CNA Classes & Jobs in Columbus, OH

Everything you need to start a CNA career in Columbus: local training programs, the OhioHealth hiring pipeline, current wages, and a free study plan for the Ohio NNAAP exam.

Columbus Ohio skyline illustration
Columbus, Ohio — MSA population ~2140K
Median CNA wage
$16.00/hr
~$33,280–$43,680/yr
Major employer
OhioHealth
Largest healthcare system in the metro
Metro population
2,140,000
Greater Columbus metropolitan area

Working as a CNA in Columbus

Columbus is part of the Ohio CNA registry, which means your training and certification follow the same NNAAP standards used across the U.S. The local healthcare market here is anchored by OhioHealth, which consistently hires new graduates and offers competitive starting wages around $16.00/hour. After a year of experience and a strong track record, CNAs inColumbus commonly move into specialty roles (ICU support, rehab, memory care) at $3–$7 above the entry rate.

Ohio CNA training requirements

To work as a CNA in Columbus, you'll need to complete a state-approved training program (typically 75–180 hours depending on Ohio's requirements), pass the NNAAP written and clinical skills exams, and register with the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. The full Ohio CNA certification guide covers application steps, fees, testing locations, and renewal cycles.

What the NNAAP exam tests for Columbus CNAs

Every CNA in Ohio takes the same National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). It's a 70-question written exam plus a 5-skill clinical checkoff. The exam doesn't change by city, but how you study for it should match the skills local employers care about. OhioHealth and other major systems inColumbus weight hand hygiene, transfers, vital signs, and feeding highest when hiring.

Pass the NNAAP on your first try

Try the free practice exam

ExamReady gives you the full 1,500+ question bank, all 22clinical skills walkthroughs, and a full exam simulator built around the same NNAAP you'll take in Ohio. 7-day free trial, no card required to start.

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Other Ohio cities

Full Ohio guide

For state-level training requirements, application fees, exam vendor contacts, and renewal procedures, read the complete Ohio CNA certification guide.

Read the Ohio CNA guide →