CNA Classes in Louisiana (Top Schools)

In Louisiana, an individual becomes a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) when they complete the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP).

It’s the LA Department of Health – Health Standards Section (LDH – HSS) that ensures that NATCEPs being offered meets the state’s requirements.

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Louisiana

You can receive a CNA education and training provided by a state-approved training facility,

The purpose of this program is to ensure that you’ll become a nurse aide capable of working in long-term and nursing facilities.

Many training facilities can provide the training across the state, like:

• Community colleges
• Vocational-technical programs
• Other educational entities

According to the state curriculum, you’ll undergo 80 hours of training:

• 40 hours of classroom learning
• 40 hours of clinical instruction

If you happen to enroll in a facility or non-facility-based program, you must complete at least 16 hours of class instruction before proceeding to clinical.

Then, you can take clinical instruction at long-term and nursing facilities.

There, you’ll be trained and have to demonstrate proficiency in:

• Basic nursing skills
• Personal care skills
• Mental health and social service
• Basic restorative services
• Maintaining a resident’s rights
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Safety and emergency procedures
• Promoting residents’ independence
• Heimlich maneuver

Here are some of the state-approved CNA schools that you may want to check out.

For a full list of training facilities, visit the LDH – HSS website.

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

After the training, you will then undergo the Competency Evaluation Program (CEP).

Its purpose is to assess whether you meet the minimum training requirements for CNA through a certification exam.

Also, Prometric will administer the CEP for a standardized exam in Louisiana.

In the CEP, you will take a knowledge test (written or oral) and a clinical skills test.

The knowledge test is usually in a written format.

It consists of 60 questions to be completed in 90 minutes.

You can take the knowledge test in an oral format only if you have limited literacy skills.

But do note that your knowledge test will now include a 15-item reading comprehension test.

This test will determine if you have the reading skills to work in the capacity of a nurse aide at a nursing facility.

Meanwhile, in the clinical skills test, you will demonstrate five skills within a given time frame.

In regards to the passing rate, you will need at least a 70% score to pass each test.

The testing facility will post the results immediately after your tests.

Also, they will provide the printed official results at the regional testing facility.

After Completing CEP

If you pass, Prometric will send your information to LDH so you can be added to the LA Nurse Aide Registry (NAR).

Prometric and the training facility both have 30 days to submit all necessary documents to LDH to signify your successful completion of NATCEP.

Your status as a CNA is going to be valid for two years from the issue date.

Your certification will be automatically renewed provided that you’ve worked as a nurse aid with pay for 24 months.

Otherwise, you will have to retake the certification exam.

However, if you fail, you will have to retake the test.

CNA Candidates Eligible to Take the CEP

Candidates will submit the necessary documents to Prometric to take the CEP.

You must pass the evaluation within 12 months of finishing your training.

If after the required attempts you still fail, then you’ll have to go retraining at any LA training facility.

For CNAs under reciprocity, you won’t have to take the certification exam.

Once Prometric has verified your application, they will submit to LDH your information to add you to the LA NAR.

You can submit the application form either online or by mail to this address:

Prometric
ATTN: LA Nurse Aide Program
7941 Corporate Drive
Nottingham, MD 21236

CEP Exam Fees

For the certification exam, you will have to pay the following:

• Newly trained, lapsed, and other candidates test takers:
  • Written and clinical tests – $125
  • Oral and clinical tests – $125
• Exam retakers
  • Written test only – $40
  • Oral test only – $40
  • Clinical test only – $85
• Reciprocity – $35
• Rescheduling (at least five business days before the exam) – $25

Note that the oral test includes the reading comprehension test already.

Potential Salary

As a CNA, you can expect to earn enough to lead a comfortable lifestyle.

Also, the job has its perks and benefits that you, as a health professional, will find rewarding.

Currently, the average annual salary in Louisiana is $30,300.

The table below shows the salary information across Louisiana.

CNA Schools by City

• Baton Rouge4 Schools
• New Orleans4 Schools
• Shreveport2 Schools