How Do I Find a CNA Training Course or Testing Location?

Find out where you can take your certified nursing assistant (i.e., nurse aide) training course, or where you can take the written and skills tests to become a CNA.

1

Take a DIAL-Approved CNA Course

The 75-hour CNA course can be taken at at an Iowa community college or through one of the approved facilities on the main CNA page of this website.

Community Colleges for Iowa Certified Nursing Assistant Training Links
2

Take the CNA Comp/Written (Knowledge) Exam

  • Take the exam at an Iowa community college. As of January 2026, community colleges now serve only as testing sites and proctors. Registration, payment, and exam records are handled by TestMaster Universe/Headmaster. The cost is $50 for a proctored test taken at an Iowa community college.
  • Take the exam remotely online via Headmaster ($50) or Credentia ($70).
Headmaster Credentia
3

Take the CNA Skills Exam

To take the CNA skills exam, you have two options.

  • Take the exam at an Iowa community college. This is managed through the college and not via Headmaster or Credentia. The cost to take a skills exam at an Iowa community college is $115.
  • Take the exam from Health Tech Associates. They are listed in the "Private Entities Offering Certified Nursing Assistant Course" tab below. The cost for taking the skills exam with Health Tech Associates is $135.
Community Colleges for Iowa Health Tech Associates