How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Utah

(found 55 schools, updated in November 2017)

Employment opportunities in Utah for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are excellent due to the increase in the state’s aging population. The Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR) is the state agency that oversees the state Certified Nursing Assistant process. The agency approves CNA training programs, monitors test sites, maintains the UNAR, certifies nursing assistants who meet CNA certification requirements and processes certification renewals. Utah has developed a clear and efficient process for becoming a CNA. In the following sections, the certification process is reviewed step-by-step.

• 6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Utah
• How to Keep CNA Certification Active
• Job Outlook and Salary for CNAs in Utah
• Becoming a CNA in Bordering States

6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Utah

There are steps that individuals should take to become a CNA in Utah. Following is a description of the basic steps, beginning with choosing the right path to certification to renewing certification.

Step 1: Review the Routes to Certification

Utah offers several paths to nurse aide certification, so the first step is reviewing each option.

A New CNA

Certification requirements for a new nurse aide require completing a state-approved CNA program and taking and passing a state competency evaluation exam. There are other paths for individuals who meet certain requirements.

Nursing Students

Nursing students who can provide a transcript showing they successfully completed and passed a fundamentals of nursing class within the last two years can become a CNA by passing the Utah state exam for nursing assistant certification. Any nursing students who do not pass the state exam within three attempts will have to complete a CNA training program. Here is the application form for certification testing waiver.

Nurse from Other States

If a nurse from any state has an expired license but is in good standing with that state’s nursing board, a training waiver can be requested. The individual will have to take the state exam and pass within one attempt. Otherwise, the individual will have to train and retest.

CNAs from Other States

Out of state nursing assistants can apply for certification by reciprocity in Utah if their certification in the other state is active and unencumbered. If the out of state certification is expired, the individual must complete a state-approved training program in Utah and take the state exam.

Step 2: Select a CNA Training Program

For those who must complete a training program and/or take the state competency exam, the remaining steps apply. Utah state law requires a CNA training program to consist of a minimum of 100 hours of educations. The 100 training hours includes 24 hours of clinical training in a long-term facility. There are 55 CNA programs in Utah offered at a variety of educational facilities that include colleges, technology colleges, academies, allied health schools, universities, hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. There are also a number of CNA training programs offered only to high school students. The program data is updated in November 2017.

Local CNA Classes in Utah by City

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Tuition and Fees

The costs of training include program tuition and fees, uniforms, textbooks, medical supplies and test fees. A program charges tuition, but that may or may not include items like uniforms and textbooks. For example, the Allied Health Care Certifications Center charges $400 (subject to change) for a month-long program. It includes tuition, textbook, clinical instruction and CNA exam preparation. The student also pays additional amounts for the testing fee, supplies and uniforms.

The Salt Lake Community College’s 150-hour daytime CNA training program takes approximately one semester to complete and costs an estimated $540 (subject to change). The amount includes an application fee, tuition, student fees, lab fees and books and supplies. Students will still need to buy scrubs.

Financial aid may be available to students through workforce training funds, scholarships and grants. It is important to meet with financial aid staff at the school to explore funding opportunities.

Step 3: Meet Prerequisites for School and Program Entrance

Prerequisites are conditions that individuals must meet in order to register for a CNA training program in Utah. They include:

• Be at least 16 years old (school may require an older age)
• Pass a criminal background check
• Provide proof of a negative TB test
• Pass a drug test
• Provide proof of immunizations
• Pass a health exam
• Meet school admission requirements

Step 4: Complete a CNA Training Program

While attending CNA classes in Utah, students master the knowledge and skills typically needed to provide high quality services to residents and patients. The program also prepares the student to take the Utah state certification or competency evaluation exam.

What to Learn

The knowledge and skills taught in CNA courses include the following:

• Critical criteria that are part of every skill, i.e. infection control, safety, communication and residents’ rights, recognizing and reporting abnormalities
• Handwashing skills
• Taking and recording vital signs, i.e. blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse, temperature, etc.
• Catheter care
• Preventing pressure ulcers
• Changing linens in an occupied bed
• Measure and record fluids, i.e. fluid intake, urine output, etc.
• Measure and record height and weight
• Apply an anti-embolism stocking
• Moving, positioning and ambulating residents
• Feeding and nutrition
• Grooming, hygiene and personal care

Step 5: Take the Utah State Certification Exam

Only the CNA training course instructor can provide exam applications to nursing assistant students. The exam application is sent to the UNAR with testing fees. Once fees are paid, the applicant can schedule a test date online through Testmaster Universe within one year of completing training. The state certification exam consists of two parts.

Skills Exam

This part of the Utah CNA exam requires the ability to successfully complete five randomly selected skills, utilize proper handwashing skills, measure and record a set of vital signs and verbalize beginning and ending procedures.

Written Exam

The written exam has 100 multiple-choice questions. Individuals must get a minimum score of 75 percent for passing. Here is one sample test that give a good idea of the type of questions asked.

Test Sites

Test sites are located around the state at universities, colleges, technical colleges and community colleges. Utah administers its own CNA tests. Individuals are allowed three attempts to pass both parts of the state exam.

Step 6: Get Name Placed on UNAR

The names of candidates who pass the state CNA exam are placed on the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR). The testing site will submit the names to the UNAR after candidates successfully passes the competency exam.

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How to Keep CNA Certification Active

CNA certification in Utah is valid for two years. To maintain an active certification, a licensed nurse (LPN or RN) must provide verification the Certified Nursing Assistant worked at least 200 paid hours in nursing or in performing nursing related duties while under the supervision of a licensed nurse. If a nursing assistant cannot meet the 200-hour work requirement, he or she gets one attempt to take and pass the state CNA exam. If an individual worked for an employer who does not have a licensed nurse to verify the 200 hours, the CNA will have to retest within 12 months of the expiration date of certification before certification renewal is allowed.

Lapsed Certification

If a certification is lapsed (expired) for less than six months, the nursing assistant can follow the same renewal process as a person with an unexpired certification. If the certification is expired for more than six months but less than 12 months, the nursing assistant must retake the competency evaluation exam to renew certification. If the certification has been expired for more than 12 months, the nursing assistant must retrain and retest.

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Job Outlook and Salary for CNAs in Utah

Only a certified nursing assistant can work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals, and for home health agencies. The average annual salary for a Utah CNA, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $24,910 or $11.98 per hour. The Utah jobs growth projection for 2014-2024 is 33.3 percent, so employment opportunities are excellent for CNAs. | See Job Openings

CNA Salaries in Utah

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Becoming a CNA in Bordering States

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Wyoming