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Two nurse aide students practice during class at Aims Community College.
Nurse Aide Certificate

Program Admission Requirements

Nurse Aide Certificate Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the nurse aide certificate program requires you to attend a mandatory orientation session. This orientation session covers registration details and important information about class requirements. You must bring ONE of these examples of proof of reading assessment with you to orientation:

  • ACT score of 18 or better
  • SAT score of 470 or better
  • Transcript showing you passed a college-level English class with a C or better
  • Accuplacer Reading score of 241 or higher

At the end of the orientation, you can register for classes.

The nurse aide certificate program is in high demand, so it's important to follow the instructions below for orientation and program admission requirements. You must be at least 16 years of age to participate in the program.

Scheduling Your Nurse Aide/CNA Orientation

Contact the Testing Center at assessment@aims.edu to schedule the Reading Accuplacer. This assessment must be completed before attending nurse aide orientation. 

You must attend the mandatory Aims nurse aide/CNA orientation to register for a nurse aide class.

Immediately after orientation, you can register for classes on a first-come, first-served basis. The order in which you sign up to attend orientation is the order in which you can register for classes at the end of the orientation. The doors lock at the hour. Late arrivals will not be admitted.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must be present.

Plan Ahead to Attend the Nurse Aide/CNA Orientation

Please note that due to the high demand for the nurse aide/CNA certificate program, there is no guarantee that you will be able to register for classes, even if you are the first to arrive for orientation. For best results, plan to attend the April or May orientation to enroll in summer classes, the June orientation to enroll in fall classes, and the November orientation to register for Spring classes. Please refer to this map of the Greeley Campus for building locations.

No late arrivals admitted to orientation. The door closes and locks at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you are late you will not be admitted.

Upcoming orientation dates: 

Requirements Before Attending Your First Nurse Aide Class

  • Be a registered student at Aims 
  • You must be at least 16 years of age 
  • Take the Reading ACCUPLACER or bring proof of a college-level English class to orientation, showing you passed with a C or better. 
    • Contact assessment@aims.edu to schedule the test on the Greeley Campus
    • To schedule the test in Fort Lupton, please call (303) 857-4022
  • Attend the mandatory orientation session
  • Have an ACT score of 18 or better
  • Have an SAT score of 470 or better

Approximate Cost of the Nurse Aide Certificate Program

Tuition fees are based on residency. Check with the Admissions Office with any questions about district or state residency.
2022-2023 Estimated Costs
Required In District Out of District Out of State
*Tuition & Fees $396.80 $588.65 $2,186.25
*State Testing $135 per attempt $135 per attempt $135 per attempt
*Textbooks $52.55 $52.55 $52.55
*Clinical ID Badge $3.25 $3.25 $3.25
Gait Belt $15.00 $15.00 $15.00
*Negative 2 step TB skin test or 1 negative TB blood test varies varies varies
*Hepatitis B 3 Shot Series varies varies varies
*Measles, Mumps & Rubella 2 Shot Series varies varies varies
*Influenza Vaccine varies varies varies
*Varicella 2 shots series varies varies varies
*COVID vaccine or approved Aims religious exemption varies varies varies
*Current Tdap varies varies varies
*Current Flu shot varies varies varies
*Background Check/Drug Screen $81.50 and up $81.50 and up $81.50 and up
*Uniform (two sets) $30/set/varies $30/set/varies $30/set/varies
*Estimated Total (excludes health requirement costs) $714.10 $905.95 $2,503.55

*Estimated costs - these estimates should be used only as a guide

*Prices are subject to change without notice

Sign up now to attend Nurse Aide/CNA Orientation. View dates.