It is not as difficult to become a certified nursing assistant as it is for other nursing professions. A high school diploma or GED was usually all that was required for a nursing assistant program. They will then be required to complete a certificate program in the nursing assistant that includes classroom instruction on patient care as well as hands-on clinical training. It's important to remember that each state has its own set of requirements. The training is just the beginning. Before working in a clinical setting, one must first obtain certification or licensure. This can be accomplished by passing a competency or state exam.