CNA Programs in Missouri

As with the majority of States, the Omnibus Nursing Home Act and Section 198.082, RSMo, 1994 requires completion of a state approved CNA training for individuals who would like to become a CNA in Missouri. The CNA program must hold approval by the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services. Make sure the program you enroll in is approved. Successful completion of both the CNA program and the two part competency exam is mandatory to be eligible for placement on the Missouri Certified Nurse Aide Registry. A list of the approved CNA training programs in Missouri can be found below.

CNA programs in Missouri must be comprised of at least 75 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of on the job training or clinical work experience. Students must be at least 18 years old. CNA training is often offered at Vo-Tech schools, community colleges, some high schools, hospitals that have licensed long term care units or skilled care units, licensed nursing homes and private schools that have been approved by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

CNA Training and Registry Requirements in Missouri

The steps to take now for CNA certification, if you will be a new CNA, are to find an approved program, successfully complete the program, take and pass the competency exam and get listed on the Missouri Certified Nurse Aide Registry. You will need to be listed on the Registry in order to be hired by an employer and work as a CNA in Missouri. Two things that will prohibit you from getting listed on the Registry are having a Federal Indicator, which means you have been found guilty of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property, or if you are listed on the Missouri Employee Disqualification List, which is similar to the Federal Indicator but includes additional criteria more specific to the CNA job.

According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, a CNA in Missouri makes an average hourly wage of $10.01 and an average annual salary of $20,820. Job growth for CNAs in Missouri through 2014 is projected at 7.96% by the Department of Economic Development. This is considered above average job growth by the Department. The Ozark Region of Missouri has the highest projected job growth at 14.48%. Kansas City is projected at 8.77% and the St. Louis area is projected at 5.11%, the lowest in all the state but still considered above average.

The CNA profession is often a stepping stone to other areas of nursing and health care that require additional education such as a Registered Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing and other health care pathways. You may be interested in exploring the LPN programs in Missouri to see if this might be an option for you now.

The Medical Assistant profession in Missouri is thriving based on the data provided by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. According to the Department of Economic Development, Medical Assistants earn an average hourly wage of $12.38 and an average annual salary of $25,740. Job growth for Medical Assistants is projected at 22.98% in the state of Missouri. The Northwest region job growth is projected at 29.14%, the highest, and the Southwest region has projected job growth of 10.14%. Kansas City Medical Assistant job growth is projected at 19.5% and the St. Louis region job growth is projected at 10.97%. These numbers suggest it is an opportune time to begin looking into entering the Medical Assisting profession. Learn about the Medical Assistant programs in Missouri.

CNA Programs in Missouri Listed by County

*List Provided Courtesy of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Back to Top | Nursing Programs in Missouri