Common CNA Program Admission Requirements

If you are thinking about becoming a CNA, you either may have already found or will find yourself wondering what types of admission requirements you will need to fulfill. Although the answer to this question varies from one school to the next, there are some requirements that are common to most CNA programs today. You will find these requirements and short descriptions of each in the following section.

Basic Entrance Requirements

Before you can be admitted into any CNA school, there are a number of basic entrance requirements you will need to meet. While these requirements differ from one facility to another, some requirements are standard for most schools. The most common requirements in this category are as follows:

• Math, Writing and Reading Placement Exams
• 16 Years Old or Older (18 for some schools)
• Current Tuberculosis Test
• Current Vaccinations
• Health Examination
• Completed Admissions Application
• Payment of Application Fee and Tuition
• Consultation With a Program Adviser

CNA Program Admission Requirements

If you meet all of the basic entry requirements for the school of your choosing, the next step is to fulfill the facility's CNA program admission requirements. These requirements vary as well depending on the school you have decided to attend. However, just as with entry requirements, many program requirements are standard, and the most common of them can be found below.

• Criminal Background Check or Fingerprint Card
• Current CPR Certification (included in some CNA programs)
• Completion of Healthcare Program Orientation
• Submission to a Drug Test (some facilities)

General Education Requirements

It is essential to note that facilities require some CNA students to complete general education courses before beginning their CNA programs. The courses you will need to complete depend on the scores you receive on your placement exams. GE courses you can encounter include:

• Math
• English reading
• English writing

CNA Program Graduation Requirements

Lastly, there are certain criteria you must fulfill before you can graduate from your CNA program. As with the requirements described above, these criteria vary as well depending on the school you attend. Some of the most common CNA program graduation requirements include:

• Satisfactory Grades in all GE and CNA Courses
• Acceptable Score on CNA Program Final Exam
• Overall GPA of 2.0 or Higher (2.5 for some schools)
• Timely Submission of a Graduation Application
• Payment of Graduation Fees
• Satisfactory Completion of a CPR Certification Training Course

Conclusion

Common CNA admission requirements include placement exams, high school or GED transcripts, a TB test, a criminal background check and current CPR certification.