CNA Classes in Kansas (Top Schools)

Kansas map

Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is considered a safe and reliable career.

It’s suitable for people who are passionate about helping others.

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) oversees the training and certification of aspiring nurse aides.

You can only be a CNA in the state if you have:

  • Completed the state-approved training
  • Passed the Kansas Nurse Aide Test (KNAT)
  • Been added to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry (KNAR)

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Kansas

Because you’ll provide direct patient care to residents, KDADS requires you to undergo CNA training.

The program will run for 90 hours, with 45 hours spent for clinical training at any of these places:

  • Adult care home
  • Long-term care hospital unit
  • Simulated laboratory

In Kansas, an aspiring CNA is divided into two categories:

  • Nurse aide trainee I (NAT I)
  • Nurse aide trainee II (NAT II)

You’ll be considered a NAT I when you complete the 90-hour program showing initial competency.

You’re a NAT II when you get employed for the purpose of receiving further clinical experiences in learning nursing skills.

This employment as a NAT II will only be valid for four months.

During that period, you can only provide direct patient care under the supervision of either:

  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Registered Nurse (RN)

Additionally, out-of-state CNAs, LPNs, RNs, or mental health technicians can be considered NAT II if they:

  • Have been employed as a nurse aide in their state of origin
  • Completed training and competency exams equivalent to those given in Kansas

Below is a list of state-approved CNA schools you can consider enrolling into.

28 CNA Schools in Kansas

School NameAddress
Allied Health Career Training LLCWichita, KS 67213
Barton Community CollegeGreat Bend, KS 67530
Bethel House Training InstituteWichita, KS 67208
Butler County Community College of AndoverAndover, KS 67042
Cloud County Community CollegeConcordia, KS 66901
Cowley County Community College - Winfield CenterWinfield, KS 67156
Delores Homes Training CenterKansas City, KS 66112
Dodge City Community CollegeDodge City, KS 67801
Flint Hills Technical CollegeEmporia, KS 66801
Garden City Community CollegeGarden City, KS 67846
Highland Community CollegeHighland, KS 66035
Hutchinson Community CollegeHutchinson, KS 67501
Independence Community CollegeIndependence, KS 67301
JCCC Health Occupations DepartmentOlathe, KS 66061
Kansas College Of Nursing - LenexaLenexa, KS 66216
Kansas Medical Training CollegeOlathe, KS 66061
Leonardville Nursing HomeLeonardville, KS 66449
Manhattan Area Technical CollegeManhattan, KS 66503
Mid-America College of Health SciencesMerriam, KS 66204
Midwestern Overland Park CampusOverland Park, KS 66212
Neosho County Community College - ChanuteChanute, KS 66720
North Central Kansas Technical College at HaysHays, KS 67601
Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg, KS 66762
Pratt Community CollegePratt, KS 67124
Trinity Career Institute - LawrenceLawrence, KS 66046
Washburn Tech EastTopeka, KS 66607
We Care Online LLCWichita, KS 67218
WSU TechWichita, KS 67226

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

To evaluate a CNA candidate, KDADs will measure your competency through KNAT.

Note that only NAT II who has successfully completed the competency evaluation
program task checklist can take the exam.

The state test is a written test with 100 multiple-choice questions.

You must score at least 75% to pass it.

If you fail, you must retake it.

You only have three attempts to secure a passing score.

Otherwise, you will have to take a refresher course and enter a new testing cycle.

If You’re from Out-of-State…

According to the Kansas Administrative Regulation, you can become a CNA directly if there’s verified reciprocity.

If there isn’t, then you will have to take KNAT.

Do note that you only have one chance to challenge and pass KNAT.

If you don’t pass it, then you would have to undergo the Kansas CNA training program.

You also have three attempts to pass the exam within 12 months from the date you began the training program.

If You’re a Non-native English Speaker…

During the exam, KDADS will allow you to:

  • Use a bilingual dictionary to help you understand the questions
  • Have an extended exam time of two hours

KNAT Fees

NAT II taking the exam will have to pay the following:

  • Initial exam fee – $20
  • Exam retake fee – $20

Both fees are nonrefundable.

Also, there may be a chance that the health care facility you’re working at may cover the exam fees.

Application Process

Any NAT II eligible to take the exam will have their application processed by the training facility.

Their instructor will submit to the testing facility the following:

  • Application form
  • Application fees
  • Class roster
  • Accommodation requests form

The testing facility’s coordinator will then submit a copy to KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing.

Potential Salary

Like every occupation, a CNA’s salary depends on many factors, such as:

  • Individual skillset
  • Workplace and nature of work
  • Years of experience

As of this writing, the current average annual salary amounts to $30,016.

The table below shows the salary information of CNAs in Kansas.

Annual Salary Range:
$27K
$30K
$33K

Average Salary of CNAs in Kansas

City NameSalary
Wichita$30,458
Overland Park$30,955
Kansas City$31,050
Topeka$29,570
Olathe$30,871
Lawrence$30,046
Shawnee$30,955
Salina$30,142
Manhattan$29,253
Hutchinson$30,142

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Lawrence, KS470$35,330$16.99$38,590$31,090
Manhattan, KS520$35,680$17.16$43,310$29,890
Topeka, KS2,100$36,120$17.37$41,870$30,990
Wichita, KS4,870$35,000$16.83$42,890$30,320
* 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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