CNA Classes & Programs in Madison, Wisconsin
14 state-approved CNA programs in Madison, 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 Madison
- Programs
- 14
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $41,550
- $19.97 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 3,070
- in the Madison region
- Healthcare facilities
- 18
- 7 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 6 home health agencies
- Population
- 268,516
- 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.
In Madison, 14 state-approved CNA classes are available for those seeking entry into healthcare careers as certified nursing assistants. The capital city’s educational landscape offers students several pathways toward certification within a community known for its vibrant university atmosphere and robust medical sector.
CNA programs in Madison include both traditional formats and flexible options such as online courses or accelerated learning tracks. For individuals looking to minimize costs, free CNA classes are also available at select providers. These choices allow students to pursue training that fits their schedules while preparing them for immediate employment opportunities after certification.
In Madison, CNAs earn around $41,550 per year—a figure that reflects both local demand and specialized roles within area hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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Browse CNA Classes in Madison
Madison offers 14 CNA classes that prepare students for Wisconsin CNA certification through a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Options include online CNA classes, accelerated learning tracks, and free programs for those seeking flexibility or affordability. Each CNA training program is designed to qualify graduates for placement on the state registry with career opportunities in healthcare settings throughout the local area.
Program Types in Madison
| Type | In Madison | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 4 programs | See them ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 3 programs | See them ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 5 programs | See them ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 14 CNA programs in Madison
La Follette High School
CostFreeHours99Weeks–
- Address
- 702 Pflaum Rd, Madison, WI 53716
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 616-1058
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
La Follette participates in MMSD’s Madison College CNA offering; students can take the Nursing Assistant course for dual credit with tuition covered by the high school. Labs and clinicals are scheduled during evenings or weekends.
Visit websiteMadison East High School
CostFreeHours99Weeks–
- Address
- 2222 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 204-1603
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
Through MMSD’s partnership with Madison College, East High offers the Nursing Assistant (CNA) program for eligible students with tuition covered by the district. Class meets during the school day; labs and clinicals occur evenings or weekends.
Visit websiteUW Health/UWHCA
CostFreeHours176Weeks4
- Address
- 610 N. Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53705
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 263-6500
UW Health’s paid Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship offers traditional six-week (176-hour) and accelerated four-week cohorts to prepare NAs for hospital practice. There is no cost to participants and trainees are paid 40 hours per week during the program.
Visit websiteVel Phillips Memorial High School
CostFreeHours99Weeks–
- Address
- 201 S Gammon Rd, Madison, WI 53717
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 616-1058
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
MMSD partners with Madison College to offer a Nursing Assistant (CNA) course for juniors and seniors; tuition is covered by the high school. Classes are held during the school day with labs/clinicals scheduled evenings or weekends.
Visit websiteMadison College
Cost$743Hours99Weeks9
- Address
- 1701 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 616-1058
Madison College’s Nursing Assistant technical diploma is a 3-credit, 99-hour course combining classroom, skills lab, and supervised clinicals. Sections are offered in Madison (Truax and Goodman South) and regional campuses, with hybrid and accelerated 3–4 week options.
Visit websiteMadison College Goodman South Campus
Cost$743Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 2429 Perry St, Madison, WI 53713
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 616-1058
Madison College offers a Nursing Assistant technical diploma with classes available at the Goodman South campus and hybrid delivery options. Goodman Foundation scholarships are available specifically for Goodman South CNA students.
Visit websiteCenter for HC Education & Simulation
Cost$1,100Hours80Weeks6
- Address
- 3001 W Beltline Hwy, Suite 305, Madison, WI 53713
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 417-3500
- Schedule
- Weekend classes
CHES offers an 80-hour blended CNA program with about 45 hours online and 35 hours in person, including skills labs at CHES and a 16-hour clinical at a local hospital. Courses are scheduled several times per year with day and weekend options.
Visit websiteCentral Wisconsin Center
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 317 Knutson Dr, Madison, WI 53704
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 301-1991
Central Wisconsin Center is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteFatou Ceesay Cairasu Care Institute
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 437 S. Yellowstone Dr, Madison, WI 53719
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 622-7015
Cairasu Care Institute offers CNA certification training as part of its educational programs in Madison. The Institute provides caregiver training including CNA, CPR, and dementia care.
Visit websiteHerzing University
Cost–Hours–Weeks6
- Address
- 5218 E Terrace Dr, Madison, WI 53718
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (715) 902-1746
Herzing University–Madison hosts CNA training on campus in partnership with Quality CNA Training. The partner program is described as a six‑week course held at the Madison campus.
Visit websiteMadison College Community Clinic
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1705 Hoffman St, Madison, WI 53704
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 616-1058
Madison College Community Clinic is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteMadison West High School
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 30 Ash St, Madison, WI 53726
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 246-6780
Madison West High School is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteMendota Mental Health Institute
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 301 Troy Dr, Madison, WI 53704
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 301-1361
Mendota Mental Health Institute is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteNeway Directions
Cost–Hours–Weeks3
- Address
- 3001 W Beltline Hwy, #100, Madison, WI 53713
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (608) 221-1920
- Schedule
- Evening classes
Neway Directions offers CNA training in either a full-time 3-week format or a 6-week evening option with small class sizes and local clinical sites. Career services are available to assist graduates with employment.
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 14 programs fits you?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major Wisconsin cities
All Wisconsin cities with CNA programs →CNA Employment Opportunities in Madison
| Median annual pay | $41,550 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $19.97 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 3,070 |
| Salary region | Madison |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
In the Madison region, approximately 3,070 certified nursing assistants work across various care environments. This strong employment base demonstrates consistent need for trained CNAs within hospitals, nursing homes, and community-based organizations serving residents throughout Madison and its surrounding areas.
The CNA salary in Madison stands out within Wisconsin: In the Madison area, CNAs earn a median of $41,550 annually (or $19.97 per hour), according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). This regional median exceeds the statewide figure of $40,010 per year, reflecting enhanced earning potential linked to major medical centers and increased demand in Dane County’s healthcare market.
CNA jobs in Madison are available at several leading local employers. Facilities such as Capitol Lakes Health Center (72 beds) and Oakwood Village East Health And Rehab Center provide long-term care roles, while hospital-based positions can be found at University Of WI Hospitals & Clinics Authority—a prominent teaching institution—and SSM Health St Mary’s Hospital - Madison. Home health agencies like Aveanna Home Health further expand placement options for certified assistants within Madison’s CMS-certified provider network.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Madison (7 facilities)
7 nursing homes in Madison 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Capitol Lakes Health Center333 W Main St(608) 283-2000Map | 72 | 4.1 |
| Oakwood Village East Health And Rehab Center5833 American Parkway(608) 230-4263Map | 40 | 3.3 |
| Oak Park Place Of Nakoma4327 Nakoma Rd(608) 640-4100Map | 33 | 3.1 |
| Hebron Oaks510 Genomic Drive(608) 230-4699Map | 70 | 2.9 |
| Oak Park Nursing And Rehab Center718 Jupiter Drive(608) 268-7009Map | 100 | 2.7 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Madison (5 facilities)
5 hospitals in Madison offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Madison Va Medical CenterAcute Care - Veterans Administration · 2500 Overlook Terrace(888) 478-8321Map | 5/5 |
| Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital - MadisonAcute Care Hospitals · 700 South Park St(608) 251-6100Map | 4/5 |
| Unitypoint Health - MeriterAcute Care Hospitals · 202 S Park St(608) 417-6000Map | 4/5 |
| University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics AuthorityAcute Care Hospitals · 600 Highland Avenue(608) 263-6400Map | 4/5 |
| Mendota Mental Health InstitutePsychiatric · 301 Troy Dr(608) 301-1000Map | – |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Madison (6 facilities)
6 home health agencies in Madison 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 |
|---|---|
| Aveanna Home Health660 W. Washington Ave., Suite 309(608) 274-8193Map | 4.5/5 |
| Interim Healthcare Of Wisconsin2801 Coho St Suite 101(608) 238-0268Map | 4.5/5 |
| Ssm Health At Home Home Health-Wisconsin4639 Hammersley Rd.(800) 924-2273Map | 2.5/5 |
| Oakwood Preferred Home Healthcare6411 Mineral Point, Suite 211(608) 230-4699Map | 2.0/5 |
| Catalyst, Inc.230 S. Hamilton St.Map | – |
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 Madison? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Verona, Janesville, and Stoughton, or browse the Wisconsin 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 Madison, WI
To work as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Madison, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Wisconsin. These include completing a Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)–approved Nurse Aide Training Program, passing the state competency examination administered by D&SDT-Headmaster, and being listed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry.
- At least 75 total hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Completion of the first 16 hours of classroom instruction before any direct client contact
- Passing both the knowledge test (75 questions, 60 minutes, 71% to pass) and the skills evaluation (randomly selected skills scored by a state-approved examiner)
- Passing both components within one year of completing training, with unlimited retakes during that period before a new training program is required
- Placement on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry, administered through Headmaster's TestMaster Universe (TMU)
Once certified, you may work in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout Madison and across Wisconsin. To maintain federal work eligibility, CNAs must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related services every 24 months; those who do not must retake and pass both exam components, though Wisconsin does not require full retraining.
Already certified in another state? Wisconsin offers registry-based reciprocity for out-of-state nurse aides who are active and in good standing. Applicants must document completion of a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours or qualifying employment (at least 2,088 hours in the two preceding years), submitted through Wisconsin's Headmaster system. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Wisconsin guide.
For complete details on training, testing, renewal, and maintaining certification, see our full CNA License & Registration in Wisconsin 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 Madison.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Madison
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Madison?
Most CNA programs in Madison can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 3 weeks, at Neway Directions.
How much does CNA training cost in Madison?
CNA programs in Madison cost between $743 and $1,100, depending on the school. 4 programs are free or employer-paid. The lowest-priced paid option is Madison College at $743. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Madison?
Yes. 4 programs in Madison are free or employer-paid: La Follette High School, Madison East High School, UW Health/UWHCA and Vel Phillips Memorial High School. 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 Madison?
Yes. 3 programs in Madison offer hybrid options, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Madison?
Yes. 3 programs in Madison 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 Madison there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Verona, Janesville and Stoughton. You can also look at the Wisconsin state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Wisconsin CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Wisconsin, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Wisconsin CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Madison?
CNAs in Madison are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 7 nursing homes, 5 hospitals and 6 home health agencies in Madison. 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.