CNA Classes & Jobs in Denver, CO

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

Denver Colorado skyline illustration
Denver, Colorado — MSA population ~2967K
Median CNA wage
$18.50/hr
~$38,480–$48,880/yr
Major employer
UCHealth
Largest healthcare system in the metro
Metro population
2,967,000
Greater Denver metropolitan area

Working as a CNA in Denver

Denver is part of the Colorado 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 UCHealth, which consistently hires new graduates and offers competitive starting wages around $18.50/hour. After a year of experience and a strong track record, CNAs inDenver commonly move into specialty roles (ICU support, rehab, memory care) at $3–$7 above the entry rate.

Colorado CNA training requirements

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

What the NNAAP exam tests for Denver CNAs

Every CNA in Colorado 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. UCHealth and other major systems inDenver 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 Colorado. 7-day free trial, no card required to start.

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Other Colorado cities

Full Colorado guide

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

Read the Colorado CNA guide →