How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina employs about 64,010 certified nursing assistants earning a median $38,460 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Certified Nursing Assistant here means completing state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry, then applying through the North Carolina nurse aide registry.
Compare Certified Nursing Assistant Schools in North Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Carolina Community College | 60.6 | $2,711 in-state / $8,855 out-of-state | $42,844 | 43% | Yes* | In-state |
| 2 | Cape Fear Community College | 57.9 | $2,748 in-state / $8,892 out-of-state | $48,346 | 34% | Yes* | In-state |
| 3 | Blue Ridge Community College | 57.3 | $2,660 in-state / $8,804 out-of-state | $40,879 | 50% | Yes* | In-state |
| 4 | Central Piedmont Community College | 52.6 | $2,792 in-state / $8,936 out-of-state | $48,441 | 31% | Yes* | In-state |
| 5 | Davidson-Davie Community College | 51.6 | $1,980 in-state / $6,588 out-of-state | $44,533 | 46% | Yes* | In-state |
| 6 | Gaston College | 51.1 | $3,186 in-state / $9,330 out-of-state | Not reported | 63% | Yes* | In-state |
| 7 | Durham Technical Community College | 49.8 | $1,986 in-state / $6,594 out-of-state | $57,868 | 45% | Yes* | In-state |
| 8 | Carteret Community College | 48.1 | $2,310 in-state / $8,222 out-of-state | $41,388 | 49% | Yes* | In-state |
| 9 | Cleveland Community College | 46.6 | $2,602 in-state / $8,746 out-of-state | $41,985 | 32% | Yes* | In-state |
| 10 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | $2,628 in-state / $8,772 out-of-state | $48,138 | 24% | Yes* | In-state |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
North Carolina employs approximately 64,010 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,460 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.39x 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 North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: state-approved CNA / nurse aide training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry
- Exam: state nurse aide competency exam (written or oral plus skills)
- Median wage (North Carolina): $38,460 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in North Carolina
How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in North Carolina? Complete state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry. Apply through the North Carolina nurse aide registry.
How long does it take? Most people finish state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and the North Carolina nurse aide registry.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina lists certified nursing assistants on a state nurse aide registry after approved training and a competency exam. See the licensing section below.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in North Carolina is $38,460 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,260 and experienced professionals can earn $47,080 or more 1.
How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in North Carolina
- Meet program entry rules. Most North Carolina CNA programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, immunization, TB, and background-check rules with the training program.
- Complete state-approved CNA training. Finish a state-approved nurse aide training program in North Carolina. Training is typically several weeks of classroom work plus supervised clinical practice at a community college, vocational school, or nursing facility. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass the competency exam. Pass the North Carolina nurse aide competency exam: a written or oral knowledge test and a skills demonstration. The exam vendor is chosen by the state; confirm current scheduling with the North Carolina nurse aide registry.
- Get listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. Apply through the North Carolina nurse aide registry. You cannot work as a CNA in a nursing home until that listing is current. Renewal and in-service rules are state-specific; confirm them with the registry.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina lists certified nursing assistants on a state nurse aide registry after a state-approved training program and a competency exam.
Typical CNA path
- Meet the training program’s entry rules.
- Complete state-approved CNA training (typically several weeks).
- Pass the written or oral exam and the skills demonstration.
- Get listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry before working as a CNA in a nursing home.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change and vary by state. Confirm current requirements with the North Carolina nurse aide registry before you enroll. Do not apply to the board of nursing for a CNA listing unless that board also runs the nurse aide registry.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), nursing assistants wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 13,580 | $39,430 | $41,410 | $33,730 | $49,050 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 8,110 | $38,990 | $40,420 | $31,210 | $47,440 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 6,420 | $39,710 | $40,460 | $30,660 | $47,740 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 5,280 | $38,260 | $38,650 | $29,600 | $45,920 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 4,830 | $40,560 | $42,540 | $36,830 | $49,320 |
| Winston-Salem | 4,450 | $38,660 | $39,270 | $32,510 | $45,630 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 2,780 | $37,430 | $37,960 | $31,240 | $44,860 |
| Asheville | 2,590 | $40,170 | $41,500 | $33,670 | $49,030 |
| Wilmington | 2,390 | $37,710 | $38,100 | $29,710 | $47,100 |
| Fayetteville | 2,130 | $37,530 | $37,600 | $28,660 | $44,990 |
| Greenville | 1,730 | $39,480 | $38,270 | $29,290 | $43,060 |
| Burlington | 1,020 | $39,090 | $39,150 | $30,480 | $45,650 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 950 | $36,930 | $36,830 | $29,830 | $43,570 |
| Rocky Mount | 940 | $37,650 | $36,370 | $27,600 | $43,740 |
| Goldsboro | 600 | $38,540 | $37,860 | $29,920 | $46,580 |
| Jacksonville | 530 | $35,880 | $36,100 | $30,130 | $42,070 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 64,010 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Carolina.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in North Carolina is $38,460, which is $1,070 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |