CNA Classes & Programs in Chattanooga, Tennessee

7 state-approved CNA programs in Chattanooga, including free, online, 4-week and evening options.

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CNA training in Chattanooga

Programs
7
state-approved
Median CNA pay
$33,190
$15.96 an hour
CNA jobs
1,870
in the Chattanooga region
Healthcare facilities
19
6 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 8 home health agencies
Population
181,288
residents

Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).

On this page
  1. Get info from schools
  2. CNA classes in Chattanooga
  3. Jobs and pay
  4. Working nearby
  5. Requirements
  6. Career growth
  7. FAQ

What brings you here?

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Chattanooga offers 7 CNA programs catering to individuals ready to begin their careers supporting patients throughout this scenic city nestled along the Tennessee River. Local education providers help guide students toward state certification by delivering practical instruction tailored specifically for aspiring nursing assistants entering today’s healthcare workforce.

CNA training programs in Chattanooga deliver classroom learning alongside hands-on experiences essential for success after graduation—including options such as online coursework or accelerated tracks, allowing flexibility based on personal circumstances or scheduling needs while maintaining alignment with state standards required by employers throughout Hamilton County.

In Chattanooga’s regional area, CNAs typically earn around $33,190 per year—slightly below Tennessee’s median—but benefit from direct access to diverse employer networks through local CNA classes designed to build long-term careers in patient support services.

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Browse CNA Classes in Chattanooga

Chattanooga’s 7 CNA programs prepare students through targeted instruction aimed at Tennessee state certification success, with select courses offering accelerated formats or online flexibility. Each CNA class helps build critical caregiving skills necessary for exam readiness while supporting entry into local healthcare positions where ongoing demand exists throughout Chattanooga’s medical community.

Program Types in Chattanooga

TypeIn ChattanoogaWhere to look
Free or employer-paid3 programsSee them ↓
4-week (accelerated)4 programsSee them ↓
Online or hybrid1 programGateway Achievement Chattanooga ↓
Evening or weekend2 programsSee them ↓

A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.

All 7 CNA programs in Chattanooga

Lowest published cost first.

Chattanooga State Community College @ Orange Grove Center

Community College · Chattanooga, TN 37404FreeEmployer-sponsored4-weekCostFreeHours75Weeks2
Address
615 Derby St., Chattanooga, TN 37404
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Chattanooga State and Orange Grove Center run a two-week CNA training program on Orange Grove’s campus that combines classroom and experiential learning.

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NHC Healthcare, Chattanooga

Educational Entity · Chattanooga, TN 37404FreeEmployer-sponsoredCostFreeHours–Weeks–
Address
2700 Parkwood Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
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NHC offers a free CNA training program with flexible schedules at select centers; applicants can choose NHC HealthCare Chattanooga as their training site.

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University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

Educational Entity · Chattanooga, TN 37403FreeEmployer-sponsored4-weekFinancial aidJob guaranteeEveningCostFreeHours123Weeks5
Address
311 East Mlk Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37403
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Schedule
Evening classes

UTC’s state-accredited CNA Academy is a five-week, 123-hour in-person course including classroom, lab, clinical training, CPR, exam fee, materials, and scrubs. Employer sponsorships are available that pay full tuition and guarantee full-time employment with the sponsor.

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Gateway Achievement Chattanooga

Educational Entity · Chattanooga, TN 37421Online/hybrid4-weekJob placement helpCost$865Hours75Weeks3
Address
7151 Lee Hwy, Ste. 100, Chattanooga, TN 37421
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Gateway Achievement offers a blended CNA course with monthly start dates, combining remote theory with hands-on labs and clinicals. The program totals 75 hours over 3 to 5 weeks and provides job placement support through community partners.

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Academy Of Allied Health Careers

Educational Entity · Chattanooga, TN 37411Financial aidJob placement helpEveningCost$1,450Hours144Weeks6
Address
5600 Brainerd Rd., Ste. C-3, Chattanooga, TN 37411
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Schedule
Evening classes

The Nursing Assistant program totals 144 hours with classroom, campus lab, and supervised clinical; day cohorts finish in 6 weeks and evening cohorts in 9 weeks.

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Chattanooga State Community College

Community College · Chattanooga, TN 374064-weekCost$1,495Hours–Weeks4
Address
4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406
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Chattanooga State’s Economic & Workforce Development offers a four-week Certified Nurse Assistant program preparing students for high-demand entry-level roles across care settings.

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The Health Center At Standifer Place

Educational Entity · Chattanooga, TN 37421Cost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
2626 Walker Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
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The Health Center At Standifer Place is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.

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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.

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CNA Employment Opportunities in Chattanooga

CNA pay and jobs in Chattanooga
Median annual pay$33,190
Median hourly pay$15.96
CNA jobs in the region1,870
Salary regionChattanooga

Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.

In the Chattanooga region, approximately 1,870 certified nursing assistants are employed according to BLS OEWS (May 2023) data covering this metropolitan area. These workers play key roles supporting patient care across multiple facility types throughout Hamilton County and beyond.

CNA salary in Chattanooga is estimated at around $33,190 annually—or about $15.96 per hour—based on recent BLS OEWS (May 2023) statistics specific to this market region. This is somewhat below Tennessee's statewide median salary ($34,850), reflecting local cost-of-living factors but still providing steady earning potential relative to entry-level expectations within healthcare support occupations here.

CNA jobs in Chattanooga can be found at several notable Chattanooga-area providers including Siskin Subacute West—a non-profit facility—and Life Care Center of East Ridge offering more than one hundred beds under corporate management structure. Additional opportunities exist at Health Center at Standifer Place—the largest skilled nursing provider locally—as well as major hospitals like Erlanger Medical Center (a government-operated acute-care center), Memorial Healthcare System, Parkridge Medical Center (proprietary hospital), plus leading home health agencies such as Amedisys Home Health Chattanooga and Centerwell Home Health—all CMS-certified providers serving patients both inside medical centers and within their own residences throughout greater Chattanooga.

Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Chattanooga (6 facilities)

6 nursing homes in Chattanooga 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 homeBedsCNA hrs/day
Siskin Subacute West1 Sisken Plaza(423) 634-1200Map1082.7
Viviant Healthcare Of Chattanooga8249 Standifer Gap Road(423) 892-1716Map1272.4
Life Care Center Of East Ridge1502 Mcdonald Road(423) 894-1254Map1082.4
Health Center At Standifer Place, The2626 Walker Rd(423) 490-1599Map4442.3
Life Care Center Of Red Bank1020 Runyan Dr(423) 877-1155Map1482.2

Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Chattanooga (5 facilities)

5 hospitals in Chattanooga offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)

HospitalRating
Memorial Healthcare System, IncAcute Care Hospitals · 2525 Desales Ave(423) 495-2525Map4/5
Erlanger Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 975 E 3Rd St(423) 778-7000Map3/5
Parkridge Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 2333 Mccallie Ave(423) 698-6061Map3/5
Erlanger Behavioral Hospital, LlcPsychiatric · 804 North Holtzclaw Avenue(855) 612-3494Map–
Moccasin Bend Mental Health InstitutePsychiatric · 100 Moccasin Bend Road(423) 265-2271Map–

Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Chattanooga (8 facilities)

8 home health agencies in Chattanooga providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)

AgencyQuality
Amedisys Home Health Chattanooga7205 Lee Highway Suite A(423) 490-1100Map4.5/5
Centerwell Home Health5751 Cornelison Road 6400 Bldg (Bldg B) Ste 100(423) 892-1122Map4.5/5
Nhc Homecare Chattanooga6025 Lee Hwy Ste 443(423) 877-1716Map4.5/5
Accentcare Home Health Of Tennessee6116 Shallowford Road Suite 114(423) 855-6233Map4.0/5
Chi Memorial Health At Home5600 Brainerd Road, Suite 500(423) 495-2525Map4.0/5

Sources

Working in Nearby Cities and Other States

Working in Nearby Cities

Looking beyond Chattanooga? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Soddy-Daisy, Dunlap, Franklin, Cleveland, and Hixson, or browse the Tennessee 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 Chattanooga, TN

To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Chattanooga, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Tennessee. These include completing a Tennessee Health Facilities Commission–approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), passing the state competency evaluation administered by Credentia, and being listed on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry.

  • At least 75 total hours of training (classroom, lab, and clinical combined)
  • Completion of 16 hours of federally required instruction before any direct resident contact
  • Passing both the knowledge and skills exams within 24 months of completing training (up to three attempts per section)
  • Criminal background check required before patient contact
  • Placement on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry maintained by the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission

Once certified, you can work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health agencies throughout Chattanooga and across Tennessee.

Already certified in another state? You may qualify for reciprocity to transfer your certification into Tennessee without retraining or retesting. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Tennessee guide.

For full details on training, testing, certification renewal, and maintaining an active listing, see our step-by-step CNA License & Registration in Tennessee guide.

See how to become a CNA in Tennessee

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 Chattanooga.

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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Chattanooga

How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Chattanooga?

Most CNA programs in Chattanooga can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 2 weeks, at Chattanooga State Community College @ Orange Grove Center.

How much does CNA training cost in Chattanooga?

CNA programs in Chattanooga cost between $865 and $1,495, depending on the school. 3 programs are free or employer-paid. The lowest-priced paid option is Gateway Achievement Chattanooga at $865. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.

Are there free CNA classes in Chattanooga?

Yes. 3 programs in Chattanooga are free or employer-paid: Chattanooga State Community College @ Orange Grove Center, NHC Healthcare, Chattanooga and University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga?

Yes. Gateway Achievement Chattanooga offers a hybrid option, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.

Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Chattanooga?

Yes. 4 programs in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Soddy-Daisy, Dunlap, Franklin, Cleveland and Hixson. You can also look at the Tennessee state page to find more.

How do I get listed on the Tennessee CNA registry?

To work as a CNA in Tennessee, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Tennessee CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.

Where do CNAs work in Chattanooga?

CNAs in Chattanooga are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 6 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 8 home health agencies in Chattanooga. 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.