Colorado CNA Training

When individuals graduate from high school, they often have no idea which career they should pursue. While in college, many people just choose a major that will make their class load easy, and they fail to comprehend that it's often hard to promote themselves to prospective employers when they don't have any marketable skills.

Individuals who are thinking about going back to school to choose a new career should seriously consider Colorado CNA classes. One of the best reasons to become a CNA is that the demand for the services of a certified nursing assistant is guaranteed to grow quickly over the next ten years.

Becoming a CNA in Colorado

One can become licensed as a CNA in Colorado either by examination or endorsement. It is mandatory to be certified prior to working as a CNA, but one can work in a nursing home or home care facility for up to 4 months prior to certification.

One qualifies to be a CNA by endorsement if he or she is a CNA in another state and requests reciprocity. In order to qualify to be a CNA by examination, one of the following criteria must be met:

• The individual completed a training program in another state but is not yet certified.
• The individual completed a Board-approved training program is CO.
• The individual is already a Licensed Psychiatric Technician.
• The individual is currently enrolled in a nursing program and has completed 5 nursing fundamentals credits.
• The individual has been trained outside of the U.S. (This is only true in some cases).

Renewing a CNA License

CNAs in Colorado must renew their licenses every 2 years. If the license is made inactive or it expires, the individual must complete continued competency testing requirements in order to be re-licensed.

Additional Resources:

• Colorado CNA Licensing Requirements

Colorado CNA Resources

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment

Colorado CNA Certification

Colorado CNA Certification Requirements

To get your CNA certificate in Colorado, you first need to complete the required course work and/ or training program. You will need to pass the Certified Nursing Assistant Exam. Applicants must then submit fingerprint cards. Licenses/certificates and will not be issued without the results of a state and federal background check coming back in good standing. If you happen to fail the Nurse Assistant Exam, there are several online test prep resources you can utilize to better your odds of passing. As prescribed by federal law, the typical Colorado CNA certificate program lasts approximately 8 to 13 weeks to gain 75 accredited hours of CNA course work and 100 hours of clinical rotation. Individual schools often have special requirements to begin training. After passing the Certified Nurse Assistant exam, you must be placed on the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry.

Required Hours for Colorado CNA Certification

In Colorado, you are required to complete a minimum of 75 hours of CNA course work and 100 hours of clinical rotation before challenging the state CNA licensing exam. The nurse aide classes typically last 2-6 months. Individual schools often have special requirements to begin the training program.

Colorado CNA Certification Prerequisites

In Colorado, CNA prerequisites include a current background check, two fingerprint cards, Photo ID, two photos (passport size). A negative TB test within the past 6 months and proof of immunizations will be required. You will also be required to show a high school diploma or GED.

Colorado CNA Licensing Resources

• Colorado Board of Nursing
• Colorado Nurse Aide Registry
• Colorado Nurse Aide Test Administration