Ohio — The Buckeye State
Ohio's fastest STNA programs complete in just 10 days in Columbus. Cleveland programs start at $495 for 2-week hybrid training. Goodwill Columbus offers free STNA training. Ohio employs 61,410 nurse aides — the 4th largest STNA workforce in the country — and you can work for 4 months before passing the exam.
If you want to jumpstart your healthcare career without spending months in a classroom, Ohio has some of the fastest and most affordable accelerated STNA (CNA) programs in the Midwest — with full-time programs completing in as little as 10 days in Columbus. Hybrid programs let you complete all theory and lecture content online from home, then attend in-person skills labs and clinical rotations at approved facilities near you.
Ohio requires a minimum of 75 total training hours including at least 16 hours of hands-on clinical experience in a long-term care setting. Like Michigan, Ohio allows nurse aides in training to work for up to 4 months while finishing their classes or waiting to take the exam — meaning you can start earning a paycheck before certification is complete. You have 3 exam attempts within 12 months of training completion.
Use our verified school locator below to instantly find Ohio Department of Health-approved STNA programs starting near your zip code. Ohio has over 350 approved programs — enter your zip code and find programs with open seats starting soon.
Ohio uses the title State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) instead of CNA — same role, same daily duties, different name. When searching for programs and jobs in Ohio, always look for "STNA" listings, not just "CNA." Employers and training programs in Ohio use STNA consistently. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) manages STNA certification through the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. Out-of-state CNAs can transfer to Ohio STNA certification through the ODH reciprocity process. Exam: Ohio Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation — written/oral portion plus skills evaluation.
Speed comparison
Ohio's 75-hour minimum and 350+ approved programs mean you have more speed options than almost any other state. From 10-day Columbus sprints to 2-week hybrid Cleveland programs, here are your fastest tracks ranked by speed.
| Program / School | Location | Speed | Cost | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alia Healthcare Services | Columbus (Morse Road) | ⚡ 10 days (fastest in OH) | Contact for current pricing | Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm. 10-day blended format: 59 hrs classroom + 16 hrs clinical. ODH approved. Various payment options. |
| Med-Cert Training Center | Akron + Cleveland (two locations) | ⚡ 2 weeks — day, evening, weekend | $500 (payment plans available) | 76-hour program. Day (2-week), evening, and weekend schedule options. Two locations — Akron and Cleveland. Lowest cost 2-week in Northeast Ohio. |
| Multiple Columbus Private Schools | Columbus metro (various) | ⚡ 2 weeks — day option | $575 (with free job placement) | 75-hour blended STNA. Day, evening, and weekend sections. Free job placement assistance. $575 all-in with payment plan. |
| Cincinnati 2-Week Programs (multiple) | Cincinnati / Norwood / Blue Ash | ⚡ 2 weeks — day or hybrid | $675 (75 hours, day option) | 75-hour ODH-approved blended program. Day, evening, and weekend options available. Week 1 online + week 2 hands-on skills + clinicals format. |
| Cleveland Hybrid Programs | Cleveland (Euclid Avenue) | ⚡ 2 weeks — hybrid | $495 (payment plans available) | Online lectures + in-person clinicals. Day and evening formats. Lowest-cost 2-week hybrid in Northeast Ohio. |
| Ohio State Career Training Center (OSCTC) | Columbus (nonprofit) | 2.5 weeks — mostly online | Contact for current pricing | Study at home via recorded lectures. 4 mandatory on-campus days for skills + 2 days clinical (16 hrs). Classes throughout year, no waitlist. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. |
| Goodwill Columbus | Columbus | Varies — free program | FREE for income-eligible residents | Free STNA training + job placement assistance. Partners with local healthcare facilities for hands-on clinical training. For individuals with financial need. |
Like Michigan, Ohio allows nurse aides in training to work at a facility for up to 4 months while completing classes or waiting to take the STNA exam. This is one of Ohio's most practical rules for anyone who needs income immediately. You can be hired by a nursing home or hospital, begin earning, and complete your exam during that 4-month window. If you don't pass within 4 months, you stop working in direct patient care until you do. Smart strategy: schedule your exam as soon as possible after finishing training — the 4 months is your runway, not your deadline.
Ohio State Career Training Center (OSCTC) is a nonprofit that offers one of the most flexible hybrid STNA programs in Ohio. You study at home via recorded lectures from state-certified instructors — then come to campus for just 4 mandatory skills check-off days and 2 days of clinical experience (16 hours total). That means only 6 in-person days for the entire certification. Classes run throughout the year with no waitlist. For a mom with childcare constraints, this is the most schedule-friendly accredited STNA program in Columbus.
2026 salary data
Ohio STNAs earn a median of $38,030/year ($18.28/hr) statewide — slightly above the national average. Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth hospital positions pay the most. The top 10% of Ohio STNAs earn $50,000+. Ohio employs 61,410 nurse aides — the 4th largest workforce in the country.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland / Akron | $18–$23/hr | ~$37,440–$47,840 | Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals — top-paying STNA employers in Ohio |
| Columbus | $18–$22/hr | ~$37,440–$45,760 | OhioHealth, Nationwide Children's, Mount Carmel Health — Ohio's capital and largest city |
| Cincinnati | $17–$22/hr | ~$35,360–$45,760 | UC Health, Mercy Health, TriHealth — 28 STNA programs available locally |
| Toledo | $17–$21/hr | ~$35,360–$43,680 | ProMedica, Mercy Health Northwest Ohio — northern Ohio hub |
| Dayton | $17–$21/hr | ~$35,360–$43,680 | Premier Health, Kettering Health Network — Miami Valley corridor |
| Northeastern Ohio rural | $16–$20/hr | ~$33,280–$41,600 | One of nation's highest STNA employment concentrations — 5,000+ Akron-area STNAs |
| Hospital / Top 10% (statewide) | $22–$27/hr | ~$45,760–$56,160 | Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth hospital STNAs — top 10% earn $50,000+ |
Sources: TheCNAGuide.com Ohio (2026), BLS OES May 2023, CNAOnlineCourse.com Ohio. Ohio's 61,410 nurse aides make it the 4th largest STNA workforce in the US. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Ohio LPN programs run 12 months and the median LPN salary is $50,740/year — well above STNA wages. Many Ohio facilities offer tuition reimbursement for STNAs pursuing LPN. Columbus State, Cuyahoga CC, and Cincinnati State all offer LPN programs — often at the same institutions where you took your STNA training.
75 hours (16 clinical). Ohio Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation. ODH Nurse Aide Registry. 10 days to 4 weeks. Work 4 months before passing exam. Goodwill Columbus free or Med-Cert $500.
Columbus State CC, Cuyahoga CC, Cincinnati State CC, and 30+ other Ohio programs. ~12 months. Median OH LPN salary: $50,740/year. Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth offer tuition reimbursement.
Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve, University of Cincinnati, and community college ADN programs. Average OH RN salary: $74,500+/year. Cleveland Clinic RNs significantly above average.
For moms in Ohio