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Home ยป Become a CNA in Colorado

How to Become a CNA in Colorado

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(found 112 schools, updated in April 2017)

Colorado offers outstanding employment opportunities for the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). The CNA performs critical patient care tasks that supplement the care provided by Registered Nurses and other healthcare professionals. Certified Nurse Aides play an important role in ensuring patients are given the regular attention needed to maintain the highest quality of life possible. Becoming a CNA in Colorado enables the professional to assist people with healthcare needs and often inspires the pursuit of a nursing degree.

SHOW ME SCHOOLS

  • 7 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Colorado
  • How to Keep CNA certification Active
  • Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Colorado
  • A List of Nearby or Bordering States

7 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Colorado

The Colorado Certified Nursing Aide is also called a Certified Nursing Assistant when employers post available positions. The Colorado Board of Nursing (Board) is responsible for approving CNA training programs, approving applicant requests for certification and maintaining the CNA registry.

Step 1: Research and Select a Program

As of 2017, there are 112 state-approved CNA classes in Colorado offered in high schools, community colleges, technical colleges, health institutes, healthcare facilities and other institutions. Some students are employed in Medicare or Medicaid funded skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes and complete their training while working in the facility.

CNA Classes in Colorado by City

Use the following table to find a training program near you. The school list is updated in April, 2017.

SHOW ME SCHOOLS

CityProgram TypeProgram ProviderApproval
Status
2016
Pass Rate
AlamosaHigh SchoolCentauri High SchoolFull
AlamosaHigh SchoolCenter High School / Trinidad State Junior College
trinidadstate.edu
Full
AlamosaCommunity CollegeTrinidad State Junior College / San Luis Education Center - Valley Campus
trinidadstate.edu
Full 0.7
ArvadaCommunity CollegeRed Rocks Community College
www.rrcc.edu
Full 0.81
ArvadaHigh SchoolWarren Tech - North
website
Full 0.27
AuroraIndependentAbsolute Care Nurse Aide SchoolInterim
AuroraIndependentAccent Learning Systems
www.accentlearning.com
Full 0.42
AuroraIndependentAPLMED Academy
aplmed.com
Full 0.66
AuroraIndependentBright Beginnings Nursing Assistant SchoolInterim
AuroraHigh SchoolPickens Technical College
www.pickenstech.org
Full 0.65
AuroraCommunity CollegePickens Technical College - Post Secondary
www.pickenstech.org
Full 0.84
AuroraIndependentTenderhearts PC
website
Interim
BrightonHigh SchoolBrighton High School
www.sd27j.org/brighton
Full 0.72
BrushFacility BasedC.A.R.E. Sunset ManorInterim0.59
BurlingtonCommunity CollegeMorgan Community College
www.morgancc.edu
Full
Canon CityCommunity CollegePueblo Community College
www.pueblocc.edu
Full 0.7
CarbondaleFacility BasedHeritage Park Care Center
heritageparkcarecenterco.com
Interim
CentennialHigh SchoolLittleton Public Schools Health Sciences Technology
littletonpublicschools.net
Full 0.73
CentennialIndependentSouth Denver School of Nursing Arts
website
Full 0.88
Colorado SpringsIndependentAvanza Training, LLC
avanzacna.com
Full 0.77
Colorado SpringsIndependentBeo Nurse Aide Training Program
www.beopersonalcare.com
Full 0.84
Colorado SpringsIndependentCollegeAmerica
www.collegeamerica.edu
Full 0.69
Colorado SpringsIndependentGeneral Health Nursing Academy, LLCInterim
Colorado SpringsIndependentIndependence Center, The
www.theindependencecenter.org
Full 0.82
Colorado SpringsIndependentMGA Academy, LLC
mgaacademy.com
Full 0.9
Colorado SpringsIndependentNursing & Therapy Services of Colorado, Inc.
www.ntsoc.com
Full 0.88
Colorado SpringsCommunity CollegePikes Peak Community College - Post Secondary
www.ppcc.edu
Full 0.9
Colorado SpringsHigh SchoolPikes Peak Community College Area Vocational Program
www.ppcc.edu
Full 0.95
CortezIndependentUnlimited Learning
www.fourcornerslearning.org
Full 0.57
CraigCommunity CollegeColorado Northwestern Community College
www.cncc.edu
Full 0.85
CraigFacility BasedSandrock Ridge Care & Rehabilitation
www.sandrockridge.com
Full 0.47
DeltaCommunity CollegeDelta Montrose Technical College - Post Secondary
www.dmtc.edu
Full 0.62
DeltaHigh SchoolDelta-Montrose Technical College
www.dmtc.edu
Full 0.55
DenverIndependentCollegeAmerica
www.collegeamerica.edu
Full
DenverCommunity CollegeCommunity College of Aurora
www.ccaurora.edu
Full 0.63
DenverCommunity CollegeCommunity College of Denver
www.ccd.edu
Full 0.77
DenverIndependentCommunity Health Institute
www.cnat.biz
Full
DenverCommunity CollegeEmily Griffith Technical College
www.emilygriffith.edu
Full 0.77
DenverHigh SchoolFlorence Crittenton High School
florencecrittenton.dpsk12.org
Interim
DenverHigh SchoolFred N. Thomas Career Education Center Middle College of Denver
www.dosomethingreal.com
Full 0.75
DenverIndependentHealthcare Training InstituteInterim
DenverHigh SchoolManual High School Nurse Aide Program
manual.dpsk12.org
Interim
DenverIndependentNew Beginning Nursing Assistant ProgramFull 0.7
DenverIndependentPima Medical Institute - North
pmi.edu
Full 0.46
DenverFacility BasedSt. Joseph Hospital Foundation
website
Full
DenverHigh SchoolVista Academy
vistaacademy.dpsk12.org
Full
DurangoFacility BasedFour Corners Health Care Center
www.fourcornershealthcare.com
Full 0.6
DurangoCommunity CollegeSouthwest Colorado Community College
www.pueblocc.edu
Full 0.71
EadsFacility BasedWeisbrod Memorial County Hospital and Nursing Home (Kiowa County District Hospital)
www.kchd.org
Full
EdwardsCommunity CollegeColorado Mountain College
coloradomtn.edu
Full 0.9
FalconHigh SchoolPikes Peak Community College
www.ppcc.edu
Full 0.94
FlorenceHigh SchoolFlorence High School
fhs.re-2.org
Full
FlorenceIndependentSt. Thomas More Hospital Nurse Aide Program
www.stmhospital.org
Interim
Fort CollinsFacility BasedC.A.R.E. Training Spring Creek Health CareFull 0.55
Fort CollinsHigh SchoolFront Range Community College Larimer - Medical Careers Exploration
www.frontrange.edu
Full 0.8
Fort CollinsIndependentGeriatric Education Centre (formerly Columbine Health Systems)
www.columbinehealth.com
Full 0.78
Fort LuptonCommunity CollegeAims Community College
www.aims.edu
Full 0.79
Fort MorganHigh SchoolMorgan Community College
www.morgancc.edu
Full
Fort MorganCommunity CollegeMorgan Community College - Post Secondary
www.morgancc.edu
Full 0.71
FriscoHigh SchoolSummit High School Health SciencesFull 1
Glenwood SpringsCommunity CollegeColorado Mountain College - Spring Valley
coloradomtn.edu
Full
Grand JunctionFacility BasedLarchwood Inns
larchwoodinns.com
Full 0.7
Grand JunctionIndependentWestern Colorado Area Health Education Center
www.wcahec.org
Full 0.69
Grand JunctionCommunity CollegeWestern Colorado Community College
www.coloradomesa.edu
Full 0.75
Grand JunctionCommunity CollegeWestern Colorado Community College - Med Prep
www.coloradomesa.edu
Full 0.69
GreeleyCommunity CollegeAims Community College
www.aims.edu
Full 0.78
GreeleyHigh SchoolAims Community College
www.aims.edu
Full 0.8
GreeleyFacility BasedFairacres Manor
www.vivage.com
Full
GunnisonFacility BasedGunnison Valley Health Senior Care Center
www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org
Full 0.6
KremmlingCommunity CollegeColorado Northwestern Community College
www.cncc.edu
Interim
La JuntaCommunity CollegeOtero Junior College
www.ojc.edu
Full 0.67
LafayetteIndependentCompass Nursing Arts
www.compasscna.com
Full 0.88
LakewoodIndependentColorado CNA Academy
coloradocnaacademy.com
Full 0.64
LakewoodIndependentPacific School of Nursing ArtsFull 0.53
LamarCommunity CollegeLamar Community College
lamarcc.edu
Full 0.43
Las AnimasFacility BasedBent County Health Care Center Nurse Aide Training Program
www.bentcountyhealthcare.com
Interim
LimonCommunity CollegeMorgan Community College
www.morgancc.edu
Full
LittletonCommunity CollegeArapahoe Community College
www.arapahoe.edu
Full 0.89
LongmontFacility BasedC.A.R.E. Training Applewood Health Care
www.applewoodlivingcenter.com
Full 0.79
LongmontHigh SchoolCareer Development Center
cdc.svvsd.org
Full
LongmontFacility BasedLife Care Center of Longmont
lifecarecenteroflongmont.com
Full 0.87
LovelandCommunity CollegeFront Range Community College Larimer - Post Secondary
www.frontrange.edu
Full 0.9
MancosCommunity CollegeSouthwest Colorado Community College
www.pueblocc.edu
Full
MancosFacility BasedValley Inn, TheInterim
MeekerFacility BasedWalbridge Wing Nurse Aide Training
website
Full
MontroseIndependentVolunteers of America Nurse Aide Program
www.voa.org
Full 0.8
MorrisonFacility BasedGenesis Nurse Aide Training Program
www.genesishcc.com
Full 0.5
Oak CreekHigh SchoolColorado Northwestern Community College / Soroco High School
www.cncc.edu
Full
Pagosa SpringsFacility BasedPine Ridge
pagosanursinghome.com
Full 0.75
PuebloIndependentAIM Health Academy
aimhomehealth.com
Interim0.59
PuebloIndependentIntelliTec College
www.intelliteccollege.com
Full 0.77
PuebloCommunity CollegePueblo Community College
www.pueblocc.edu
Full 0.96
PuebloHigh SchoolPueblo Community College
www.pueblocc.edu
Full 0.88
RangelyCommunity CollegeColorado Northwestern Community College
www.cncc.edu
Interim
RifleCommunity CollegeColorado Mountain College - West Garfield
coloradomtn.edu
Full 0.63
RifleFacility BasedColorado State Veterans Community Living Center Rifle
website
Full
SalidaFacility BasedColumbine Manor Care Center
columbinemanorcarecenter.com
Full 0.77
SpringfieldFacility BasedSoutheast Colorado Hospital & Long Term Care Ctr
www.sechosp.org
Full 0.62
Steamboat SpringsCommunity CollegeColorado Mountain College
coloradomtn.edu
Full
Steamboat SpringsFacility BasedColorado Casey's Pond Senior Living
caseyspond.org
Full
SterlingFacility BasedDevonshire Acres
devonshireacrescare.com
Full
SterlingCommunity CollegeNortheastern Junior College - Post Secondary
www.njc.edu
Full 0.46
ThorntonHigh SchoolBollman Technical Education CenterFull 0.85
ThorntonIndependentNew DirectionsFull 0.93
TrinidadFacility BasedTrinidad Inn
innsofthesouthwest.org
Interim
WalsenburgFacility BasedSpanish Peaks
www.sprhc.org
Interim 0.8
WestminsterIndependentAgape Angelicum School of Nursing Arts, Inc.
www.agapeangelicum.org
Full 0.67
WestminsterIndependentAnn Rose School of Nursing Arts, Inc.
website
Full 0.8
WestminsterCommunity CollegeFront Range Community College
www.frontrange.edu
Full 0.89
WestminsterHigh SchoolWestminster High School Health Studies
website
Full
Wheat RidgeIndependentAltruistic Institute
www.altruisticinstitute.com
Interim
WrayCommunity CollegeMorgan Community College
www.morgancc.edu
Full

How to Select a Nurse Aide Program

All state-approved training programs are at least 80 hours long, and all have curriculums that meet or exceed federal and state requirements. However, some programs require more than 80 hours of nurse aide training. When researching programs, it is important to consider the following factors:

  • Verifying the program is state-approved
  • Training program location
  • Program start and end dates
  • Required hours of attendance (i.e. day or evening program)
  • If it is a credit or non-credit program
  • Program costs

Training Length

Colorado does not have a stated minimum age for enrolling in a CNA training program, so there are many training programs offered at high schools. These programs can take up to nine months to complete because they are designed to fit the school year.

At a facility like the Colorado Mountain College, the CNA program takes one semester to complete four credit hours of coursework and one credit clinical including 90 classroom hours and 16 clinical hours. The Certified Nursing Assistant Program offered by the St. Thomas More Hospital is five-weeks long.

In other words, there is a big variety of programs of various lengths.

Step 2: Review the Costs of the CNA Training Programs

The program costs will vary. For example, at St. Thomas More Hospital, students pay $890 for the application fee, tuition, textbooks, workbooks, lab fees and supplies. At Colorado Mountain College, the in-district program costs are $248 for in-district course tuition, $62 for in-district clinical fees, $100 program fee, and $75 for books for a total of $485. All students must pay for supplies, exam fees and uniforms, no matter where they attend. When evaluating costs for different programs, be sure to include all costs for comparison purposes.

Free Training

Students who work in a federally funded nursing home or skilled nursing facility can get free training because the employer will pay the training costs. The usual requirement is that the CNA will continue to work for the facility for a designated period of time. Federal law also says that a CNA who finds employment in that kind of facility within 12 months of passing the certification exam can request reimbursement for tuition and fees.

The other way to get free training is through facility scholarships or other types of financial aid. It is always important to check with the financial aid office or to ask the employer about options for paying for tuition and fees.

Step 3: Meet the CNA Program’s Specific Prerequisites

There are always prerequisites that must be met before students take CNA training in Colorado. They include:

  • Passing a criminal background check
  • Passing a drug screen test
  • Showing proof of immunizations like tetanus and Hepatitis B
  • Showing proof of an influenza vaccine during flu season
  • Meeting requirements specific to the school, i.e. age requirements, or proof of high school completion or GED if program if offered at a post-secondary facility
Many schools require having Major Medical Insurance coverage for the duration of the nurse aide program.

Step 4: Complete a State-Approved Training Program

The CNA classes in Colorado educate students on the specific skills they will use while employed and the knowledge needed to do a high quality job. The program consists of a minimum of 80 hours of training consisting of classroom instruction, laboratory time and clinical training.

Curriculum

The curriculum content of a state-approved CNA program in Colorado must cover the following areas as a minimum.

  • Utilizing infection control procedures
  • Safety and emergency procedures
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Patient and resident rights
  • Helping patients and residents achieve the maximum independence possible
  • Personal care skills
  • Recognizing health changes in patients and residents
  • Recognizing patient and resident social services needs
  • Basic nursing skills, like taking and recording vital signs
  • Delivering restorative services to patients and residents
  • Recognizing mental health needs of patients and residents

A CNA student can also complete required training to become a Medication Aide (MAA) or a Home Health Aide (HHA). At some schools the training program leads to CNA and MAA and/or HHA certification.

Step 6: Take the CNA Exam in Colorado

Pearson VUE administers the CNA exam for the Colorado State Board of Nursing. The exam adheres to the requirements of the federal government’s National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) requirements and has two main components:

  1. Written (or Oral) Examination: The written exam requires answering 70 multiple choice questions. The questions cover the material taught during the Certified Nurse Aide training program. Exam candidates can also take the oral exam.
  2. Skills Evaluation: The skills section of the exam requires demonstrating five skills learned during lab and clinical training. There are 22 skills the student masters during CNA training, and the five skills selected can be any of the 22 skills. Each exam examinee is required to perform the Hand Washing skill and a measurement skill.

The CNA candidate must pass both parts of the exam in order to qualify for placement in the CNA registry. There are sample questions available on the Person VUE website.

Who are Eligible to Take the CNA Exam

If you want to sit for the CNA state exam to become a Certified Nurse Aide in Colorado, you need to be one of the following candidates.

New Nurse Aide

The first and most common path is completing the state-approved CNA training program and passing the NNAAP exam within two years or 24 months after applying to take the exam through Pearson VUE.

LPN, RN, LPT or Military Equivalent Student

If nursing students in any of these types of programs has taken and passed at least five semester credits of nursing fundamentals, he or she can apply to take the certification exam. The credits must be earned in either a Registered Nurse, Practical Nursing or Psychiatric Technician program.

LPN, RN or LPT with Expired License

RNs, LPNs and LPTs who have an expired license in any state can take the exam to earn nurse aide certification in Colorado. The applicant must provide a copy of a transcript or the expired license with the exam application.

RN or LPN who Trained Outside the US

The nurse can provide proof he or she completed at least five semester credits of nursing fundamentals in a Registered Nurse, Practical Nursing or Psychiatric Technician program.

Out of State Nurse Aide

Anyone who completed a nurse aide training program in another state, but was never certified, can provide proof of program completion and take the Colorado exam for certification.

RN, LPN or LPT with Recorded Disciplinary Action

The RN, LPN or LPT exam applicant with an active disciplinary action must complete a screening application which requires an explanation. The Nurse Aide Advisory Committee will review the explanation and determine if the person is eligible to take the exam.

CNAs with Revoked Certification

If a CNA’s certificate is revoked or surrendered for any reason, the person must repeat a state-approved training program, retake and pass the competency exam, and reapply for Board certification. Revocation requires a one-year waiting period before the CNA exam can be retaken. Surrendering a certification has a two-year waiting period. The Nurse Aide Advisory Committee makes the final decision.

Reinstatement

CNA who takes the exam for reinstatement but has not worked at least eight hours in the last two years as a nurse aide should get approval to take the exam requires by providing a copy of the last nurse aide certificate or proof a state-approved training program was completed.

Where to Take Examination

The certification exam is offered at two types of testing facilities: In Facility Test Site (INF) and Regional Test Site (RTS). Pearson VUE provides maintains a current listing of exam locations on its website. Applicants can choose the most convenient testing location.

Time Limits for CNA Exams

The applicant must pass both parts of the exam within three tries. If unable to pass both parts within three tries, the applicant will have to complete a state-approved training program again.

Step 7: Get Certified as a CNA

Note that Colorado refers to the certification document as a ‘license.’ It is not technically a license like the RN or LPN is required to maintain. However, the CNA certification document serves a similar purpose as a professional license.

Once a new nurse aide passes both parts of the exam, Pearson VUE will send the person’s name to the State Board of Nursing. The Board will verify the applicant has met all the certification requirements for training and achieved minimum exam scores. If everything is in order, the nurse aide’s name is added to the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry. Once added, obtaining proof of certification requires logging in to the website and printing out the document.

Active CNAs From Other States

Out of State CNAs can apply for Colorado certification by endorsement. The nurse aide with active certification in another state is allowed to work for up to four months in Colorado before getting certified in Colorado by endorsement. The employer must get verification the certification is active. The Colorado certification must be approved within the four months. The applicant must pass a screening review covering criminal history and pending complaints.

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How to Keep CNA certification Active

The CNA certification in Colorado expires on January 31 of odd-numbered years. There is what the state calls a ‘License Expiration Bump Period’ which is the 120 days before a license expiration date. If someone is certified during the 120 days before January 31 of odd-numbered years, the license expiration date will be the next expiration date. Otherwise, the nurse aide will renew CNA certification per the regular state schedule.

Keeping the certification active requires working at least 8 hours as a CNA in the 24 months prior to the renewal date and maintaining a record free of complaints and felony convictions. If the applicant has not worked as a CNA in the prior two years, the nurse aide must have passed the Board’s Competency evaluation (CNA state exam) within the past 24 months to renew the certificate. If the applicant has not worked and not passed the Board’s Competency evaluation in the designated timeframe, the nurse aide will have to retake the exam.

All renewal requests are made online. A CNA who has an expired certification, but worked at least eight hours as a CNA in the prior 24 months, can apply for reinstatement.

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Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Colorado

The recent Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Colorado CNAs, as of May 2016 were paid an average annual wage of $30,150 or $14.49. This is 9 percent higher than the national annual CNA salary figure which is $27,650 or $13.29 per hour. | See Job Openings

There is a strong and growing demand for nursing assistants in Colorado. The projection for CNA jobs growth shows a 30.3 percent increase for the 2014-2024 period. This is significantly higher than the projected national jobs growth rate of 17.6 percent for the same period. | See Job Openings

CNA Salaries in Colorado

CO CNA SalariesEmpl.Hourly mean wageAnnual mean wageWage percent relative std. errorHourly 10th % wageHourly median wageHourly 90th % wageAnnual 10th % wageAnnual median wageAnnual 90th % wage
National144315013.29276500.29.6412.7818.22200402659037900
Colorado1923014.49301501.110.7014.1918.57222502951038630
Boulder, CO78014.71305903.012.0914.0818.75251402929038990
Colorado Springs, CO262012.87267701.39.9512.9015.77207002684032790
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO944015.48322101.812.3115.1818.97256003158039460
Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area127012.81266503.99.7411.8315.55202602461032330
Fort Collins, CO134014.14294202.510.5614.0018.33219702911038130
Grand Junction, CO76012.93269002.210.1512.5716.89211102615035130
Greeley, CO76013.06271603.69.9312.7017.48206402642036370
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area43015.39320201.611.9115.2119.21247803164039960
Pueblo, CO94014.92310203.810.3815.6219.10216003250039720
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area87013.17274002.49.9312.8217.41206502666036210

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A List of Nearby or Bordering States

If you want to become a CNA in a bordering state, visit the following pages:

  • Arizona
  • Kansas
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Utah
  • Wyoming

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