Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

The CNA course is for people who want to be employed as a licensed nursing assistant in Rhode Island. This Rhode Island Department of Health-approved course trains students to provide personal healthcare assistance in home or healthcare settings.

CNA courses run approximately every three months. To enroll please complete the registration steps and you will be invited to a class after passing the CNA pretest and completing the required registration material.

CNA Pretest Dates:

There is $25 fee to register for the CNA Pre-Test.

CNA Courses:

* CCRI, together with the Rhode Island Long-Term Care Industry Partnership, Westerly Education Center and Healthcentric Advisors, are offering a CNA training starting October 8. Because the course is funded by a Real Jobs RI grant, it’s entirely free for students. The course is identical to the CNA course offered in Lincoln and the eligibility requirements are the same. If you are interested in taking the CNA course at Westerly Education Center please contact Alyson Schena at aschena@healthcentricadvisors.org or call her 401-528-3247 for additional details about testing dates in Westerly.

Path to become a certified CNA

1. Register for the CNA pretest and bring one form of identification.
2. You can take the pretest twice. If you do not pass the test on the second try, you must enroll in CCRI's Open Entry/Open Exit Pre-CNA program.
3. After passing the CNA pretest you will be given a required CNA course registration material to be completed, including:
1. A CCRI CNA course application
2. Immunization form that must be completed by your health care provider
3. Information on obtaining a Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office
4. Once all course registration material is received, and you are accepted into the program, you will be invited to join a class and will receive notice two weeks before the class starts.
5. CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider Level must be completed before the clinical portion of the program with the American Heart Association.
6. Upon successful completion of the CNA course, we will schedule you to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP®) test.
7. Successful completion of the CCRI CNA training program entitles you to 12 points towards the Licensed Practical Nursing Program.