CNA Classes in Indiana (Top Schools)

Indiana map

In Indiana, you can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (or Nurse Aides) (CNA) if you:

  • Complete a state-approved CNA program
  • Pass the Indiana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (INACE)

After receiving certification, you will then be added to the state’s Nurse Aide Registry (NAR).

You will continue to be in the registry as long as you work in good standing as a CNA in the state.

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Indiana

For the CNA program, it is under the regulation of the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).

This will ensure that training will meet the standards and requirements of the state and federal governments for CNAs.

In the program, you will undergo a total of 105 hours of training, comprising of:

  • 30 hours of classroom instruction
  • 75 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed nurse

During that time, you will learn the IDOH’s approved standards and resident care procedures.

As a result, you’ll be a CNA capable of performing quality and efficient patient care to residents.

Here are the approved CNA schools that you can choose from:

20 CNA Schools in Indiana

School NameAddress
Avalon VillageLigonier, IN 46767
Christian Care Retirement CommunityBluffton, IN 46714
Danville Regional RehabilitationDanville, IN 46122
Heritage House of New CastleNew Castle, IN 47362
Impact InstituteKendallville, in 46755
Ivy Tech Community CollegeMultiple Locations
Kankakee Valley High SchoolWheatfield, IN 46392
Lincoln Hills of New AlbanyNew Albany, IN 47150
Lodge of the WabashVincennes, IN 47591
Lutheran Life VillagesFort Wayne, IN 46816
Miller’s Merry ManorMultiple Locations
Mulberry Health and Rehabilitation CenterMulberry, IN 46058
North Adams Vocational SchoolDecatur, IN 46733
Persimmon Ridge Rehabilitation CentrePortland, IN 47371
Southwestern Indiana Health Services AcademyEvansville, IN 47714
The Community HospitalMunster, IN 46321
The Institute of Caring LLCAurora, IN 47001
Wabash River Career and Technical EducationMontezuma, IN 47862
Westminster Village - West LafayetteWest Lafayette, IN 47906
Wildcat Creek Career CorporationFrankfort, IN 46041

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

The IDOH entrusted the administration of INACE to the Ivy Tech Community College (ITCC).

ITCC will oversee the following tests:

  • Written, with 100 multiple choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes
  • Skills, demonstrating at least five clinical skills in 30 minutes

Oral testing may be allowed instead of written in special cases, like:

  • Visual impairment
  • Literacy shortcomings

You will then pay the following fees:

  • Single section (written or skills) – $65.00
  • Dual section (written and skills) – $75

It will take two weeks to complete your test application and be scheduled.

Usually, your test schedule will be after 30 days of application approval.

Do note that you have the following period to take the test:

  • Not working as a CNA – two years from the date of completion of clinical training
  • Working as a CNA – 120 days from the date of hire

If you can’t or haven’t, then you will retake the entire CNA program.

If you successfully passed INACE, ITCC will send your results to IDOH.

After they send it to IDOH, you’ll have to wait eight to ten weeks to receive your license.

For the registry, it may take up to 90 days for you to be added to NAR.

Procedures for INACE Retakers

Should you fail, you’re allowed to retake INACE up to three times.

If you still didn’t pass on the third attempt, then you’ll have to undergo 105 hours of training again.

ITCC will require you to submit your fail form and payment for retesting to this address:

Ivy Tech Community College
ATTN: CNA Testing
P.O. Box 1621
Indianapolis, IN 46206

The cost for retesting, written and/or skills, will remain the same.

Candidates Eligible to Take the INACE

The IDOH will only allow the following CNA candidates to take the INACE at ITCC:

  • Person who completed the state-approved training
  • Nursing student
    • Currently studying a nursing course
    • Receive at least a grade of “C” in Fundamentals of Nursing or equivalent
  • Nursing graduate who has yet to take the board exam
    • Must’ve graduated recently within the past two years
    • Receive at least a grade of “C” in Fundamentals of Nursing or equivalent
  • Nursing graduate who failed the board exam
    • Must’ve graduated recently within the past two years
    • Receive at least a grade of “C” in Fundamentals of Nursing or equivalent
  • CNA in another state
    • Currently registered in that state’s NAR in good standing
  • Foreign-trained nurse
    • Recognized nurse (LPN or RN) in the country of origin
  • Military medic
    • Documentation of training within the past 2 years from discharge date
  • Psychiatric attendant
    • Must be trained in an Indiana State facility

For more information, especially exam requirements, visit ITCC’s website for details.

Potential Salary

We must admit that a CNA’s salary is modest.

Currently, the average annual salary amounts to $30,901.

It’s already an ample amount that’s enough to give you a stable income and financial security.

Of course, many factors will affect it, such as:

  • Extensive experience
  • Level of skills and knowledge
  • Nature of work

So expect to receive increased remuneration in the future.

The table below shows the average annual salary of a CNA across Indiana.

Annual Salary Range:
$28K
$30K
$34K

Average Salary of CNAs in Indiana

City NameSalary
Indianapolis$30,897
Fort Wayne$29,507
Evansville$29,895
South Bend$29,567
Gary$31,502
Hammond$31,502
Bloomington$29,134
Muncie$29,174
Anderson$29,288
Terre Haute$29,038

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Bloomington, IN570$36,190$17.4$43,150$30,430
Columbus, IN220$36,470$17.53$44,260$29,400
Elkhart-Goshen, IN790$37,750$18.15$45,190$31,990
Evansville, IN-KY1,850$36,280$17.44$43,100$29,400
Fort Wayne, IN2,590$35,650$17.14$43,140$28,030
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN9,480$38,580$18.55$46,130$31,290
Kokomo, IN430$37,950$18.24$45,830$30,710
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN820$38,640$18.58$43,540$31,060
Michigan City-La Porte, IN350$36,190$17.4$43,610$30,420
Muncie, IN760$35,880$17.25$42,190$30,240
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI1,390$38,280$18.4$45,080$31,250
Terre Haute, IN690$34,980$16.82$43,080$29,820
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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