Becoming a CNA in Michigan

3. Pass the CNA Exam

Once you’ve completed your training program, the next step is to pass the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Competency Evaluation Program, which is administered by Prometric in Michigan. This exam tests your knowledge and skills to ensure you’re capable of performing the duties of a CNA.

Exam Structure:

The CNA exam consists of two parts:

1. Written (or Oral) Exam:

• The written exam includes 60 multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of basic nursing skills, patient care, and safety procedures.
• You have 90 minutes to complete the written exam.
• If you have difficulty with reading, you may request the oral version of the exam when you register. The oral version includes 60 multiple-choice questions and an additional 10 reading comprehension questions.

1. Clinical Skills Test:

• In this part of the exam, you will need to demonstrate 5 skills chosen randomly from a list of 20 essential CNA skills. These might include tasks such as handwashing, taking vital signs, and assisting patients with daily activities.
• One of the required skills will always be handwashing, and another will be Indirect Care (which refers to how you interact with the patient during care).
• You’ll be tested by a nurse evaluator, who will score you based on how well you perform each task.

CNA Exam Costs:

What to Bring on Exam Day:

• Two forms of ID (one must have a photo, such as a driver’s license or passport)
• Non-skid, closed-toe shoes for the clinical exam
• Uniform or scrubs
• A watch with a second hand for timing during the clinical portion
• Your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from Prometric

It’s a good idea to arrive 30 minutes early to your testing site to allow time for check-in and reviewing exam instructions. If you pass both parts of the exam, you’ll be certified as a CNA in Michigan and added to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry.

Preparing for the Exam:

To help you prepare, you can click here to access our CNA exam practice test for a comprehensive review. This will help you feel confident going into both the written and skills portions of the exam.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you’ve passed the CNA exam, the next step is to register as a CNA in Michigan. This allows you to legally work as a CNA in healthcare settings across the state.

How to Register:

• After passing the CNA exam, you will be added to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry maintained by Prometric.
• Your certification will be valid for 2 years, and you will receive a unique certificate number. You can verify your registration status on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry website.

Renewal Process:

To keep your CNA certification active, you must renew it every 2 years. The renewal process includes:

• Proof of Employment: You must provide proof that you’ve worked at least 8 hours as a CNA in a healthcare facility within the last 24 months. This can be verified through a paystub or an employment verification letter from your employer.
• Continuing Education: Starting in 2026, you will also need to complete 12 hours of continuing education each year, which must include topics related to abuse, neglect, and care planning.
• Renewal Fee: The renewal fee is $40, which you’ll need to pay when submitting your renewal application.

How to Renew Your Certification:

1. Log into MI-NATES: Create an account on Michigan’s MI-NATES system, where you can manage your certification and submit renewal applications.
2. Submit Proof of Employment: Upload your employment verification showing at least 8 hours of CNA work in the past 2 years.
3. Pay the Renewal Fee: Submit the $40 renewal fee through the MI-NATES system.

Make sure to renew your certification before the expiration date. If your certification lapses, you will not be able to work as a CNA until you renew it. If more than 24 months have passed since your certification expired, you will need to retake the CNA training program and exam to become certified again.

Reciprocity for Out-of-State CNAs

If you are already a certified CNA in another state and want to transfer your certification to Michigan, you can apply for reciprocity. This allows you to transfer your CNA certification without having to retake the exam, as long as you meet Michigan’s requirements.

Eligibility for Reciprocity:

• You must be in good standing on the Nurse Aide Registry in your current state.
• You must have worked as a CNA for at least 8 hours in the last 24 months.

To apply for reciprocity, create a MI-NATES account, submit your application online, and pay the $40 registration fee.

Summary of the CNA Process in Michigan

Renewal Requirements | 8 hours of CNA work within 2 years; renewal fee: $40 |
| Exam Costs | $115 for complete exam; $85 for clinical retake|
| Reciprocity | Available for out-of-state CNAs in good standing|

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Michigan. Being a CNA offers many opportunities to work directly with patients and make a difference in their lives.

Other Local CNA Programs

id	Name	Image	Website	Street Address	City	State	Zip Code	Map Link	plus_code	Phone	latitude	longitude	latlong	Category	Reviews	Rating	5star	4star	3star	2star	1star	description	Monday Hours	Tuesday Hours	Wednesday Hours	Thursday Hours	Friday Hours	Saturday Hours	Sunday Hours	Details
120	Lakeside Manor Inc		https://lakesidemanorinc.webflow.io/	8790 Arlington St	White Lake	MI	48386	Map It!	MG7V+R3 White Lake, White Lake Charter Township, MI	(248) 666-9010	42.66	-83.46	42.6646209-83.4573642	Assisted living facility	4	4.8	3	1	0	0	0									More details
936	Thompson M-TEC		https://mtec.org/	6364 136th Ave	Holland	MI	49424	Map It!	VVMJ+QJ Holland, Michigan	(616) 738-8935	42.88	-86.12	42.8844246-86.1184018	Vocational school	14	4.2	9	2	1	1	1		7AM to 4:30PM	7AM to 4:30PM	7AM to 4:30PM	7AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 12PM	Closed	Closed	More details
937	Bay Bluffs Emmet County Medical Care Facility		https://baybluffs.org/	750 E Main St	Harbor Springs	MI	49740	Map It!	C2MH+F3 Harbor Springs, Michigan	(231) 526-2161	45.43	-84.97	45.4336362-84.9722721	Nursing home	9	3.9	5	2	0	0	2		Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
938	Bay Shores Senior Care & Rehab Center		https://nexcarehealth.com/search-locations/bay-shores/	3254 E Midland Rd	Bay City	MI	48706	Map It!	H3XG+PG Bay City, Michigan	(989) 686-3770	43.60	-83.92	43.5993329-83.9237271	Nursing home	42	3.6	27	0	0	1	14		Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
939	Flint Genesee Job Corps		https://flintgenesee.jobcorps.gov/	2400 Saginaw St	Flint	MI	48505	Map It!	28Q4+QP Flint, Michigan	(810) 553-4300	43.04	-83.69	43.0393945-83.6932116	Employment center	67	3.8	33	12	8	2	12		8AM to 6PM	8AM to 6PM	8AM to 6PM	8AM to 6PM	8AM to 6PM	Closed	Closed	More details
940	Gerald R Ford Job Corps Center		https://geraldrford.jobcorps.gov/	110 Hall St SE	Grand Rapids	MI	49507	Map It!	W8RP+F3 Grand Rapids, Michigan	(616) 243-6877	42.94	-85.66	42.9412439-85.6648069	Employment center	57	2.9	20	6	4	2	25		8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	Closed	Closed	More details
941	Michigan Healthcare Academy		https://mihealthcareacademy.com/about-us/	16645 15 Mile Rd	Clinton Twp	MI	48035	Map It!	H23X+J2 Fraser, Michigan	(833) 642-2329	42.55	-82.95	42.5540803-82.9524758																	More details
942	OakPointe Senior Care & Rehab Center		https://nexcarehealth.com/search-locations/oakpointe/	18901 Meyers Rd	Detroit	MI	48235	Map It!	CRJH+3J Detroit, Michigan	(313) 864-8481	42.43	-83.17	42.4301372-83.1709821	Nursing home	37	3.1	16	3	1	2	15		Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
943	Ashley Healthcare Center		https://www.pioneerhcm.com/	103 W Wallace St	Ashley	MI	48806	Map It!	5GJF+XF Ashley, Michigan	(989) 847-2010	43.18	-84.48	43.1824455-84.4762954	Nursing home	20	4.1	14	2	0	0	4		9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	More details
944	Dequindre Cut		https://detroitriverfront.org/riverfront/dequindre-cut/dequindre-cut	Dequindre Cut Greenway	Detroit	MI	48207	Map It!	8XV8+HH Detroit, Michigan		42.34	-83.03	42.343879-83.0335601	Park	1	4.8	1,076	161	24	8	8	Largely below street level, this 2-mile greenway offers urban art plus pedestrian & biking lanes.	6AM to 10PM	6AM to 10PM	6AM to 10PM	6AM to 10PM	6AM to 10PM	6AM to 10PM	6AM to 10PM	More details

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