Best CNA Classes in Maryland | Top Training Programs (2027)

Twelve community colleges across Maryland currently offer Board of Nursing-approved CNA programs, with tuition as low as $1,700 and completion timelines as short as five weeks. That range gives you real options, but it also makes comparison harder. Programs differ in clinical hours, scheduling flexibility, and whether they bundle Geriatric Nursing Assistant preparation into the same certificate.

The real challenge is matching a program to your circumstances. A $2,178 option in Westminster and a $1,909 option in Baltimore serve very different commuters, and evening availability varies by campus. Maryland's aging population continues to push CNA hiring across hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, so the credential carries weight statewide, from Cumberland to Salisbury.

The Best CNA Training Programs in Maryland: Ranked & Reviewed

Maryland CNA programs range widely in cost, format, and total training hours, so the best choice depends on your schedule, budget, and how quickly you want to sit for the state exam. The community college options below stand out for clear pricing, Maryland Board of Nursing alignment, and practical clinical experience. Use the program cards to compare hours, cost, and delivery before you contact a school.

How We Ranked Maryland's CNA Programs

Cost and quality pull in opposite directions more often than most ranking systems admit. A program priced low enough to be accessible might offer fewer clinical hours. A program with strong graduate outcomes might be offered only during hours that rule out anyone with a day job. Building this list meant sitting with that tension and making judgment calls transparent enough for you to override them.

What We Looked At

Every school on this list was evaluated across four main areas: net price (what students actually pay after aid, not the sticker price), graduation or completion rates, earnings potential for graduates, and program format. Format matters because a program only offered Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. effectively excludes caregivers, second-job holders, and anyone without reliable transportation during peak hours.

Where available, we drew on federal datasets including IPEDS and the College Scorecard to anchor the numbers. These sources give us a consistent, government-collected baseline so the comparisons are apples-to-apples rather than each school's self-reported marketing figures.

What We Researched Independently

Federal data covers colleges and career schools that participate in Title IV aid programs, but not every CNA training site does. Community hospital programs, Red Cross chapters, and some private training centers operate outside that reporting structure. For those programs, we researched cost, duration, and format directly, pulling from program pages and state registry records as of mid-2026.

In cases where program-level earnings data had not yet been published or was not available for a specific site, we noted that plainly rather than substituting a number that might not reflect the actual program.

How Affordability and Outcomes Were Weighted

Neither cost nor outcomes was treated as a dealbreaker on its own. A free program with a poor completion record does not serve you well. A program with excellent graduate employment rates that costs three times more than alternatives requires a financial rationale. The final ranking reflects CNA programs where affordability and outcomes reinforce each other, with format and scheduling flexibility used as tiebreakers.

If your situation differs from the typical student profile, the comparison table later in this article lets you sort by whichever factor matters most to you.

Common Questions About CNA Training in Maryland

Getting started as a CNA in Maryland comes with many questions. Here are straightforward answers to the most common ones, so you can make informed decisions about your training and career path.

1. What are the first steps to enroll in a CNA program in Maryland?

   First, confirm you meet the basic requirements: you must be at least 17 years old (though some programs accept students as young as 16¹ or require 18), hold a high school diploma or GED¹, and pass a criminal background check². You will also need CPR certification before starting clinical work. Once enrolled in a state-approved program, you will complete 100 hours of training, including 40 hours of hands-on clinical experience, before taking the certification exam.³

2. Do I need a high school diploma for CNA classes in Maryland?

   Yes, a high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in a CNA training program in Maryland.¹

3. How do I maintain CNA certification once I have it?

   Maryland CNA certification is valid for two years. To renew, you typically need to demonstrate that you have worked as a CNA for a minimum number of hours during that period. If you do not meet the work requirement, you may need to retake the competency exam. Check with the Maryland Board of Nursing for the most current renewal guidelines.

4. Are there evening or weekend CNA classes in Maryland?

   Many training providers understand that students have jobs and family commitments. While schedules vary, you can often find programs that offer evening, weekend, or part-time options. Contact the programs directly to ask about their current schedules.

5. What's the difference between a CNA and a GNA, and do I need both?

   A CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is the foundational credential. A GNA (Geriatric Nursing Assistant) is an additional certification that allows you to work specifically in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In Maryland, many employers require both. To earn the GNA, you must pass the NNAAP exam through Credentia after completing your CNA training. The GNA exam fee is $105.

6. Can I take CNA courses online in Maryland, or must I attend in person?

   You cannot complete the entire program online. Maryland allows hybrid programs where you take the theory portion online, but the required 40 hours of clinical practice must be completed in person at an approved healthcare facility.³

7. How much do CNA programs cost on average in Maryland?

   Typical costs range from $600 to $2,000. For example, the American Red Cross charges around $1,300, Prince George's Community College is $1,600¹, and Carroll Community College is $2,178⁴. Don't forget exam fees: $20 for the CNA certification test and $105 for the GNA exam.

8. What's the job placement rate for CNA graduates in Maryland?

   Individual programs do not consistently publish job placement rates. However, the demand for CNAs in Maryland is strong, with CNA career information reporting a median hourly wage of $15². Many graduates find employment quickly, especially in nursing homes and hospitals.

9. Is financial aid available for CNA training in Maryland?

   Yes. Several programs offer free training, especially through workforce development initiatives or employer sponsorships. Even if you pay upfront, financial aid, payment plans, and scholarships may be available. Ask your chosen program about eligibility requirements.²

Questions to Ask Yourself

Your Path to CNA Certification in Maryland

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Maryland follows a clear, state-defined process. Here is your step-by-step guide.

What CNA Training Costs in Maryland (And Where to Find Free Options)

How much does it actually cost to become a CNA in Maryland, and can you get trained for free? The short answer: most programs run between $900 and $3,750, but several employer-sponsored and grant-funded pathways bring the cost down to zero.

Typical Program Costs

Maryland CNA tuition falls into a predictable range for 2025-2026. Private training centers tend to sit at the lower end, while community colleges cluster in the middle, and hospital-affiliated programs sometimes push higher.

• Private training centers ($900-$995): Psona Training Center ($900), The Nursing Assistant Academy in Riverdale ($950), and Stein Academy ($995) are among the most affordable options in the state.
• Community colleges ($1,600-$2,900): Prince George's Community College ($1,600), Howard Community College ($1,700), Harford Community College ($1,953), Carroll Community College ($2,178), Community College of Baltimore County ($2,194), College of Southern Maryland ($2,389), and Anne Arundel Community College ($2,856).
• Other private schools: It Works Learning charges $2,400 for its CNA/GNA program.

Most of these costs cover tuition only. Expect to budget another $200-$400 for scrubs, textbooks, background checks, health screenings, and the state certification exam.

Free and Low-Cost Pathways

Several programs in Maryland cost nothing out of pocket if you qualify:

• UMMS Paid CNA Training: The University of Maryland Medical System runs a paid training track where the employer covers the full program cost in exchange for a work commitment.
• Heritage Care Inc.: Offers a no-cost CNA program tied to employment placement.
• MOLC Free CNA Classes: A grant-funded initiative serving CNA classes in Baltimore residents at no cost.
• Maryland EARN program: State workforce grants channel money to healthcare employers who then train new CNAs for free.

Financial Aid and the Return on Your Investment

Community colleges like Montgomery College and Carroll Community College offer needs-based scholarships and tuition assistance for their CNA/GNA tracks. Ask the continuing education office about payment plans, workforce development vouchers, and Pell-adjacent funding for noncredit healthcare programs.

Even at the top of the tuition range, the math works in your favor. Paying $2,000-$3,000 for a program that takes two to three months, then stepping into a full-time healthcare role, is one of the fastest tuition-to-paycheck turnarounds in the state. That's why CNA training remains a practical entry point, whether you plan to stay bedside or use it as a stepping stone toward LPN or RN work.

Head-to-Head: Comparing Maryland's Top CNA Programs

Here's a side-by-side look at four of Maryland's highest-rated CNA programs. Costs range from under $2,000 to over $2,200, and durations span from about one month to three months, so you can find a program that fits your budget and schedule.

CNA Salaries & Job Outlook in Maryland: What the Data Shows

CNA Classes Near You: Salisbury, Gaithersburg & More

Finding CNA classes near your community can make training far more manageable, since commuting time and local clinical placements both matter. Whether you're on the Eastern Shore, in Montgomery County, or in central Maryland, there are accredited programs that fit different budgets and schedules.

Salisbury: Free and Affordable Options

Salisbury offers several paths to certification. Wor-Wic Community College, located at 32000 Campus Drive, runs a Nursing Assistant / Geriatric Nursing Assistant program that is completely free for eligible residents through the state's EARN Ready to Care initiative.¹ This program covers all instructional costs, making it the most budget-friendly route in the area. Private academy Cambridge Nursing Assistant Academy charges approximately $975 for its CNA program³, and other providers such as Shore Up! Inc. and Deer's Head Hospital Center also offer training at affordable rates.

Gaithersburg: Training Close to Home

In Gaithersburg, Morning Star Academy delivers CNA training at 101 Lakeforest Boulevard, Suite 402. The program's total cost is $1,100³, and it provides the theory and clinical hours needed to sit for the Maryland certification exam. While it's the primary in-city option, nearby Rockville is home to Montgomery College, which runs a combined CNA/GNA program on a campus-based schedule with needs-based scholarships available.

Notable Programs in Baltimore & Frederick

The Baltimore area has several established providers. The American Red Cross offers a CNA class at 4700 Mt. Hope Drive, with total costs typically between $1,400 and $1,800. The Community College of Baltimore County (Essex campus at 7201 Rossville Blvd) runs a 1, 3 month program costing around $1,909. In Frederick, Frederick Community College at 7932 Opossumtown Pike provides a comprehensive CNA training that includes clinical skills, health screening requirements, and certification preparation.

How to Choose a Local Program That Fits

When comparing nearby CNA classes, focus on a few practical details:

• State approval: Confirm the program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing so you qualify to sit for the certifying exam.
• Total cost and hidden fees: Ask about tuition, textbooks, scrubs, background checks, and health screenings. Many schools bundle some of these, but not all.
• Schedule flexibility: Look for day, evening, or weekend cohorts that match your current job or family obligations. Community colleges often have multiple start dates.
• Clinical placement quality: A strong local network of nursing homes and hospitals ensures you get hands-on experience during training, and it can also open doors for landing your first CNA job.
• Free training and financial aid: Ask about EARN subsidies, employer-sponsored programs, or institutional scholarships that can eliminate costs entirely, especially at community colleges and workforce centers.

By picking a program near your home or work, you reduce travel expenses and can more easily juggle training with your other responsibilities. Whether you enroll at a community college, a Red Cross site, or a private academy, the proximity factor helps you stay consistent and graduate job-ready.

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