How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Oklahoma
Oklahoma employs approximately 19,410 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,930 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.22x 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 Oklahoma, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Oklahoma
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Oklahoma? Oklahoma requires credentials such as Certified Nursing Home Assistant Administrator (CAA), Nurse Practitioner, Certified, Nurse-Midwife, Certified. The licensing authority is the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators 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 Oklahoma? Yes. Oklahoma has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Oklahoma? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Oklahoma is $35,930 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,630 and experienced professionals can earn $42,870 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: Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators
- Median wage (Oklahoma): $35,930 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Oklahoma 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Home Assistant Administrator (CAA) | JOB DESCRIPTION: An individual who has been certified by OSBELTCA as having met the minimum qualifications established by the Board to be able to serve as a full time, CAA in a licensed long term care… |
| Nurse Practitioner, Certified | JOB DESCRIPTION: A Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) is a registered nurse with advanced educational preparation that is qualified to perform in an expanded nursing role. |
| Nurse-Midwife, Certified | JOB DESCRIPTION: A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who has successfully completed a recognized program of study and clinical experience in obstetrics and is qual… |
| Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Registered | JOB DESCRIPTION: A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who specializes in anesthesia care to prevent pain during surgical operations, deliveri… |
| Multistate (MSL) Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license | JOB DESCRIPTION: Multistate licensure privilege means a legal authorizaton associated with a multistate license permitting practice at the license level (RN or LPN) in a remote state that has adopted… |
| Nurse, Registered | JOB DESCRIPTION: A Registered Nurse (RN) provides services for purposes of nursing diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems consistent with education preparati… |
| Nurse Specialist, Clinical | JOB DESCRIPTION: A Clinical Nurse Specialist is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with a master’s degree in nursing that provides direct nursing care to a selected population of patients an… |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical | JOB DESCRIPTION: A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) cares for ill, injured, convalescent, and/or handicapped patients under the direction of physicians, dentists, or registered nurses. |
| Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) | JOB DESCRIPTION: A long-term care administrator duly licensed by OSBELTCA to serve in this capacity in a nursing facility, nursing home skilled nursing facility, or any similarly worded facility type. |
| Medication Aide |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Oklahoma vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 6,150 | $36,560 | $37,300 | $31,710 | $43,430 |
| Tulsa | 5,420 | $36,720 | $37,270 | $31,740 | $43,480 |
| Fort Smith | 1,580 | $32,020 | $31,750 | $25,040 | $36,960 |
| Lawton | 490 | $35,190 | $37,760 | $29,470 | $49,920 |
| Enid | 270 | $34,250 | $33,920 | $29,990 | $38,000 |
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 Oklahoma
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Oklahoma according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 6,150 | $36,560 |
| Tulsa | 5,420 | $36,720 |
| Lawton | 490 | $35,190 |
| Enid | 270 | $34,250 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Oklahoma? Oklahoma currently employs approximately 19,410 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 Oklahoma with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Oklahoma? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Oklahoma.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Oklahoma compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Oklahoma is $35,930, which is $3,600 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators - Licensing Information: https://www.ok.gov/osbeltca/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |