CNA Schools in Gulfport, MS: Your Local Training Guide

Hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies across Harrison County post new nurse aide openings nearly every week, and the reason is simple: Mississippi's aging Gulf Coast population needs hands-on care faster than local programs can graduate trained CNAs. Getting into that workforce takes as little as four weeks and often up to ten weeks, but the real decision point is cost, since tuition across Gulfport-area programs ranges from free workforce grants to over a thousand dollars for private accelerated courses.

That spread means two students finishing the same certification can walk away with very different debt loads and very different timelines to their first paycheck.

See the ranked program list below.

CNA Employers and Training Landscape in Gulfport

Who is hiring CNAs in Gulfport, and what does the local job market actually look like?

Harrison County's healthcare sector is one of the steadiest sources of CNA employment on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Understanding where the jobs are, and what they pay, can help you choose CNA classes in Mississippi that line up with the career path you want.

Major Employers Across Multiple Settings

Gulfport's CNA workforce is spread across hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, home health agencies, and specialty hospitals. Key employers include:

• Memorial Hospital at Gulfport: The county's largest acute care facility, which hires CNAs through units such as Driftwood Nursing Center.⁵
• Select Specialty Hospital, Gulfport: A long-term acute care hospital posting CNA roles at $15.30 to $18.65 per hour.¹
• Gulfport Care Center: A 90-bed skilled nursing facility employing 68 CNAs, split between full-time staff and contract workers.³
• Coastal Health & Rehabilitation Center: Staffs 67 full-time CNAs with no contractor reliance, signaling stable, in-house hiring.⁴
• Assisted living communities: The Claiborne at Gulfport Highlands, Summerfield Senior Living (roughly $11 to $13 per hour)¹, and other residences regularly post CNA openings.
• Staffing agencies: Companies like TREO MEDSTAFF and Avardis Health fill PRN and full-time shifts across multiple facilities, paying in the $13 to $18 per hour range.¹²

Current Demand and Work Settings

Multiple employers post CNA openings simultaneously, and many listings note "hiring multiple candidates," which points to ongoing demand.¹ Shifts commonly run 12 hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.), and positions range from full-time to per-diem. Acute care and agency roles tend to pay more than assisted living positions.

Tuition Assistance and Scope of Practice

Some nursing homes and hospital systems along the Gulf Coast offer tuition reimbursement or sponsor CNA training for employees, though specific programs vary by facility and may change from year to year. Ask any prospective employer directly about training sponsorship during the application process.

In Mississippi, CNAs work under the delegation and supervision of licensed nurses. The Mississippi Board of Nursing oversees CNA practice standards, and tasks such as vital signs, basic hygiene assistance, and mobility support fall within the CNA scope of practice. Any clinical task outside that scope must be performed by an LPN or RN.

Online and Hybrid CNA Classes Serving Gulfport Students

Fully online CNA programs are not approved in Mississippi. Because certification requires hands-on clinical practice in a real healthcare setting, every state-approved pathway includes in-person hours. Hybrid CNA programs bridge the gap by letting you complete classroom theory on your own computer, then report to a local facility for supervised clinical work.

Why Fully Online Is Not an Option

The state mandates that CNA students log clinical hours under direct supervision in a long-term care or similar facility. No amount of virtual simulation currently satisfies that requirement. If you see an out-of-state program advertising a 100-percent online CNA certificate, confirm that it holds Mississippi approval before you enroll. Programs that lack state approval will not qualify you to sit for the certification exam.

As of July 2026, oversight of CNA training programs transferred from the Mississippi State Department of Health to the Mississippi Board of Nursing. Always verify a program's current approval status directly with the Board before committing tuition dollars.

Hybrid Programs Available to Gulfport Students

• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC): This is the most accessible option for Gulfport residents. The state-approved hybrid program combines roughly 84 hours of online theory with 16 hours of clinical training at a local long-term care facility, running about 10 weeks total. Theory coursework can be completed on your own schedule, while clinicals are arranged at set times. The Harrison County campus at 2226 Switzer Road in Gulfport serves as the home base. Graduates are prepared to take the NNAAP certification exam.
• Pearl River Community College: Offers online and in-person tracks across campuses in Poplarville, Hattiesburg, and Hancock County. Total program hours range from 96 to 120. Hancock County is the closest site to Gulfport, roughly a 30-minute drive.
• East Mississippi Community College: Runs an evening format that blends in-person instruction with synchronous online sessions. The nine-week schedule meets twice per week from 4 to 9 p.m., totaling 109 hours including 16 clinical hours and a CPR certification component. Because sessions are synchronous, you attend live virtual classes at fixed times rather than watching recordings.

Format Details to Ask About

When comparing programs, ask these questions before you register:

• Is the theory portion asynchronous (self-paced) or synchronous (live scheduled sessions)?
• Where exactly will clinical hours take place, and can the school arrange a placement near Gulfport?
• Does the program hold current Mississippi Board of Nursing approval?

Starting with a hybrid program at MGCCC keeps your commute short and your approval status clear, making it the most straightforward path for Gulfport students.

In-Person CNA Programs Within Commuting Distance of Gulfport

Four state-approved training options sit inside a short drive of downtown Gulfport, and each one falls into one of two categories that Mississippi uses to classify nurse aide training: facility-based, run inside a nursing home or care center, or non-facility, run through a college or standalone school.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College operates a non-facility program at its Harrison County Campus, 2226 Switzer Rd., Gulfport, MS 39507 (228-897-4379). Grove Healthcare College also runs a non-facility program (228-284-7681), though its listed address has shifted between 1526 Mills and 12451 Dedeaux Rd. in recent state filings, so confirm the current teaching location directly with the school before you plan a visit or first day of class.

Facility-Based Training

Gulfport Care Center, 11240 Canal Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503 (228-701-1500), trains CNAs on-site as a facility-based program. Facility-based programs are worth a close look because many are built around staffing needs: the center trains you in the building where you may end up working, and completion often leads directly to a job offer without a separate hiring process. That built-in pipeline can be a meaningful shortcut for students who want to shorten the CNA job timeline after certification and avoid a gap between certification and employment.

Job Corps Option

Gulfport Job Corps Center, 3300 20th St., Gulfport, MS 39501 (228-863-7236), offers a non-facility nurse aide course reported at around 110 hours, open to applicants 17.5 years of age and older. This program is part of a federal workforce training track rather than a standard college enrollment, so eligibility and application steps differ from the community college and healthcare school routes.

Verify Before You Enroll

State approval lists change throughout the year, and none of these programs' entries confirm whether they are actively accepting new students at any given moment. Call the program directly to ask about open cohorts, and cross-check the school's approval status on the Mississippi State Department of Health website, or reach the MSDH Licensure Division at 601-364-2718 with general questions about the approval process. Confirming both current enrollment and address details before you commit will save you a wasted trip and a missed application deadline.

CNA Salary and Job Outlook in Gulfport Metro Area

Based on the latest available BLS data, the Gulfport metro and Mississippi figures reflect May 2023 estimates, while national figures are from May 2025. Gulfport area CNAs earn a median hourly wage below the national median, but the region's lower cost of living can make local pay competitive. Use this table to compare the Gulfport metro, Mississippi, and the United States.

Mississippi CNA Licensing Requirements and How to Get Certified

Seventy-five hours of state-approved training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice, is the minimum before any Gulfport CNA candidate can sit for the state exam. That threshold applies statewide in 2026, and all approved programs build their training around it.

The Three-Step Path to Certification

Getting listed as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Mississippi comes down to three moves:

• Complete an approved program: Finish a state-approved CNA program covering both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical hours.
• Pass the NNAAP exam: Clear the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam, which includes a written or oral knowledge test (around 70 multiple-choice questions) and a skills evaluation where candidates demonstrate five randomly selected hands-on tasks.
• Register: Once you pass, your name is added to the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry, which makes your CNA certification official and searchable by employers.

Background Checks, Health Screenings, and Fees

Before testing, expect a criminal background check through Mississippi's DPS/FBI fingerprint process, plus a TB test and any immunizations your training program or future employer requires. These CNA background check requirements protect vulnerable patients and are standard across nursing facilities.

Exam costs typically run around $101 total, split between the written portion (about $32) and the skills portion (about $69), with an additional application fee near $25. Treat these as typical figures rather than fixed amounts, since testing vendors periodically adjust pricing. If you don't pass on the first attempt, retake policies generally allow additional tries, though specifics on timing and limits are best confirmed directly with the current testing administrator.

A Note on Recent Changes

House Bill 1051 shifts oversight of CNA certification from the state health department to the Mississippi Board of Nursing after July 1, 2026. If you're applying around that transition, double-check current instructions and contact information with the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry before submitting paperwork, since procedures may still be settling into place.

Top CNA Programs in Gulfport, Ranked

Below are the top CNA programs serving Gulfport, Mississippi students. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is the clear local anchor, while the other listed schools offer statewide or regional alternatives for students willing to train outside the immediate Gulfport metro.

Free and Low-Cost CNA Training Options in Gulfport

Free and low-cost CNA training in Gulfport means pathways where you don't pay full tuition out of pocket: federally funded youth programs, workforce development grants, employer sponsorships, and scholarships that offset the cost of a state-approved course. Not every option is truly "free," and eligibility rules vary, so it helps to know which door fits your situation before you apply.

Gulfport Job Corps Center

The Gulfport Job Corps Center at 3300 20th Street runs the most clearly documented no-cost CNA route in the area. The program is free for qualifying students ages 16 to 24, runs about nine weeks, and includes 40 clinical hours. Room, board, and certification exam fee assistance are covered for those who qualify. You'll need a high school diploma or GED (which you can earn on-site), and a background check is required. Income eligibility follows federal guidelines, so contact the center directly to confirm whether you meet the threshold.

WIOA Funding Through the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) can cover workforce CNA training for eligible adults, including low-income workers, dislocated workers, and those facing employment barriers. Start at the Gulfport WIN Job Center, 10162 Southpark Drive, and ask for Workforce Coordinator Joy Corrie at 228-897-6912. Expect to meet with a career counselor, complete an eligibility assessment, and provide documentation of income, residency, and work history. WIOA funding is not automatic, and specific coverage amounts for 2026 CNA programs aren't published, so confirm what's available before enrolling anywhere.

Employer-Sponsored Training and Scholarships

Many Mississippi nursing homes and long-term care facilities offer employer sponsored CNA training in exchange for a work commitment, typically 6 to 12 months after certification. Gulfport Care Center at 11240 Canal Road is one facility worth calling directly, though sponsorship terms are set case by case. Statewide, larger health systems sometimes offer tuition reimbursement to hires who complete training on their own.

A few scholarship routes are worth checking:

• Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce: The Nursing Student Retention Scholarship has a March 31, 2026 application deadline.
• myCNAjobs Scholarship Program: Open to Mississippi residents pursuing certification.
• Singing River Healthcare Academy CNA Apprenticeship: No cost to accepted students, combining classroom instruction with paid clinical hours, though the program is based in Jackson County and commuting from Gulfport is a factor to weigh.

Admission Requirements for CNA Programs in Gulfport

Admission standards vary by provider, but most Gulfport-area CNA programs follow similar screening steps.

1. Age

   Most state-approved programs require students to be at least 18. Some pathways, including Gulfport Job Corps, admit applicants starting at 17 and a half, and some high school dual-enrollment options may accept final-semester seniors.
2. Education and basic skills

   A high school diploma or GED is the standard requirement. Current high school seniors in their final semester may be admitted if they are on track to graduate; some programs use placement tests such as the ACT or CRC instead of prerequisite healthcare courses.
3. Criminal background check

   A clear criminal background check is required. At MGCCC, this is processed through campus police for a fee, and disqualifying results can limit clinical enrollment.
4. Drug screening

   Drug testing is required before clinical work. MGCCC uses a designated clinic and charges a separate screening fee.
5. Immunizations

   Expect to document MMR, hepatitis B series, varicella, Tdap, and TB testing. TB test timing varies by program, some accept within one year, while state guidance may say six months. Flu and COVID-19 shots are not universally listed as admission requirements but may be required by clinical sites or employers.
6. Physical exam and lifting

   A physical exam is typically required, along with the ability to safely lift and move patients, often around 40 pounds.
7. Prerequisite courses and CPR

   Most programs do not require prior healthcare coursework. Some require CPR certification and liability insurance before clinical placement.

Class Schedules, Formats, and Program Lengths in Gulfport

Published schedules vary by provider and by training section. MGCCC frequently runs hybrid evening cohorts, with some sections meeting Monday and Wednesday and others meeting Tuesday and Thursday. Program length also varies from about 4 weeks in some workforce sections to 10 weeks in Harrison County Campus listings.

Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Classes in Gulfport

Program Length and Cost

• How long is the MGCCC CNA program? Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's nurse aide course has a CNA program length of about 10 weeks, depending on the semester schedule and whether you enroll in a day or evening CNA classes. Clinical hours are built into that timeline, so plan for a compact but demanding schedule rather than a semester-long commitment.

• How much does CNA training cost in Gulfport, MS? Costs range widely, from free through sponsored programs to several thousand dollars at private career schools. Community college tuition, textbooks, uniforms, background checks, and exam fees typically land in the low hundreds to low thousands. Always ask for a full breakdown before enrolling so there are no surprise fees later.

Format, Access, and Approval

• Are there free CNA classes in Gulfport, Mississippi? Yes. Job Corps, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding through local workforce centers, and employer-sponsored training through nursing homes and hospitals can cover tuition entirely. Availability depends on funding cycles and employer needs, so contact providers early and ask specifically about no-cost seats.

• Can I take online CNA classes in Gulfport, Mississippi? Partially. Hybrid formats let you complete classroom instruction and testing online, but hands-on skills and clinical rotations must happen in person at an approved facility. No program can certify you as a nurse aide without supervised, in-person patient care practice.

• What are the admission requirements for CNA training in Gulfport? Most programs require applicants to be at least 16 to 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent (though some accept students still enrolled), pass a criminal background check, and provide proof of required immunizations and a negative TB test before starting clinicals.

• Which CNA programs in Gulfport are state approved? Any program that qualifies graduates for Mississippi's nurse aide registry must appear on the Mississippi State Department of Health's approved list. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and several regional workforce and career centers are among the established options worth checking first.

Your Next Steps: From Inquiry to CNA Certification

CNA programs in the Gulfport area run from four to ten weeks, putting you on one of the fastest paths through the CNA certification process. Here is how to move from research to enrollment with confidence.

Narrow Your Options

Using the ranked list and program directory above, shortlist two or three programs that fit your budget, preferred schedule, and commuting distance. Comparing a few options side by side helps you spot differences in tuition, clinical hours, and start dates that could affect your timeline.

Confirm Details Directly

Contact each program to verify current tuition, the next enrollment window, and any admission prerequisites. Costs and availability can shift between semesters, so a quick call or email ensures you are working with up-to-date information.

Walk Through the Application Process

Once you choose a program, expect these general steps:

• Submit your application along with proof of age and education.
• Complete a criminal background check and, in most cases, a drug screening.
• Attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Pay a tuition deposit or arrange a payment plan to secure your seat.

Line Up Financial Support Early

If you plan to use financial aid, file the FAFSA as soon as possible. Ask about WIOA workforce funding at your local WIN Job Center, and check whether nearby nursing homes or hospitals offer tuition sponsorship in exchange for a work commitment after certification.

Gulfport's growing healthcare sector needs qualified CNAs. Taking even one step today, whether it is requesting an application or scheduling a campus visit, brings you closer to a stable, rewarding career in patient care.

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