Verify that you have the basic requirements to enroll in any certified nursing assistant program. You must be age 18 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a clean criminal record with no felonies; the ability to read, write and speak English on a 6th grade level; and the ability to lift 40 to 50 pounds or more.
Contact large nursing homes in your area. Many skilled nursing facilities need nurse aides and offer in-house, free CNA training classes in exchange for graduates working 24 hours per week or more for one year. Ask to enroll in the next free nurse aide training program.
Call your state's Department of Labor and ask about job training programs that offer free CNA training. Some states, such as Oklahoma, offer extensive programs (see Resources) while some cities, such as New York City, have agencies that offer free certified nursing assistant classes (see Resources).
Ask the Red Cross in your area. Most regional Red Cross offices offer fee-based training for nurse aides, but in some cases state or private funding can lead to income-based scholarships for lower-income prospective students to receive free certified nursing assistant courses. Ask specifically about how to enroll in free CNA training through these subsidized programs.
Call your local community college and ask about enrolling in free nurse aide courses. Just as the Red Cross and state labor departments offer special scholarships and grants to enroll in free CNA training, community colleges often receive block grants from federal and state governments to provide this educational opportunity.