How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Missouri
Missouri employs approximately 34,050 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,680 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.24x 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 Missouri, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Missouri
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Missouri? Missouri requires credentials such as Advanced Practice Nurses, Nurse Midwife, Registered Nurse. The licensing authority is the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State 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 Missouri? Yes. Missouri has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Missouri is $37,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,350 and experienced professionals can earn $45,260 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: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Missouri): $37,680 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Missouri 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Nurses | This certification requires an education beyond the basic nursing education and certification with a nationally recognized professional organization approved by the board, such as certified registered… |
| Nurse Midwife | Certification as a Nurse Midwife requires an education beyond the basic nursing education and certification by the American College of Nurse Midwives or other nationally recognized professional organi… |
| Registered Nurse | An applicant shall submit to the board a written application showing the completion of a professional nursing degree from an accredited school. |
| Nurse Anesthetist | An applicant must be a registered nurse who is currently certified as a nurse anesthetist by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, o… |
| Acute Care Nurse | Applicants must meet all requirements for a Registered Nurse licensure and complete a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in an advanced practice nursing clin… |
| Adult Health Care Nurse | Applicants must meet all requirements for a Registered Nurse licensure and complete a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in an advanced practice nursing clin… |
| Family Psychiatric / Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | Family Psychiatric / Mental Health Nurse Practitioner |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | Applicants must meet all requirements for a Registered Nurse licensure and complete a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in an advanced practice nursing clin… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | An applicant for licensure by examination should have degree or diploma in practical nursing from accredited practical nursing program, complete and submit an application, pay fee, and apply to take t… |
| Adult Nurse Practitioner | Applicants must meet all requirements for a Registered Nurse licensure and complete a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in an advanced practice nursing clin… |
| Clinical Nurse Specialists | Applicant must contact Missouri Division of Professional Registration for license requirements. |
| Gerontological Nurse Practitioner | This certification requires an education beyond the basic nursing education and certification with a nationally recognized professional organization approved by the board, such as certified registered… |
| Adult Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | Applicants must meet all requirements for a Registered Nurse licensure and complete a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in an advanced practice nursing clin… |
| Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner | Applicants must meet all requirements for a Registered Nurse licensure and complete a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in an advanced practice nursing clin… |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | Applicants for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification by examination must: Meet all requirements for Registered Nurse licensure. |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | Certification as Neonatal Nurse Practitioner requires an education beyond the basic nursing education and certification with a nationally recognized professional organization approved by the board, su… |
| Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants | Applicants must complete approved training program of 75 hours classroom training, 100 hours of on-the-job training, and successfully complete a final examination. |
| Speech Language Pathologist Aide | Speech Language Pathologist Aide |
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 Missouri
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 14,620 | $39,110 | $40,720 | $35,300 | $46,890 |
| Kansas City | 13,370 | $39,710 | $42,000 | $36,510 | $48,130 |
| Springfield | 3,150 | $36,180 | $36,460 | $31,240 | $42,220 |
| Columbia | 2,040 | $41,290 | $39,790 | $32,260 | $47,530 |
| Joplin | 1,180 | $34,600 | $35,350 | $31,080 | $40,550 |
| Cape Girardeau | 680 | $36,650 | $36,700 | $30,610 | $43,460 |
| Jefferson City | 630 | $36,080 | $36,540 | $30,060 | $42,830 |
| St. Joseph | 620 | $35,900 | $36,550 | $30,090 | $43,550 |
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 Missouri
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 14,620 | $39,110 |
| Kansas City | 13,370 | $39,710 |
| Springfield | 3,150 | $36,180 |
| Columbia | 2,040 | $41,290 |
| Joplin | 1,180 | $34,600 |
Explore More Trades in Missouri
- Electrician in Missouri
- Plumber in Missouri
- HVAC Technician in Missouri
- Welder in Missouri
- Carpenter in Missouri
- Solar Installation Technician in Missouri
- Auto Mechanic in Missouri
- CNC Machinist in Missouri
- Medical Assistant in Missouri
- Massage Therapist in Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 34,050 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Missouri is $37,680, which is $1,850 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |