How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Idaho
Idaho employs approximately 7,910 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,650 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Idaho, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Idaho
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Idaho? Idaho requires credentials such as Nursing Assistants, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Registered Nurse (RN). The licensing authority is the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - 211 Idaho CareLine 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 80 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - 211 Idaho CareLine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Idaho is $38,650 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,380 and experienced professionals can earn $47,430 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - 211 Idaho CareLine
- Median wage (Idaho): $38,650 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Idaho
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - 211 Idaho CareLine oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Idaho 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | Idaho maintains a registry of all certified nursing assistants. In Idaho, CNA certification requires completion of a CNA course including 80 hours of classroom and 40 hours of clinical training or one… |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) | Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurses, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Anesthetists must be licensed by the State of Idaho as an Advanced Practice Professional Nurse (APPN). |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Registered Nurses (RN) must be licensed by the State of Idaho. Applicants for licensure must: 1.) Graduate from an approved nursing program; 2. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) must be licensed by the State Board of Nursing. Applicants for licensure must: 1.) |
| Nursing Home Administrators | Nursing home and shelter home managers in Idaho must be licensed by the Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators at the Bureau of Occupational Licenses. Applicants for licensure must: 1. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Idaho vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 3,790 | $39,220 | $40,320 | $24,960 | $48,260 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 970 | $39,820 | $39,230 | $16,710 | $47,930 |
| Logan | 630 | $35,720 | $36,300 | $29,910 | $42,890 |
| Idaho Falls | 540 | $37,720 | $38,520 | $30,990 | $44,300 |
| Twin Falls | 540 | $38,670 | $36,690 | $15,430 | $47,430 |
| Lewiston | 350 | $38,870 | $41,050 | $37,020 | $48,150 |
| Pocatello | 300 | $36,330 | $35,940 | $30,160 | $45,040 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Idaho
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Idaho according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 3,790 | $39,220 |
| Coeur d’Alene | 970 | $39,820 |
| Idaho Falls | 540 | $37,720 |
| Twin Falls | 540 | $38,670 |
| Lewiston | 350 | $38,870 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 7,910 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - 211 Idaho CareLine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Idaho.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Idaho is $38,650, which is $880 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - 211 Idaho CareLine - Licensing Information: http://www.211.idaho.gov/daycare.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |