How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 33,640 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,330 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 Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Indiana
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Qualified Medication Aide, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetists. The licensing authority is the Indiana State Department of Health - Aide Training, Certification and Registry 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Indiana State Department of Health - Aide Training, Certification and Registry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Indiana is $38,330 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,390 and experienced professionals can earn $46,890 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: Indiana State Department of Health - Aide Training, Certification and Registry
- Median wage (Indiana): $38,330 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana State Department of Health - Aide Training, Certification and Registry oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Qualified Medication Aide | 412 IAC 2-1-10 Certification, recertification, reinstatement, and in-service education requirements Authority: IC 16-28-1-11 Affected: IC 16-28 Sec. 10. |
| Nurse Midwife | IC 25-23-1-13.1 Midwives Sec. 13.1. (a) An applicant who desires to practice midwifery shall present to the board the applicant’s license as a registered nurse and a diploma earned by the applicant fr… |
| Nurse Anesthetists | |
| Certified Nurse’s Aide | The Indiana State Department of Health issues certificates for nurse aide (CNA). |
| Registered Nurse | A candidate for the license to practice as a registered nurse must: Have completed either the curriculum and graduation requirements of a state-accredited program of registered nursing or a nursing ed… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | IC 25-23-1-1.2 Sec. 1.2. As used in this chapter, “licensed practical nurse” means a person who holds a valid license issued under this chapter or by a party state (as defined in IC 25-23. |
| Home Health Aide | IC 16-27-1.5-1 Home health aide included in registry of nurse aides Sec. 1. The state department shall include in the registry of nurse aides required by 42 CFR 483. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Indiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 45,850 | $46,940 | $46,610 | $38,980 | $54,450 |
| Cincinnati | 11,390 | $40,350 | $41,950 | $37,300 | $47,180 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 9,730 | $38,880 | $40,910 | $36,430 | $47,230 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 7,650 | $42,220 | $41,900 | $35,360 | $47,260 |
| Fort Wayne | 3,610 | $37,210 | $39,200 | $35,390 | $46,860 |
| Evansville | 2,030 | $37,180 | $38,930 | $35,860 | $45,900 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 1,520 | $38,550 | $39,800 | $34,590 | $47,220 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 840 | $38,150 | $39,220 | $34,560 | $46,220 |
| Bloomington | 830 | $36,820 | $38,570 | $35,290 | $44,920 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 770 | $37,760 | $39,390 | $34,830 | $46,160 |
| Terre Haute | 720 | $36,360 | $37,810 | $35,240 | $44,010 |
| Muncie | 700 | $37,080 | $37,820 | $31,840 | $45,340 |
| Kokomo | 460 | $38,250 | $39,270 | $35,600 | $44,910 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 340 | $38,400 | $40,440 | $35,710 | $47,260 |
| Columbus | 230 | $38,260 | $39,400 | $36,850 | $46,170 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 9,730 | $38,880 |
| Fort Wayne | 3,610 | $37,210 |
| Evansville | 2,030 | $37,180 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 1,520 | $38,550 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 840 | $38,150 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 33,640 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 Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana State Department of Health - Aide Training, Certification and Registry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Indiana is $38,330, which is $1,200 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana State Department of Health - Aide Training, Certification and Registry - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/isdh/24562.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |