Certified Nursing Assistant in Arizona

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$41,980

trending_up +6.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arizona.

engineering

17,350

Jobs (AZ)

monitoring Stable

+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments

$130

Licensing fees

schedule

3-10 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in Arizona

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Arizona, individuals must complete a state-approved nursing assistant program of at least 120 hours, which includes classroom, skills lab, and clinical experience. After completing the program, candidates must pass the Arizona Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, administered by Headmaster, which includes both a written and a skills test. While there is no application fee for CNA certification, there is a combined exam cost of $130. A criminal background check, including fingerprinting, is required for employment, and applicants must be at least 16 years old. Arizona offers reciprocity for out-of-state CNAs who meet the state's training and work experience requirements, though an endorsement fee applies.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,460

25th percentile $37,680

50th (median) $41,980

75th percentile $45,300

90th (experienced) $49,890

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arizona. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arizona requirements

Licensing body	Arizona State Board of Nursing
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a state-approved nursing assistant program with a minimum of 120 hours, including at least 40 hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of skills lab, and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience (with a minimum of 20 hours in long-term care).
Exam	Headmaster CNA Exam ($130)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Notes	Minimum age of 16. A criminal background check is required, which includes fingerprinting. Renewal requires at least 8 hours of paid work as a CNA in the past 2 years. CNAs are not required to submit fingerprints for initial certification, but LNAs are. Individuals with felony convictions involving violence or financial fraud may be prohibited from obtaining certification.

Source: Arizona State Board of Nursing

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+2.3%

Average

Annual openings

204,100

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,441,500

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleArizona license required — clearer credential signal to employers

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a certified nursing assistant in Arizona? expand_more

To become a certified nursing assistant in Arizona, you need to complete the required education (Completion of a state-approved nursing assistant program with a minimum of 120 hours, including at least 40 hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of skills lab, and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience (with a minimum of 20 hours in long-term care).), and pass the Headmaster CNA Exam.

Does Arizona require certified nursing assistant licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in Arizona. Arizona State Board of Nursing handles certified nursing assistant licensing — the Headmaster CNA Exam is part of the process.

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Arizona? expand_more

In Arizona, the median pay for certified nursing assistants comes to $41,980/year. This exceeds the $39,530 national median by 6%. The range spans from $36,460 at the entry level to $49,890 for top earners.

How expensive is certified nursing assistant licensing in Arizona? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($130) plus your education and training.

What's the timeline to become a certified nursing assistant in Arizona? expand_more

Most candidates in Arizona complete the process in 3-10 weeks, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.