CNA Classes in Oregon (Top Schools)

In Oregon, the State Board of Nursing (OSBN) regulates the standards of Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs).

The board recognizes two levels of CNAs: CNA I and CNA II.

To be a CNA I, you must complete the following:

• Attend an OSBN-approved CNA I training program
• Undergo a criminal background check
• Pass the Oregon Nurse Aide Competency Exam (OR NACE)
• Submit all other application requirements

On the other hand, to be a CNA II, you must:

• Hold a current CNA I certification
• Complete an OSBN-approved CNA II training program

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Oregon

Part of OSBN’s job is to set the curriculum in approved CNA I and II training programs.

In this way, you will receive nurse aide education that adheres to the state and federal standards.

The information below details the training curriculum for each CNA level.

CNA I Training Program

At this level, you will undergo the following:

• 155 hours of training, consisting of…
  • 80 hours of classroom and lab instruction
  • 75 hours of supervised clinical training
• 24 hours of supervised training prior to direct contact with residents
• 75 hours of supervised clinical experience at a hospital or licensed nursing facility

If you are taking the program online, you must receive…

• 53-hour training equivalent per the national standard of content to credit ratio
• 27 hours of supervised lab instruction within two weeks of completing the online learning
• 75 hours of supervised clinical experience at a hospital or licensed nursing facility

To graduate, you must…

• Complete all the curriculum requirements
• Get a score of at least 75% in the final exam
• Complete the current adult CPR certification per the OSBN-approved curriculum

CNA II Training Program

Here, you will undergo the following:

• 88 hours of training consisting of…
  • 60 hours of classroom and lab instruction
  • 28 hours of supervised clinical experience at a hospital or licensed nursing facility
• OSBN-approved competency validation

If you are taking the program online, you must receive…

• At least the national standard of content to credit ratio
• Supervised lab instruction within two weeks of completing the online learning
• Supervised clinical experience at a hospital or licensed nursing facility

To graduate, you must complete the following:

• 100% of the curriculum requirements
• Competency validation

Below, you’ll find some of the OSBN-approved training facilities that you can check out.

For the complete and updated list, visit OSBN’s website.

CNA I Candidates Eligible for Certification

You are eligible for certification if you belong to any of these groups:

• Oregon Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse
• Newly-trained Oregon nurse aide who completed training within the last year
• Nursing student who completed an equivalent CNA I coursework
• Out-of-state RN or LPN
• Out-state CNAs who have…
  • Not been registered as a CNA in Oregon
  • Completed a state-approved CNA training program in another state
  • Active and good status in that state’s CNA Registry
  • Worked with pay for at least 400 hours after more than two years of training completion
• Out-of-state nurse aides who have completed either…
  • State-approved CNA training program in another state within the last year
  • Training as a military corpsman or medic and were active military service within two years prior to application

CNA I Candidates Taking the OR NACE

Take a look at the table below for an overview of which candidates can take OR NACE.

For the full instructions on the CNA I application, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osbn/Pages/apply-CNA-CMA-exam.aspx.

Evaluating a CNA I Candidate

OSBN approved D&SDT-Headmaster as the testing vendor of OR NACE.

Do note that you can only be eligible to test once OSBN approves your application.

For first-time test takers, you can take both knowledge and manual skills tests on the same day at any approved testing site.

You can schedule your exam date online at https://or.tmuniverse.com.

If you want to reschedule, you must do so three business days before your scheduled date.

OR NACE Exam Components

There will be two components of this exam: a knowledge test and a manual skills test.

Knowledge Test

• It assesses your knowledge and skills as a nurse aide.
• Questions are based on subject areas approved by OSBN.
• It consists of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 90 minutes.
• It’s usually a written test, but you can take an oral test upon request.
• Both written and oral tests are in English only.
• To pass, you must score at least 73%.

Manual Skills Test

• It assesses your competency in performing nurse aide tasks.
• You will perform three to four tasks, with one of them a mandatory first task which can either be:
  • Bedpan and output with handwashing
  • Catheter care of a male with handwashing
  • Donning an isolation gown and gloves then emptying a urinary drainage bag with handwashing
  • Perineal care of a female with handwashing
  • Perineal care of a male and changing a soiled brief with handwashing
• All tasks must be completed within 45 minutes.
• To pass, you must score at least 80% on each task, with all key steps accounted for.

Exam Fees

To take the exam, you will have to pay OSBN the following fees, whichever is applicable:

• Initial CNA exam – $106
• Reactivation by examination – $106
• Oral knowledge test by request – additional $35
• Retake or reschedule
  • CNA exam – $70
  • Written knowledge test only – $25
  • Manual skills test only – $45

Exam Results

You can view your exam results at D&SDT-Headmaster’s website after three to five business days of exam completion.

By then, OSBN should’ve received your official exam results from D&SDT-Headmaster.

If you pass and complete all application requirements, OSBN will issue the certificate and list you on the CNA Registry.

But if you don’t, then you must retake the test/s you failed.

Fortunately, you have unlimited test attempts to pass OR NACE as long as you’re still within the eligibility period*.

In the event that you still fail by the time your eligibility expires, you need to retake CNA training to be eligible for OR NACE again.

Note: You have an eligibility period of one year from the date of the exam application.

Fingerprint-based Background Check

OSBN has contracted with Fieldprint Inc. to conduct the background check via Livescan fingerprinting.

Upon completing your application with OSBN, you’ll receive instructions on how to get an appointment for the background check.

If you aren’t in Oregon, you can choose to have your fingerprints checked at a Fieldprint branch in another state.

The fee for requesting the background check is $70.50, which you’ll pay directly to Fieldprint.

Also, the Oregon State Police and the FBI will need the following personal information:

• Name
• Alias (if any)
• Country of Citizenship
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• City & State of Birth
• Sex/Gender
• Race
• Height
• Weight
• Eye Color
• Hair Color
• Home Address
• Work/Office Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address

Once these two have processed the background check, they will send the results to OSBN.

Afterward, OSBN will complete and issue your certification within five to seven business days.

Potential Salary

In Oregon, a CNA can receive an average salary of around $31,000 a year.

If you want to earn more, it’s encouraged to invest in polishing your skills, continuing education, and working experience.

The table below shows the salary information in different cities in the state.

Annual Salary Range:* 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

• Eugene4 Schools
• Portland5 Schools