How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in North Carolina
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in North Carolina
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Medication Aide - Long Term Care/Skilled Nursing Facilities, Nurse Aide I, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The licensing authority is the NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation 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 North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation
- Median wage (North Carolina): $38,460 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Medication Aide - Long Term Care/Skilled Nursing Facilities | A medication aide in a long term care/skilled nursing facility is an unlicensed health care professional that administers medications (non-intravenous or non-injectable) to residents in a long term ca… |
| Nurse Aide I | A nurse aide is an unlicensed health care professional providing nursing or nursing-related services for monetary compensation under the direct supervision of a registered nurse to residents in a long… |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA’s) Are Currently Registered Nurses Who Have Completed Additional Education In Nurse Anesthesia. |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | Nurse Midwives practice the independent management of women’s health care, focusing particularly on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, newborn care, and family planning and gynecological ne… |
| Dispensing Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant | A physician assistant or nurse practitioner who dispenses prescription drugs must register with the Board of Pharmacy. |
| Practical Nurse | Practical Nurses (LPN’s) Participate In The Implementation Of Health Care Plans Developed By A Physician, Registered Nurse, Or Any Other Authorized Person. |
| Registered Nurse | Registered Nurses (RN’s) Give Prescribed Medications And Treatments, Prepare Equipment, And Aid Physicians During The Treatment And Examination Of Patients. |
| Nurse Practitioner | Nurse Practitioners manage a broad range of health issues, emphasizing primary care and health promotion. |
| Nursing Home | To Operate A Facility Maintained For The Purpose Of Providing Nursing Or Convalescent Care For Three Or More Persons Unrelated To Nursing Homes Provide Care For Persons Who Have Remedial Ailments Or O… |
| Nurse Aide II | Nurse Aides Work Under The Supervision Of Nursing And Medical Staff. They Respond To Patients’ Calls, Serve Meals, Make Beds, And Assist Patients In Eating, Dressing, And Bathing. |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) PMHNP-BC | Nurse Practitioners prescribe medication, diagnose and treat minor illnesses and injuries, and provide comprehensive health care across the lifespan with an emphasis on prevention. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS’s) Are Certified To Practice As Clinical Experts, Consultants, Educators, And/Or Researchers In The Care Of Populations Of Patients Who Have Complex Health Problems Or… |
| Nursing Home Administrator | One must have a current nursing home administrator license to administer, manage, supervise a NC nursing home. |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC) | Nurse Practitioners prescribe medication, diagnose and treat minor illnesses and injuries, and provide comprehensive health care across the lifespan with an emphasis on prevention. |
| Certified Nursery (Plants) | A Plant Inspection Certificate Is A Document Issued By NCDA Or The Appropriate Plant Pest Regulatory Agency Of Any Other State Which Declares That The Plants Grown By The Person Named On The Certifica… |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) - National | Nurse Practitioners prescribe medication, diagnose and treat minor illnesses and injuries, and provide comprehensive health care across the lifespan with an emphasis on prevention. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification-National | Clinical nurse specialists provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients. |
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC) | Nurse Practitioners prescribe medication, diagnose and treat minor illnesses and injuries, and provide comprehensive health care across the lifespan with an emphasis on prevention. |
| Nursing Pool Licensure | Nursing Pool Refers To Any Person, Firm, Corporation, Partnership Or Association Engaged For Hire In The Business Of Providing Or Procuring Temporary Employment In Health Care Facilities For Nursing P… |
| Temporary Nursing Home Administrator License | Temporary license is issued based on one of the following circumstances: sudden death of the licensed administrator; unexpected transfer of the licensed administrator; or unforeseeable termination of… |
| Nursery Dealer | A Document Issued By NCDA Which Declares That The Person Named On The Certificate Has Given Satisfactory Evidence That All Nursery Stock Sold Or Otherwise Disposed Of By Him Will Be Such As Was Secure… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
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 (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 13,580 | $39,430 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 6,420 | $39,710 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 5,280 | $38,260 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 4,830 | $40,560 |
| Winston-Salem | 4,450 | $38,660 |
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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.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation - Licensing Information: https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/testrules.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) |