20 Best CNA Programs in Albuquerque, NM 2026
Albuquerque offers abundant opportunities for aspiring nursing assistants looking to launch their healthcare careers. With numerous accredited CNA programs available, students can choose an option that aligns with their schedule, learning preferences and career goals.
This guide profiles the top 20 CNA programs in Albuquerque based on cost, course offerings, reputation and graduate reviews. It aims to help prospective nursing assistants in Albuquerque make informed program choices.
1. University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico (UNM) provides a part-time evening and weekend CNA program through its Continuing Education department. This allows flexibility for students with other daytime commitments.
Highlights
- Affordable tuition at $950
- Convenient class schedule meets 2 nights a week for 10 weeks plus some Saturday labs
- Prepares for state CNA exam and HCA certification
- 94% first-time pass rate on state exam
This accredited course blends online and in-person instruction in skills labs and clinicals at UNM hospitals. It covers all key knowledge and techniques to provide competent care in varied healthcare settings after 120 hours of total training.
Address: Albuquerque, NM 87131
Contact: (505) 277-0077
Website: https://ce.unm.edu
2. PIMA Medical Institute
PIMA Medical Institute helps launch medical careers through campus and online programs including a CNA course. Their Albuquerque campus has trained nursing assistants for over 30 years through this 5-week, full-time day program.
Highlights
- All materials and fees included at $1,499 cost
- Small classes of under 15 students
- 130 hours total training
- 93% first-time CNA exam pass rate
Students gain well-rounded preparation through interactive lectures, skills practice in a simulation lab and clinical rotations at regional care facilities. The course instills key aspects of patient care to prepare for certification testing.
Address: 4400 Cutler Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Contact: (505) 881-1234
Website: https://pmi.edu
3. Carrington College
Carrington College offers an accelerated 4-week CNA course at its Albuquerque campus, enabling quick entry into the healthcare field. Day and evening options allow scheduling flexibility.
Highlights
- Comprehensive 120-hour training
- Interactive online lectures supplemented by in-person labs/clinicals
- 90% first-time exam pass rate
- Guaranteed clinical rotation spot
Students gain well-developed patient care abilities through simulation training and hands-on clinical experience. Coursework instills skills in areas like patient hygiene, nutrition, ambulation, charting, safety protocols and professional communication.
Address: 1001 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Contact: (505) 348-6600
Website: https://carrington.edu/schools/albuquerque-new-mexico/
4. New Mexico Workforce Connection
Central New Mexico Community College offers an affordable fast-track CNA program through New Mexico Workforce Connection in conjunction with Sandia National Laboratories.
Highlights
- Low cost at $549 covers tuition and textbooks
- 3 to 5-week schedule options
- Small class sizes
- Over 95% exam pass rate
This track trains nursing assistant candidates for roles in diverse healthcare settings. Students get prepared through in-depth skills labs and hands-on clinical practice within local medical facilities.
Address: 5600 Eagle Rock Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Contact: (505) 224-5200
Website: https://www.cnm.edu/areas-of-study/find-a-career/certified-nurse-assistant-10
5. CNM CNA Program
Central New Mexico Community College offers their own traditional CNA program through the main Albuquerque campus. This is a comprehensive option for local candidates seeking an affordable path into healthcare.
Highlights
- Low-cost program at $790 covers tuition, textbooks, scrubs and exam voucher
- Financial assistance available
- Full-time, part-time and accelerated options
- Around 85% first-time pass rate
Students gain skills to provide quality, compassionate patient care through 120 hours of training encompassing lectures, simulation practice and clinical experience.
Address: 900 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Contact: (505) 224-5000
Website: https://www.cnm.edu/programs-of-study/health-wellness-public-safety/certified-nursing-assistant
6. Assisted Care Nursing Institute
Assisted Care Nursing Institute, commonly called ANCI, offers an accelerated 5-week CNA program at their Albuquerque facility. This allows for fast entry into healthcare roles with solid foundational training in patient care.
Highlights
- Affordable cost of $800 inclusive of textbooks and lab fees
- Interactive online lectures supplemented by in-person skills practice
- Clinical rotations at various care facilities
- Over 85% pass rate on the state certification exam
Graduates gain well-developed competencies for providing compassionate care and are well prepared for CNA certification.
Address: 1711A Coal Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Contact: (505) 503-3998
Website: https://ancinm.com
7. Ready Set Care Training Center CNA Program
CNA and other healthcare programs are offered through Ready Set Care’s Training Center in northwest Albuquerque. Their quality focused program balances theory and clinical practice to turn out strong certified nursing assistants.
Highlights
- All-inclusive cost at $1,000
- Small classes with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio
- 104-hour curriculum
- 90% average first-time exam pass rate
This CNA track features interactive online delivery combined with in-person skills training and clinical experience at long-term care facilities. Graduates gain well-developed competencies to provide compassionate, quality patient care in various settings.
Address: 10501 Ellison St NE Suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Contact: (505) 510-6275
Website: https://www.readysetcare.net
8. Caregiver Education Institute
Caregiver Education Institute based in Rio Rancho offers a quality blended CNA program with flexible schedules for Albuquerque residents. This makes quality training accessible for busy learners through online and in-person sessions.
Highlights
- Multiple monthly program start dates
- Affordable pricing from $772
- Online/in-classroom blended format
- 90 hours + clinicals
The hybrid program balances web-based prerecorded lectures with hands-on lab practice and facility clinical experience for well-rounded learning. Graduates gain skills to provide quality care for clients in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living.
Address: 1690 Rio Rancho Blvd SE Ste H, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Contact: (505) 891-6851
Website: https://caregivereducationinstitute.com
9. Bridge to Recovery CNA Program
Bridge to Recovery based in downtown Albuquerque offers a unique CNA program focused on geriatric and dementia patient care. This specialty track is suited to those interested specifically in roles assisting elderly individuals.
Highlights
- Specialized 90-hour geriatric/dementia focused CNA curriculum
- Affordable $850 tuition cost with financing options
- On-site personalized training in a simulated home environment
- Extensive practical experience through 40-hour clinicals
In this program students gain specialized abilities in caring compassionately for aging and memory-impaired patients through tailored coursework, hands-on practice and clinicals.
Address: 1904 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Contact: (505) 205-5500
Website: https://bridgetorecoverynm.com
10. HealthEd New Mexico
HealthEd New Mexico is an Albuquerque career college offering various nursing assistant courses. This includes a traditional 120-hour CNA program, a 75-hour CNA focused on long-term care and specialty developmental disabilities or mental health nurse aide courses.
Highlights
- Multiple CNA program options
- Interactive online and classroom-based instruction
- Small class sizes
- Clinical rotations included
Students gain abilities to assist patients and clients compassionately in various settings through tailored skills labs and hands-on practice during clinicals at regional facilities.
Address: 2400 Louisiana Blvd NE Bldg 5, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Contact: (505) 332-8266
Website: https://healthednewmexico.com
11. ABC Training Center
ABC Training Center has offered accredited CNA programs in Albuquerque for over 15 years. They stand out with high exam pass rates and a solid job placement program for graduates entering the healthcare field.
Highlights
- 104 total hour program length
- Competitively priced at $910 all-inclusive
- Practice state exam built into curriculum
- Job placement assistance and resume building class
Students gain confidence in providing compassionate basic care through knowledge reinforcement, hands-on skills labs and clinical practice. This fully prepares graduates for certification testing and nursing assistant roles.
Address: 1720 Louisiana Blvd NE Ste 204, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Contact: (505) 883-4635
Website: https://abctrainingcenterllc.com
12. Assistance Plus Caregiver Training Center
Assistance Plus offers a quality 116-hour CNA program from their Dexter street location prepared graduates well for certification and healthcare roles. They focus on reinforced practice for confident hands-on abilities.
Highlights
- Small class sizes with 10:1 student/teacher ratio maximum
- Affordably priced at $925 total cost
- High 93% first-time exam pass rate
- Job placement assistance
Graduates gain skills to provide quality care in varied settings through knowledge reinforcement, hands-on skills mastery in an on-site simulation apartment and clinical experience.
Address: 3600 Osuna Rd NE Suite 205, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Contact: (505) 344-1147
Website: https://assistanceplusnm.com
13. DynaTech Community Training Center
DynaTech Community Training Center provides an accredited 105 hour CNA course equipping learners with essential healthcare abilities. Their high first-time state exam pass rate shows effective preparation for certification and practice.
Highlights
- Total all-in cost just $799.99
- Classes average 8 students for personalized focus
- Extensive hands-on skills training pre-clinical
- Over 90% pass rate on state exam
The course balances theory with over 40 hours of skills practice using specialized mannequins and other equipment so students gain confidence in abilities before clinicals.
Address: 1020 Calle Turquesa NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Contact: (505) 896-2136
Website: https://dynatechnm.com
14. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Albuquerque
Encompass Health offers a free 130-hour CNA course in exchange for a one-year work commitment. This delivers training at no cost to students in return for matching employer-employee needs post-graduation.
Highlights
- Totally free tuition including textbooks in exchange for 1-year work commitment
- Specialized instruction focused on rehab care competencies
- Small cohort size allows personalized focus
- New class each month
Students gain specialized skills for providing competent, compassionate care in a rehabilitative hospital through tailored coursework and clinical experience.
Address: 8801 Horizon Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Contact: (505) 503-6830
Website: https://www.encompasshealth.com/albuquerquerehab
15. Grace Care Center Nursing Aide Training Program
At their Wyoming Blvd campus, Grace Care Center offers a specialized CNA course focused on preparing learners for roles in long-term care including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Highlights
- Long-term care focused curriculum and clinicals
- Small classes averaging 6 students
- Textbook and uniform voucher included
- Over 95% state exam pass rate
Graduates gain well-developed caregiving abilities tailored to geriatric and vulnerable patients through specialized course delivery and clinical experience in Grace Care’s skilled nursing facility.
Address: 6100 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Contact: (505) 821-4573
Website: https://gracecarecenternm.com
16. Excel Nursing Institute
Since 2010 Excel Nursing Institute has offered an acclaimed CNA program from their east Albuquerque location. The course effectively balances knowledge and abilities through interactive learning and skills reinforcement.
Highlights
- 110 total hours training
- Small class sizes with high teacher interaction
- Tablet-based e-learning platform
- Over 95% pass rate on state certification exams
The blended curriculum covers key concepts reinforced through hands-on practice in skills labs and clinicals placing graduates to provide competent, compassionate care.
Address: 2701 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Contact: (505) 881-6420
Website: https://excelnursinginstitutenm.com
17. HPNA Nursing Assistant Training Academy
Operating since 2015, HPNA in Rio Rancho provides quality certified nursing assistant education including specialized mental health and long-term care tracks. Their program balances knowledge and hands-on abilities.
Highlights
- General and specialized mental health/LTC CNA courses
- Small classes with a maximum teacher/student ratio of 1:15
- 140 hours total curriculum
- 94% first-time state exam pass rate
Graduates gain well-developed care competencies transferable to various healthcare settings, senior homes and residential care facilities in particular. The program effectively melds theory and practice for confident grads.
Address: 1705 NM-528, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Contact: (505) 891-4357
Website: https://hpnancnamhcprogram.com
18. NMAI Institute
NMAI Institute offers a 120-hour CNA course blending self-paced online study with in-person skills labs and clinical rotations at care facilities. This balance develops knowledge plus practical abilities for quality caregiving.
Highlights
- Blended self-paced online and in-classroom format
- All materials, uniforms and state exam voucher included
- Small class sizes
- 90% first-time state exam pass rate
Graduates gain well-developed patient care competencies applicable to varied healthcare settings through reinforced knowledge paired with hands-on abilities practice.
Address: 4465 Juan Tabo Blvd NE Suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87111
Contact: (505) 268-3700
Website: https://nmainstitute.com
19. New Beginnings Care Program
New Beginnings Career Institute in northwest Albuquerque offers a 96-hour entry-level CNA course. Students gain abilities to provide care professionally across settings like hospitals, clinics, long-term and assisted living facilities.
Highlights
- Affordable $799 tuition cost
- Small classes with personalized trainer focus
- Textbooks, uniform and testing voucher included
- Job placement partnerships with regional employers
The program effectively instills core caregiving knowledge reinforced through hands-on skills practice in preparation for clinical externships and state testing.
Address: 8001 Marble Ave NE Ste B, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Contact: (505) 266-6571
Website: https://newbeginningscareerinstitute.com
20. PRN Medical Career Institute
PRN Medical Career Institute located off Paseo Del Norte offers an acclaimed CNA course blending online and direct simulation lab training with clinical rotations. This balance builds knowledge plus hands-on care abilities.
Highlights
- Blended e-learning with in-person labs/clinicals
- 160-hour curriculum thoroughly covers key concepts
- Small classes averaging 12 learners
- 95% state exam pass rate
The program effectively develops core care competencies through online reinforcement and practice opportunities with specialized mannequins and other technologies prior to grads assisting patients during clinicals.
Address: 9311 Coors Blvd NW #I, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Contact: (505) 503-0570
Website: https://prnmedicalcareerinstitute.com/certified-nursing-assistant-cna/
