Certified Nursing Assistant in Utah

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

Median annual salary
$38,500
trending_down -2.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Utah.

engineering
12,350

Jobs (UT)

monitoring Stable
+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments
$110

Licensing fees

schedule
4-8 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in Utah

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Utah, individuals must complete a 100-hour state-approved training program, which includes at least 76 hours of classroom/lab instruction and 24 hours of supervised clinical practice. After training, candidates must pass both components of the Utah Nurse Aide Competency Examination: a Written Knowledge Exam and a Manual Skills Exam. The total cost for both exam components is $110, and there is no application fee for initial certification. The Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR) handles certification, renewal, and reciprocity, with renewals required every two years along with documentation of 200 hours of paid work as a CNA in the preceding 24 months and 12 hours of continuing education annually. A criminal background check is also mandatory.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $32,910
25th percentile $36,220
50th (median) $38,500
75th percentile $41,480
90th (experienced) $45,980

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

checklist Utah requirements

Licensing bodyUtah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR)
State license Required
Education100-hour state-approved training program (at least 76 hours of classroom/lab and 24 hours of clinical practice)
Experience24.0 hours
ExamUtah Nurse Aide Competency Examination (Written Knowledge Exam and Manual Skills Exam) ($110)
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education12.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age of 16. Renewal requires 200 hours of paid work as a CNA in the past 24 months. A criminal background check is mandatory. The written knowledge exam is 75 multiple-choice questions, and the manual skills exam requires demonstrating five randomly selected skills plus hand hygiene. Candidates have 1 year and three attempts to pass both exams. If expired 6-24 months, retesting is required. If expired over 24 months, a new training program is required.

Source: Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR)

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_circleUtah license required — clearer credential signal to employers
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a certified nursing assistant in Utah? expand_more
To become a certified nursing assistant in Utah, you need to complete the required education (100-hour state-approved training program (at least 76 hours of classroom/lab and 24 hours of clinical practice)), gain 24.0 hours of supervised experience, and pass the Utah Nurse Aide Competency Examination (Written Knowledge Exam and Manual Skills Exam).
Do I need a license to work as a certified nursing assistant in Utah? expand_more
You cannot practice as a certified nursing assistant in Utah without a state license from Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR). The required exam is the Utah Nurse Aide Competency Examination (Written Knowledge Exam and Manual Skills Exam).
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Utah? expand_more
certified nursing assistants in Utah earn a median of $38,500 annually. This is close to the national median of $39,530. New certified nursing assistants start around $32,910; seasoned professionals can reach $45,980.
How much does it cost to become a certified nursing assistant in Utah? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($110) and required training.
What's the timeline to become a certified nursing assistant in Utah? expand_more
Most candidates in Utah complete the process in 4-8 weeks, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.
Does Utah require continuing education for certified nursing assistants? expand_more
Yes — certified nursing assistants in Utah must complete 12.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.

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