CNA Classes in Nebraska (Top Schools)

Per the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), you can be a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) if you meet all these criteria:

• At least 16 years old
• Complete either a:
  • 75-hour state-approved training program
  • 21-hour basic resident-care course for the developmentally disabled in an intermediate care facility
• Complete a one-hour abuse/neglect/misappropriation training
• Undergo a background check
• Pass the competency evaluation exam
• Fluent in English

Only then can you be added to the CNA Registry.

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Nebraska

Enrolling in an approved CNA training program is important for aspiring CNAs.

That’s because the classes you’ll receive meet the minimum state and federal requirements for the curriculum.

In the program, you’ll spend the aforementioned training hours to equip yourself with nurse aide knowledge and skills.

Afterward, the CNA training facility will award you with a Certificate of Completion.

To know where you can enroll, check out the table below containing some of the state’s CNA training facilities.

Evaluating the CNA Candidate

After completing the program, you will now take an approved competency evaluation program (CEP).

Basically, the CEP is the Nurse Aide Competency Exam (NACE) of other states.

Like NACE, the CEP has two assessments: a knowledge test and a skills test.

For the knowledge test:

• It can either be in a written format or an oral one.
• You’ll answer 50 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes.
• Passing score is 70%.

For the skills test:

• You’ll be assigned to perform six randomly selected nurse aide skills.
• Correctly demonstrate all the steps of each skill to pass this test.

Note that you only have three attempts to pass each of these tests.

If you can’t, then you’ll have to retrain to retake the CEP exam.

Where to Take the CEP Exam

Unlike other states, Nebraska has not assigned a sole testing vendor to facilitate the CEP exam.

As such, you can only take the tests at the training facility where you completed the CNA training program.

So, for example, if you’ve taken the program in a school, then you’ll take the tests there.

This setup will mean that you’ll have to self-register for testing through the following providers:

• Nebraska Health Care Learning Center
• Providence Health Care Institute

You may send your registration online or via mail, email, or fax.

Nebraska Health Care Learning Center
1200 Libra Drive, Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68512
Phone: 402-435-3551
Fax: 402-475-6289
Email: nhca@nehca.org

Providence Health Care Institute
4600 Valley Road, Suite 412
Lincoln, NE 68510
Phone: 402-326-2792
Fax: 402-483-6701
Email: providencehealthcareer@gmail.com

Note that if you pass the tests, these providers will forward your results to the Nebraska CNA Registry.

Other CNA Candidates Eligible for Certification

Aside from newly-trained nurse aides and CNAs with lapsed certification, the following can be CNAs in Nebraska.

Nursing students

You are exempt from the CEP exam if you:

• Provide a transcript of completed courses equivalent to a CNA training
• Have a grade of 70% in the equivalent courses

If your grades fall below 70%, then you will:

• Take the CEP exam
• Complete a one-hour abuse/neglect/misappropriation training

Military with medical training

You are exempt from the CEP exam if you present proof of training record or DD214 to DHHS.

Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurse

You are exempt from the CEP exam if you have:

• Lapsed certification within two years
• Been working as a nurse for the past 24 months

But if the certification lapses for more than two years, you’ll have to take the CEP exam.

Foreign-trained nurses

To be exempt from the CEP exam, you must submit the following:

• A written request for exemption to DHHS
• Credential Evaluation Service Professional Report from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing School
• Complete a one-hour abuse/neglect/misappropriation training

But if you haven’t worked as a nurse in the past 24 months, then you’ll have to take the exam.

Out-of-state CNAs

You can request to be added to Nebraska’s CNA Registry if you:

• Have an active status and in good standing in another state’s CNA Registry
• Duly accomplished Interstate Endorsement Form
• Certificate of Completion of an approved training program in another state
• Complete a one-hour abuse/neglect/misappropriation training

If you can’t provide proof of CNA testing or employment in another state, then you have to take the exam.

Potential Salary

A CNA’s salary can be considered modest, with an average annual salary of $29,057.

But with more invested skills and experience, you can earn more than that in the future.

The table below shows the salary information per city in Nebraska.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary

* 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.

CNA Schools by City

• Lincoln2 Schools
• Omaha4 Schools