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CNA Classes in Minnesota: 228 State-Approved Programs (2026)

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

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

Here’s what stands out about training in Minnesota: you get room to choose. The state has 228 state-approved CNA programs spread across 132 cities, the 10th-most of any state in the country. Training follows the federal standard of 75 hours, 16 of them hands-on clinical work, and the median CNA here earns $22.44 an hour, about 11% above the national median of $20.21. Whatever your city, schedule, or budget looks like, there’s a good chance a program sits within reach.

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

AT A GLANCE

Your Minnesota 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 Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry.
See the full How to Become guide →

Key numbers before you compare programs

Typical program length
2–11 weeks
Typical paid program cost
$210–$2,150
Average CNA salary
$46,680/yr (BLS, May 2025)
Reciprocity accepted
Yes, with conditions

All 228 state-approved Minnesota 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 Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry (MN MDH). 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 228
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Showing 1–25 of 228

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Fastest CNA programs in Minnesota

Minnesota asks for 75 hours of training, with 16 of those spent in clinical practice. That’s the federal standard set under OBRA ’87 (42 CFR 483.152), and it’s your most reliable anchor for the question everyone asks first: how long will this take? Many programs, especially high school and CTE options, list their length as “Contact school” instead of a fixed number of weeks. So lean on the 75 hours. It’s the efficient baseline every approved program builds from.

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

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

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

On the calendar, the quickest programs in the state wrap up in about 2 weeks, like Shekinah CNA Training Academy in New Hope, while others run as long as 11 weeks. Every one of them meets the same 75-hour minimum and points you at the same exam. What changes is how tightly those weeks are packed.

A 2-week program packs the required hours into fewer weeks, so the coursework comes at you quickly. That works well if you can clear your calendar and want it behind you fast. An 11-week program covers the same 75-hour minimum over a longer stretch, which can feel more manageable when you’re juggling a job or kids, though it does mean a later finish.

Faster isn’t automatically better. Every program here meets the same 75-hour minimum and points you at the same competency exam, a 70-question knowledge test plus a hands-on check of 3 or 4 tasks. A longer calendar simply gives the material more room to spread out. Match the timeline to how you actually learn, not just to the shortest number on the page.

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Online, hybrid, weekend & evening CNA programs in Minnesota

If your week is already full, the schedule format matters just as much as the price. Minnesota offers evening, weekend, hybrid, and online coursework, so training can bend around a job or family. One honest note before you start: no CNA program is fully online. You can handle the classroom and theory parts online or at your own pace, but the skills lab and your 16 required clinical hours always happen in person. You can’t certify on patient care you’ve never physically practiced.

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?

Hybrid moves the lectures and reading online, then brings you in person for the hands-on pieces that have to be done face to face. Programs like Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie and Kathryn’s Nursing Assistant Training in Cokato are built this way, which is why hybrid shows up so often among the state’s flexible options.

Evening and weekend programs solve a different problem. Instead of moving coursework online, they move the whole schedule past the 9-to-5, so you can train around a daytime job, after hours. Accelerated School Of Nursing Assistant in Brooklyn Park runs on that kind of evening and weekend schedule and wraps in about 3 weeks.

So figure out which constraint is actually yours. If daytime hours are the problem, an evening or weekend program fits. If just getting to campus is the problem, a hybrid program moves the lecture and theory work online, while the skills lab and your clinical hours still happen in person. Either way, every one of these still meets the same 75-hour minimum.

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Cheapest CNA programs in Minnesota

Cost here covers a wide span. You’ll find programs at $0, funded or employer-run, all the way up to about $2,150 at the high end. Among the ones that charge tuition, the floor sits around $210 at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie, a technical college. And because 111 programs report a verified cost, you’re comparing real numbers instead of guessing. So the smarter question isn’t “what’s cheapest” but “what gives you the most for what you pay.”

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 Minnesota?

The lowest sticker price is rarely the whole story. Among programs that charge tuition, the floor is $210 for the hybrid course at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie, a technical college, and there’s no work commitment attached, so you’re free to choose where you go next once you certify. Minnesota also runs a separate free route, programs that charge nothing at all, which we cover in the free-programs section below. Those free seats usually come with their own eligibility rules, so check the terms of each program before you count on one.

Where the program sits matters too. A bargain price loses some of its shine if the campus is three hours from home and you have to get there week after week. A program in your own city is simply easier to get to, and showing up week after week is a lot of the job.

So look at the full picture: tuition, plus books and the state exam, plus how realistically you can get to class on the schedule offered. The right pick is the program where all of that fits together, not just the one with the smallest tuition line.

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Free & employer-sponsored CNA training in Minnesota

Minnesota has 43 free programs, funded through government grants, scholarships, or employers. So paying nothing for training is a real path here, not some rare exception. You’ll find these options all over the state, from hospital systems to technical colleges, and they’re worth a serious look before you reach for your wallet.

Free programs you can enroll in directly

ProgramCityLengthTotal CostSponsored

Government-funded & scholarship-eligible programs

Funding sourceEligible programsEligibility notesApply
Certified nursing home or boarding care home training/testing reimbursementApply →
DHS Nursing Facility Scholarship programApply →
Dislocated worker or WIOA fundsApply →

You can sometimes stack paths: if you’re already working at a nursing home, Minnesota’s training and testing reimbursement may let you recover your costs. Read each program’s rules first, though, since how different funding sources work together depends on the program.

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

Free almost always comes with a structure attached, and knowing that structure up front saves you a surprise later. Employer-sponsored programs, run by hospitals and care systems, are one route here. Some employers fund your training in exchange for a work commitment after you certify, so read the terms before you sign. That can be a fair trade if you already want to be in that setting, and a poor fit if you’d rather keep your options open.

Grant-funded and scholarship programs work differently. Money through dislocated worker or WIOA programs, or the DHS Nursing Facility Scholarship, ties to eligibility rules rather than to one employer. Check what each one asks of you so you know what you’re qualifying for.

Minnesota also has a reimbursement route worth knowing: certified nursing homes and boarding care homes can reimburse training and testing costs for aides they employ. If you’re already working at one of those, this can turn a paid program into a free one after the fact.

The honest read is that “free” usually means “free with conditions.” None of the conditions are bad, but they can shape your plans for a while, so weigh the commitment against what you want before you sign.

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CNA salary in Minnesota

BLS wage data for Minnesota and its top 3 metros.

Minnesota pays its CNAs well. The median wage is $22.44 an hour, about $46,680 a year, which lands roughly 11% above the national median of $20.21 and puts Minnesota 10th among all states for CNA pay (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That’s the pay attached to an entry-level credential built on 75 hours of training plus the state competency exam.

Entry-level (10th)
$18.27/hr
$38,002/yr
Median (50th)
$22.44/hr
$46,680/yr
Top end (90th)
$26.64/hr
$55,411/yr

Pay by setting in Minnesota

SettingMedian hourlyNotes
Hospitals$23.56/hrEstimated from the state wage distribution
Skilled nursing / SNF$22.44/hrEstimated
Assisted living / residential$20.87/hrEstimated

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

Where you work shapes that number. Hospitals report a median of $23.56 an hour, while skilled nursing facilities sit at $22.44 and assisted living or residential settings come in lower at $20.87 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Across the state, hourly pay runs from about $18.27 at the 10th percentile to $26.64 at the 90th. So the setting is worth weighing alongside everything else: hospitals highest, assisted living lowest, skilled nursing in between.

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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Minnesota SNAPSHOT

What makes CNA training in Minnesota different

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

TRAINING HOURS

75 hours minimum

Minnesota uses the federal 75-hour standard, 16 of them clinical, the efficient baseline path to your certification.

PROGRAM COUNT

228 programs, 132 cities

The 10th-most CNA programs of any state, which means real choice in format, cost, and location.

EXAM VENDOR

D&S Diversified / Headmaster

The Minnesota Nurse Aide Competency Exam: a 70-question knowledge test plus a 3-to-4-task skills check.

Pay 11% above national
Statewide program choice
Hybrid options widely available

The 10th-largest program network in the country

Minnesota has 228 state-approved CNA programs across 132 cities, the 10th-most of any state, and that breadth is the real advantage here. Live in St. Paul, with its 11 programs? A mid-sized city like Winona or Mankato, 7 each? A smaller town? Odds are good there's an approved program in or near your own city, given how widely those 228 programs are spread. All that volume means real variety in cost and schedule too, not a single take-it-or-leave-it option.

Hour requirement: 75 hours, the federal standard

Minnesota sets training at 75 hours, with 16 of those in clinical practice. That's the federal floor under OBRA '87 (42 CFR 483.152), not some extra-strict bar. Since many programs list their length as "Contact school," the 75-hour requirement is your most reliable planning anchor. It's the efficient baseline: enough to ready you for the competency exam without padding the timeline.

Free registration and a 24-month renewal cycle

The Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry charges no processing fee to join. To keep your certification active, you renew every 24 months and need at least 8 paid hours of work as a nurse aide in that window. Minnesota also accepts reciprocity from other states, with conditions, so an out-of-state CNA can often transfer in instead of starting over.

Bottom line for Minnesota students

With 228 programs, the federal 75-hour standard, and pay 11% above the national median, Minnesota pairs wide choice with solid CNA pay.

CNA classes by city in Minnesota

Every one of those 132 cities has at least one approved program, but the densest clusters sit in the Twin Cities and the regional hubs. St. Paul leads with 11 programs, Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis follow with 8 each, and Winona and Mankato round things out with 7 apiece.

Top 10 Minnesota metros by program count

  • St Paul11 programs
  • Brooklyn Park8 programs
  • Minneapolis8 programs
  • Winona7 programs
  • Mankato7 programs
  • Duluth5 programs
  • Bloomington4 programs
  • Fergus Falls4 programs
  • Hutchinson4 programs
  • White Bear Lake4 programs

Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry: contacts & reference

Certification in Minnesota runs through the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry, where you’ll find testing sites, renewal rules, and contact details.

Managing agencyMinnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry
Phone(651) 201-4200
Websitehealth.state.mn.us
Typical processingN/A
Renewal windowEvery 24 months; At least 8 paid hours as a nurse aide
Fee structurefree; MDH states there is no processing fee for the Minnesota Registry

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

Frequently asked questions

Quick, straight answers to the questions Minnesota CNAs ask most about certifying, transferring, and renewing here.

Can I transfer my CNA license to Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota accepts CNA reciprocity from other states, with conditions, through the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry. You’ll generally need an active, in-good-standing certification from your current state, and you’ll have to meet Minnesota’s requirements. For the exact transfer steps and paperwork, walk through our How to Become a CNA in MN guide instead of guessing at the process.
Can a CNA do a blood glucose test in Minnesota?
It depends. A CNA’s scope of practice varies by facility and by what a supervising nurse delegates, so a task like blood glucose monitoring isn’t a simple yes or no. The safe move is to check with your employer and supervising nurse before taking on anything beyond your standard duties, and to confirm the specifics with the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry.
What can stop you from getting your CNA license in Minnesota?
A few things can. You’ll need to pass the Minnesota Nurse Aide Competency Exam, and your background can matter too, since a background check is commonly part of getting on the registry. The exact disqualifiers and any options for clearing them are detailed enough that it’s worth confirming your own situation directly. If you have any history you’re unsure about, check with the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry before you enroll, so you’re not guessing.
What shows up on a CNA background check in Minnesota?
A background check is commonly part of getting on the registry and working as a nurse aide in Minnesota. Exactly what it reviews, and how to ask for a second look if something comes up, are details worth getting straight from the source. Check with the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry for the specifics that apply to you.
How many questions are on the CNA exam in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Nurse Aide Competency Exam has 70 multiple-choice knowledge questions, offered as a written or audio test in English or Spanish, with a 2-hour maximum. You’ll also complete a hands-on skills test covering 3 or 4 randomly selected tasks in about 30 minutes. D&S Diversified / Headmaster administers it.
Can you take the CNA test without classes in MN?
Generally no. Minnesota wants you to finish a state-approved 75-hour training program, including 16 clinical hours, before you sit for the competency exam. If you have prior healthcare training or out-of-state experience you think might qualify you for a different route, don’t assume, confirm your eligibility directly with the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry before you count on skipping the coursework.
How do I renew my CNA license in Minnesota?
You renew with the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry every 24 months, and you’ll need at least 8 paid hours of work as a nurse aide during that period. Minnesota charges no processing fee to renew or to stay on the registry. For the step-by-step renewal walkthrough, see our How to Become a CNA in MN guide.
Can I renew my CNA license online in Minnesota?
Renewal in Minnesota runs through the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry, and there’s no processing fee. To confirm whether you can submit your renewal online or by mail, and to check your current status, verify with the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry directly, since the available methods can change.
Can I still work if my CNA license expires in Minnesota?
It’s best not to let it get to that point. Minnesota keeps you current by renewing every 24 months, and you need at least 8 paid hours of work as a nurse aide in that window. If your certification has lapsed or you’re close, don’t guess at what it takes to get active again. Check with the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry for the exact reinstatement steps that apply to your situation.
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