CNA Classes & Programs in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
1 state-approved CNA program in Rio Rancho. Free, 4-week and online programs are offered in other New Mexico cities.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
CNA training in Rio Rancho
- Programs
- 1
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $35,590
- $17.11 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 1,850
- in the Albuquerque region
- Healthcare facilities
- 6
- 3 nursing homes and 3 home health agencies
- Population
- 108,515
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
On this page
What brings you here?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Aspiring CNAs in Rio Rancho can choose from 1 approved program dedicated to preparing students for careers as certified nursing assistants in New Mexico. Situated just northwest of Albuquerque within Sandoval County, Rio Rancho gives residents convenient access to state-required CNA training close to home.
This single CNA class offers essential instruction geared toward passing state exams and meeting clinical competency standards expected by local employers. No free or online option is listed in Rio Rancho, but graduates still benefit from being close to the many medical centers of the Albuquerque metro area.
CNA salary data shows that individuals working within the Albuquerque area—which encompasses Rio Rancho—earn around $35,590 annually according to recent reports.
Get Info from CNA Schools in Rio Rancho
Fill in the short form to get information from CNA schools that serve Rio Rancho, such as cost, schedules and start dates.
CNA program search
✓ Free Service✓ No Obligations✓ Compare Multiple Programs
We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Browse CNA Classes in Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho provides 1 CNA training program focused on preparing students for New Mexico certification and practical patient care roles. The program enables participants to build skills required by employers while pursuing placement on the state registry. With career opportunities in healthcare settings nearby—including across Sandoval County—this CNA class offers a direct pathway into entry-level positions where CNAs are needed most.
Program Types in Rio Rancho
| Type | In Rio Rancho | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | Not in Rio Rancho | See other New Mexico cities → |
| 4-week (accelerated) | Not in Rio Rancho | See other New Mexico cities → |
| Online or hybrid | Not in Rio Rancho | See other New Mexico cities → |
| Evening or weekend | Not in Rio Rancho | See other New Mexico cities → |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
The CNA program in Rio Rancho
La Vita Bella Home Health
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1101 Golf Course Rd, Ste 102, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (505) 814-5386
La Vita Bella Healthcare Academy offers CNA training that blends classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience covering patient care fundamentals, vital signs, infection control, and communication. Flexible schedules are available and the program prepares students for the state exam.
Cost, 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 Rio Rancho
Looking for more options near Rio Rancho?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Major New Mexico cities
All New Mexico cities with CNA programs →CNA Employment Opportunities in Rio Rancho
| Median annual pay | $35,590 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $17.11 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 1,850 |
| Salary region | Albuquerque |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
In the Albuquerque region, approximately 1,850 certified nursing assistants are employed at hospitals, long-term care centers, and home health agencies across this part of central New Mexico. CNA jobs in Rio Rancho are supported by the broader metro area, highlighting ongoing demand for skilled CNAs within both Rio Rancho itself and surrounding communities connected by shared resources.
CNA salary in Rio Rancho aligns with broader metro figures: In the Albuquerque area (which includes Rio Rancho), median pay stands at $35,590 per year or $17.11 per hour based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) data. This amount is in line with New Mexico’s statewide median of $35,400 and reflects current market wages found locally.
The area features several CMS-certified employers such as The Neighborhood In Rio Rancho—a notable nonprofit facility with 72 beds; The Suites Rio Vista with 136 beds; Rio Rancho Center serving over 100 residents; Angels Above Home Care; La Vita Bella Home Health; and Ricelands Home Health Care And Hospice. Each plays an important role employing newly certified CNAs from local training programs.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Rio Rancho (3 facilities)
3 nursing homes in Rio Rancho providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| The Neighborhood In Rio Rancho900 Loma Colorado Blvd Ne(505) 994-2296Map | 72 | 3.6 |
| The Suites Rio Vista2410 19Th Street, Se(505) 452-4200Map | 136 | 2.1 |
| Rio Rancho Center4210 Sabana Grande Se(505) 892-6603Map | 120 | 1.8 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Rio Rancho (3 facilities)
3 home health agencies in Rio Rancho 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 |
|---|---|
| Angels Above Home Care, Llc1001 Golf Course Rd Se Suite 106(505) 892-4861Map | 2.0/5 |
| La Vita Bella Home Health, Llc1101 Golf Course Road, Suite 102Map | – |
| Ricelands Home Health Care And Hospice, Llc2345 Southern Blvd Se, Suite C-8(505) 918-6344Map | – |
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 Rio Rancho? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Espanola, Grants, and Santa Fe, or browse the New Mexico 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 Rio Rancho, NM
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Rio Rancho, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by New Mexico. These include completing a New Mexico Health Care Authority-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), passing the state knowledge and skills competency examinations administered by D&SDT-Headmaster, and being placed on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry.
- At least 75 total hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical training in a nursing facility
- Completion of 16 hours of introductory instruction before any direct resident contact
- Minimum age of 16 to test (some programs require 18), plus a criminal background check and a health screening (TB test, immunizations)
- Passing the knowledge exam (60 questions, 60 minutes, 74% to pass; available in English and Spanish, with an audio option) and the manual skills exam (three or four tasks, 30 minutes, all critical steps plus 80% of noncritical steps)
- Up to three attempts per component within 24 months of completing training
- Placement on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry, with certification administered by the Health Care Authority (not the Board of Nursing)
Once certified, you may work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, home care agencies, and other healthcare settings throughout Rio Rancho and across New Mexico. Certification is renewed every two years, and to renew you must have worked at least 8 consecutive hours of paid nursing-related work in an eligible healthcare setting during the preceding 24 months; New Mexico's HCA guidance also calls for 12 hours of in-service or continuing education each year (24 per renewal cycle), typically provided through the CNA's employer. Renewal runs through the TMU portal and may be submitted from 30 days before through 30 days after expiration, with a $25 fee plus New Mexico gross receipts tax. The Headmaster competency exams cost $40 for the written knowledge test (or $45 for audio) plus $100 for the skills test.
Already certified in another state? New Mexico offers certification by reciprocity for nursing assistants who hold a current certification in good standing on another state's registry. Approved applicants are placed on the New Mexico registry without repeating training or retaking the competency exam, and New Mexico charges no reciprocity fee. Applications are submitted through Headmaster's TMU system. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in New Mexico guide.
For complete details on training, testing, certification, and renewal, see our full CNA License & Registration in New Mexico 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 Rio Rancho.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Rio Rancho
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Rio Rancho?
Most CNA programs in Rio Rancho can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule.
How much does CNA training cost in Rio Rancho?
Contact the program in Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho?
No program in Rio Rancho is listed as free. Free CNA classes are offered in other New Mexico 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 Rio Rancho?
No program in Rio Rancho is listed with online classes. Online and hybrid programs are offered in other New Mexico cities. Clinical training is always in person.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Rio Rancho?
No 4-week program is listed in Rio Rancho. 4-week CNA programs are offered in other New Mexico cities, usually in 3 to 5 weeks.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Rio Rancho there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Espanola, Grants and Santa Fe. You can also look at the New Mexico state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the New Mexico CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in New Mexico, you must be added to the official state registry. See our New Mexico CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Rio Rancho?
CNAs in Rio Rancho are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 3 nursing homes and 3 home health agencies in Rio Rancho. 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.