4-Week CNA Classes in Memphis
Mon–Fri Day Program — Career Academy Memphis
Last updated: May 2026
Get Certified in 4 Weeks. Start Working as a CNA the Week After.
Career Academy's day program is a genuine 4-week CNA certification — not an “accelerated” 8-week class in disguise. We meet Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and deliver the full 120 hours Tennessee requires across 20 in-person days. New cohorts start every month. No GED required, no weekends.
Apply NowHow a 4-Week CNA Program Actually Works
Tennessee requires 120 total hours of CNA training before you can sit for the state certification exam. The hours are the constant. What changes between schools is how those 120 hours are spread out.
| Schedule | Hours/Week | Weeks to 120 hrs |
|---|---|---|
| Career Academy Day (Mon–Fri, 6 hrs/day) | 30 hrs | 4 weeks |
| Career Academy Evening (Mon–Fri, 4 hrs/day) | 20 hrs | 6 weeks |
| Community college (2–3 days/week) | 12–15 hrs | 8–10 weeks |
| Semester-format program | 8–10 hrs | 12–16 weeks |
The 4-week program isn't shorter — it's the same 120 hours, just compressed into back-to-back full days. You finish sooner because you're in class more hours per week, not because anything got cut.
Watch Out for “4-Week” Programs That Aren't
A few common patterns make a program sound shorter than it is:
- “4 weeks of classroom” — then another 4–8 weeks of off-site clinical rotations you have to find and coordinate yourself.
- “Online in 4 weeks” — Tennessee doesn't recognize fully online CNA programs. The clinical hours can't be done remotely, so you'll need an in-person component before you can take the state exam. See why CNA classes can't be 100% online for the details.
- “Self-paced 4-week” — usually means you could finish in 4 weeks if you do every optional assignment, but the typical student takes 8–12.
Career Academy's 4 weeks is the start date to the state exam registration date. Clinical practice happens on-site during the same 4 weeks — no separate rotation phase.
Why the 4-Week Day Program Works
Genuinely 4 Weeks
Mon–Fri, 6 hours/day. 120 hours total — the full state requirement, just concentrated.
New Cohorts Monthly
A new 4-week day program starts every month. No waiting for a semester to begin.
$1,350 All-Inclusive
Textbook, skills supplies, CPR certification, and state exam registration included.
Test Where You Train
Career Academy is a registered Tennessee state exam testing site — take the test on the same campus.
Home by 2:30 PM
Afternoons and evenings stay free for family, study time, or part-time work.
On-Site Clinical Lab
All hands-on practice happens at our Memphis campus — no off-site clinical rotations to coordinate.
A Typical Day in the 4-Week Program
By week 4, you'll have completed all 24 clinical skill sign-offs and be registered for the Tennessee state exam — which takes place on the same campus.
What's Included in the $1,350 Tuition
Payment plans available: 3 payments of $450, no interest, no payment before your first day. WIOA, SNAP E&T, VA benefits, and MyCAA may cover full tuition — see if you qualify for free CNA training. View all funding options
4-Week CNA Classes — Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really become a CNA in 4 weeks?
Yes — if the program is built for it. Career Academy's day program meets Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, which is 30 hours of in-person instruction per week. Over 4 weeks that's the full 120 hours Tennessee requires for CNA certification. Programs that take 8–12 weeks usually meet only 2–3 days per week or run shorter daily sessions.
Are 4-week CNA programs legitimate?
Yes, when they meet the state's hour requirement. Tennessee requires 120 hours total. A 4-week program that meets 30 hours per week is delivering the same training as a 12-week program that meets 10 hours per week — just more concentrated. Career Academy is Tennessee Department of Health–approved and a registered state exam testing site.
What's the schedule for a 4-week CNA program?
Career Academy's day program meets Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — 6 hours per day, no weekends. The first half of each day is classroom instruction (patient care, anatomy, safety, communication); the second half is hands-on skills practice in the on-site clinical lab.
Are 4-week CNA classes near me available in Memphis?
Yes. Career Academy is the only 4-week, in-person CNA program in Memphis with on-site clinical training. We're located at 3355 Poplar Avenue, Suite 100G, in East Memphis. New 4-week day cohorts start every month.
Is the 4-week program harder than a 6-week program?
It's the same curriculum, just more concentrated. The 4-week day program is intensive — you'll cover material faster and need to keep up with daily homework and skills practice. If you can commit full days, it gets you certified and earning sooner. If you work during the day, the 6-week evening program covers the exact same content and exam.
Can 4-week CNA classes be done online?
No. Tennessee requires the 120-hour CNA program to include 40+ hours of hands-on clinical practice with a licensed instructor present, which can't be done online. Any program advertising a fully online 4-week CNA certification will leave you unable to take the state exam. Career Academy's program is in-person at our Memphis campus, with clinical practice on-site.
What does the 4-week CNA program cost?
$1,350 all-inclusive — the same price as the 6-week evening program. That covers textbook, clinical skills supplies, CPR/BLS certification, and Tennessee state exam registration. Payment plans of 3 × $450 are available with no interest and no payment before your first day.
When do 4-week CNA classes start?
New 4-week day cohorts start every month. Visit the apply page to see the next available start date. Spots fill on a first-come, first-served basis.
Learn More
- Evening CNA Classes in Memphis — 6-week alternative (Mon–Fri, 5–9 PM) for working adults
- Compare CNA Classes in Memphis — what to look for in any CNA program
- CNA Salary in Memphis — what you can earn after the 4 weeks
- CNA State Test in Tennessee — what to expect on exam day
Start This Month, Test Next Month
Day program cohorts fill quickly. Graduate in 4 weeks, pass the state certification exam, and start your healthcare career. Apply now to reserve your spot.
Apply NowOr call (901) 761-4500
Written by Career Academy staff — CNA educators with 10+ years of experience training nursing assistants in Memphis, TN.
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