CNA in Missouri 2026 October: Training, Certification, Salary, and Requirements
Free CNA in Missouri 2026 October: 🟢 Training, practice test with questions and answer explanations. Prepare for the 2026 October exam with instant scoring.
Missouri Detailed Breakdown
The Kansas City metro area — on the Missouri side encompassing Jackson County, Clay County, and Cass County — is Missouri's largest CNA market. Kansas City, MO anchors this region with a mix of acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and assisted living communities. Saint Luke's Health System, one of the most respected integrated health systems in the Midwest, operates Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City and multiple satellite campuses — a major CNA employer known for strong wages and career advancement. HCA Midwest Health operates several Kansas City-area hospitals including Research Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center. Veterans Affairs Medical Center Kansas City employs a significant number of CNAs serving Missouri's veteran population. For training, Metropolitan Community College (MCC) — with campuses across the KC metro — offers some of the most accessible and affordable DHSS-approved CNA programs in Missouri. Penn Valley Community College (MCC Penn Valley, Kansas City) and State Fair Community College also offer CNA pathways. CNA wages in Kansas City, MO average $13–$17/hour, with hospital positions at Saint Luke's and HCA reaching $17–$21/hour. Free CNA training programs may be available through Missouri Workforce Development centers and employer-sponsored programs at long-term care facilities. Important: CNAs working on the Kansas side of the KC metro must hold a separate Kansas CNA certification — see the KC Metro dual licensing highlight below.
Missouri Essential Checklist
- ✓Be at least 16 years old (most Missouri programs require 16–18; verify with your specific program)
- ✓Provide valid government-issued photo ID (Missouri driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- ✓Complete a criminal background check through the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) — fingerprint-based
- ✓Verify you are not listed on Missouri's Employee Disqualification List (EDL) via the DHSS website
- ✓Obtain a negative TB test within the past 12 months (Mantoux PPD or QuantiFERON Gold blood test)
- ✓Pass a physical examination by a licensed physician, PA, or APRN
- ✓Obtain current CPR/BLS certification (American Heart Association or American Red Cross)
- ✓Complete required immunizations: Hep B series, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, annual Flu
- ✓Complete any pre-enrollment drug screen required by your training program
- ✓Enroll in and complete a Missouri DHSS-approved 75-hour CNA training program
- ✓Complete minimum 16 hours of classroom/theory instruction
- ✓Complete minimum 16 hours of supervised clinical practice at a licensed Missouri nursing facility
- ✓Receive your official training program completion certificate
- ✓Register for both exam sections through D&S Diversified Technologies (not Prometric)
- ✓Pass written knowledge exam (70 questions, 70% minimum passing score, 105 minutes)
- ✓Pass clinical skills evaluation (5 randomly selected skills — all skills must be passed)
- ✓Confirm placement on the Missouri DHSS Nurse Aide Registry (allow 2–4 weeks after exam passage)
- ✓Renew certification every 2 years: provide proof of 8 hours paid nursing service within the period
Missouri Advantages and Disadvantages
- +Only 75 hours required — the federal minimum; most full-time programs complete in 2–3 weeks
- +D&S Diversified exam (same vendor as Kansas, Georgia, Arizona) — extensive national prep resources available
- +BJC HealthCare and Mercy offer some of the Midwest's best CNA wages, benefits, and career advancement
- +Two major metro markets (St. Louis and Kansas City) provide diverse employment options and specialties
- +DHSS registry is straightforward to navigate online — status checks, lookups, and renewal are web-accessible
- +Low cost of living — CNA salary of $26K–$32K stretches further in Missouri than coastal markets
- +HCBS waiver programs fund home-based CNA positions across all 114 counties — flexible work options statewide
- +KC metro dual MO/KS certification is achievable and dramatically expands job placement options
- +Missouri has a large and growing senior population, ensuring sustained CNA demand across the state
- −Salaries ($26K–$32K) are below the national median — coastal and Sun Belt markets pay significantly more
- −DHSS manages the registry (not the Board of Nursing) — candidates must know the correct agency for inquiries
- −Rural Missouri counties (Bootheel, northern MO) have limited CNA training programs and lower wages ($11–$13/hr)
- −KC metro cross-border licensing adds complexity — dual MO/KS certification requires extra steps and fees
- −D&S Diversified exam (not Prometric) — verify practice resources specifically match the D&S NNAAP format before studying
- −Missouri Employee Disqualification List (EDL) blocks many candidates with prior healthcare violations
- −Limited public transportation in many Missouri cities — CNAs may need reliable personal transportation
- −Only 75 hours of training is minimal by national standards — some candidates feel underprepared for clinical realities
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| D&S Diversified exam (same vendor as Kansas, Georgia, Arizona) — extensive national prep resources available | DHSS manages the registry (not the Board of Nursing) — candidates must know the correct agency for inquiries |
| BJC HealthCare and Mercy offer some of the Midwest's best CNA wages, benefits, and career advancement | KC metro cross-border licensing adds complexity — dual MO/KS certification requires extra steps and fees |
| Two major metro markets (St. Louis and Kansas City) provide diverse employment options and specialties | D&S Diversified exam (not Prometric) — verify practice resources specifically match the D&S NNAAP format before studying |
| DHSS registry is straightforward to navigate online — status checks, lookups, and renewal are web-accessible | Missouri Employee Disqualification List (EDL) blocks many candidates with prior healthcare violations |
| KC metro dual MO/KS certification is achievable and dramatically expands job placement options | Limited public transportation in many Missouri cities — CNAs may need reliable personal transportation |
Sample CNA Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free CNA practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A CNA is working in a state where, with additional certification and under specific circumstances, they are permitted to perform certain advanced tasks. Which of these tasks would most likely require this type of special certification?
- A. Performing range-of-motion exercises on a post-stroke resident.
- B. Discontinuing a resident's indwelling urinary catheter.
- C. Assisting a resident with using a metered-dose inhaler.
- D. Documenting a resident's fluid intake and output.
Answer: B. Discontinuing a resident's indwelling urinary catheter.
While specific regulations vary by state, discontinuing (removing) an indwelling urinary catheter is an invasive procedure that is generally outside the standard CNA scope. Some states or facilities may allow a specially trained CNA to perform this task. The other tasks, such as assisting with inhalers (but not administering the medication independently), performing restorative exercises, and documenting I&O, are more commonly within the standard CNA role.
A CNA's certification in Florida became null and void 3 years ago after they failed to meet renewal requirements. To regain active status, what must the individual do?
- A. Complete 48 hours of continuing education and pay a reactivation fee.
- B. Take a refresher course and pass the skills portion of the competency exam.
- C. Work 100 hours under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.
- D. Reapply for licensure and meet all current initial application requirements.
Answer: D. Reapply for licensure and meet all current initial application requirements.
According to the Florida Board of Nursing, once a CNA license becomes 'Null and Void,' it cannot be reactivated or renewed. The individual must start the process over by reapplying for licensure and complying with all laws and rules that are current at the time of the new application.
Which of the following observations about a resident's stool should be reported to the nurse immediately?
- A. Brown, formed stool after a meal
- B. Small, dark, tarry stool with a foul odor
- C. Stool that is slightly soft
- D. Infrequent stool after a low-fiber diet
Answer: B. Small, dark, tarry stool with a foul odor
Dark, tarry (melena) stool suggests upper GI bleeding and requires immediate nurse notification.
A resident with moderate dementia is resistant to eating meals. Which intervention should the CNA try FIRST?
- A. Force-feed the resident using a syringe
- B. Offer finger foods that the resident can eat independently
- C. Skip the meal and document poor appetite
- D. Threaten to take away privileges if the resident refuses
Answer: B. Offer finger foods that the resident can eat independently
Finger foods promote independence and may be more acceptable to residents who resist being fed or using utensils.
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About the Author
Registered Nurse & Healthcare Educator
Johns Hopkins University School of NursingDr. Sarah Mitchell is a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science at Johns Hopkins University and has taught NCLEX preparation and clinical skills courses for nursing students across the United States. Her research focuses on evidence-based exam preparation strategies for healthcare certification candidates.
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