CNA Classes & Programs in Portland, Oregon
5 state-approved CNA programs in Portland, including free, online, 4-week, evening and weekend options.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
CNA training in Portland
- Programs
- 5
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $46,420
- $22.32 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 8,260
- in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro region
- Healthcare facilities
- 48
- 30 nursing homes, 9 hospitals and 9 home health agencies
- Population
- 646,101
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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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.
Portland is home to 5 CNA programs, making it a notable destination for those interested in certified nursing assistant training in the Pacific Northwest. Prospective students will find options that cater to a range of needs, with the city serving as a central hub within the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area.
Available CNA classes in Portland include free CNA classes, online training, and accelerated options for those seeking a quicker path into healthcare. Graduates of these programs often pursue employment at various local facilities, including nursing homes, hospitals, and home health agencies throughout the city and metropolitan area.
In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area, CNAs earn around $46,420 annually. This figure provides valuable context for individuals considering entry into this field and reflects regional earning potential for certified nursing assistants.
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Browse CNA Classes in Portland
Students in Portland can choose from 5 CNA programs, including free CNA classes, online options, and accelerated training. Each program prepares students for Oregon state certification and provides practical skills essential for success as a nursing assistant. These varied offerings help graduates meet local healthcare demand while building a strong foundation for certification and employment as a CNA in the Portland region.
Program Types in Portland
| Type | In Portland | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 1 program | Caregiver Training Institute ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 5 CNA programs in Portland
Lowest published cost first.
Long - Term Careworks
CostFreeHours–Weeks–
- Address
- 525 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232
Open in Google Maps
Long‑Term CareWorks sponsors free nursing assistant training through EMT Associates, covering tuition and fees while providing stipends, scrubs support, coaching, and wraparound services. Accepted students are paired with partnered long‑term care employers for clinical training and job placement support.
Visit websitePlatinum Career Solutions
CostFreeHours–Weeks5
- Address
- 5850 SW Canby St, Portland, OR 97219
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (503) 313-7584
Free 5-week OSBN-approved NA-1 class with lecture, lab, and clinicals; tuition, course materials, and the state exam are included. Employment opportunities are offered after completion in partner skilled nursing communities.
Visit websiteCaregiver Training Institute
Cost$2,200Hours110Weeks4
- Address
- 12790 SE Stark St Ste 100, Portland, OR 97233
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (503) 257-0117
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
CTI’s OSBN-approved NA-1 program is 110 hours (37 classroom, 33 skills lab, 40 clinical) with multiple schedule options and hybrid lecture available. Bundled tuition includes textbook, supplies, background check, CPR, and exam prep.
Visit websiteFamily Healthcare Services
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1515 SE 122nd Ave Ste 1441b, Portland, OR 97233
Open in Google Maps
Family Healthcare Academy offers CNA training at its Portland campus with classroom, skills lab, and clinical instruction; the program is promoted as a one-month pathway.
Visit websitePortland Community College
Cost–Hours120Weeks–
- Address
- 12000 SW 49th Ave Unit 207, Portland, OR 97219
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (971) 722-6111
One-term hybrid Nursing Assistant course with 40 hours online lecture, 40 hours in-person lab, and 40 hours of clinical at local facilities. Offered as 6-credit (financial aid eligible) or non-credit with identical curriculum.
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.
Not sure which of the 5 programs fits you?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major Oregon cities
All Oregon cities with CNA programs →CNA Employment Opportunities in Portland
| Median annual pay | $46,420 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $22.32 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 8,260 |
| Salary region | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro region, approximately 8,260 CNAs are employed according to recent data. The area’s substantial healthcare sector supports steady opportunities for newly certified nursing assistants across a range of settings. Local demand for CNAs remains consistent due to Portland’s population size and the concentration of healthcare facilities.
CNA jobs in Portland reflect regional compensation trends. In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area, the median CNA salary is $46,420 per year (or $22.32 per hour), based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) data. This is slightly above Oregon’s statewide median of $46,260 annually, providing a modest incentive for those considering entering the field within this metropolitan region.
Portland features a wide range of CMS-certified facilities employing CNAs. Notable employers include Friendship Health Center (100-bed nonprofit nursing facility), Avalon Care Center - Portland (40 beds), Gateway Care and Retirement (59 beds), Portland VA Medical Center, Adventist Health Portland, and home health agencies such as Providence Home Health. These organizations contribute to the city’s diverse healthcare landscape and offer varied employment opportunities for CNAs.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Portland (30 facilities)
30 nursing homes in Portland 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 Health Center3320 Se Holgate Blvd(503) 231-1411Map | 100 | 4.7 |
| Avalon Care Center - Portland12640 Se Bush(503) 761-6621Map | 40 | 4.6 |
| Gateway Care And Retirement39 Ne 102Nd Avenue(503) 252-2461Map | 59 | 4.3 |
| Belmont Care And Rehabilitation812 Se 48Th Avenue(503) 236-2624Map | 41 | 4.1 |
| Fernhill Rehabilitation And Care5737 Ne 37Th Avenue(503) 288-5967Map | 63 | 3.9 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Portland (9 facilities)
9 hospitals in Portland offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Portland Va Medical CenterAcute Care - Veterans Administration · 3710 Sw Us Veterans Hospital(503) 220-8262Map | 5/5 |
| Adventist Health PortlandAcute Care Hospitals · 10123 Se Market Street(503) 257-2500Map | 4/5 |
| Legacy Good Samaritan Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 1015 Nw 22Nd Avenue, W121(503) 413-7711Map | 4/5 |
| Providence Portland Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 4805 Ne Glisan Street(503) 215-1111Map | 4/5 |
| Providence St Vincent Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 9205 Sw Barnes Road(503) 216-1234Map | 4/5 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Portland (9 facilities)
9 home health agencies in Portland providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Providence Home Health6410 Ne Halsey Street, Suite 200(503) 215-4321Map | 4.5/5 |
| Connected Home Health7515 Ne Ambassador Place, Suite C,(503) 261-8599Map | 4.0/5 |
| Adventist Health Home Care Services5835 Ne 122Nd Ave, Ste 155(503) 251-6301Map | 3.5/5 |
| Mission Home Health Of Portland16083 Sw Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Suite 310(888) 743-4979Map | 3.5/5 |
| Kaiser Permanente Home Health Agency500 Ne Multnomah StreetMap | 3.0/5 |
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 Portland? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tualatin, and Salem, or browse the Oregon 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 Portland, OR
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Portland, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Oregon. These include completing an Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN)–approved nursing assistant training program, passing the Oregon Nurse Aide Competency Examination administered by D&SDT-Headmaster, and holding active certification on the Oregon CNA Registry. As of July 1, 2025, Oregon has a single CNA certification; the former CNA 1 and CNA 2 levels are no longer used.
- At least 105 total hours of training (65 classroom and lab hours, 40 supervised clinical hours in a facility with an RN on duty)
- Completion of supervised classroom and lab instruction with return demonstrations before any direct client care
- A fingerprint-based criminal background check and completion of adult CPR certification
- Passing both the knowledge test (80 questions, 90 minutes, 73% to pass) and the skills test (three or four assigned skills, 35 minutes)
- Applying to test within one year of completing training, with one year from the application date to pass both parts
- Certification issued by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, with active status on the Oregon CNA Registry
Once certified, you may work as a CNA in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living and residential care communities, home health settings, and other healthcare facilities throughout Portland and across Oregon. Certification is renewed every two years, and CNAs must complete two hours of cultural competency continuing education every 48 months to remain eligible.
Already certified in another state? Oregon offers certification by endorsement for out-of-state nurse aides who hold an active certification in good standing. Applicants complete the OSBN application, submit proof of their training, arrange verification of their out-of-state credential, and complete a fingerprint-based background check. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Oregon guide.
For complete details on training, testing, renewal, and maintaining certification, see our full CNA License & Registration in Oregon 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 Portland.
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 Portland
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Portland?
Most CNA programs in Portland can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 4 weeks, at Caregiver Training Institute.
How much does CNA training cost in Portland?
Caregiver Training Institute lists a price of $2,200. Ask the other programs in Portland for theirs. 2 programs are free or employer-paid. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Portland?
Yes. 2 programs in Portland are free or employer-paid: Long - Term Careworks and Platinum Career Solutions. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Portland?
Yes. 3 programs in Portland offer hybrid options, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Portland?
Yes. 3 programs in Portland are accelerated. Accelerated programs usually take 3 to 5 weeks, depending on class schedules and clinical requirements.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Portland there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tualatin and Salem. You can also look at the Oregon state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Oregon CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Oregon, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Oregon CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Portland?
CNAs in Portland are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 30 nursing homes, 9 hospitals and 9 home health agencies in Portland. 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.