How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Kentucky
Kentucky employs approximately 23,410 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,370 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.26x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Kentucky, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Kentucky
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Kentucky? Kentucky requires credentials such as Nurse, Clinical Specialist (APRN), Nurse Anesthetist (APRN), Nurse, Midwife (APRN). The licensing authority is the Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Nursing 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 Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Kentucky is $38,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,390 and experienced professionals can earn $46,450 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: Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Kentucky): $38,370 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Kentucky 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurse, Clinical Specialist (APRN) | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION A registered nurse who, through study and supervised practice at the graduate level (master’s or doctorate degree), functions and practices as an advanced registered nurse prac… |
| Nurse Anesthetist (APRN) | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Performs registered nurse functions and practices advanced skills related to anesthesia care based on knowledge acquired in a post-basic program of study and clinical experienc… |
| Nurse, Midwife (APRN) | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Performs registered nurse functions and practices as an advanced registered nurse practitioner in the management and care of the essentially healthy woman and newborn during th… |
| Nurse Practitioner (APRN) | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Functions as a registered nurse and practices as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) in the management and care of essentially healthy children and/or adults in al… |
| Registered Nurse | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Performs functions which require substantial knowledge, judgement and nursing skills, based upon the principles of psychological, biological, physical and social sciences in th… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Provides nursing care to the ill, injured, or infirm by performing nursing tasks based on knowledge and skills taught or acquired in approved schools for practical nursing. |
| Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION A sexual assault nurse examiner is a registered nurse trained in the forensic examination of victims of sexual assault and credentialed by the Board of Nursing. |
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 Kentucky
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 11,390 | $40,350 | $41,950 | $37,300 | $47,180 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 7,650 | $42,220 | $41,900 | $35,360 | $47,260 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 3,250 | $39,380 | $40,210 | $33,090 | $46,930 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 1,950 | $37,140 | $36,890 | $29,600 | $45,400 |
| Owensboro | 890 | $39,020 | $38,060 | $32,850 | $45,260 |
| Bowling Green | 790 | $38,340 | $38,810 | $30,390 | $44,680 |
| Paducah | 710 | $37,860 | $38,080 | $30,210 | $44,240 |
| Clarksville | 620 | $37,320 | $37,180 | $29,800 | $45,050 |
| Elizabethtown | 450 | $38,030 | $38,610 | $31,230 | $44,910 |
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 Kentucky
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Kentucky according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 7,650 | $42,220 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 3,250 | $39,380 |
| Owensboro | 890 | $39,020 |
| Bowling Green | 790 | $38,340 |
| Paducah | 710 | $37,860 |
Explore More Trades in Kentucky
- Electrician in Kentucky
- Plumber in Kentucky
- HVAC Technician in Kentucky
- Welder in Kentucky
- Carpenter in Kentucky
- Solar Installation Technician in Kentucky
- Auto Mechanic in Kentucky
- CNC Machinist in Kentucky
- Medical Assistant in Kentucky
- Massage Therapist in Kentucky
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 23,410 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 Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Contact the Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kentucky.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Kentucky is $38,370, which is $1,160 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: http://kbn.ky.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |