Rhode Island — The Ocean State
Rhode Island has four free CNA training programs — including one that pays you a stipend while you learn. CCRI offers free DOL-funded seats. Brown Health trains you in a real hospital. The Ocean State makes CNA certification genuinely accessible.
Free & paid programs
Rhode Island requires 120 training hours — above the federal minimum but below high-requirement states like Delaware or Maine. Programs run 4–8 weeks and cost $800–$2,200 at paid providers. But Rhode Island stands out for having four legitimate free options, including one that pays you while you train.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCRI — DOL Grant-Funded (free cohorts) | Providence, Warwick, Lincoln | FREE (grant-funded seats) | 8–10 weeks (160 hrs) | Hybrid — online + in-person lab & clinical |
| South County Hospital — Paid Training | Wakefield | FREE + hourly stipend during training | Varies | Hospital-based, guaranteed position on completion |
| Brown Health — Free Hospital Training | Providence | FREE (14-week program) | 14 weeks | Hospital-based clinical training — real hospital setting |
| Genesis Center — SNAP E&T Program | Providence | FREE (SNAP recipients only) | 12 weeks (300 hrs) | In-person + case management & 18 months follow-up |
| CCRI — Open Enrollment (no eligibility required) | Providence, Warwick, Lincoln | ~$1,400 | 8–10 weeks | Hybrid — same program as free cohorts |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) | Providence | ~$1,200 | 6 weeks | In-person — credits transfer toward LPN program |
| Lincoln Technical Institute | Providence | ~$1,500 | 6 weeks | In-person with clinical rotations |
CCRI (DOL-funded): Free seats funded by U.S. Department of Labor — limited, apply as soon as a cohort opens. SNAP participants may get additional assistance. South County Hospital: The only RI program that pays you a stipend while you train, plus guarantees a job offer upon completion — call HR directly. Brown Health: 14-week free program with hospital-based clinicals — a different, broader patient population than nursing home-based programs. Genesis Center: Free for SNAP recipients, 300 hours of training (2.5x the state minimum), plus financial coaching and 18 months of post-completion support.
2026 salary data
Rhode Island CNAs earn an average of $21.39/hr statewide according to CNAClasses.com 2026 data — competitive for a small New England state. Hospital and rehabilitation settings in Providence and Newport pay the most. Rhode Island's compact size means you can work anywhere in the state without a long commute.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $21–$26/hr | ~$44,000–$54,000 | Largest city, Rhode Island Hospital & Brown Health hub |
| Warwick | $20–$24/hr | ~$42,000–$50,000 | Kent Hospital, strong suburban demand |
| Cranston | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,000–$50,000 | Eleanor Slater Hospital, multiple LTC facilities |
| Pawtucket / Central Falls | $19–$23/hr | ~$39,000–$48,000 | Landmark Medical Center, lower COL than Providence |
| Newport | $21–$26/hr | ~$44,000–$54,000 | Newport Hospital, high COL — wages reflect it |
| Wakefield / South County | $20–$25/hr | ~$42,000–$52,000 | South County Hospital — paid training + job guarantee |
| Woonsocket / Northern RI | $19–$23/hr | ~$39,000–$48,000 | Landmark Medical Center Woonsocket, lower COL |
Sources: CNAClasses.com (2026), CNA Certification RI, TopNursing.org. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Rhode Island has a particularly smart CNA-to-LPN pathway: CCRI CNA credits transfer directly toward CCRI's LPN program, reducing your total time and tuition. It's one of the most seamless ladders in New England.
120 hours. Credentia NNAAP exam. BCI background check ($5). 4–8 weeks. CCRI credits transfer to LPN.
CCRI LPN program — CNA credits transfer in, shortening your time. Rhode Island College also offers LPN pathways. ~12 months.
CCRI ADN program, Rhode Island College BSN, University of Rhode Island BSN. Lifespan and Brown Health both offer tuition assistance for CNAs pursuing RN.
If you complete your CNA training at CCRI, your 12 CNA credits transfer directly toward CCRI's LPN program requirements. This is a genuine shortcut — you enter the LPN program ahead of applicants who didn't come through CCRI's CNA track. Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, and Kent Hospital all offer tuition assistance for CNAs pursuing LPN. Ask about it in your first week on the job.
For moms in Rhode Island
The Ocean State is ready for you