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Employer sponsorship

A nursing home, hospital, or home care agency pays for the course because they need aides. No income test.

Who pays
The employer, usually a nursing home or health system
What it covers
Tuition and exam fees. Some pay wages during training
How fast
Days to a few weeks, depending on the next class
Employer sponsorship

How it works

  1. 01
    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.

  2. 02
    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.

  3. 03
    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.

  4. 04
    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

Featured employer sponsorship

The sources students use most in this category.

Every source of employer sponsorship

12 sources that pay for CNA training. Filter by category or state, or search by name, city, or county.

Funding, eligibility, and limits change each program year, so confirm with the source before you enroll.

Employer sponsorship by state

Employer sponsorship, answered.

Do 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.

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