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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $270
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
75 hrs
Training Hours
D&SDT-Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster)
Exam Provider
$270
Total Initial Fees
24 months
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have completed at least 8 consecutive hours of paid CNA work in the past 24 months; orientation, training, and in-service hours do not count
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) – Nurse Aide Registry
651-201-4200
Program Approval Body
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) – Nurse Aide Registry
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
75
Total Hours
59
Classroom
16
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
D&SDT-Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster)
Written Exam Details
70
Questions
74% (52 out of 70 questions correct)%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
Attempts Allowed
4 attempts for knowledge, 3 attempts for skills
Retest Waiting Period
Must complete all attempts within 24 months of training program completion date (or initial challenge date for challenge candidates)
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
Passing Score
74% (52 out of 70 questions correct)%
Administered By
D&SDT-Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $270 (knowledge + skills); $100 (written only); $170 (skills only)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.
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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 | $500–$1,200 |
Competency Exam Fee Includes administrative and Headmaster fees; fees may vary by testing site; some training providers cover exam costs | $270 (knowledge + skills); $100 (written only); $170 (skills only) |
State Registration Fee MDH no longer accepts paper applications; online system used | $0 |
Total Initial Fees Exam fees (knowledge + skills); may vary by testing site; excludes training program tuition | $270 |
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
Verified24 months
Renewal Period
Must have completed at least 8 consecutive hours of paid CNA work in the past 24 months; orientation, training, and in-service hours do not count
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
Submit renewal via Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry online system; allow up to 30 business days for review
Inactive Reinstatement
If certification has lapsed due to insufficient work history, must retake and pass the competency exam to be reinstated on the registry
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
Interstate endorsement process confirmed; MDH provides a tutorial: 'Nurse Aide Registry Tutorial: Submitting Your Interstate Endorsement Application'
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 Minnesota with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Minnesota offers the knowledge exam in 4 languages (English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong) reflecting its diverse population. The knowledge exam has a unique 74% passing score and 70 questions. Knowledge and skills exams have different attempt limits (4 vs 3). At $270 total, Minnesota has among the highest CNA exam fees nationally. Trainees may work up to 120 days before passing the exam.
Minnesota follows the federal OBRA minimum of 75 training hours (59 classroom + 16 clinical)
Minnesota uses D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for competency evaluation
As of January 27, 2025, the knowledge test is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong
Knowledge exam has 70 questions with a 74% passing score; skills require 80% accuracy
Knowledge exam allows 4 attempts; skills exam allows 3 attempts
Minimum age is 16 years old
May work up to 120 days while enrolled in a program before passing the exam
MDH no longer accepts paper applications for registry; all applications are online
Exam fees are $270 total ($100 knowledge + $170 skills) but may vary by testing site
Contact: NAR at (651) 201-4200 or toll-free 1-800-397-6124 (MN only) or health.FPC-NAR@state.mn.us
Contact Headmaster at (800) 393-8664 or minnesota@hdmaster.com for exam questions
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (you) | $270 | 6–20 wks | |
| Iowa | $165–$205 | 6–20 wks | → |
| North Dakota | $275 | 6–20 wks | → |
| South Dakota | $207.50 | 6–20 wks | → |
| Wisconsin | $137.75 | 6–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Minnesota
See how Minnesota compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Minnesota.
CNA Schools in Minnesota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Minnesota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Minnesota →
Transfer your CNA license from Minnesota to: Iowa → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →
Minnesota requires 75 hours of training and passage of the D&SDT-Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) – Nurse Aide Registry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.