How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in North Dakota
North Dakota employs approximately 6,840 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,820 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.71x 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 Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in North Dakota
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in North Dakota? North Dakota requires credentials such as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), Registered Nurses (RN), Specialty Practice Registered Nurses. The licensing authority is the ND 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 North Dakota? Yes. North Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The ND Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in North Dakota is $45,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,130 and experienced professionals can earn $51,380 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: ND Board of Nursing
- Median wage (North Dakota): $45,820 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in North Dakota
The ND Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in North Dakota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Registered Nurses (RN) | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Specialty Practice Registered Nurses | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Nursing Home Administrators | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 2,240 | $39,940 | $42,350 | $33,050 | $50,800 |
| Bismarck | 1,430 | $46,720 | $43,950 | $36,040 | $49,120 |
| Grand Forks | 930 | $45,740 | $43,750 | $35,330 | $48,830 |
| Minot | 430 | $36,500 | $39,310 | $35,130 | $47,500 |
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 Dakota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within North Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 2,240 | $39,940 |
| Bismarck | 1,430 | $46,720 |
| Grand Forks | 930 | $45,740 |
| Minot | 430 | $36,500 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 6,840 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 Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the ND Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Dakota.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in North Dakota is $45,820, which is $6,290 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
ND Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.ndbon.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |