Tennessee — The Volunteer State
Ballad Health offers completely free CNA training in Northeast Tennessee — covering tuition, all materials, and even the exam fee. NHC Athens runs a free 17-day program Monday through Friday. No GED required to enroll in Tennessee. Tennessee switched to Credentia as their new exam vendor in June 2026.
If you want to jumpstart your healthcare career without spending months in a classroom, Tennessee has accelerated CNA programs across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and beyond that can get you certified in as little as 4 weeks with full-time attendance — and some employer-sponsored programs complete even faster. Hybrid programs let you complete theory online from home, then attend required in-person labs and clinicals near you.
Tennessee requires a minimum of 75 training hours — the federal minimum — including both classroom instruction and supervised clinical skills practice. Most approved programs run 120+ hours for more comprehensive preparation. Tennessee does not require a high school diploma or GED to enroll — if you don't have one, programs may offer an Ability to Benefit (ATB) assessment as an alternative pathway. The Tennessee CNA exam moved to Credentia as of June 11, 2026 — replacing the previous TMU testing system. Register at credentia.com.
Use our verified school locator below to instantly find Tennessee Department of Health-approved programs starting near your zip code. Close to 300 approved programs statewide — enter your zip code to see what's available near you this week.
Effective June 11, 2026, Tennessee's CNA competency exam is now administered by Credentia — replacing the previous TMU/Headmaster testing system. Register for your exam at credentia.com or call (888) 204-6249. There was a brief blackout period June 1–10, 2026 during the transition. If you completed training before June 2026, your registry status transfers automatically. The Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry is now managed through the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission in partnership with Credentia. Verify all current exam details at tn.gov/hfc before scheduling.
Speed comparison
Tennessee's 75-hour minimum and nearly 300 approved programs statewide give you genuine flexibility on speed. From the 17-day NHC Athens program to 4-week Nashville accelerated schools and Ballad Health's free Northeast Tennessee option, here are your fastest tracks ranked by speed.
| Program / School | Location | Speed | Cost | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHC Healthcare Athens | Athens (East Tennessee) | ⚡ 17 days (fastest in TN) | FREE ($50 refundable book deposit) | Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm. Free state-approved 17-day program. $50 book deposit refunded on completion. Graduates considered for NHC employment. |
| Ballad Health CNA Training | Northeast Tennessee (Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol area) | ⚡ Varies — in-person + hybrid options | FREE — tuition, materials, AND exam fee covered | 60 classroom hrs + 40 clinical hrs. Daytime, evening, weekend, part-time, and full-time schedules. Ballad covers ALL costs including Credentia exam fee. |
| Good Samaritan Society (hybrid) | Crossville, TN (and other TN locations) | Accelerated — ~3 weeks employer-sponsored | FREE + paid as NA Trainee | Hybrid: ~58 hrs online + 24 hrs hands-on. Hired as NA Trainee during training. All education costs covered. Immediate employment at Good Samaritan facility. |
| Private Accelerated Schools (Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville) | Major Tennessee cities statewide | 3–4 weeks (full-time) | ~$800–$1,500 | Day, evening, and weekend options. Hybrid theory + in-person clinicals available. New classes start monthly at most private schools. |
| NHC Healthcare (multiple TN locations) | Springfield, Pulaski, and other TN locations | Flexible — free program | FREE — employer-sponsored | Free CNA training program through NHC's statewide network. Flexible schedules. Multiple Tennessee locations. Employment pathway at NHC centers upon completion. |
| Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) | Statewide — 27 TCAT campuses | ~2 months | ~$576–$850 (financial aid eligible) | Public technical college — most affordable paid tuition option in TN. Financial aid eligible. Day classes. 27 campus locations across the state. |
| Henry County Healthcare Center | Paris, TN (West Tennessee) | 120-hour program — accelerated | FREE (background check + drug screen required) | Free 120-hour program. Background check and drug screen required prior to enrollment. Current CNA job opportunities available at center post-completion. |
Ballad Health's free CNA training in Northeast Tennessee is exceptional because it covers everything — tuition, all classroom materials, AND the Credentia exam fee. Most free programs cover tuition but leave you paying for the exam. Not Ballad. The 100-hour program (60 classroom + 40 clinical) is offered in daytime, evening, weekend, part-time, and full-time formats — among the most flexible scheduling options of any free program in the state. If you're in or near the Tri-Cities area (Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol) or willing to be, contact Ballad Health's workforce development team directly and ask about their next CNA training cohort.
Tennessee does not require a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a CNA training program — making it one of the most accessible states for career changers. If you don't have a diploma or GED, some programs (like Career Academy in Memphis) offer an Ability to Benefit (ATB) assessment as an alternative pathway — score 70 or higher and you're eligible to enroll. This removes one of the most common barriers to healthcare career entry. You do need to be at least 16 years old, pass a background check, and provide immunization records including a TB test.
2026 salary data
Tennessee CNAs earn a median of $34,850/year ($16.85/hr) statewide — below the national average. Nashville leads the state at $37,150/year, and Memphis follows at $35,950. Hospital positions pay significantly more than nursing home averages. Tennessee's relatively low cost of living improves real purchasing power across all salary levels.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville / Murfreesboro / Franklin | $17–$22/hr | ~$37,150 | Vanderbilt Medical Center, HCA Healthcare HQ, TriStar Health hub. 7,500 CNA jobs. |
| Memphis | $16–$21/hr | ~$35,950 | Baptist Memorial, Methodist Le Bonheur, Regional One Health. 3,830 CNA jobs. 200–500 open positions at any given time. |
| Knoxville | $15–$20/hr | ~$31,200–$41,600 | University of Tennessee Medical Center, Covenant Health — East Tennessee hub |
| Chattanooga | $15–$20/hr | ~$31,200–$41,600 | Erlanger Health System, CHI Memorial Hospital — growing SE Tennessee market |
| Johnson City / Kingsport / Bristol (Tri-Cities) | $15–$19/hr | ~$31,200–$39,520 | Ballad Health dominates Northeast TN — free training program available here |
| Clarksville | $15–$19/hr | ~$31,200–$39,520 | Tennova Healthcare, Fort Campbell military community — steady demand |
| Hospital CNA / Top 10% (statewide) | $18–$22/hr | ~$37,000 | Top 10% TN CNAs earn $37,000. Hospital positions pay significantly above LTC averages. |
Sources: TheCNAGuide.com Tennessee (2026), BLS OES May 2023, CareerAcademyMemphis.com (2026). Tennessee's low COL increases real purchasing power across all salary levels. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Tennessee LPN programs run 12 months and median LPN salary is $46,280/year — with Nashville LPNs averaging higher. Tennessee Reconnect covers fees at TCATs for adult students — making the CNA-to-LPN pathway even more affordable. Many Tennessee health systems offer tuition reimbursement for CNAs pursuing LPN.
75 hours minimum (most programs 120+ hrs). Credentia exam (new June 2026) at credentia.com. TN Health Facilities Commission registry. 17 days to 2 months. No GED required.
TCAT system (27 campuses), Roane State, Nashville State, Southwest TN CC and others. ~12 months. Median TN LPN salary: $46,280/year. Tennessee Reconnect may cover TCAT fees.
Vanderbilt University, University of Tennessee, Belmont University, TCAT ADN programs. Average TN RN salary: $72,340/year. Nashville RNs significantly above average.
For moms in Tennessee