The growing population of seniors and the resultant increase in CNA demand has pushed the focus of many education and training centers in Houston to start CNA training programs for meeting this growing demand of qualified allied healthcare workers.
If you are a resident of Houston and are looking to get trained as a CNA to start a career of your own in the rapidly booming healthcare sector, we have compiled a list of some of the best and affordable CNA training programs in Houston.
Many of these programs offer free training to the deserving and eligible candidates as well and by learning about the options you have, you will be better able to decide the best program for you.
Table of Contents
How Long Does it Take to Become a CNA in Houston?
For sitting in the state competency exam to get a CNA license, you must complete at least 75 clock hours of training at a state-approved facility. This can take anywhere from five to seven weeks to complete or even more, if you go for a weekend program.
How Much Do CNA Classes Cost in Houston, TX?
The training can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000 depending on a variety of factors such as the training length and institute reputation. Moreover, some programs may offer to cover all the cost related costs, while others may not.
What is the Average Salary for CNAs in Houston?
Average salary for a nursing aide in Houston is around $14 an hour, while the experienced certified nursing assistants may make up to $36,890 on an average in a year.
CNA Classes in Houston, Texas:
Houston Community College
More than 18,000 nursing assistants are currently employed in the Houston area and this number is projected to rise by 17% over the next three or four years. To meet this growing demand for skilled workers in the rapidly booming healthcare industry, many colleges and nursing institutes are offering nurse aide training programs. Among them is the Houston Community College that has been producing highly skilled graduates for these nurse aide jobs for many years now. Graduated students from here are often sought after for entry level healthcare positions in the neighboring nursing homes, elderly homes and hospitals.
Course cost is around $895 and training contains around 108 clock hours of classroom/ and lab instructions supplemented with clinical visits under professional guidance. Because certified nurse aides have to work directly with patients, candidates are required to complete a physical health checkup, provide complete immunization record, obtain a CPR certification for healthcare providers and clear a criminal background check in order to sit in the state certification exam. You can visit their website to check out the latest CNA info sessions to find more about the class schedule and other perquisites.
Texas Health School
Are you also looking to start your professional career by training for becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)? Texas health school is providing you with a chance to fulfil your dream by offering CNA training classes in three sessions throughout the week: 1) the morning session, from Monday to Friday (8AM – 1PM), 2) the evening session, from Monday to Thursday (6PM – 10PM) and 3) the Saturday session (08AM – 6PM). These morning, evening and weekend programs also vary in length, the morning program is four weeks long, the evening program is six week long and the weekend program is 12 weeks long.
Moreover, clinical hours vary from class to class, and students are required to attend the clinical hours in person. The training costs around $1700 to complete and individuals are required to have a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent in order to get in the training program. In addition to that, applicants must be 18 years or older, can speak and read English fluently, submit complete immunization records, pass an admission interview and clear a criminal background check as well. After completing the training, eligible candidates are allowed to sit in the state certification exam.
Lone Star College
Lone Star College is recognized throughout the state for achieving extraordinary levels of success in learning, student graduation, student employment, student equity and affordability. They also offer a fast-track 3-week nurse aide (CNA) training certificate which costs around $300. This cost does not include the state certification exam fee, costs of books, uniform and any other material costs associated with the training program. During the course, students are required to positively complete a two-part training program. One is classroom instruction and lab activities that take around 64 hours to complete, while the other part consists of clinical visits under supervised guidance in a local caring home or a hospital which takes around 44 hours to complete.
The Lone Star College CNA training focuses on developing vital knowledge, skills and abilities that are essential for providing basic care to patients as well as the residents of care facilities. During the training program, candidates learn about patients and residents’ rights, effective communication, safety procedures, vital sign observation and assisting the residents with their daily lives. After completing both parts of the training, candidates are fully prepared for the Health and Human Services Department Examination for certified nursing aide. To become a certified CNA, candidates must pass this test.
ACE Training Institute
Approved and regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC), ACE Training Institute is aimed at providing the local community with the opportunity to pursue a career in the rapidly growing healthcare sector. It also offers an affordable CNA training that is affordable and available to everyone and introduces the seeking individuals to the healthcare sector while also allowing them to obtain an entry level job and serve the community at the same time.
The program cost is around $820 which does not include the $125 state exam fee and also, candidates have to pay $300 on their first day in order to sit in the class. The remaining must be paid as asked and includes the cost of books, criminal background check and school tuition. Classes are offered in both morning and evening sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while the training lasts around a total of six weeks.
In order to secure an admission into the training program, candidates must have a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent as well as complete a criminal background check and provide health records as well. Other than that, in order to get a license, students have to pass the Texas Nurse Aide exam after the training.
CNA Training Institute, Houston TX
For the residents of Houston, CNA training institute is offering an excellent opportunity to start your career at an entry level position in the rapidly growing healthcare sector. The classes are offered in both morning, evening and weekend sessions to accommodate the students according to their needs, although the training length varies based on which type of classes you choose. Program length is 3-week, 4-week and 6-week for the morning, evening and weekend classes, respectively.
The total cost of the whole training is around $950 which includes the cost of books, equipment and course-related supplies. Candidates have to pay an additional $125 state exam fee separately. The training is divided into two parts: 1st part involves classroom and lab instructions where students learn about all the aspects of patient care through audios, videos and practical demonstrations, while the 2nd part involves an externship during which students are given clinical training at a local healthcare facility or hospital under supervised guidance.
Candidates also have to provide a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent as well as complete a background check and submit health records in order to get into the program.
Texas Southern University
The CNA training program at Texas Southern University starts every 4 weeks and you can visit their website to find out more about the upcoming sessions. At TSU, you can get the necessary training to become a successful CNA and the comprehensive training program is designed to empower the seeking individuals with the vital skills to take their healthcare career in their own hands. As of now, classes take place only in the evening shift, through 6 to 10PM.
Training cost is around $499 which includes the cost of the books, but you have to buy everything else on your own, including the course-related supplies and the state certification exam fee ($125). The course training totals around 120 clock hours which is divided into two parts. The first part involves classroom and laboratory instructions during which students gain a thorough understanding of healthcare ethics, patient rights, safety procedures, vital signs, patient grooming, human physiology, emergency procedures, effective communication as well as elderly care among many other things. Second part of the course is centered around hands-on clinical training, where students are taken to nearby care facilities or hospitals to get them accustomed to the real world procedures of medical care.
American Red Cross, Houston
If you are someone who cannot afford to pay for the education and are interested in healthcare and willing to serve people by pursuing a career in the medical & healthcare industry, American Red Cross training services is offering you with an excellent opportunity to start a training for becoming a certified nursing aide with no out-of-pocket cost to you, whatsoever. Not only do they provide free training to the diligent candidates but they also have a whopping success score of more than 80%.
You can visit their local center in Houston to find out more about the training programs and try to get in as soon as possible as there’s a limited number of seats available in each center and more than 5000 individuals apply for this free training every year. Candidates are required to have a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent in order to take the state certification exam. Moreover, they also need to complete a health checkup, provide a complete immunization record and also, clear a criminal background check in order to get licensed as a CNA.
The course is divided into three modules: classroom instructions, lab activity and clinical visits, which must all be positively completed in order to get certified.
Smithwood Medical Institute
Smithwood Medical Institute is offering numerous medical training courses, including a comprehensive Nurse Aide Training program that is aimed at young and motivated individuals who are interested in starting a career in the healthcare sector. Not only are they fully dedicated and committed to the students in classrooms but they also offer a career guidance program to their graduates to help them find and apply for jobs after their training is complete. The training costs around $900 and lasts for about four weeks.
During the training students are taught and trained about: Long Term Care, Personal Care Skills, Basic Nursing Skills, Restorative Services, Mental Health, Social Service Needs and Clinical Practice among many other things. Students are required to complete a total 100 clock hours of training which includes classroom, laboratory and clinical instructions.
Moreover, interested individuals are also required to have a complete immunization record, clear a criminal background check, pass a physical health test, have a high school diploma or equivalent as well as be of 18 years of age or more in order to get into the program and sit in the state certification exam. After passing the state exam, they are registered into the state nursing aide registry.
Academy of Exceptional Healthcare Training
This healthcare center in Houston, TX is providing CNA classes for those who are interested in starting a career of their own in the healthcare sector by training to become a certified nursing assistant. The training cost is around $900 and it consists of a total of 100 clock hours of classroom, lab and clinical training. In addition to the complete training, they also arrange regular seminars targeted at the people who are looking to renew their CNA license.
You can visit their website to find out more about the upcoming seminars. The seminar is completely online and costs around $150. The seminar covers basic nursing topics such as nursing skills, effective communication, altered mental status, vital signs, geriatrics, nutrition and care of residents with dementia disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. After successfully completing the training, candidates are required to sit in the state certification exam in order to get the license. The $125 state exam fee has to be paid by the candidates on their own.
In addition to that, candidates are also required to clear a criminal background check, provide complete health and immunization records as well as have a high school diploma, GED certification or an equivalent to sit in the exam.
Bell Tech Career Institute, Inc.
Bell Tech Enterprises, Inc. has been producing highly skilled graduates that go on to work in multiple nursing jobs. They have also been training people to successfully earn a NATCEP certification to work as nursing aides. Many graduates go on to become valuable employees of Houston-area healthcare facilities and some promising candidates are also offered jobs at Bell Tech Home Healthcare.
The training cost is around $580 and candidates have to buy the books, uniform and other course-related material on their own. In addition to that, $125 state certification exam fee has to be also paid by the candidates in order to sit in the state exam. During the training, candidates are taught about basic healthcare, nursing techniques, elderly care, emergency procedures, human anatomy, medical physiology, effective communication, healthcare ethics in comprehensive classroom, laboratory and clinical sessions.
Candidates are required to complete 60 classroom training hours and 40 clinical visit hours to be eligible for the state exam. In addition to that, a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent along with complete immunization records as well as a clear criminal background is must in order to get into the program.
San Jacinto College South
San Jacinto College South offers many courses, training programs, degree programs as well as multiple online seminars to meet the growing demand of various industries. Among these courses are also many nurse-training programs including the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program.
The total training cost is around $1265 and it includes 68 hours of classroom instructions supplemented with 80 hours of clinical visits. State certification exam fee is not included in the training cost. During these modules, students learn about the fundamental knowledge, skills and abilities to care for the patients and people in need at long-term care facilities as well as how to function as a member of a healthcare team.
After completing the training, candidates are fully ready and eligible to take the state certification exam. In order to become “certified”, candidates must pass the certifying agency exam. Moreover, students are also required to buy the scrubs, books and other course-related materials on their own to complete their training. In addition to that, candidates must also provide vaccination certificates, a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent and clear a criminal background check in order to get into the program.
Avalon Medical Career Academy
Avalon Medical Career Academy offers many nurse-training programs including CPR Certification, CMA training as well as a CNA training program. If you are someone who is looking to start a career in the healthcare sector, you should definitely check out their nurse aide training program. The course is offered in both morning and evening classes and you can choose your classes according to your own needs. In addition to the complete course, a training service seminar is also offered to those who are looking to renew their CNA license.
The cost of the complete training is around $900 that includes a non-refundable $100 registration fee as well as covers all the material costs related to the training. In addition to that, candidates also have to pay a $125 state certification exam fee as well.
Moreover, you will also have to provide a complete immunization record, complete a physical/medical checkup, clear a criminal background check and have a high school diploma, GED certificate or equivalent in order to get into the program. Then, once you complete your training, you can sit in the state certification exam to get your license as a registered CNA.
Vocational Nursing Institute
Vocational Nursing Institute is offering a CNA training course for those who are looking for a career or short-term job opportunities in the rapidly booming healthcare sector. Applicants are required to have a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent as well as they must be able to read, write and understand English. In addition to that, candidates must undergo a physical exam, clear a criminal background check, provide a negative TB test, and fill out an application form to be considered for the training.
The course costs around $995, and students will have to provide the scrubs, shoes and other course related medical supplies such blood pressure cuffs, stethoscope etc. on their own. If you cannot afford to pay for your education but are diligent and hardworking, there are many payment plans available as well.
Moreover, candidates who have a good academic background are also eligible for various financial aid options. So, if you are interested, this is an excellent opportunity to pursue a career in the emerging and booming healthcare field. The training can be completed in just a few weeks, and after that, students can immediately register for the state certification exam and take the test to become a certified nursing assistant.
Job Corps Houston
Are you interested in seeking a job in the rapidly growing healthcare sector but cannot afford to pay for your training classes? Then you should definitely check out the free CNA training program offered by Job Corps Houston with almost no out-of-pocket cost to you. The program is supported and in part funded by the Department of Labor, USA.
The program is specifically designed to help people aged between 16 and 24 in finding a career in the healthcare sector by helping the people in need of care and support. The training includes 60 hours of classroom lectures supplemented with 40 hours of hands-on clinical practice. The free CNA training course prepares the students for the state certification exam and during the training students are taught about several topics such as human anatomy and physiology, medical and pathophysiological terminologies, nutrition and health ethics among many other things.
The course prepares graduates with highly competitive nursing skills that can go on to provide quality services to the elderly and patients in hospitals and care centers. In order to get into the program, candidates must demonstrate efficiency in reading/writing English and math. Candidates also have to complete a fitness test and clear criminal background check as well.
Sterling Health Careers Inc.
Sterling Health Careers offers many training programs that also include the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program, Basic Life Support (BLS) training program and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training program in the list. Candidates who opt out for the CNA training program have to pay $800 and also have to buy training shoes, uniform and other course related material on their own. In addition to that, they must also pay the $125 state certification exam fee on their own.
During the 6-week training program candidates are trained extensively on patient care, healthcare ethics, emergency protocols, elderly care, medical terminologies through a series of classroom and laboratory instructions as well as hands-on clinical experiences under supervised guidance. In order to be eligible for the state exam, candidates must complete 60 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of clinical training. In addition to that, to qualify for the training, candidates must also take a fitness test, clear a criminal background check, be of 18 years of age and have an up-to-date immunization record.
Gulf Coast Nursing Career Institute Inc
Gulf Coast Nursing Career Institute Inc. is offering a 6-week nurse aide training program that contains 5 weeks of class training and 1 week of clinical activity. All students are needed to complete the entire curriculum in order to complete the training and graduate. A certificate of completion is also issued to the students upon completing the training.
The training cost is around $750 and students also have to pay the $125 state certification exam fee on their own. In order to practice after completing the training, students must take and pass the final certified nursing aide competency exam held by the Texas Health & Human Services. Persons who successfully pass the competency exam are enlisted in the Nurse Aide Registry and then allowed to practice.
Nowadays, due to Covid-19 restrictions, most of the instructions and training is provided through online classes via zoom meetings and classes are held in morning and evening sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Enrollment in the training course begins 3 months prior to the beginning of the classes and you can visit their website to find more about the exact dates. A high school diploma or equivalent is required to get into the program.
Springville Academy Inc
Springville Academy Inc. has been providing the students with quality education at affordable rates for many years. Graduates from here are equipped with a strong foundation of healthcare skills that are vital and of utmost importance to the patient satisfaction and care. They also offer a nurse aide training program that costs around $975. If you cannot afford to pay the whole fee at once, there are installment plans available where you can pay your fee within a period of 4 weeks.
The training is divided into two parts. First is, the classroom and laboratory instructions during which students learn about the fundamentals of medical ethics, patient care, human anatomy, medical physiology, elderly care, emergency procedures and other topics that are vital to patient care. In addition to that, the training also contains hands-on clinical experience as well where students are taken to a healthcare facility such as a hospital or caring home where students learn about dealing with patients in a practical manner. After completing the training, candidates must take the state certification exam fee to successfully register as a nurse aide.
Almeda Health Care Center
If you are looking for a free CNA training program in the Houston area, you must check out the training program by Almeda Health Care Center. The program is designed for individuals that want to work in the healthcare sector, but cannot pay for the training. The training program aims to help the unemployed persons in securing a stable job in the rapidly growing healthcare sector. The training can be completed in just a few weeks and it includes almost 60 hours of classroom instructions, laboratory training as well as 40 hours of hands-on clinical practice.
Not only the students are trained to become a CAN, but they are also offered job opportunities, once they complete their training. Applicants are screened based on their credentials such as academic background but financial needs and commitment to the job is also considered. After completing the training, candidates must take and pass the state certification exam in order to get their license. Moreover, candidates are also required to have a high school diploma, GED certification or equivalent as well as clear a criminal background check in order to get into the program.