How to Choose a CNA School in Memphis
Eight factors that matter — and the red flags to avoid
Last updated: April 2026
Memphis has more than a dozen state-approved CNA training programs, with tuition ranging from about $650 to $3,000 and schedules from 4 weeks to a full semester. The “best” school depends on your budget, schedule, timeline, and admission status. This guide walks through eight practical factors to compare before you enroll, plus red flags to avoid.
The Short Answer
To choose a CNA school in Memphis, (1) confirm it is on the Tennessee Department of Health approved list, (2) compare total out-of-pocket cost — not just tuition — across 3–4 schools, (3) pick a schedule and start date you can actually commit to, (4) ask about class size and hands-on lab time, and (5) prefer schools that are also registered state exam testing sites. Avoid any program advertising 2-week certification or refusing to provide a written fee breakdown.
8 Factors to Compare
Work through these in order. The first factor is a hard gate — skip anything that fails it.
1. State Approval
This is non-negotiable. If the school is not on the Tennessee Department of Health's approved nurse aide training programs list, your training hours do not count toward state exam eligibility — no matter how good the classes are. Every legitimate Memphis CNA school must be on that list.
Questions to ask
- →Is the program listed on the TN Department of Health nurse aide training programs page?
- →Does the school meet the full 120-hour state requirement (40 classroom + 80 clinical)?
- →How long has the program been state-approved?
2. Total Out-of-Pocket Cost (Not Just Tuition)
The advertised tuition is almost never the full cost. Ask for a written breakdown of every fee before you pay anything. Community colleges often list the lowest tuition but bill textbook, CPR, background check, uniform, and state exam fees separately — often adding $400–$600 to the real cost.
Questions to ask
- →What is the all-in total, including textbook, CPR, background check, uniform, and state exam?
- →Is there a payment plan? What are the terms and does interest apply?
- →Are there refund rules if I withdraw in the first week?
3. Schedule and Start Dates
Memphis CNA programs run anywhere from 4 weeks to a full semester. Look for a schedule that actually fits your life — and pay attention to how often new classes start. Monthly start dates mean you can enroll when you're ready; semester-based schools may require a 3–4 month wait.
Questions to ask
- →How often do new cohorts start — monthly, quarterly, or semester-based?
- →Are there evening classes available, and what are the hours?
- →What happens if I miss a class? Is there a makeup policy?
4. Class Size and Hands-On Time
CNA training is a hands-on skill. The amount of time you actually spend practicing skills on a bed, mannequin, and with real equipment is more important than lecture hours. Smaller classes mean more turns, more instructor attention, and fewer distractions during the skills portion of the state exam.
Questions to ask
- →How many students are in a typical class?
- →How many beds, mannequins, and skills stations does the lab have?
- →What is the student-to-instructor ratio during clinicals?
5. State Exam Testing Site Status
Some Memphis CNA schools are registered NNAAP state exam testing sites and some are not. If the school is a testing site, you take the exam in the same classroom where you trained, on equipment you've practiced on every day — a significant psychological advantage. If not, you travel to an external site and test on unfamiliar equipment.
Questions to ask
- →Is the school a registered NNAAP state exam testing site?
- →If not, where is the nearest testing site and who pays for travel or additional fees?
- →What is the school's first-time state exam pass rate?
6. Admission Requirements
Every Memphis CNA school has its own admission requirements. Most require a GED or high school diploma; a few accept students without one through an Ability to Benefit (ATB) assessment. Some require a criminal background check, TB test, or drug screen before enrollment. Know what you'll be asked for up front.
Questions to ask
- →Is a GED or high school diploma required, or is an ATB assessment available?
- →What disqualifies a student on the background check?
- →Is a TB test, physical, or drug screen required before the first day?
7. Financial Aid and Workforce Funding
WIOA (through the American Job Center), SNAP Employment & Training, VA benefits, and MyCAA can all cover CNA training at approved Memphis schools. Not every school is approved for every funding source. If you qualify for workforce funding, confirm the school accepts it before enrolling.
Questions to ask
- →Is the school an approved WIOA/AJC training provider?
- →Does the school accept SNAP E&T, VA, or MyCAA benefits?
- →Will the school help with the paperwork, or do I handle it myself?
8. Location and Access
You'll be at this school every weekday for 4–12 weeks. Factor in parking, public transit access, and the drive from your home or job. A school that's slightly more expensive but 10 minutes from home can save you more than you'd save on tuition elsewhere.
Questions to ask
- →Is there free parking on-site, and is the building on a bus line?
- →Where are the clinical rotations held, and do I need transportation to get there?
- →Can I tour the school before enrolling?
Ready to compare specific Memphis CNA schools side by side?
See the ComparisonRed Flags to Avoid
If you see any of these, walk away. Legitimate Memphis CNA schools don't do these things.
- Not listed on the Tennessee Department of Health approved training programs page
- Advertises 2-week or 1-week CNA certification in Memphis (Tennessee requires 120 hours — impossible to fit in 2 weeks)
- Won't give you a written breakdown of all fees before you pay
- No physical classroom address or refuses to let you tour the facility
- Pressures you to pay the full tuition immediately with no payment plan option
- Can't tell you where clinical rotations happen or who the instructor is
- Promises a guaranteed state exam pass rate (no legitimate school can guarantee this)
- Uses high-pressure sales tactics or misleading discounts that expire today
Before You Enroll: A 5-Minute Verification Checklist
Run through this list before you sign anything or send a deposit.
- 1Verify state approval. Search “Tennessee Department of Health nurse aide training programs” and confirm the school is on the current list.
- 2Get total cost in writing. Ask for a document that lists tuition plus every additional fee — textbook, CPR, background check, state exam, uniform.
- 3Confirm the start date. Get the exact first-day date, the end date, and the schedule (days of the week + start/end time) in writing.
- 4Tour the facility. See the classroom and skills lab. If they won't let you visit, that's your answer.
- 5Read the refund policy. Know what happens if you need to withdraw in the first week or before the program starts.
How Career Academy Measures Up
Run Career Academy through the same 8 factors:
- State approval: Yes — listed with the Tennessee Department of Health.
- Total cost: $1,350 all-inclusive. Textbook, skills materials, CPR, and state exam are all covered.
- Schedule: 4-week day (8:30 AM–2:30 PM) and 6-week evening (5–9 PM), new classes monthly.
- State exam testing site: Yes — take the NNAAP exam where you trained.
- Admission: Accepts students without a GED via the Ability to Benefit assessment.
- Funding: WIOA/AJC, SNAP E&T, VA, and MyCAA all accepted.
- Location: 3355 Poplar Avenue, Suite 100G, Memphis — free parking, on a bus line.
- Payment plan: 3 payments of $450, no interest, no payment due before the first day of class.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a CNA school in Memphis is legit?
The school must be listed on the Tennessee Department of Health's approved nurse aide training programs list. If it is not on that list, the training hours do not count toward state exam eligibility. Legitimate programs meet the 120-hour requirement (40 classroom + 80 clinical) and will tell you upfront who the instructors are and where clinicals are held.
What accreditation should a CNA school in Memphis have?
For CNA training specifically, the key approval is from the Tennessee Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry. National accreditation (ABHES, COE, etc.) is only required for schools that receive federal Title IV financial aid, which most short CNA programs do not. What matters most is state approval — without it, your training hours do not count.
How much should a CNA class cost in Memphis?
Memphis CNA tuition ranges from about $650 at the lowest (Southwest TN Community College) to $3,000 at higher-end private schools. Most private programs fall in the $1,300–$2,800 range. The number to pay attention to is the total out-of-pocket cost, not just tuition — add in textbook, CPR, background check, uniform, and state exam fees. Career Academy is $1,350 all-inclusive with all of those already covered.
Should I pick the cheapest CNA school in Memphis?
Not always. The cheapest option usually has fewer start dates per year, waitlists, and strict admission requirements (GED, entrance exam, etc.). If you can wait three months and have a GED, the community college route saves money. If you need to start now, need evening classes, or don't have a GED, a private school with a faster start is usually worth the extra cost.
What are the red flags when choosing a CNA school?
Major red flags: the school is not on the Tennessee Department of Health approved list, advertises 2-week or 1-week certification (Tennessee requires 120 hours), won't give you a complete fee breakdown in writing, has no physical address or classroom, pressures you to pay in full immediately, or can't tell you where clinical rotations happen. A legitimate school is transparent about all of these.
How long does it take to finish CNA school in Memphis?
Legitimate CNA programs in Memphis range from 4 weeks (full-time day) to 12 weeks (part-time or semester-based). Tennessee requires 120 total clock hours. Career Academy's 4-week day program is the fastest state-approved option in the Memphis area; the 6-week evening program is designed for students who work during the day.
Does the school need to be a state exam testing site?
Not required, but it's a significant convenience. If the school is a registered NNAAP testing site, you take the state CNA exam in the same building where you trained, on equipment you've practiced on. If not, you'll travel to an external testing center and pay a separate testing fee. Career Academy is a registered state exam testing site.
Can I visit a CNA school before enrolling?
Yes, and you should. Ask to tour the classroom and skills lab, meet the instructor, and see the bed, mannequin, and other equipment you'll practice on. If the school refuses or delays a visit, that's a warning sign. Career Academy welcomes walk-ins Monday through Friday at 3355 Poplar Avenue, Suite 100G.
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Apply Online in 15 MinutesWritten by Career Academy staff — CNA educators with 10+ years of experience training nursing assistants in Memphis, TN.