Arkansas Northeastern College – Burdette	Burdette	In-person	8 wk	Contact school
Address: 2501 South Division Street, Blytheville, AR 72315, Burdette Phone: (870) 763-1486 Facility: Community college View this program → Call this program
	Northwest Arkansas Community College Regional Tech Center	Bentonville	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville, AR 72712 Phone: (479) 444-3058 Facility: Community college View this program → Call this program
	Phillips Community College of Arkansas	DeWitt	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1210 Rice Belt Ave, DeWitt, AR 72042 Phone: (870) 946-3506 Facility: Community college View this program → Call this program
	University of Arkansas Community College – Batesville	Batesville	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 2005 White Drive, Batesville, AR 72501 Phone: (870) 612-2070 Facility: Community college View this program → Call this program
	Angels for Life Nursing Assistant Training Center	Little Rock	In-person	Contact school	$1,285
Address: 9110 Geyer Springs Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Arkansas College of Health Careers	Little Rock	In-person	4 wk	$1,350
Address: 9714 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Arkansas Employment Career Center	Little Rock	In-person	3 wk	$1,599
Address: 300 S. Spring Street, Suite 300, Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus	Ozark	Hybrid	4 wk	Free
Address: 1700 Helberg Ln, Ozark, AR Phone: (479) 667-2117 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Aspiring Medical Training Institute	Little Rock	In-person	3 wk	$1,000
Address: 6911 Geyer Springs Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	ATU-Ozark Adult Education Fort Smith	Fort Smith	In-person	Contact school	Free
Address: Fort Smith, AR Phone: N/A Facility: Community college
	Beyond Career Training, LLC (formerly Vydainc)	Helena	Hybrid	5 wk	$625
Address: 633 Oakland Avenue, Helena, AR 72342 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Cabot High School	Cabot	In-person	90 hrs	Free
Address: 401 N Lincoln St, Cabot, AR 72023 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	College of the Ouachitas	Malvern	In-person	90 hrs	$800
Address: One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104 Phone: (501) 332-3658 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Cossatot Community College of Arkansas	De Queen	In-person	90 hrs	$731
Address: 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832 Phone: (870) 584-4471 Facility: Community college Call this program
	East Arkansas Community College	Forrest City	In-person	2 mo	$842
Address: 1700 Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335 Phone: (870) 633-4480 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Gateway Allied Health	Hot Springs	In-person	108 hrs	$995
Address: 174 Cornerstone Lane, Suite C, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Mid-South Community College	West Memphis	In-person	Contact school	$1,488
Address: 2000 West Broadway, West Memphis, AR 72301 Phone: (870) 733-6700 Facility: Community college Call this program
	National Park Community College	Hot Springs	In-person	5 wk	Free
Address: 101 College Drive, Hot Springs, AR 71913 Phone: (501) 760-4160 Facility: Community college Call this program
	North Arkansas College	Harrison	In-person	3 wk	$775
Address: 1515 Pioneer Drive, Harrison, AR 72601 Phone: (870) 743-3000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Nursing Assistant Training Solutions, LLC	Austin	In-person	3 wk	$700
Address: 3212 Campground Rd, Austin, AR 72007 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Oaklawn Center on Aging	Hot Springs	In-person	3 wk	$480
Address: 5010 North Hwy 7, Hot Springs Village, AR Phone: N/A Facility: Other
	PAL CNA Training Academy	Little Rock	In-person	90 hrs	$850
Address: 11701 I-30 Frontage Rd, Ste. 300, Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Petra Allied Health – Springdale	Springdale	In-person	90 hrs	$520
Address: 3889 Willowood Ave., Springdale, AR 72762 Phone: (479) 750-9876 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Shorter College Medical Training Center	North Little Rock	In-person	Contact school	Free
Address: 604 N Locust St, North Little Rock, AR 72114 Phone: N/A Facility: Community college
	Southeast Arkansas College	Pine Bluff	In-person	Contact school	$1,650
Address: 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 Phone: (870) 543-5986 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Texarkana Nursing Academy	Texarkana	In-person	Contact school	$700
Address: 718 E 5th St, Texarkana, AR 71854 Phone: (870) 772-6860 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	UACCM Nursing Assistant Training Program	Morrilton	In-person	Contact school	$1,146
Address: 1537 University Blvd., Morrilton, AR 72110 Phone: (501) 977-2152 Facility: Community college Call this program
	UAM College of Technology – Crossett	Crossett	In-person	Contact school	$830
Address: 1326 Highway 52 W, Crossett, AR 71635 Phone: (870) 364-6414 Facility: Community college Call this program
	UAM College of Technology – McGehee	McGehee	In-person	Contact school	$896
Address: 1609 East Ash St., McGehee, AR 71654 Phone: (870) 222-5360 Facility: Community college Call this program
	University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College	North Little Rock	In-person	8 wk	$2,110
Address: 3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118 Phone: N/A Facility: Community college
	University of Arkansas Rich Mountain	Mena	In-person	6 wk	$1,397
Address: 1100 College Drive, Mena, AR 71953 Phone: N/A Facility: Community college
	1 of a Kind In Home Care & Medical Services	Fayetteville	In-person	90 hrs	Contact school
Address: 1820 Shelby Ln, Suite B, Fayetteville, AR 72704 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	AANA-Cabot	Jacksonville	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: P.O. Box 20343, Jacksonville, AR Phone: (501) 940-1914 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Allied Health Connect	Blytheville	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 843 E Main St, Blytheville, AR 72315 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Arkansas Career Training of the Ozarks	Bella Vista	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: Three Capitol Mall, Bella Vista, AR 72201 Phone: (479) 831-2221 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Arkansas State University – Newport	Newport	In-person	8 wk	Contact school
Address: 7648 Victory Blvd, Newport, AR 72112 Phone: (870) 512-7833 Facility: Community college Call this program
	ASU – Mountain Home	Mountain Home	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1600 South College St., Mountain Home, AR 72653 Phone: (870) 508-6154 Facility: Community college Call this program
	ASU-Beebe CNA Program	Searcy	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1800 East Moore Avenue, Searcy, AR 72143 Phone: (501) 278-3189 Facility: Community college Call this program
	AV Medical	Lowell	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 213 W. Monroe, Suite Q, Lowell, AR 72745 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Black River Technical College	Pocahontas	In-person	8 wk	Contact school
Address: 1410 Highway 304 East, Pocahontas, AR 72455 Phone: (870) 248-4000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	CNA Academy & Testing Center, LLC	Monticello	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 224 Hwy 425 South, Monticello, AR 71655 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Extended Grace CNA Training Academy LLC	Sherwood	In-person	3 wk	Contact school
Address: 1105 East Kiehl Avenue, Sherwood, AR 72120 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Full of Life Personal Care Services	Ashdown	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 440 W. Main St, Ashdown, AR 71822 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Gosnell High School Career Center (GHSCC)	Gosnell	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 600 Hwy 181, Gosnell, AR 72315 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Gravette High School CNA Program	Gravette	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 325 Lion Drive S, Gravette, AR 72736 Phone: (479) 787-4100 Facility: High school Call this program
	Heartbeat to Heartbeat CNA School	Jacksonville	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 324 Pershing Blvd Ste 2, Jacksonville, AR Phone: (501) 562-6540 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Hoxie High School	Hoxie	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 602 SW Hartigan St, Hoxie, AR 72433 Phone: (870) 886-2401 Facility: High school Call this program
	Ignite Center for Advanced Professional Studies	Bentonville	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1510 N Walton Blvd, Bentonville, AR 72712 Phone: (479) 360-7480 Facility: High school Call this program
	MEDLINC, Inc	Little Rock	Hybrid	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1515 Merrill Drive, Suite E100, Little Rock, AR 72211 Phone: (501) 492-7200 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Metropolitan Career-Technical Center	Little Rock	In-person	90 hrs	Contact school
Address: 7701 Scott Hamilton Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Monticello Occupational Education Center	Monticello	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 741 Scogin Drive, Monticello, AR 71655 Phone: (870) 367-4060 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	NEA Career and Technical Center	Jonesboro	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 1727 S Main Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401 Phone: (870) 933-5891 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Nettleton High School	Jonesboro	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 4207 Race Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401 Phone: (870) 910-7805 Facility: High school Call this program
	North Central Career Center	Leslie	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 402 Oak St., Leslie, AR 72650 Phone: (870) 447-6111 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	North Little Rock High School – West NATP	North Little Rock	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 101 West 22nd, North Little Rock, AR Phone: (501) 771-8100 Facility: High school Call this program
	Northwest Arkansas Community College Regional Tech Center – Siloam Springs	Siloam Springs	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: Siloam Springs, AR Phone: (479) 524-5134 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Northwest Technical Institute	Springdale	N/A	90 hrs	Contact school
Address: 709 S Old Missouri Rd, Springdale, AR Phone: (479) 751-8824 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Nu Leif Logistics, LLC	Little Rock	In-person	3 wk	Contact school
Address: 1300 West Park Dr, Suite 4 & 5, Little Rock, AR 72204 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Ozark Health Foundation	Clinton	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 2500 Highway 65 S., Clinton, AR 72031 Phone: (501) 745-7004 Facility: Hospital Call this program
	Ozarka Technical College	Melbourne	In-person	9 wk	Contact school
Address: 218 College Drive, Melbourne, AR 72556 Phone: (870) 368-2079 Facility: Community college Call this program
	P&R CNA Academy	Monette	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 659 AR-139, Apt 10, Monette, AR 72447 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Prairie Grove High School	Prairie Grove	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 102 Buchanan St, Prairie Grove, AR 72753 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	PRN Medical Services Educational Division	Fort Smith	In-person	90 hrs	Contact school
Address: 4500 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR Phone: (479) 785-9222 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Pulaski County Adult Education CNA Program	Jacksonville	In-person	4 wk	Contact school
Address: 2A Crestview Plaza, Jacksonville, AR 72076 Phone: N/A Facility: Other
	Rich Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center	Mena	In-person	16 wk	Contact school
Address: 1100 College Drive, Mena, AR Phone: (479) 394-3511 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Rogers Career Center	Rogers	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 500 W Walnut St, Rogers, AR 72756 Phone: (479) 636-3910 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Saline County Career Technical Campus	Benton	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 13600 Interstate 30 N, Benton, AR 72019 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	SAU-Quitman High School	Magnolia	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 6275 Heber Springs Road West, Magnolia, AR Phone: (870) 235-5073 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Schmieding – Texarkana	Texarkana	In-person	5 wk	Contact school
Address: 4010 Jefferson Ave., Texarkana, AR 71854 Phone: (870) 773-2030 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Schmieding Home Caregiver Training – Jonesboro	Jonesboro	In-person	91 hrs	Contact school
Address: 303 E. Matthews Suite 201, Jonesboro, AR 72401 Phone: (870) 207-7600 Facility: Hospital Call this program
	Schmieding Home Caregiver Training – Pine Bluff	Pine Bluff	In-person	5 wk	Contact school
Address: 206 Frankie Lane, White Hall, AR 71602, Pine Bluff Phone: (870) 879-1440 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Center – Springdale	Springdale	In-person	5 wk	Contact school
Address: 2422 N. Thompson, Springdale, AR 72764 Phone: (479) 751-3043 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	South Arkansas Community College	El Dorado	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 300 S. West Ave, El Dorado, AR Phone: (870) 862-8131 Facility: Community college Call this program
	UACC-Hope	Hope	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 2500 South Main Street, Hope, AR 71801 Phone: (870) 777-5722 Facility: Community college Call this program
	University of Arkansas at Fort Smith	Fort Smith	In-person	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 5210 Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 3649, Fort Smith, AR Phone: (479) 788-7843 Facility: Community college Call this program
	White County Medical Center	Searcy	N/A	Contact school	Contact school
Address: 3214 E. Race Ave., Searcy, AR 72143 Phone: (501) 278-3189 Facility: Hospital Call this program

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Showing 1–25 of 77

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Fastest CNA programs in Arkansas

If you need to start working soon, Arkansas’s quickest programs finish in about 3 weeks, while the longest run roughly 16 weeks. Oaklawn Center on Aging in Hot Springs and North Arkansas College in Harrison both list 3-week courses, so a fast path is realistic. Keep one thing in mind: Arkansas requires at least 90 training hours, above the 75-hour federal floor, so even the quickest Arkansas program carries more required hours than a minimum-hour state.

	Program	City	Length	Total Cost
	Oaklawn Center on Aging	Hot Springs	3 wk	$480
Address: 5010 North Hwy 7, Hot Springs Village, AR Phone: N/A Facility: Other
	Petra Allied Health – Springdale	Springdale	90 hrs	$520
Address: 3889 Willowood Ave., Springdale, AR 72762 Phone: (479) 750-9876 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Nursing Assistant Training Solutions, LLC	Austin	3 wk	$700
Address: 3212 Campground Rd, Austin, AR 72007 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Cossatot Community College of Arkansas	De Queen	90 hrs	$731
Address: 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832 Phone: (870) 584-4471 Facility: Community college Call this program
	North Arkansas College	Harrison	3 wk	$775
Address: 1515 Pioneer Drive, Harrison, AR 72601 Phone: (870) 743-3000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	College of the Ouachitas	Malvern	90 hrs	$800
Address: One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104 Phone: (501) 332-3658 Facility: Community college Call this program
	PAL CNA Training Academy	Little Rock	90 hrs	$850
Address: 11701 I-30 Frontage Rd, Ste. 300, Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Aspiring Medical Training Institute	Little Rock	3 wk	$1,000
Address: 6911 Geyer Springs Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college

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

Is a 3-week CNA program in Arkansas long enough?

A 3-week course at Oaklawn Center on Aging in Hot Springs and a 16-week one both have to clear the same bar. Every approved Arkansas program meets the same 90-hour requirement, including 16 clinical hours, and sits for the same Arkansas Nurse Aide Competency Exam, so a 3-week course is not a lighter program. It is the same requirement packed into longer days.

That density is the real tradeoff. North Arkansas College in Harrison at $775 and Nursing Assistant Training Solutions in Austin at $700 both run short, full-day schedules. If you work another job or care for family during the day, that pace can be hard to keep up.

A compressed calendar packs that same requirement into fewer weeks before testing. You still face the same 75-question knowledge exam plus 3 or 4 skill tasks through D&S Diversified and Headmaster. A fast course suits someone who can study close to full-time; if you need to space the material out, a longer program at a similar price is the smarter pick.

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Online, hybrid, weekend & evening CNA programs in Arkansas

A standard daytime class does not fit everyone, and Arkansas lists evening and hybrid formats alongside the usual schedules. Beyond Career Training in Helena, for instance, runs a 5-week hybrid CNA course at $625. Here is the honest version: in a hybrid Arkansas program the classroom theory can move online or self-paced, but the skills lab and the 16 clinical hours always happen in person, on a real schedule, with real patients. No CNA certification in Arkansas is earned through online study alone, so what a flexible format really buys you is freedom on the part you can do from home.

	Program	City	Format	Length	Total Cost
	Petra Allied Health – Springdale	Springdale	In-person	90 hrs	$520
Address: 3889 Willowood Ave., Springdale, AR 72762 Phone: (479) 750-9876 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Beyond Career Training, LLC (formerly Vydainc)	Helena	Hybrid	5 wk	$625
Address: 633 Oakland Avenue, Helena, AR 72342 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	UAM College of Technology – McGehee	McGehee	In-person	Contact school	$896
Address: 1609 East Ash St., McGehee, AR 71654 Phone: (870) 222-5360 Facility: Community college Call this program
	Aspiring Medical Training Institute	Little Rock	In-person	3 wk	$1,000
Address: 6911 Geyer Springs Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Arkansas College of Health Careers	Little Rock	In-person	4 wk	$1,350
Address: 9714 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college

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?

Beyond Career Training in Helena runs its hybrid CNA program over 5 weeks for $625, and the shape of it is exactly what hybrid implies in Arkansas. The lecture and reading move online or into self-paced modules, then you come in for the hands-on lab and clinicals. That second half is not optional: Arkansas requires 16 clinical hours in a real care setting, and you cannot learn to transfer a patient or take vital signs from a video.

Arkansas also lists evening formats, and Petra Allied Health in Springdale at $520 appears among the state’s flexible options with an evening schedule. A fixed evening format blocks the class time for you instead of leaving it to your own discipline the way self-pacing does.

That discipline is the real catch with any flexible format. Online coursework gives you freedom, but you still have to finish the modules on time, and you still have to schedule in-person clinical days that may not bend around your shifts. Before you enroll, ask exactly which hours are online and which require you on site, and confirm the clinical days line up with your life. The format only helps if you can meet its in-person demands.

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Cheapest CNA programs in Arkansas

Cost is usually the first question, so here are the real Arkansas numbers. Program prices run from $0 up to $2,110, and 28 of the 77 programs list a verified price you can check before you enroll. If you want to pay as little as possible without going the no-cost route, the cheapest paid option is Oaklawn Center on Aging in Hot Springs at $480. Seven programs come in at or below $500, so a genuinely low-cost path exists in several parts of the state.

	Program	City	Length	Total Cost
	Oaklawn Center on Aging	Hot Springs	3 wk	$480
Address: 5010 North Hwy 7, Hot Springs Village, AR Phone: N/A Facility: Other
	Petra Allied Health – Springdale	Springdale	90 hrs	$520
Address: 3889 Willowood Ave., Springdale, AR 72762 Phone: (479) 750-9876 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Beyond Career Training, LLC (formerly Vydainc)	Helena	5 wk	$625
Address: 633 Oakland Avenue, Helena, AR 72342 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Nursing Assistant Training Solutions, LLC	Austin	3 wk	$700
Address: 3212 Campground Rd, Austin, AR 72007 Phone: N/A Facility: Technical college
	Texarkana Nursing Academy	Texarkana	Contact school	$700
Address: 718 E 5th St, Texarkana, AR 71854 Phone: (870) 772-6860 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	Cossatot Community College of Arkansas	De Queen	90 hrs	$731
Address: 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832 Phone: (870) 584-4471 Facility: Community college Call this program
	North Arkansas College	Harrison	3 wk	$775
Address: 1515 Pioneer Drive, Harrison, AR 72601 Phone: (870) 743-3000 Facility: Community college Call this program
	College of the Ouachitas	Malvern	90 hrs	$800
Address: One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104 Phone: (501) 332-3658 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 Arkansas?

In Arkansas the price spread is wide enough that the lowest sticker is not automatically the best fit. Cabot High School lists its course at $0, the cheapest paid option is Oaklawn Center on Aging in Hot Springs at $480, and the priciest reaches $2,110.

A no-cost seat usually comes with conditions. Arkansas’s free courses run through high schools, college campuses, or workforce-funded slots, and several limit who can enroll, whether that means current students, residency rules, or a wait for the next cohort. A paid technical-college course like Petra Allied Health in Springdale at $520 or PAL CNA Training Academy in Little Rock at $850 costs more but does not carry the eligibility limits that come with the free seats.

Location shapes the choice too. Little Rock lists 8 programs, so a reader there can line up several affordable options side by side. In a smaller city with one program, the cheapest option may also be the only one within a reasonable commute, which makes schedule and distance matter as much as price.

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Free & employer-sponsored CNA training in Arkansas

Arkansas has 6 programs that cost you nothing, funded through high schools, college campuses, or workforce slots rather than a single employer. Cabot High School runs a $0 course. A free seat can erase the entire tuition cost of certifying, so it is worth checking which ones you actually qualify for before you pay anywhere else.

Free programs you can enroll in directly

	Program	City	Length	Total Cost
	Cabot High School	Cabot	90 hrs	Free
Address: 401 N Lincoln St, Cabot, AR 72023 Phone: N/A Facility: High school
	Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus	Ozark	4 wk	Free
Address: 1700 Helberg Ln, Ozark, AR Phone: (479) 667-2117 Facility: Technical college Call this program
	National Park Community College	Hot Springs	5 wk	Free
Address: 101 College Drive, Hot Springs, AR 71913 Phone: (501) 760-4160 Facility: Community college Call this program
	ATU-Ozark Adult Education Fort Smith	Fort Smith	Contact school	Free
Address: Fort Smith, AR Phone: N/A Facility: Community college
	Shorter College Medical Training Center	North Little Rock	Contact school	Free
Address: 604 N Locust St, North Little Rock, AR 72114 Phone: N/A Facility: Community college
	Southern Arkansas University Tech-Camden	Camden	Contact school	Free
Address: 6415 Spellman Road, Camden, AR 71701 Phone: N/A Facility: Community college View this program →

Government-funded & scholarship-eligible programs

Funding source	Eligible programs	Eligibility notes	Apply
Arkansas DHS testing fee funding			Apply →
Facility-based nursing assistant training fee protection			Apply →

Arkansas keeps two costs separate. A grant- or school-funded seat like Cabot High School or National Park Community College covers tuition, but the $125 exam fee sits apart, and Arkansas DHS runs a testing-fee funding program that can cover that piece. Ask each provider exactly which costs their funding touches before you assume a $0 seat means $0 total.

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

A free CNA program in Arkansas is free because of how it is funded, not because the training is any lighter, and knowing the difference is what separates a smart deal from a seat you cannot actually use. Arkansas’s free options fall into a couple of groups that suit very different readers.

The first is high school and career-tech programs. Cabot High School runs a $0 course, and these seats are built for enrolled students on a school calendar, so they are tuition-free if you are still in school but rarely a fit for an adult trying to certify on a short timeline.

The second is tuition-free college and workforce slots. Arkansas Tech University’s Ozark campus, National Park Community College in Hot Springs, and Shorter College Medical Training Center in North Little Rock each list a $0 program. These usually carry their own eligibility rules, and cohorts start on a fixed calendar, so check the route specifics with the campus or workforce office.

One honest note: Arkansas’s directory lists no employer-sponsored CNA programs right now, so a free seat here is grant-, school-, or workforce-funded, not tied to a job afterward. For extra help covering costs, the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry or a local workforce or WIOA office can point you toward options. Either way, free does not mean instant. You still complete all 90 hours, including the 16 clinical hours, and pass the same competency exam.

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CNA salary in Arkansas

BLS wage data for Arkansas and its top 3 metros.

Arkansas’s median pay for nursing assistants is $16.55 an hour, about $34,430 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That ranks Arkansas #47 of 50 by median CNA pay, roughly 18.1% below the national median of $20.21, so pay is the honest weak spot here, not the draw. The 10th percentile starts near $13.87 an hour, and the 90th percentile reaches about $18.76.

Entry-level (10th)

$13.87/hr

$28,850/yr

Median (50th)

$16.55/hr

$34,430/yr

Top end (90th)

$18.76/hr

$39,021/yr

Pay by setting in Arkansas

Setting	Median hourly	Notes
Hospitals	$17.38/hr	Estimated from the state wage distribution
Skilled nursing / SNF	$16.55/hr	Estimated
Assisted living / residential	$15.39/hr	Estimated

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

Within Arkansas, the clearest difference in the number comes from where you clock in. A nursing assistant in a hospital earns a median of $17.38 an hour, the same credential in skilled nursing sits at $16.55, and in assisted living or residential care it is $15.39 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That spread between the top and bottom setting comes from the employer and the type of facility, not from extra training, since every Arkansas CNA clears the same 90-hour requirement and the same exam. Knowing the gap up front lets you weigh a setting against a program’s cost and schedule when you decide where to certify.

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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Arkansas SNAPSHOT

What makes CNA training in Arkansas different

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

TRAINING HOURS

90 hours required

Arkansas requires 90 hours, including 16 clinical hours, about 1.2x the 75-hour federal floor (OBRA '87).

EXAM VENDOR

D&S Diversified / Headmaster

A 75-question knowledge exam plus a 3-to-4-task skills test, offered in English and Spanish.

PROGRAM CHOICE

77 programs in 52 cities

Arkansas ranks #29 of 50 by program count, giving you real choice across the state.

Above-floor training hours

77 programs statewide

English or Spanish exam

Training hours: 90, above the federal floor

Arkansas sets CNA training at 90 hours, with 16 of them as supervised clinical practice. That is above the federal minimum of 75 training hours set by OBRA '87 (42 CFR 483.152), which means an Arkansas program builds in 15 extra hours of preparation before the competency exam. Every approved program clears that same 90-hour bar and sits for the same exam, so the hours are not a reason to chase the shortest course you can find.

Testing runs through D&S Diversified and Headmaster

Arkansas uses D&S Diversified Technologies and Headmaster for the Arkansas Nurse Aide Competency Exam, not Prometric or Credentia. You take a 75-question knowledge exam plus a hands-on skills test of 3 or 4 assigned tasks, and the total testing cost is $125. The exam is offered in both English and Spanish, which widens access for Spanish-speaking candidates. You schedule through the vendor's online system.

Pay runs below the national median in Arkansas

Arkansas's median CNA wage is $16.55 an hour, which ranks #47 of 50 and sits about 18.1% below the national median of $20.21 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The setting you work in moves the figure: hospitals pay a median of $17.38 while assisted living pays $15.39. These are real numbers worth knowing before you enroll, so you can weigh pay honestly against a program's cost and schedule.

Bottom line for Arkansas students

Arkansas gives you 77 programs across 52 cities and an above-floor 90-hour path, so your real decision comes down to cost, schedule, and how close a program sits to home.

CNA classes by city in Arkansas

CNA programs reach 52 Arkansas cities, though they cluster in the larger metros. Little Rock leads with 8 approved programs, and Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, and Springdale each list 3. With coverage across 52 cities, options extend well beyond the biggest markets.

Top 10 Arkansas metros by program count

Little Rock8 programs
Fort Smith3 programs
Hot Springs3 programs
Jonesboro3 programs
North Little Rock3 programs
Springdale3 programs
Jacksonville3 programs
Bentonville2 programs
Monticello2 programs
Pine Bluff2 programs

Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry: contacts & reference

The Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry, run by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, maintains your CNA status and lets anyone verify it. You can reach the registry at 1-888-401-0465.

Managing agency	Arkansas Department of Human Services
Phone	(888) 401-0465
Website	hdmaster.com
Typical processing	N/A
Renewal window	Every 24 months
Fee structure	No initial license fee; exam fee applies; renewal fee not published

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

Frequently asked questions

A few questions come up again and again for Arkansas CNA candidates. Here are straight answers, with anything case-specific routed to the registry.

Can I transfer my CNA license to Arkansas?

Yes, with conditions. Arkansas allows CNA reciprocity from other states, so in many cases you can certify here based on your existing credential rather than starting over with Arkansas’s 90-hour training. Because Arkansas grants reciprocity with conditions rather than automatically, the exact requirements depend on your record. The Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry, run by the Department of Human Services, has the current rules, so contact the registry to confirm what your transfer involves before you rely on it.

How to apply for reciprocity in Arkansas?

You apply through the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry, which is part of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Arkansas grants CNA reciprocity with conditions, so the registry reviews your out-of-state certification and confirms whether you can be added directly or need additional steps. The safest move is to call the registry at 1-888-401-0465 and confirm your specific path before you assume you can skip Arkansas’s 90-hour training. The registry has the current requirements for your situation.

How do I renew my CNA license in Arkansas online?

Arkansas renews CNA status on a 24-month cycle. For the exact online renewal steps and to confirm your current standing, the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry, run by the Department of Human Services, has the current process. Arkansas charges no initial license fee, but renewal rules and any online options are set by the registry, so check there for the steps that apply to you and your renewal date.

How long can your CNA license be expired in Arkansas?

Arkansas certifications run on a 24-month renewal cycle, so the key date is your renewal window. If a certification lapses, the steps to return to active status, and how long you have before you may need to retest or retrain, are set by the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry. Because lapse and reinstatement rules can change, verify your exact status and deadline with the registry at the Department of Human Services before you let a gap stretch too far.

How many questions are on the Arkansas CNA exam?

The Arkansas Nurse Aide Competency Exam includes a 75-question knowledge test, plus a separate hands-on skills test covering 3 or 4 assigned tasks. Both parts are administered through D&S Diversified Technologies and Headmaster, and the total testing cost is $125. The exam is offered in both English and Spanish, so you can take the knowledge portion in whichever of those languages you are most comfortable with.

What can stop you from being a CNA?

In Arkansas, the requirements you control are clear: you must complete all 90 hours of state-approved training, including the 16 clinical hours, and pass the Arkansas Nurse Aide Competency Exam before you can be placed on the registry. Other eligibility requirements are set by the Arkansas Department of Human Services and held by the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry rather than listed here. Check your situation with the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry before you enroll so you do not pay for training you cannot use.

What shows up on a CNA background check?

For Arkansas CNA candidates, background and eligibility requirements are set through the Arkansas Department of Human Services and held by the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry. Arkansas does not publish a single public checklist, so the specifics live with the registry rather than here. Before you enroll in a 90-hour program, confirm the current background requirements directly with the registry so you know where you stand.

CNA Classes in Arkansas: 77 State-Approved Programs (2026)

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

Your Arkansas CNA path

Key numbers before you compare programs

Start with what matters most to you.

All 77 state-approved Arkansas CNA programs

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Fastest CNA programs in Arkansas

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Online, hybrid, weekend & evening CNA programs in Arkansas

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

Looking for affordable training?

Free & employer-sponsored CNA training in Arkansas

Free programs you can enroll in directly

Government-funded & scholarship-eligible programs

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

CNA salary in Arkansas

Pay by setting in Arkansas

Ready to start earning Arkansas CNA wages?

What makes CNA training in Arkansas different

Training hours: 90, above the federal floor

Testing runs through D&S Diversified and Headmaster

Pay runs below the national median in Arkansas

Bottom line for Arkansas students

CNA classes by city in Arkansas

Top 10 Arkansas metros by program count

Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry: contacts & reference

Frequently asked questions

On this page

Your CNA Career Starts Here

Your CNA Career Starts Here

CNA Classes in Arkansas: 77 State-Approved Programs (2026)

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

Your Arkansas 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 3-week CNA program in Arkansas 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 Arkansas?

Looking for affordable training?

Free programs you can enroll in directly

Government-funded & scholarship-eligible programs

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

Pay by setting in Arkansas

Ready to start earning Arkansas CNA wages?

What makes CNA training in Arkansas different

Training hours: 90, above the federal floor

Testing runs through D&S Diversified and Headmaster

Pay runs below the national median in Arkansas

Bottom line for Arkansas students

Top 10 Arkansas metros by program count

How to become a CNA in Arkansas

Why become a CNA in Arkansas

Arkansas nurse aide registry

What is a CNA?

CNA resume examples

CNA to RN bridge programs

Your CNA Career Starts Here

Your CNA Career Starts Here