CDCP to CNA Career Ladder

Become a CNA for FREE when you take the CDCP to CNA Career Ladder course!

Participating in the Certified Direct Care Professional (CDCP) to Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career Ladder course will provide you FREE access to the CDCP course online learning modules, which you can use at any time and place.The time you spend going through the online modeules will reduce approximately 20 hours from the nurse aide (CNA) in-person portion of this program.

You also receive FREE educational support from the Healthcare Workforce Training Institute. The institute's nurse educators will be available to answer course material-related questions anytime during your learning experience.

Once you have completed the online modules and obtained your FREE CDCP certification, you will be invited to register for the FREE CNA in-person portion of the course offered at one of the Healthcare Workforce Training Institute's education centers. After graduating from the CNA class, you will receive FREE access to take the state-certified nursing assistant tests.

Your participation in the CDCP to CNA Career Ladder course will qualify you for an initial bonus of $250 when you complete the CDCP portion of your course. You can earn an additional $250 bonus should you work for a CDCP provider for six months and another $500 bonus after six months of employment at a WisCaregiver participating skilled nursing facility. This $1,000 bonus, plus two FREE certifications, will open many doors in the healthcare field and provide a great way to enhance your resume and career goals.

Before enrolling, we want to ensure that you are aware of a few items needed to participate:

1. The course is a pilot program provided by WisCaregiver Careers and the Healthcare Workforce Training Institute. The initial phase of this pilot program is tied to the governmental funding of the WisCaregiver Program, which has been confirmed through June of 2025. If funding is renewed, this program will continue to offer the CDCP to CNA Career Ladder course for FREE until Sept 30, 2025. If funding is not extended, those who have not completed the course in full by this date may not be able to complete the course as intended but will not have any fees assessed to them at any time.
2. Once you have completed the CDCP portion of the course, you will need to take an entry quiz to enroll in the CNA class. Once you pass the entry quiz, you will have six months or 180 days to enroll and finish the CNA class. Should you not finish by the allotted time, you will be dis-enrolled from participating in the CDCP to CNA Career Ladder course.
3. The Healthcare Workforce Training Institute is a state-approved provider of the CNA class and must follow all requirements of DHS 129, including:
• All students must pass a background check before enrolling in the class.
• All students must consent to a tuberculosis (TB) test either before the start of the CNA day class or during the CNA evening class.
4. CNA class sessions are held in person at one of the institute's education centers, which are located in the communities of Bloomer, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Fennimore, Frederic, Lodi, Menomonie, Osseo, Rice Lake, Spooner, St. Croix Falls, and Superior. The 75-hour classes are typically held in the following formats:
• Day Class: 7 sessions (10 sessions without CDCP)
  Each session is 8 hours with 30 minute lunch
• Evening Class: 11 sessions (15 sessions without CDCP)
  Each session is 5 hours

Register For the CDCP to CNA Career Ladder Course