Certified nursing assistant training ยท Providence, RI
CNA Classes in Providence, RI
CNA classes in Providence and nearby Rhode Island and Massachusetts towns prepare you for state nurse aide testing. Compare the published schedules and prices below, then check which state's license matches where you want to work.
Rhode Island trainingAt least 120 hours, including 40 practical hours
Rhode Island examCredentia written and skills examinations
Massachusetts examD&S Diversified Technologies
Public optionCCRI: 160 hours; Lincoln hybrid cohort
CNA programs around Providence
Compare current cohorts, upcoming starts and programs with ongoing enrollment below. The check line under each school links to its state nurse aide training roster, checked October 27, 2026.
Admissions are open for the next training cycle. The program includes a clinical rotation at a Brown University Health location; request the classroom address and cohort start date.
The classroom price includes textbook, CPR and lab fees. The hybrid option lists online lectures, 40 Johnston lab hours and 40 clinical hours, with January 14 orientation.
Current Lincoln training is listed; spring 2027 pre-test and information session registration is open, with cohort dates pending. The open-enrollment price includes a registration fee, books, cuff and stethoscope.
The page lists day and night cohorts but details the day timetable; confirm night-cohort clinical hours. Uniforms, books, testing and licensing cost extra; fee waivers may apply.
January 5, 2027 start; first four weeks Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 6-9 p.m.; later day classes Tuesday/Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; clinical week Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
$1,300 base tuition; $50 application, $20 insurance, $460 lab and $300 supplies listed separately (2027 course page)
The current cohort runs October 19-December 11, 2026. Weeks 1-6 cover classroom instruction; weeks 7-8 cover clinical training. Scrubs, books, cuff and stethoscope are included.
The page labels the afternoon classroom schedule as morning and the morning schedule as evening; another section says next classes are TBD. Confirm the start date and timetable.
All in-person classes meet at Fall River. Grant-funded seats are filled; SNAP E&T support may cover eligible students. November cohort clinicals are December 15-17, 6:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Monthly starts; no high school diploma requirement. A digital learning readiness assessment is required. The catalog lists books, uniforms, health requirements and state testing as additional expenses.
The school lists ongoing enrollment and a September evening cohort. Its home-page schedule omits the year; confirm current class availability and clinical dates.
November lab sessions begin November 8 or November 23, 2026. The page lists a separate $25 CORI processing fee; confirm all clinical and state testing charges.
January 5, 2027 start; first four weeks Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 6-9 p.m.; later day classes Tuesday/Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; clinical week Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Published cost
$1,300 base tuition; $50 application, $20 insurance, $460 lab and $300 supplies listed separately (2027 course page)
Ask for the provider's admission checklist before paying a deposit. Cranston Adult Education, for example, requires applicants to be at least 18, take a pre-test and provide a background check and immunization paperwork.
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Finish classes and clinicals
Rhode Island regulations require at least 120 clock hours, including 40 practical hours. Massachusetts announced an increase from 75 to 87 minimum hours, including 21 supervised practical hours, with revised exams expected in early 2027; ask which curriculum applies to your cohort.
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Arrange the competency examination
RIDOH directs Rhode Island candidates to Credentia for written and skills testing. Massachusetts DPH directs its candidates to D&S Diversified Technologies for the knowledge and clinical examinations.
BLS reported 13,030 nursing assistant jobs in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area in May 2025. The median wage was $22.27 per hour and $46,330 per year. These are the occupation's metro estimates, not a starting-pay offer or a count of vacancies. See BLS OEWS, occupation 31-1131; the release tables identify May 2025 as the latest release.
Use this regional reference alongside each course's full cost. When you review a job, ask about scheduled hours, weekend requirements, benefits and the duties assigned to nursing assistants. Completing training and passing an exam do not promise a particular wage or position.
CNA tuition and help paying
Published prices include $850 for tuition and books at Cranston Adult Education and $1,450 for the course at American Safety. Bristol's Fall 2026 course costs $1,850. Compare what each price covers, including supplies, health checks, testing and application fees.
Brown University Health lists free nursing assistant training with an open admissions cycle. CCRI identifies employer-sponsored opportunities, SNAP assistance and possible WIOA funding. Bristol says its grant-funded seats are filled, though SNAP E&T assistance may be available to eligible students.
How many training hours does Rhode Island require?
The Rhode Island nurse aide rule requires at least 120 clock hours, with no fewer than 40 hours of practical training under supervision. A school can require more hours. CCRI, for example, lists 160 combined lecture, skills lab and clinical hours. Compare the whole attendance calendar, since clinical shifts may differ from your regular class times.
Can I take CNA training partly online?
Yes, local hybrid courses include required in-person practice. CCRI's Lincoln cohort uses online weekend lectures and Tuesday campus labs. Ozga's hybrid course requires 40 hours of Johnston skills labs and 40 clinical hours at an affiliated nursing home. Check every required visit before deciding a hybrid schedule fits your work or child care plans.
Are Massachusetts CNA requirements changing?
Massachusetts DPH's April 2026 announcement says the minimum will rise from 75 to 87 training hours, including 21 supervised practical hours. It expects revised credentialing exams in early 2027 and says more implementation guidance will follow. Ask your provider which curriculum your cohort follows. Programs may exceed the state minimum, so the table uses each school's published hours.
Can I use a Massachusetts CNA credential in Rhode Island?
Crossing the state line involves a separate application. Rhode Island's regulations describe endorsement routes, including one involving an out-of-state program of at least 100 hours with 20 supervised practical hours and an examination approved by that state. Do not assume a Massachusetts course automatically grants a Rhode Island license. Ask RIDOH to review your training and testing documents for the route that fits you.
Is there a deadline for Rhode Island CNA testing?
Yes. Rhode Island's examination rule requires successful completion of the nurse aide examinations within one year of the date you began training. It also allows three attempts to complete both written and practical components. The rule requires repeating training if you exceed the time or attempt limit. Ask the school to explain how it helps graduates schedule testing.