Employer sponsorship for CNA training.
A nursing home, hospital, or home care agency pays for the course because they need aides. No income test.
Overview of employer sponsorship
A nursing home, hospital, or home care agency pays for the course because they need aides. No income test. We list 10 employer sponsorship sources across 5 states. The deepest coverage is in Colorado (4), California (2) and Michigan (2).
The employer, usually a nursing home or health system. It covers tuition and exam fees. Some pay wages during training, and the usual timeline is days to a few weeks, depending on the next class.
It fits when you are willing to work for the sponsor for a period after certification, commonly 6 to 12 months, you can pass the background check and health screening the employer requires and no income test and no residency test.
The path is free in house classes, hire then train, the federal reimbursement rule and health system programs. Pick your state below for every source there and who to call, or get matched and we text you whether this route or another fits you.
Getting employer sponsorship, step by step
Free in house classes
Many nursing homes run their own state approved program and hire the graduates. You apply as an employee, not a student.
Hire then train
A facility hires you as a trainee, sends you to an outside school, and pays the school. Ask any facility with open aide shifts.
The federal reimbursement rule
Under 42 CFR 483.152, a Medicare or Medicaid nursing home cannot charge an aide who is employed or has an offer when training starts, and must reimburse an aide it hires within 12 months of certification.
Health system programs
Large hospital systems run paid pipelines into CNA and patient care tech roles. They post them as jobs, not classes.
Who qualifies
- You are willing to work for the sponsor for a period after certification, commonly 6 to 12 months
- You can pass the background check and health screening the employer requires
- No income test and no residency test
Know before you go
- Read the work commitment. Leaving early can mean repaying the course.
- Reimbursement under the federal rule is pro rata and paid while you are employed, so keep your receipts.
- Free in house classes fill fast and start on the facility's schedule, not yours.
Featured employer sponsorship
The sources students use most in this category.
CaliforniaWaterman Canyon Post-Acute CNA sponsorship
Waterman Canyon Post-Acute offers employer sponsorship for CNA training in California. A nursing home, hospital, or home care agency pays for the course because they need aides. No income test.
Employer pays the courseDetails
CaliforniaBear Valley CNA sponsorship
Bear Valley offers employer sponsorship for CNA training in California. A nursing home, hospital, or home care agency pays for the course because they need aides. No income test.
Employer pays the courseDetails
GeorgiaWellstar CNA sponsorship
Wellstar Health System hires CNA trainees who complete a CNA training program through a Wellstar academic partner or Wellstar's own program while employed, then move into a full time nursing assistant role after passing the Georgia certification exam. Trainee postings have appeared for Kennestone (Marietta), North Fulton and Spalding (Griffin, with Southern Crescent Technical College).
Employer pays the courseDetails
MichiganHenry Ford Health - NA Apprenticeship CNA sponsorship
Henry Ford Health's Nurse Assistant Apprenticeship is a 12 month registered apprenticeship in which apprentices are hired as full time, benefit eligible employees, complete a CNA course at a Henry Ford partner training facility paid by Henry Ford, and have the State of Michigan CNA exam fee paid. Apprentices work 36 to 40 hours per week on a hospital unit for the remainder of the year.
Employer pays the courseDetails
MichiganRivergate Terrace/ Rivergate Health Care Center CNA sponsorship
Rivergate Terrace/ Rivergate Health Care Center offers employer sponsorship for CNA training in Michigan. A nursing home, hospital, or home care agency pays for the course because they need aides. No income test.
Employer pays the courseDetails
ColoradoAveanna CNA sponsorship
Aveanna Healthcare's Colorado Family CNA program pays for CNA classes and test prep at no cost to family members who then become state certified and are employed by Aveanna to care for their own medically complex relative, usually a child. IHSS and CPR training are also provided at no cost.
Employer pays the courseDetails
Employer sponsorship by state
Employer sponsorship, answered.
Still unsure? Tell us where you are and we text you the answer for your county.
Get matchedDo I have to work there afterward?
For a sponsored seat, yes, for the period in the agreement. For the federal reimbursement rule, you only need to be hired within 12 months. There is no separate commitment.
Can I combine this with a voucher?
Usually not for the same seat. A voucher already pays the school in full. Use employer sponsorship when you do not qualify for a voucher or the wait is too long.
Not sure this is your route?
Tell us your county and situation and we text you the best one or two.