In an effort to provide quality education resources for individuals seeking training as a nurse aide, you may now locate an approved program in your area by reviewing the current listing of state-approved nurse aide training programs (PDF, 37 KB). Site phone numbers are provided on the list for your convenience. For admission policies and class schedules, contact the nurse aide training program coordinator at each site.
State-approved programs offer students ample opportunities for:
State-approved nurse aide training programs provide students time in the clinical setting using their newly learned skills. Many offer a practice for the competency evaluation exam which helps prepare students for the required competency testing.
For nursing students, high school students and nursing home employees, there may be other state-approved nurse aide training options available through their school or employer:
High School Students
North Carolina high schools, through Health Occupations Education programs, have the opportunity to offer state-approved Nurse Aide I training. A memorandum of understanding between the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation/Health Care Personnel Registry Section/Center for Aide Regulation Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) gives management responsibility for Nurse Aide I state-approved training in high school programs to the Health Occupations Education Nurse Aide office at the NCDPI. State-approved high school Nurse Aide training programs meet the same standards as all other state-approved Nurse Aide I training programs in North Carolina. For more information on the high school programs, contact NCDPI at 919-807-3907.
Nursing Students
North Carolina schools of nursing have the opportunity to offer to their students a certificate of completion for state-approved Nurse Aide I training. A memorandum of understanding between the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation/Health Care Personnel Registry Section/Center for Aide Regulation Education (DHSR CARE) gives the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) authority to identify to the DHSR CARE those nursing programs that meet the state-approval requirements for Nurse Aide I training. Nursing students who receive a certificate of completion for Nurse Aide I training are eligible to apply for the Nurse Aide I competency testing.
Approved nursing programs meet the same standards as all other state-approved Nurse Aide I training programs in North Carolina. For more information on the nursing programs that offer this certificate of Nurse Aide I training, students should contact their dean.
Nursing Home Employees
By state and federal guidelines, nursing homes may be eligible to offer state-approved nurse aide training to their employees. Nursing homes must first be approved through the DHSR CARE branch to offer this training. For information about state-approved training availability in any North Carolina nursing home, interested individuals should contact the facility administrator or director of nursing.
You may also contact the Center for Aide Regulation and Education at 919-855-3969, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (EST) for assistance locating programs in your area.
For individuals returning to nursing assisting, or transitioning from a related field, see the additional resources listed below.
The state has contracted with Pearson VUE to offer state-approved Nurse Aide I competency testing and report candidate test results to the Nurse Aide I Registry. NACES Plus Foundation, Inc., works with Pearson VUE to administer tests. To obtain a candidate handbook, visit Pearson VUE, or contact NACES Plus Foundation at 1-888-282-6904. For scheduling, candidates must register and schedule their exam online.
The North Carolina Community College System Office has additional courses for:
To find information about these programs in your area, contact your local community college, or inquire with the N.C. Community College System Office.