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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $161.25
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
100 hrs
Training Hours
Credentia (via CNA365 platform) – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)
Exam Provider
$161.25
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 16 hours of compensated employment as a nursing assistant during the two years preceding renewal
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON)
(410) 585-1900
Program Approval Body
Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON)
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
100
Total Hours
60
Classroom
40
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON)
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Credentia (via CNA365 platform) – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)
Written Exam Details
70
Questions
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
4
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass both components within 24 months of completing training; up to 4 attempts allowed before retraining is required
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
70 questions
Administered By
Credentia (via CNA365 platform) – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $130 (written or oral + skills)Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; some employers cover training costs | $625–$1,400 |
Competency Exam Fee Written only: $45; oral only: $45; skills only: $85; all fees non-refundable | $130 (written or oral + skills) |
State Registration Fee No separate state registration fee; endorsement application fee for out-of-state is $20 | $0 |
Background Check Fee Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) through Maryland CJIS; Livescan fingerprinting at approved sites | $31.25 |
Total Initial Fees $130 exam fee + $31.25 background check; excludes training program tuition | $161.25 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 16 hours of compensated employment as a nursing assistant during the two years preceding renewal
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$40
Biennial renewal fee; criminal history check may also be required if previous results are no longer valid
Inactive Reinstatement
If certification has lapsed, must retake and pass the competency exam or complete retraining
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Out-of-state CNAs may apply by endorsement; must hold current, active CNA certificate from another state and be listed on a registry meeting OBRA standards; $20 endorsement application fee
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Maryland with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Maryland uses Credentia (CNA365 platform) for the NNAAP exam. The state allows 4 exam attempts (more than the typical 3). The oral exam is available in Spanish. Maryland requires 16 hours of compensated employment for renewal, double the federal 8-hour minimum. Nursing assistant trainees can work up to 120 days while enrolled in a program.
Maryland requires 100 training hours (60 classroom + 40 clinical), exceeding the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
Maryland uses Credentia (CNA365 platform) for the NNAAP exam, not Pearson VUE or Prometric
Up to 4 attempts allowed (more generous than most states' 3 attempts)
Oral exam available in English and Spanish (60 multiple-choice + 10 reading comprehension)
Minimum age is 16 years old
Fingerprint-based criminal history check through Maryland CJIS ($31.25) required
Maryland requires 16 hours of compensated employment for renewal (double the federal 8-hour minimum)
May work as a nursing assistant trainee for up to 120 days while enrolled in a Board-approved program
Contact MBON at (410) 585-1900 or mbon@maryland.gov; hours Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm (Wed from 9:30am)
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
CNA requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland (you) | $161.25 | 7–21 wks | |
| District of Columbia | $167–$192 | 7–22 wks | → |
| Delaware | $115+ | 8–24 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $157–$175 | 6–20 wks | → |
| Virginia | $180 | 7–22 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Maryland
See how Maryland compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maryland.
CNA Schools in Maryland
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Maryland? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Maryland →
Transfer your CNA license from Maryland to: Delaware → | Pennsylvania → | Virginia → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →
Maryland requires 100 hours of training and passage of the Credentia (via CNA365 platform) – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.