North Carolina — The Tar Heel State
Serenity Nurse Aide Academy in Charlotte and GraceMed Academy in Mooresville both certify students in as little as 4-5 weeks with intensive daily instruction. North Carolina switched its exam vendor to Credentia in late 2024, and Duke Hospital alone employs over 2,000 CNAs — the highest concentration in the state.
North Carolina has over 230 state-approved training programs, and several run genuinely fast tracks. Serenity Nurse Aide Academy in Charlotte and GraceMed Academy in Mooresville both offer intensive 4-5 week programs with daily instruction — GraceMed's hybrid blend runs 125-133 clock hours combining online theory with in-person labs and clinicals. Fast Track Career Prep runs a 5-week hybrid program with the first two weeks entirely online.
North Carolina requires a minimum of 75 training hours, including at least 16 hours of classroom instruction (covering infection control, safety, patients' rights, and emergency procedures) before beginning clinical training, plus at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. As of October 2024, the NNAAP competency exam is administered by Credentia through the CNA365 platform — replacing the previous vendor, Pearson VUE. If you have an old Pearson account, you'll need to create a new Credentia account to test.
Use our verified school locator below to instantly find DHSR-approved programs starting near your zip code — from Charlotte and Raleigh to Greensboro, Asheville, and the Outer Banks.
North Carolina's NNAAP competency exam is now developed and managed by Credentia, replacing the previous vendor Pearson VUE. Register and schedule through Credentia's CNA365 platform at credentia.com/test-takers/ncna. If you have an existing Pearson VUE account from before the switch, it won't carry over — you'll need to create a fresh Credentia account. Out-of-state candidates applying through an alternative route (training completed elsewhere within the last 24 months) submit a training waiver application through the same CNA365 platform.
Speed comparison
With 230+ state-approved programs, North Carolina gives you real choice on speed and cost across Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and beyond. Here are North Carolina's fastest tracks ranked by speed.
| Program / School | Location | Speed | Cost | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serenity Nurse Aide Academy | Charlotte | ⚡ 4-5 weeks — intensive | Contact for tuition | Intensive daily instruction designed for students who can commit to a fast pace. |
| GraceMed Academy | Mooresville (Iredell County) | 4-5 weeks — hybrid blend | Contact for tuition | 125-133 clock hours. Both in-person and hybrid blend formats available, 7 days a week class scheduling. |
| Fast Track Career Prep | North Carolina (hybrid) | 5 weeks — hybrid | Exam fee $101 + program cost | First 2 weeks fully online, Monday-Friday. Remaining weeks combine lab and clinical training. |
| N C Nursing Academy | Raleigh | 6 weeks — fast-track option | $999 total, 120 hours | Employer-partner pathways may cover tuition and lead directly to job placement. |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) | Burgaw and other locations | 8-week fast-track cohort | Financial assistance available | Nurse Aide I and II offered together. In-facility testing and employment support included. |
| Haywood Regional Medical Center | Western North Carolina | Employer-sponsored — flexible | FREE — 140 hours, work commitment | Tuition-free training in exchange for a post-certification employment commitment. |
North Carolina's standard CNA credential is called Nurse Aide I — this is what most job postings mean and what qualifies you for the NC Nurse Aide Registry. Nurse Aide II is a separate, more advanced credential available through the NC Board of Nursing for those who want to expand their scope of practice — some community colleges like Cape Fear and Coastal Carolina offer both courses together. If a facility asks for "Nurse Aide II," confirm what additional training or exam is required before assuming your Nurse Aide I certification qualifies.
North Carolina's Division of Health Service Regulation lists over 230 state-approved training programs at community colleges, vocational schools, healthcare facilities, and high schools statewide. This density means genuine flexibility on format, price, and schedule — from $400 community college programs to $1,500 private accelerated tracks, with free employer-sponsored options in between.
2026 salary data
North Carolina employs over 70,000 CNAs statewide, one of the highest employment rates per metro area in the country. Raleigh-Durham ranks in the top 10% nationally for CNA wages, with Duke Hospital alone employing more than 2,000 CNAs at the state's highest wage.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Durham | $16/hr | ~$33,280–$37,380 | Top 10% nationally for CNA wages. Duke Hospital employs 2,000+ CNAs at the state's highest wage. |
| Charlotte | $15–$17/hr | ~$31,200–$35,360 | Home to Serenity Nurse Aide Academy's fast-track program. Major metro with steady demand. |
| Greensboro | $15–$16/hr | ~$31,200–$33,280 | Piedmont Triad region with multiple community college training options. |
| Asheville | $14–$16/hr | ~$29,120–$33,280 | Western NC hub. Nearby Haywood Regional offers free training with a commitment. |
| Statewide average | ~$16/hr | ~$33,280 | 70,000+ CNAs employed statewide — one of the highest employment rates per metro area nationally. |
Sources: BLS OES May 2024, CNAClassesUSA.com North Carolina (2026), CNAOnlineCourse.com. North Carolina's moderate cost of living stretches CNA wages further than in many neighboring states. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
North Carolina LPN bridge programs are widely available through community colleges statewide, often with the flexibility to apply your working CNA hours toward the program. Because North Carolina is a full NLC compact state, an LPN license earned here carries multistate practice privileges across 43 jurisdictions.
75 hours minimum (16 classroom + 16 clinical minimums). NNAAP exam via Credentia's CNA365 platform, $140. NC Nurse Aide Registry. As fast as 4-5 weeks.
Community colleges statewide, 6-24 week bridge courses. Many current CNAs apply working hours toward the program, shortening the timeline. North Carolina's NLC membership means multistate practice rights on graduation.
UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, and numerous ADN bridge programs statewide. North Carolina's compact license carries across 43 NLC jurisdictions.
For moms in North Carolina