How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Louisiana
Louisiana employs approximately 20,690 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $30,510 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 Louisiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Louisiana
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Louisiana? Louisiana requires credentials such as Nurses’s Assistant, Certified (CNA), Nurse Practitioner, Nurse, Anesthetists. The licensing authority is the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Bureau of Health Standards 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 8 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Bureau of Health Standards oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Louisiana is $30,510 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,980 and experienced professionals can earn $37,390 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: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Bureau of Health Standards
- Median wage (Louisiana): $30,510 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Bureau of Health Standards oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Louisiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurses’s Assistant, Certified (CNA) | Applicants must work at least 8 hours in approved settings: nursing home, hospital, hospice, home health, personal care attendant (PCA), assisted living, rehabilitation or intensive care (ICF) or deve… |
| Nurse Practitioner | Possess a current/valid, unrestricted Louisiana Registered Nurse (RN) license. Possess a minimum of a graduate degree or post graduate award with a concentration in the respective APRN role. |
| Nurse, Anesthetists | Possess a current/valid, unrestricted Louisiana Registered Nurse (RN) license. Possess a minimum of a graduate degree or post graduate award with a concentration in the respective APRN role. |
| Nurse, School | Type C School Nurse-Licenses may be renewed for one three-year period upon request of the employing authority and the individual must present a copy of current Louisiana licensure as a registered pr… |
| Nurse, Registered | Applicant must be a high school graduate. Must graduate from an approved nursing school and have had a nursing degree conferred. An applicant must not have grounds for denial. |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical (LPN) | Must have graduated from a Board approved LPN program and pass licensure exam. Applicants must be of good moral character. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialists | |
| Nursing Home Administrator | License is required for all persons in nursing facility administration. Applicants must take a national and state written test. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | 3,660 | $34,320 | $34,280 | $28,690 | $38,220 |
| Baton Rouge | 3,500 | $31,220 | $32,830 | $29,070 | $37,270 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 2,330 | $32,160 | $33,590 | $28,960 | $40,760 |
| Lafayette | 1,990 | $29,960 | $30,850 | $27,260 | $36,630 |
| Monroe | 1,340 | $29,880 | $30,500 | $27,580 | $35,250 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 1,030 | $34,050 | $33,770 | $29,300 | $37,890 |
| Alexandria | 910 | $30,650 | $32,640 | $27,730 | $37,390 |
| Lake Charles | 730 | $33,850 | $32,580 | $27,490 | $38,660 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 630 | $30,140 | $30,720 | $26,710 | $35,510 |
| Hammond | 600 | $33,010 | $32,840 | $28,670 | $37,290 |
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 Louisiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Louisiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | 3,660 | $34,320 |
| Baton Rouge | 3,500 | $31,220 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 2,330 | $32,160 |
| Lafayette | 1,990 | $29,960 |
| Monroe | 1,340 | $29,880 |
Explore More Trades in Louisiana
- Electrician in Louisiana
- Plumber in Louisiana
- HVAC Technician in Louisiana
- Welder in Louisiana
- Carpenter in Louisiana
- Solar Installation Technician in Louisiana
- Auto Mechanic in Louisiana
- CNC Machinist in Louisiana
- Medical Assistant in Louisiana
- Massage Therapist in Louisiana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 20,690 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 Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Bureau of Health Standards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Louisiana.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Louisiana is $30,510, which is $9,020 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Bureau of Health Standards - Licensing Information: https://www.dhh.louisiana.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) |