CNA Program Frequently Asked Questions

No, CNA Program classes do not require you to take the ACCUPLACER.

No, you do not need a high school diploma or HSE (formerly GED) to take classes for the TMCC CNA Program.

• Apply for admission to TMCC.
• Read the CNA Program Steps to Apply and complete all items. You will not be released to enroll in the CNA Program until all the prerequisites are met.
• Enrollment requirements:
  • Evidence of a negative TB status.
  • Proof of current immunity against rubella, measles, mumps, diphtheria tetanus, varicella, hepatitis-B, and flu vaccine.
  • Proof of original approved COVID-19 Vaccine series (2-dose Pfizer or Moderna or 1-dose Johnson & Johnson).
  • Current American Heart Association healthcare provider BLS.
  • Proof of major medicine insurance.
  • A negative background check.
  • A negative drug screen.
• Once CNA requirements are met, you will be released by the CNA Program to enroll in classes.
• For class days and times see the current TMCC Class Schedule.

• TMCC Offers day and evening CNA classes, as well as Friday and Saturday classes. Fall and Spring classes run for nine weeks, while summer classes run for seven weeks.
• Class options may include days, evenings, and/or weekends. 
• All classes are held at TMCC’s Meadowood Center, located at 5250 Neil Road in the North Building.

Yes, you can use financial aid, grants and/or scholarships to pay for classes in the CNA Program. Please contact the TMCC Financial Aid Office for more information.

• Refer to the CNA Program website for current program costs.
• Refer to TMCC's College Catalog for current tuition and fees.

You must be 16 years of age or older to take the TMCC CNA Program classes.

Contact the TMCC CNA Program Office for information on your status.

It must be an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) or equivalent. Your CPR qualifications must include hands-on skills, which must be completed by an American Heart Association-certified instructor.

See Also: CNA Program Prerequisites

No, it's not a requirement; however, it is always a good idea to explore your academic options with TMCC's Academic Advising staff.

See Student Conduct: Drug Free Environment

In case of an incident requiring medical attention, you must have your own insurance coverage.

No, the CNA Program requires that you submit the receipt only. Please see our Steps to Apply for how to complete this and a link to our partner, PreCheck.

Yes, background checks are valid for one year from date of issue, so as long as it does not expire during the duration of the CNA Program classes, you can continue to use it.

No, you must use the currently-contracted background check company authorized by TMCC's CNA Program. Please see our Steps to Apply for how to complete this and a link to our partner, PreCheck.

The rejection notice you receive will provide you with the steps to clear up any discrepancies.

The background check will be looking for any unlawful activities; any abuse against law, property and others.

If you did not receive a receipt for your background check, you will need to contact the provider. 

If the drug test included prescription drugs, you will get a call within three days from a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to review the results with you.

Yes, drug tests are valid for one year from date of issue, so as long as it does not expire during the duration of the CNA Program classes, it will fulfill the requirements.

If it will expire during the CNA Program classes, you will not be eligible to be released to enroll in the CNA classes, so you will need to re-take the drug test.

No, please refer to back to our contracted company.

After answering all the required questions for your Background Check, you should be asked by PreCheck to select a site for your Drug Screen. Once you’ve completed that, you’ll receive a confirmation with a barcode. You must bring that to your testing facility. 

Note: If your drug test results will expire during your school term, you will need to re-take it to be eligible for the CNA Program.

If your drug test was rejected you will need to speak with the Medical Review Officer (MRO) when they contact you and go over your results.

Notification should be within 24 to 48 hours after the test is analyzed.

Yes, proof of the following vaccinations is mandatory, no exceptions and no exemptions.

You must submit the following:

1. Evidence of a negative TB status.
2. Proof of current immunity against rubella, measles, mumps, diphtheria tetanus, varicella, hepatitis-B, and flu vaccine.
3. Proof of original approved COVID-19 Vaccine series (2-dose Pfizer or Moderna or 1-dose Johnson & Johnson).

Your personal health records may be available through your high school transcripts or through your local health department. You can also check with your physician or parents.

If you have served in the military, your records should be available to you from the government.

If you cannot locate your Hepatitis B, MMR or Varicella vaccines, you can opt to have a titer taken to check for immunity to those diseases. 

To be admitted to the CNA Program, you must provide documentation of one of the following:

• Two vaccinations
• Positive antibody titer
• Medically-documented history of disease by a healthcare provider

No, not if they are current. 

Be sure to look at your TB and Tetanus records, as they do expire. If they will expire during the CNA Program classes, you will need to have current immunizations before you are eligible to enroll in the CNA Program classes.

If you have had your immunizations but are unable to locate your records, you can have blood drawn (titer) as proof.

Note: if you were born before 1956 you do not have to show proof of immunity to MMR.

Yes. Visit the Credentia website for details and forms.

Testing is conducted through Credentia. Please visit their website for current pricing information.

While TMCC does not help with job placement, on occasion recruiters from local healthcare facilities do visit our CNA classes. Being in the facilities during clinical may help you in your job search, and also help you to determine if this is the career for you.

You may also access TMCC employment resources such as the Career Center.