How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Oregon
Oregon employs approximately 14,800 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,830 1. 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 Oregon, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Oregon
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Oregon? Oregon requires credentials such as Nursing Assistants, Certified (CNA 1), Nursing Assistants, Certified (CNA 2), CNA 1, CNA 2 or CMA Training Program Instructor Approval Application. The licensing authority is the 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 Oregon? Yes. Oregon has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The State Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Oregon is $49,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,210 and experienced professionals can earn $61,310 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: State Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Oregon): $49,830 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Oregon
The State Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Oregon 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants, Certified (CNA 1) | Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) assist licensed nursing personnel in the provision of nursing care. |
| Nursing Assistants, Certified (CNA 2) | Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) assist licensed nursing personnel in the provision of nursing care. |
| CNA 1, CNA 2 or CMA Training Program Instructor Approval Application | Approval to serve as a nursing assistant (NA) or medication aide (MA) instructor in an approved NA Level-1, NA Level-2 or MA training program. |
| Medication Aides, Certified | Certified Medication Aides (CMAs) are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who have had additional training and are authorized to administer noninjectable medications. |
| CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide anesthetic management of a patient under collaborative guidelines as appropriate. |
| Nurse Practitioners | Nurse Practitioners (NP) independently provide primary health care in one or more of the following classifications and scopes of practice: Adult NP, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology… |
| Nurses, Registered | Registered Nurses (RNs) administer general nursing care which includes assessing, planning, providing, delegating, teaching, and supervising care which promotes optimum health and independence for ill… |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) independently provides advanced theory and research-based care to clients, and facilitates attainment of health goals. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist Re-Entry & Limited License | Application for re-entry and limited Clinical Nurse Specialist license. |
| Nurse Practitioner, Additional Specialty Category | Additional nurse practitioner specialty category. The additional specialty categories are: * Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) * Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) * Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse… |
| School Nurse - Professional | A School Nurse is a registered nurse who is certified by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission as qualified to conduct and coordinate the health service programs of a school. |
| Nursing Home Administrator | A licensed nursing home administrator (NHA) is an individual responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling the operation of a nursing home. |
| Nurses, Licensed Practical | Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide general nursing care which includes collecting information, contributing to the plan of care, and providing care in predictable situations with minimal supervi… |
| Nurse Practitioners Authorization | For workers’ compensation claims in Oregon, a nurse practitioner must become authorized prior to treating a patient. |
| Nurse Practitioner Re-Entry & Limited License | “Nurse Practitioner” (NP) means a registered nurse who provides health care in an expanded specialty role. |
| Nurses, Registered and Licensed Practical, Re-entry | Application for re-entry to limited registered nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license. |
| Nursing Home Administrator - AIT Registration | An administrator-in-training (AIT) candidate is a person completing an established program of training necessary to secure a license as a nursing home administrator (NHA). |
| Nursing Home Administrator - Provisional License | ¢Whenever a bona fide emergency exists such as, but not limited to, the death, incapacitation, or unexpected resignation of a licensed nursing home administrator and the nursing home which such person… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Oregon vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 8,890 | $50,350 | $52,660 | $43,980 | $61,170 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 1,540 | $48,320 | $49,960 | $40,530 | $61,310 |
| Salem | 1,390 | $48,840 | $52,170 | $44,960 | $62,300 |
| Medford | 1,000 | $47,890 | $50,780 | $43,480 | $59,380 |
| Bend | 620 | $50,080 | $51,900 | $45,440 | $58,710 |
| Albany | 530 | $48,550 | $50,320 | $40,980 | $60,470 |
| Grants Pass | 420 | $49,770 | $52,720 | $42,970 | $62,300 |
| Corvallis | 340 | $48,830 | $50,300 | $39,760 | $60,960 |
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 Oregon
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Oregon according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 8,890 | $50,350 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 1,540 | $48,320 |
| Salem | 1,390 | $48,840 |
| Medford | 1,000 | $47,890 |
| Bend | 620 | $50,080 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 14,800 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 Oregon with an out-of-state license? Contact the State Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Oregon? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Oregon.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Oregon is $49,830, which is $10,300 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
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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State Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/sfm/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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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) |