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MISSOURI

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CNA Schools in Missouri

Missouri was once known as the crossroads of the United States, a common traveling place for those heading West. Today, it is considered to be the center of the Midwest and has both the waving prairie grasses of the Plains as well as the rocky, tree-covered cliffs of the Ozarks. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis welcomes people to the state from across the Illinois border. Other top spots include Kansas City, known for its jazz music scene, and Branson, a favorite summer family vacation spot. The 6 million state residents are served by 123 hospitals, 55,106 nursing homes and thousands of CNAs who are in high demand because over 15 percent of the population is older than 65.

Learn more about Missouri

– Capital: Jefferson City
– Minimum Wage: $7.65
– Number of Hospitals: 123
– Number of Nursing Homes: 55,106

Population

– Total Population: 6,063,589
– Population (ages 45-64): 1,610,815
– Population (ages 65+): 932,215
– Population (ages 85+): 125,005

Top Colleges & Unversities

– Washington University in St. Louis
– Saint Louis University
– University of Missouri, Columbia

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Missouri

Choose a Topic of Interest

CNA Training Requirements

Taking the Test (Procedure)

Out-of-State Applicants

Renewing & Expired Certification

Contacts & Additional Resources

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regulates the state’s CNA training programs and competency testing. The state requires students to complete 175 hours of training altogether, among the highest requirements in the nation. Of these hours, 75 must be spent in the classroom learning theory and 100 must be spent practicing skills on patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Classes are provided at vocational schools and nursing homes as well as at some high schools.

Some people may be able to waive state-approved training. This option is available to hospital nursing assistants with at least 12 months of health care experience. In addition, nursing graduates, foreign nurses, and nursing school students who have completed a basic nursing training course may waive training.

CNA students must be at least 18 years old unless they are still in high school and taking a health-oriented class. A high school diploma or GED is not required although it is recommended for future job options. Students will need to undergo both state and federal criminal background checks and have two fingerprint cards completed. They will need to provide social security cards and proof of eligibility to work. In addition, they will need to prove that they are physically able to work by undergoing a doctor’s physical showing that they are in good health without any communicable diseases. Students will also need to provide training providers with proof of up-to-date immunization records as well as recent negative tuberculosis tests.

All Missouri CNA training courses end with a two-part competency examination, which is actually considered to be part of the training course. This examination must be completed within six months of completing training. In addition, those who fail a section must retake and pass that section within 90 days from the day when they first attempted the examination. Those who fail both sections of the examination must retrain. These tests are often offered at the training facilities. Those attending a facility that does not offer the examination can apply to take it at a different vocational school in the state.

As other states do, Missouri requires a two-part test. This test consists of a written section that tests CNA theory and a skills section, often called a practicum, that tests hands-on CNA skills. The cost for both sections is $115.

The written knowledge test has 75 multiple-choice questions that must be answered at least 80 percent correctly. Students must pass this section to be able to take the skills section of the examination. Students will be asked to perform nine CNA skills in front a nurse aide evaluator. The skills must be passed at 100 percent in order for the student to pass the examination. After students pass both parts of the test, the training/testing facility will send the results to the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services and the CNA certifying agency, which will then issue a certificate within 45 days.

Missouri practices reciprocity with CNAs from other states who are moving to Missouri. To be eligible for reciprocity, CNAs must be active in their prior state and must be in good standing with no accusations of patient abuse, neglect or maltreatment. Applicants will need to fill out an application, send a copy of their previous state’s certifications and a copy of their social security cards. They will also need to send in work verification showing that they have worked at least eight hours every two years since they have been certified. Those who are approved for reciprocity will be allowed to challenge the state’s competency examination without training. The fee that applies is the $115 for taking the competency examination.

Missouri CNAs must renew their certifications every 24 months to remain active on the registry. In order to renew, CNAs must have worked for pay performing nursing-related tasks at least eight hours in the past 24 months. Their employers will be required to fill out part of the renewal form for employment verification. In addition, CNAs who work in long-term facilities need to complete 12 hours of in-service continuing education. Renewal is free. CNAs who have not worked the required hours will be considered inactive and will have to retake the competency examination to become active. CNAs who have not worked in the past five years have expired licenses and will be required to retrain and retest.

Links
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Missouri State Board of Nursing
Missouri State Nurse Aide Registry
Verify your CNA License

Contacts
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Phone: 573-526-5686
Fax: 573-526-7656
Email: [email protected]

Employment Information for MO

Average Salary for CNAs in MO

In Missouri, a CNA’s average yearly compensation closely mirrors the average throughout the United States. CNAs here make an average of $23,100 per year or $11.11 per hour. This is just $2,500 less than the income per capita of $25,649. Starting CNAs make about $3,000 per year less than this, but more experienced CNAs can expect higher salaries to reflect their experience.

Job Outlook in MO

With over 125,000 Missouri residents older than 85 and 932,000 residents older than 65, CNAs can expect excellent job security. In fact, the 42,320 current CNA job openings are expected to increase dramatically by 2024 as the 1.6 million people currently between 45 and 65 need increased amounts of skilled hands-on health care, which is often performed by CNAs.

Employment Opportunities

Top Hospitals in MO
Hospital NameAddressCityStateZipPhoneWebsite
Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University1 Barnes-Jewish Hospital PlazaSaint LouisMO63110314-747-3000Website
St. Luke'S Hospital4401 Wornall RoadKansas CityMO64111816-932-9886Website
Boone Hospital Center1600 East BroadwayColumbiaMO65201573-815-8000Website
Heartland Regional Medical Center5325 Faraon StreetSaint JosephMO64506816-271-6000Website
Coxhealth Hospital1423 North Jefferson StreetSpringfieldMO65802417-269-3000Website
Missouri Baptist Medical Center3015 North Ballas RoadSaint LouisMO63131314-996-5000Website
St. Luke'S Hospital232 South Woods Mill RoadChesterfieldMO63017314-434-1500Website
Mercy Hospital Springfield1235 East Cherokee StreetSpringfieldMO65804417-820-2000Website
University Of Missouri Hospitals And ClinicsOne Hospital DriveColumbiaMO65212573-882-4141Website
Audrain Medical Center620 East Monroe StreetMexicoMO65265573-582-5000Website
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital12634 Olive BoulevardSaint LouisMO63141314-996-8000Website
Barton County Memorial Hospital29 NW First LaneLamarMO64759417-681-5100Website
Bates County Memorial Hospital615 West Nursery StreetButlerMO64730660-200-7000Website
Belton Regional Medical Center17065 South 71 HighwayBeltonMO64012816-348-1200Website
Black River Medical Center217 Physicians Park DrivePoplar BluffMO63901573-727-9080Website
Bothwell Regional Health Center601 East 14th StreetSedaliaMO65301660-826-8833Website
Callaway Community Hospital10 South Hospital DriveFultonMO65251573-642-3376Website
Cameron Regional Medical Center1600 East EvergreenCameronMO64429816-632-2101Website
Capital Region Medical Center1125 Madison StreetJefferson CityMO65101573-632-5000Website

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