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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $100
Governing Authority
Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Nurse Aide Registry Program
Official website →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
D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster via TestMaster Universe (TMU)
Exam Provider
$100
Total Initial Fees
2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 8 consecutive paid hours of CNA work in the past 24 months
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Nurse Aide Registry Program
(617) 753-8144
Program Approval Body
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Nurse Aide Registry Program
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
100
Total Hours
75
Classroom
25
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster via TestMaster Universe (TMU)
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
60 min
Time Limit
76%%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
40 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
4 for knowledge, 3 for clinical (skills)
Retest Waiting Period
4 attempts for knowledge exam, 3 attempts for skills exam; after exhausting attempts, must complete another training program
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
60 questions
Time Limit
60 minutes
Passing Score
76%%
Administered By
D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster via TestMaster Universe (TMU)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $100 total ($30 knowledge + $70 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
Prepare for your CNA Certification Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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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 Audio knowledge test: $50; retake fees: $40 knowledge, $50 audio knowledge, $70 skills | $100 total ($30 knowledge + $70 skills) |
State Registration Fee No separate state registration fee | No fee mentioned on official page |
Total Initial Fees Exam fees only ($30 knowledge + $70 skills); excludes training program tuition | $100 |
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 (24 months)
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 8 consecutive paid hours of CNA work in the past 24 months
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
Renewal through the eLicensing system; no fee specified
Inactive Reinstatement
If work requirement not met or certification lapsed, must retake the competency exam to be reinstated
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
Must be certified in another state, current and in good standing, and never previously certified in Massachusetts; process completed through D&S Diversified Technologies (D&S) website via Form 9110 in TMU
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 Massachusetts with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Massachusetts uses D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for testing. The exam is available in 4 languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole). Knowledge and skills exams have different attempt limits (4 vs 3). The passing score for the knowledge exam is 76%, and the skills exam requires 80% on each task. Reciprocity is free and processed through TMU.
Massachusetts requires 100 training hours, exceeding the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
Massachusetts uses D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for competency evaluation, not Prometric or Pearson VUE
As of December 2, 2024, the exam is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Haitian Creole
Knowledge exam allows 4 attempts while skills exam allows only 3 attempts
Knowledge exam passing score is 76%; skills exam requires 80% on each task plus all critical steps
No fee required for reciprocity applications
A waiver option exists for qualified applicants under 105 CMR 156.100
Contact: NARS at (617) 753-8144 or nars@mass.gov; or D&SDT at (888) 401-0462 or massachusetts@hdmaster.com
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (you) | $100 | 7–21 wks | |
| Connecticut | $118+ | 7–21 wks | → |
| Maine | — | 8–23 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | $310 | 7–21 wks | → |
| New York | $115 | 7–21 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Massachusetts
See how Massachusetts compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Massachusetts.
CNA Schools in Massachusetts
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Massachusetts? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Massachusetts →
Transfer your CNA license from Massachusetts to: Connecticut → | New Hampshire → | New York → | Rhode Island → | Vermont →
Massachusetts requires 100 hours of training and passage of the D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster via TestMaster Universe (TMU) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Nurse Aide Registry Program.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.