CNA Classes & Programs in Waterloo, Iowa
1 state-approved CNA program in Waterloo, including online and evening options. Free and 4-week programs are offered in other Iowa cities.
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CNA training in Waterloo
- Programs
- 1
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $38,160
- $18.35 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 1,260
- in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls region
- Healthcare facilities
- 11
- 6 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 3 home health agencies
- Population
- 67,256
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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What brings you here?
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Waterloo offers 1 CNA program suited for individuals ready to take their first steps toward a career in patient care. As part of northeast Iowa's Waterloo–Cedar Falls metro area, Waterloo provides accessible pathways into healthcare roles through its established training options.
CNA classes here feature an online component that supports flexible learning schedules while preparing students thoroughly for certification requirements set by the state. Local graduates often find opportunities across various facility types after successfully completing their coursework and earning credentials through these programs.
In the Waterloo–Cedar Falls region, CNAs earn around $38,160 annually according to BLS OEWS (May 2023) data—a rate that reflects regional hiring trends among local employers seeking skilled assistants from recent training cohorts.
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Browse CNA Classes in Waterloo
Students in Waterloo can choose from 1 CNA program featuring online learning that prepares candidates for Iowa state certification while supporting flexible study options. This single CNA training program focuses on building core competencies needed by local employers where certified nursing assistants remain vital contributors throughout Waterloo’s active healthcare sector.
Program Types in Waterloo
| Type | In Waterloo | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | Not in Waterloo | See other Iowa cities → |
| 4-week (accelerated) | Not in Waterloo | See other Iowa cities → |
| Online or hybrid | 1 program | Hawkeye Community College ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 1 program | Hawkeye Community College ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
The CNA program in Waterloo
Hawkeye Community College
Cost–Hours–Weeks8
- Address
- 1501 East Orange Rd, Waterloo, IA 50704
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (319) 296-4456
- Schedule
- Evening classes
Hawkeye’s CNA workplace certificate runs about 8 weeks and is offered daytime and evening in a hybrid format (lectures online, labs on campus). Students complete required labs and clinicals and prepare for Iowa’s competency exams.
Visit websiteCost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.
CNA Programs Near Waterloo
Looking for more options near Waterloo?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Major Iowa cities
- Des Moines1 program
- Cedar Rapids3 programs
- Davenport1 program
- Sioux City2 programs
- Iowa City1 program
- West Des Moines3 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in Waterloo
| Median annual pay | $38,160 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $18.35 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 1,260 |
| Salary region | Waterloo-Cedar Falls |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in Waterloo are supported by a regional workforce of approximately 1,260 CNAs working within hospitals, long-term care centers, and community-based agencies throughout the Waterloo–Cedar Falls metropolitan area. Demand remains consistent due to ongoing staffing needs driven by regional demographics and evolving healthcare priorities.
The CNA salary in Waterloo reflects local market conditions: In the Waterloo–Cedar Falls region, CNAs earn around $38,160 per year or $18.35 per hour based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) data. This figure stands above Iowa’s statewide median salary of $37,340 annually—a positive indicator for prospective candidates considering this career path locally.
CMS-certified employers hiring newly credentialed nursing assistants include Friendship Village Retirement, a non-profit facility with 72 beds; Ravenwood Specialty Care (176 beds); Harmony House Health Care Center; Harmony Waterloo; Northcrest Specialty Care; major hospitals like MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center (a birthing-friendly acute care hospital) and Allen Hospital; plus prominent home health agencies such as MercyOne Waterloo Home Health Care and UnityPoint At Home—all providing diverse environments where trained CNAs play essential roles daily across Waterloo’s extensive care landscape.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Waterloo (6 facilities)
6 nursing homes in Waterloo providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)
| Nursing home | Beds | CNA hrs/day |
|---|---|---|
| Friendship Village Retirement600 Park Lane(319) 291-8100Map | 72 | 3.4 |
| Harmony House Health Care Cent2950 West Shaulis Road(319) 234-4495Map | 65 | 2.7 |
| Ravenwood Specialty Care2651 St Francis Drive(319) 232-6808Map | 176 | 2.6 |
| Harmony Waterloo201 West Ridgeway Avenue(319) 234-7777Map | 88 | 2.2 |
| Northcrest Specialty Care2001 Heath Street(319) 234-4423Map | 94 | 2.2 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Waterloo (2 facilities)
2 hospitals in Waterloo offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mercyone Waterloo Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 3421 West Ninth Street(319) 272-8000Map | 4/5 |
| Allen HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 1825 Logan Avenue(319) 235-3941Map | 3/5 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Waterloo (3 facilities)
3 home health agencies in Waterloo providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 3 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Mercyone Waterloo Home Health Care2055 Kimball Ave Ste 330(319) 272-5050Map | 3.5/5 |
| Unitypoint At Home3731 University Ave(319) 235-3702Map | 3.5/5 |
| Open Arms Home Health Care - Waterloo, Llc421 Oak Avenue(319) 232-6061Map | – |
Sources
- Salary Data: BLS OEWS (May 2023)
- Healthcare Facilities: CMS (July 2025)
Working in Nearby Cities and Other States
Working in Nearby Cities
Looking beyond Waterloo? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Cedar Falls, Marshalltown, Mason City, Cresco, and Edgewood, or browse the Iowa CNA programs page for more options.
Working in Other States
Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.
Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA
If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.
Requirements to Work as a CNA in Waterloo, IA
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Waterloo, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Iowa. These include completing an Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL)–approved 75-hour nurse aide training course, passing the written and skills competency examinations, and being placed on the Iowa Direct Care Worker (DCW) Registry.
- At least 75 total hours of training, including at least 30 hours of supervised clinical training — or challenging the competency examination without first completing the course, as Iowa allows
- Completion of 16 hours of required instruction before any direct resident care
- Passing both the written knowledge exam (70 questions, 60 minutes, 70% to pass) and the in-person skills exam, with up to three attempts on each
- Written exam offered through Headmaster (TMU) or Credentia; skills exam taken in person at a community college or approved provider
- Placement on the Iowa Direct Care Worker (DCW) Registry maintained by DIAL, with a six-digit registry number
Once placed on the registry, you may work as a CNA in nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and other Iowa long-term care settings throughout Waterloo and across Iowa. Iowa's CNA certification does not expire, but to keep active registry status you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work every 24 months, reported to DIAL by an Iowa employer.
Already certified in another state? Iowa offers registry-based reciprocity for CNAs active and in good standing on another state's registry. Applicants apply through the Iowa DCW Registry's online system, where DIAL verifies their out-of-state registry information, and may then work in Iowa nursing facilities without repeating Iowa's training and testing pathway. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Iowa guide.
For complete details on training, testing, maintaining active registry status, and reciprocity, see our full CNA License & Registration in Iowa guide.
Career Growth & Advancement
Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:
- Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
- Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
- Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
- Opportunities in healthcare administration or education
Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in Waterloo.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Waterloo
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Waterloo?
Most CNA programs in Waterloo can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 8 weeks, at Hawkeye Community College.
How much does CNA training cost in Waterloo?
Contact the program in Waterloo directly for its current cost. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Waterloo?
No program in Waterloo is listed as free. Free CNA classes are offered in other Iowa cities. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Waterloo?
Yes. Hawkeye Community College offers a hybrid option, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Waterloo?
No 4-week program is listed in Waterloo. 4-week CNA programs are offered in other Iowa cities, usually in 3 to 5 weeks.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Waterloo there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Cedar Falls, Marshalltown, Mason City, Cresco and Edgewood. You can also look at the Iowa state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Iowa CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Iowa, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Iowa CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Waterloo?
CNAs in Waterloo are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 6 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 3 home health agencies in Waterloo. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.