Key Points
- More than 65 free CNA training slots are funded annually across New York.
- The New York City metro area averages $22.81 per hour for CNAs.
- Employers often reimburse CNA training costs in exchange for a work commitment.
Best CNA Programs in New York (2027) | Top Training & Classes
Compare top CNA programs in New York by cost, duration, and career outcomes.
How do you find a CNA program in New York that fits your budget without cutting corners on clinical training? We reviewed more than a dozen state-approved programs to identify those that deliver genuine value, strong preparation for the certification exam, low out-of-pocket costs, and clear paths to employment, including guidance on how to get a CNA job. New York mandates at least 100 training hours before you can sit for the nurse aide exam, and program fees vary widely, from free employer-sponsored cohorts to over $2,000 at private schools. With entry-level wages from $17 to $23 an hour, keeping program debt low is a practical career move.
New York’s Highest-Value CNA Programs: 2027 Rankings
Here are the New York CNA programs that offer the strongest combination of affordability, student support, and state exam readiness for 2026. The schools below include public community colleges and career-focused training providers across New York City, Long Island, and upstate. Use the program details to compare formats, costs, and local clinical connections before you apply.
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
#1New York, NY · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
Best for: Manhattan learners wanting hands-on clinicals
BMCC's CNA pathway runs through the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center and is fully in-person, pairing hands-on skills practice with preparation for the New York State Certified Nurse Aide exam. The program also folds in CPR certification, which is a practical plus for hospital and nursing home hiring. Applicants should plan on a high school diploma or equivalent and TABE placement testing.
- Fully in-person training with focused skills practice.
- Prepares students for the New York State Certified Nurse Aide exam.
- Includes CPR certification in the program pathway.
- Requires a high school diploma or equivalent for admission.
- TABE placement test scores are part of the application.
CUNY Hostos Community College
#2Bronx, NY · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
Best for: South Bronx learners needing evening hybrid
CUNY Hostos Community College pairs its CNA training with the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, so students get a campus-based route that ties directly into Bronx healthcare employers. The program emphasizes hands-on patient care skills and offers tuition assistance options, including a recent health equity initiative that can cover the CNA certificate cost for qualifying students. Evening hybrid scheduling helps working adults in the South Bronx stay on track.
- Part of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at Hostos.
- Campus-based training with hands-on patient care skills.
- Tuition assistance options available for qualifying students.
- Recent health equity initiative may cover CNA certificate costs.
- Evening hybrid scheduling supports working adults.
- High school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
- Background checks and health screenings may apply.
Mildred Elley School-Albany Campus
#3Albany, NY · ~$24,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Albany career changers wanting quick entry
Mildred Elley's Albany campus delivers a compact six-week nurse aide program with classroom instruction, skills labs, and offsite clinical rotations. The accelerated structure is designed for career changers who want to move quickly into direct care roles. New York certification exam preparation is built into the curriculum.
- Six-week program length for fast entry.
- Campus-based in Albany with offsite clinical experience.
- Covers medical terminology and patient rights.
- Includes basic life support and safety training.
- Flexible class schedules available.
- Prepares for New York certification exams.
- Cost and admissions details are not provided in public materials.
CUNY City College
#4New York, NY · ~$4,000/yr (est.)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
CUNY City College offers a hybrid CNA program that combines 122.5 hours of online theory with a 30-hour clinical rotation in a New York City nursing home. The program is approved by the New York State Education Department and includes a full list of required costs such as textbooks, medical clearance, and CPR. Full-tuition scholarships have been available in recent cycles, which can make this a strong value for Manhattan students.
- Hybrid format with 122.5 hours online theory.
- 30-hour clinical internship in a New York City nursing home.
- Total tuition and registration fee is $1,260.
- Approved by New York State Education Department.
- Requires high school diploma, GED, or HSE diploma.
- Students must be at least 18 and authorized to work in the U.S.
- Medical clearance and recent drug screen required.
- Graduates can pursue LPN or RN advancement pathways.
CUNY Lehman College
#5Bronx, NY · $3,000/yr (est. net price)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
CUNY Lehman College offers a New York State-approved hybrid CNA sequence with 97 hours of online didactic work and 30 hours of clinical rotation at Bronx-area facilities. The tuition includes the state exam voucher, which removes a common out-of-pocket hurdle. Scholarships and Workforce1 vouchers can further lower the cost for eligible students.
- Hybrid online and in-person format.
- 97 hours of didactic instruction plus 30 clinical hours.
- State exam voucher included in tuition.
- Clinical rotations at healthcare facilities in the Bronx area.
- ASSET scholarship and Workforce1 vouchers accepted.
- American Heart Association CPR certification included.
- High school diploma and English fluency prerequisites.
- Weekday or weekend clinical scheduling options.
CUNY Queensborough Community College
#6Bayside, NY · $4,000/yr (est. net price)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
CUNY Queensborough Community College's CNA program balances online coursework with on-campus skills labs and clinical externships at Chapin Nursing Home or Parker Jewish Institute. Students can choose weekday, weeknight, or weekend tracks, which is a practical fit for working adults in Queens and Long Island. The program reports median earnings near $45,500 for the New York metro area after completion.
- Hybrid schedule with weekday, weeknight, and weekend tracks.
- Clinical externships at Chapin Nursing Home or Parker Jewish Institute.
- 74 hours online plus 16 hours on-campus skills lab.
- Prepares students for the NHA certification test.
- Median earnings near $45,500 for the New York metro area.
- CPR certification through American Heart Association required before clinicals.
- Scholarships and flexible payment plans available.
SUNY Westchester Community College
#7Valhalla, NY · $6,000 – $12,000/yr (est.)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
SUNY Westchester Community College offers CNA and combined CNA/home health aide options through its Health Sciences area at the Ossining campus. The in-person training includes clinical practice and leads to industry certifications that line up with New York's nurse aide pathway. It is a straightforward choice for Westchester County residents who want a public college route.
- In-person format at the Ossining campus.
- Leads to industry certifications for nurse aide roles.
- Part of the Health Sciences area of study.
- Accessible registration options available.
- Adds home health aide credential to CNA training.
- Campus-based delivery in Ossining.
- Covers nurse aide and home care competencies.
- Prepares students for broader entry-level care roles.
Nassau Community College
#8Garden City, NY · ~$7,000/yr (est.)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
Nassau Community College runs an 11-week CNA program through its Center for Workforce Development, with 90 classroom and lab hours plus 30 clinical hours at a local nursing home. The $1,700 tuition is paired with Saturday clinical rotations, which can help students who work during the week. Graduates prepare for the New York State certifying exam and can move into hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living settings.
- 11-week, 120-hour training schedule.
- 90 classroom and lab hours plus 30 clinical hours.
- Saturday clinical rotations at a local nursing home.
- Total tuition is $1,700.
- Prepares for the New York State certifying exam.
- Partnership with VEEB Practical Nursing Program.
- Must be 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Light blue scrubs and stethoscope required for clinicals.
Rockland Community College
#9Suffern, NY · ~$11,000/yr (est.)
Hispanic-Serving Institution
Rockland Community College's Certified Nurse Aide Training Program blends classroom fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations, and it is offered in both in-person and hybrid formats. The $1,600 tuition is the same for either mode, and students can stack the training toward an AS in Healthcare Science. It is especially convenient for Rockland County learners who want credit for prior learning.
- Classroom instruction paired with supervised clinical rotations.
- Tuition is $1,600 for in-person or hybrid format.
- Prepares for the New York State CNA certification exam.
- Credit for prior learning available.
- Training stacks toward an AS in Healthcare Science.
- Covers wound care, infection control, and vital signs.
- Weekend class option available.
- High school diploma or GED required.
Fulton-Montgomery Community College
#10Johnstown, NY · $6,000 – $7,000/yr (est.)
Fulton-Montgomery Community College offers a 120-hour, NYS-approved CNA course that combines remote learning, in-person instruction, and clinical off-site training. The $2,200 total cost includes tuition, fees, textbook, and state testing/licensing fees, which makes budgeting simpler. Regional employer sponsorships and scholarships can further reduce the cost for eligible students.
- 120-hour NYS-approved training course.
- Combines remote learning, in-person instruction, and clinical off-site training.
- Total cost is $2,200 including tuition, fees, textbook, and testing.
- Financial sponsorships available through healthcare partners.
- First-come, first-serve admissions.
- Dual CNA and home health aide preparation.
- 120-hour program with combined remote and in-person training.
- Cost is $2,200 including textbook and testing fees.
- Scholarship opportunities offered through regional partners.
- Prepares for NYS CNA exam and home health roles.
How to Become a CNA in New York: Step-by-Step Certification
New York requires a minimum of 100 state-approved training hours before you can sit for the nurse aide exam, making it one of the more structured entry points into healthcare work in the Northeast.
Meet the Training Requirements
Approved programs divide those 100 hours into two parts: at least 70 hours of classroom and skills-lab instruction, followed by a minimum of 30 hours of supervised clinical practice in an actual care setting. Programs must be approved by either the New York State Education Department or the New York State Department of Health.3 Before you can step into a clinical site, your school will also require a physical exam, TB screening, and proof of several vaccinations, including MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, COVID-19, and a seasonal flu shot.
Pass the Two-Part Competency Exam
Once training wraps up, you register for the NYSDOH Nurse Aide Exam through Prometric, the state's approved testing vendor. The exam has two distinct components, and the order matters:
- Skills evaluation: An examiner watches you perform five randomly selected nursing assistant skills. You must pass this portion before you are allowed to take the written test.
- Knowledge test: A 60-question multiple-choice exam requiring a score of at least 70% to pass.
You have up to three attempts on each component, and both must be completed within two years of finishing your training program. Missing that window means starting the training process over.
Complete Your Background Checks and Registry Application
New York mandates both a criminal background check and a fingerprint check as part of the certification process.5 After passing both exam components, your name is submitted to the New York State Nurse Aide Registry, which is maintained by the NYSDOH. That listing is what employers verify before hiring. If you already hold an active RN or LPN license, you can apply to the registry directly without completing a training program or sitting for the exam.
Certified nurse aides from other states can also explore a reciprocity pathway rather than retaking New York's full exam cycle.
Realistic Timeline to Certification
Most students move from enrollment to a passing exam score in roughly 6 to 12 weeks, depending on whether they attend a full-time or part-time CNA training program. Add a week or two for scheduling your Prometric exam and processing the registry application, and a realistic target from your first class to your first paycheck is about two to three months.
Where to Find Free CNA Training in New York: Verified Options
New York State and its local workforce partners fund more than 65 free or nearly free CNA training slots every year, every one of them a legitimate career pipeline, not a too-good-to-be-true catch.
Free Training in New York City
Several organizations in the five boroughs cover the full cost of tuition, books, and exam fees. The YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood runs a hybrid CNA program that charges nothing for the Fall 2026 cohort. The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) offers an eight-week program with no out-of-pocket cost to students. City College’s CUNY CNA program awarded four full scholarships for Spring 2026. Through the NYC Small Business Services Healthcare Training initiative, qualifying residents can enroll in tuition-free CNA classes at partner sites like New Age Training.
- YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood: Free hybrid CNA training starting Fall 2026.
- BMCC CNA Program: Eight weeks, no tuition.
- CUNY City College: Four scholarship seats available each cycle.
- NYC SBS Healthcare Training: Tuition-free for eligible adults.
Youth-focused pipelines also exist. The Commonpoint DYCD-Connected Free CNA Training serves people aged 18 to 40 at no cost. The SkillSpring Young Adult Program through The New Jewish Home provides no-cost training to young adults. Job Corps NYC Centers enroll participants ages 16 to 24 who meet low-income guidelines. The NYC Jobs ITG CNA program, hosted by New Age Training, covers costs for city residents 18 and older with household income under $91,000 per year.
Free Training Upstate
Employer-sponsored programs outside New York City often pair training with a job offer. Oneida Health runs a free CNA training course. Elderwood’s three-week program packs 100 hours of classroom and clinical instruction at no charge. Peconic Landing offers a four-week, Monday-through-Friday program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., fully funded. Seneca View provides a five-week, 160-hour training at no cost. These programs are built to move graduates directly onto the facility’s payroll.
- Oneida Health: Free CNA training with immediate hire potential.
- Elderwood: 100-hour course, three weeks, no tuition.
- Peconic Landing: Four weeks, full-time schedule, free.
- Seneca View: 160 hours over five weeks, fully funded.
Eligibility and Commitments
Free CNA training rarely comes with zero strings. Many programs require income verification, residency, or age limits. Commonpoint’s DYCD program caps eligibility at age 40. Job Corps serves only 16-to-24-year-olds with documented low-income status. The NYC Jobs ITG program uses a $91,000 income threshold. Upstate employer-sponsored courses like those at Elderwood or Peconic Landing often expect you to work for the facility for a set period after certification. The benefit: wages start immediately, and some employers reimburse exam and renewal fees.
How to Apply
Demand outpaces supply, so act early. Reach out directly to the sponsoring organization to confirm current application windows, required documents, and orientation dates. For NYC municipal programs, check the NYC Department of Small Business Services website for upcoming ITG (Individual Training Grant) cycles. Workforce development boards in counties like Oneida or Suffolk post openings on their local sites. The New York State Education Department lists more than 65 approved programs; cross-reference that list with “free” or “sponsored” filters when searching. No matter which path you pick, you are stepping into a regulated, legitimate channel built to fill real healthcare jobs.
Breaking Down CNA Program Costs in New York
Many aspiring nursing assistants in New York are surprised to discover that tuition is only one piece of the financial puzzle. While program fees often range from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending on the provider, the out-of-pocket extras can add up quickly if you are not prepared. Before you enroll, ask each program for a complete cost breakdown so you know exactly what your certificate will require.
What Costs Beyond Tuition Are You Facing?
Even the most affordable CNA class comes with mandatory add-ons that may not appear in the advertised price. Prepare to budget for:
- Textbooks and study materials: Some programs bundle these into tuition, but others expect you to purchase them separately, which can run from $50 to $150 or more.
- Scrubs and closed-toe shoes: Approved uniforms are a requirement for clinical rotations, and you may need two or three sets. Costs vary widely by supplier.
- Background check and fingerprinting: New York mandates a criminal history review for nurse aide registry eligibility. Fees are typically set by the fingerprinting vendor, not the school.
- Health screening and immunizations: A physical exam, TB test, and proof of vaccinations (or titers) are standard. Clinic fees differ depending on your insurance and the provider you use.
- State competency exam fee: The New York Nurse Aide exam is administered by a third-party vendor, and you pay that fee directly. Prices are published on the vendor website, but they can change annually.
Always confirm current amounts with your program coordinator, as supply costs and vendor fees shift over time.
Where to Find Financial Aid for CNA Training
Because CNA training is often classified as a short-term certificate rather than a degree, traditional federal financial aid (like Pell Grants) may not apply. Instead, look to:
- New York State Department of Health: While the department does not directly offer training scholarships, it can point you toward state-funded workforce development initiatives that occasionally cover healthcare training.
- Workforce development boards: Local career centers sometimes sponsor low-income or displaced workers pursuing in-demand healthcare certifications.
- Professional associations: Groups like the New York State Health Care Association or LeadingAge New York occasionally promote grant opportunities for nursing assistant candidates, especially in underserved regions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics website remains a useful resource for understanding general healthcare training cost trends, but the details are always program-specific.
Questions to Ask About Payment Options
Directly contacting a school's financial aid or admissions office is the most reliable way to uncover financial support. Ask these questions up front:
- Does the school offer an in-house payment plan that spreads tuition across weeks or months?
- Are there any need-based or merit-based scholarships specifically for CNA students?
- Does the program have relationships with local healthcare employers who reimburse training costs in exchange for a work commitment?
- If extra costs like scrubs or the exam fee are not listed, can you pay them later or are they due at registration?
Getting clear answers helps you avoid surprise expenses and choose a program that aligns with your budget.
Online vs. In-Person CNA Classes: Choosing the Right Format
Not every aspiring CNA learns the same way, and New York's training landscape reflects that variety. Programs in the state range from fully in-person cohorts to hybrid models that move some classroom instruction online. Understanding the benefits and limitations of each format helps you choose a schedule that fits your life without sacrificing your path to certification.
What New York State Actually Requires
Regardless of format, New York mandates hands-on clinical hours for all CNA candidates. Theory and foundational content can be delivered in flexible ways, but the practical skills portion of your training must take place in person at an approved clinical site. This means a fully online CNA program, where you never touch a patient or practice skills with an instructor present, will not satisfy state requirements. Before enrolling anywhere, verify that the program appears on the New York State Education Department's list of approved programs. That list is the definitive check, not a school's marketing page.
Hybrid Programs: The Middle Ground
Hybrid programs have become more common in recent years and offer a practical compromise. Didactic coursework, quizzes, and reading assignments move online, which frees up your in-person days for skills labs and supervised clinical rotations. For students juggling jobs or family obligations, this structure can make an otherwise impossible schedule workable. Program lengths typically fall somewhere between four and twelve weeks, though the pace varies by school and how many hours per week you can commit.
When evaluating a hybrid option, ask the school directly whether clinical placements are arranged for you or whether you must secure your own site. That single question can reveal a lot about the program's support infrastructure.
Fully In-Person Programs: Structure and Speed
Traditional in-person programs bundle everything together: lecture, skills practice, and clinical hours all happen on a fixed schedule. Students who prefer direct instructor feedback, face-to-face peer interaction, or who simply learn better in a structured environment often thrive in this format. The trade-off is less scheduling flexibility, which matters if you are currently employed.
How to Compare Your Options
A few practical steps make comparison easier:
- State approval: Cross-reference any program you consider against the NYSED approved-program list before spending time on an application.
- Duration and schedule: Ask for a week-by-week breakdown so you can map it against your own calendar.
- Clinical arrangements: Confirm whether the school coordinates placements or leaves that to you.
- Professional guidance: Organizations such as the New York State Health Facilities Association can point you toward reputable programs if you are uncertain where to start.
Taking these steps before you enroll protects your time, your money, and your eligibility to sit for the state certification exam.
CNA Pay in NYC, Buffalo, and Beyond: 2027 Salary Data
The New York City metro area pays nursing assistants an average of $22.81 per hour, or $47,450 annually, according to 2023 figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 That is the highest mean wage among New York's major metro areas, and it runs well above the 2025 national average of $20.53 hourly ($42,700 annually).2
Wages drop noticeably as you move upstate, but so does the cost of living. Here is how five key New York regions compare based on the latest BLS metro-level data (May 2023).1
- New York, Newark, Jersey City: $22.81/hour, $47,450/year
- Albany, Schenectady, Troy: $18.94/hour, $39,410/year
- Syracuse: $18.34/hour, $38,150/year
- Rochester: $18.28/hour, $38,010/year
- Buffalo, Cheektowaga: $18.08/hour, $37,610/year
Why NYC and Long Island lead in pay
In the New York City metro area, strong demand for CNA training programs in New York drives up wages for nursing assistants across hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies. Higher living costs push facilities to offer more competitive pay just to attract and keep staff. Long Island employers often cluster near the same wage range, though exact numbers can vary by facility type.
Upstate wages and what they buy
Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany all land between $18 and $19 per hour. While these rates sit below the NYC average, they stretch further in regions where housing, transportation, and groceries cost significantly less. In Buffalo, where CNA classes in Buffalo train many nursing assistants, a smaller paycheck often goes further.
National context for 2026
Nationally, nursing assistants averaged $20.53 per hour in May 2025. Many New York regions fall slightly below that mark except for the NYC metro area. If you are willing to commute or relocate within the state, targeting downstate facilities can meaningfully raise your earnings, especially early in your career.
Quick Answers to Your CNA Training Questions
Can I work as a CNA in New York while I'm still completing my training?
No, you must finish a state-approved program and pass the certification exam before working as a CNA.1 While in training, you can work in related roles like home health aide, personal care aide, or entry-level caregiver to gain experience.
What's the key difference between a CNA and a home health aide (HHA) certification in New York State?
A CNA typically works in nursing homes under RN or LPN supervision and provides basic nursing care.3 An HHA primarily works in patients' homes and is regulated under NYSDOH Article 36. The scope of practice and work setting are the main distinctions.
How long does it take to get CNA certification in New York?
Most training programs run 4 to 12 weeks and include at least 100 clinical hours.1 After finishing, you have up to 24 months to pass the state competency exam. Your certification is active as soon as you pass.
According to the New York State Department of Labor's employment projections, the state is expected to see about 13,340 job openings for CNAs each year through 2028. That demand is driven by a projected 17% growth in the field, far outpacing the average for all occupations.
Additional CNA Programs in New York to Explore
Beyond the programs ranked above, New York has a deep bench of community college CNA courses spread across the state. The schools below are grouped by region so you can quickly see what is near you, along with the format and the cost each one reports. Treat this as a browse-and-compare directory rather than a ranking.
Hudson Valley
Orange County Community College
A seven-week evening program taught at the Newburgh campus, with classes Monday through Thursday. Coursework covers anatomy, infection control, safety, nutrition, HIPAA and patient rights, dementia care, and end-of-life support. The $2,499 cost includes textbooks and the exam fee, and an entrance exam is required.
Capital Region
Schenectady County Community College
An eight-week program combining at least 90 classroom hours with 30 clinical hours, held on campus with evening sessions available. The $1,800 cost covers textbooks, scrubs, and test fees. A high school diploma is preferred and medical information is required for admission.
Mohawk Valley
Mohawk Valley Community College
An accelerated 120-hour course that pairs 90 hours of classroom and lab work with 30 supervised clinical hours, ending in the state certification exam administered on site. Day and evening schedules are available, and the course is valued at $1,500, with Fast Track funding potentially covering the cost.
Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes Community College
A New York State approved course offered through the Workforce and Career Solutions division, with classroom and clinical instruction in patient care, safety, infection control, and anatomy. Classes meet in Canandaigua and Geneva with no online option, and cost ranges from $2,000 to $2,400 by location. Attending a free information session is required.
Southern Tier
SUNY Corning Community College
Run in partnership with Arnot Health, this campus-based program teaches personal care, vital signs, communication, and patient needs alongside supervised clinical experience. Tuition is covered by the employer and students earn hourly pay during training, with books at $69 and a $115 exam fee. It prepares students for the New York State competency exam.
