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Becoming a CNA in Minnesota

Steps to Become a CNA in Minnesota

If you’re considering a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Minnesota, it’s a great step toward working in healthcare. As a CNA, you’ll help patients with daily activities, monitor vital signs, and assist nursing staff. Here’s everything you need to know about the process, from meeting the basic requirements to maintaining your certification.

  1. Meet Basic Requirements: Learn the minimum qualifications for enrolling in a CNA training program and becoming certified in Minnesota.

  2. Attend a School: Choose a state-approved CNA training program, considering factors like program structure, costs, and clinical hours.

  3. Pass the CNA Exam: Understand the details of the written and skills portions of the CNA exam in Minnesota.

  4. Certification Registration and Upkeep: Find out how to register as a CNA and keep your certification active through renewals and work requirements.



1. Meet Basic Requirements

To enroll in a CNA training program and become certified in Minnesota, you need to meet certain requirements. These ensure that candidates are prepared to handle the responsibilities of working as a nursing assistant in a healthcare setting.

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

  • Age: There is no specific minimum age requirement in Minnesota, but most training programs prefer candidates who are at least 16 years old. If you are under 18, some programs may have additional requirements or restrictions.

  • Background Check: All CNA candidates must pass a criminal background check. Certain felony convictions or misdemeanors related to abuse, neglect, or theft may disqualify you from certification.

  • Health Requirements: You need to be in good physical health and meet any immunization requirements, including up-to-date vaccinations and tuberculosis (TB) screening.

  • Identification: Ensure you have proper identification, such as a valid photo ID and Social Security number. These will be necessary for both program enrollment and CNA exam registration.

Once you meet these basic criteria, you’re ready to move on to the next step: enrolling in a CNA training program.

2. Attend a School

To become a CNA in Minnesota, you need to complete a state-approved training program. These programs are designed to teach you the skills needed to provide high-quality care to patients and residents in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.

CNA Training Program Requirements:

  • Total Hours: Minnesota requires CNA training programs to be at least 75 hours long. This includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice.

  • Clinical Training: At least 16 of the 75 hours must be supervised practical training. This usually takes place in a licensed nursing home or a similar healthcare setting where you’ll practice skills such as patient transfers, bathing, and taking vital signs.

  • Accredited Programs: Make sure the program you choose is approved by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Only graduates from approved programs are eligible to take the state certification exam.

Choosing the Right CNA Program:

When deciding which CNA program to attend, consider the following factors:

  • Program Cost: Tuition for CNA training programs in Minnesota varies, typically ranging from $400 to $1,200. Some programs offer financial aid, payment plans, or the option to get reimbursed for tuition if you work at a certified nursing facility after graduation.

  • Program Format: Many programs offer a combination of in-person and online learning. The classroom portion may be completed online, but clinical hours must be done in-person at an approved facility.

  • Duration: CNA programs can vary in length. Full-time programs can be completed in as little as 4-6 weeks, while part-time options might take several months. Consider your availability and schedule when selecting a program.

After you’ve completed the required training, you’ll be eligible to take the Minnesota CNA certificatio

Featured CNA Programs in Minnesota

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3. Pass the CNA Exam

Once you’ve finished your CNA training, the next step is to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) Exam. This exam is required to earn your certification in Minnesota.

Exam Structure:

The NNAAP Exam in Minnesota consists of two parts:

  1. Written (or Oral) Exam:

  • The written exam includes 70 multiple-choice questions covering basic nursing skills, patient care, and safety procedures.

  • You have the option to take an oral version of the exam if reading English is a challenge. The oral exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 reading comprehension questions.

  • You’ll have 2 hours to complete the written portion of the exam.

  1. Skills Exam:

  • For the skills portion, you will need to demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills from a list of 22 possible skills. These could include tasks like handwashing, dressing a patient, or taking vital signs.

  • A licensed nurse will act as the test administrator, evaluating your performance.

  • You must perform all 5 skills correctly to pass this portion of the test.

How to Prepare:

To help you prepare, you can take practice exams or study guides. If you’re feeling uncertain about the test, click here to access our CNA exam practice test for a quick review of what to expect.

CNA Exam Costs:

Exam Component Cost
Written & Skills Evaluation $64
Oral & Skills Evaluation $64
Written or Oral Exam Only $42 (re-test)
Skills Exam Only $22 (re-test)

What to Bring on Exam Day:

On the day of your CNA exam, be sure to bring the following items:

  • Two forms of identification, one of which must be a photo ID.

  • Your Social Security number.

  • Non-skid, closed-toe shoes for the clinical evaluation.

  • Three No. 2 pencils and an eraser.

  • A watch with a second hand (for timing during the skills portion).

Arrive at least 30 minutes early to your test site, as late arrivals will not be allowed to take the exam.

Retaking the Exam:

If you fail one or both parts of the exam, you have up to three attempts to pass. If you fail both parts after three attempts, you will need to re-enroll in a CNA training program before trying again.

Once you pass both parts of the exam, you will officially become a certified nursing assistant and be placed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

After passing the CNA exam, the final step is to register as a CNA in Minnesota. Once registered, you can legally work as a CNA in healthcare settings throughout the state.

How to Register:

  • After successfully passing the CNA exam, your information will be automatically forwarded to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. There is no fee to be placed on the registry.

  • You will be assigned a unique certificate number, which you can use to verify your certification and apply for jobs.

CNA License Renewal:

In Minnesota, CNA certification must be renewed every 24 months. To remain active on the registry, you must work at least 8 hours as a CNA during this period in a healthcare facility. Acceptable work settings include:

  • Nursing homes

  • Hospitals

  • Assisted living facilities

Inactive Status:

If you do not meet the work requirement, your certification will become inactive. To reactivate it, you may need to retake the CNA exam or complete additional training.

Renewal Process:

  • Start the renewal process 60 days before your certification expires to ensure timely renewal.

  • You can renew your certification online through the TMU Registry. Simply log in and provide proof of your work hours, such as a paystub or employment verification letter from your employer.

CNA Reciprocity in Minnesota

If you are already a certified CNA in another state and want to transfer your certification to Minnesota, you can do so through a process called reciprocity. To qualify, you must:

  • Be currently listed as active and in good standing on another state’s nurse aide registry.

  • Have worked as a CNA for at least 8 hours in the last 24 months.

To apply for reciprocity, you will need to complete and submit the Interstate Endorsement Forms to the Minnesota Department of Health. There is no fee for processing the reciprocity application.

Summary of CNA Certification Process in Minnesota

Step Details
Training Program 75 hours of instruction, including 16 hours of supervised clinical training
Exam Structure Written (or oral) exam and skills test
Certification Validity 24 months
Renewal Requirements 8 hours of CNA work within 24 months
Exam Costs Written & Skills: $64, Re-tests: $22-$42
Application Automatically added to the Nurse Aide Registry

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Minnesota. Being a CNA offers a fulfilling career with plenty of opportunities to make a difference in patients’ 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
1,003 Adams Health Care center https://www.colonycourtmn.com/locations/adams-healthcare-center/contact-adams-healthcare-center/ 810 W Main St Adams MN 55909 H78C+PW Adams, Minnesota (507) 582-3263 43.57 -92.73 43.5668448-92.7277162 Home health care service 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
1,004 Fair Oaks Lodge AF1QipOHncfEQ2-3imPFdjNdUQZVp1rhlAz1EehNUqXk=w408-h272-k-no https://www.fairoakslodge.org/ 201 Shady Ln Dr Wadena MN 56482 CVQM+4M Wadena, Minnesota (218) 631-1391 46.44 -95.12 46.4378065-95.1158691 Nursing home 34 3.5 17 4 2 0 11 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
1,005 Hubert Humphrey Job Corps Center AF1QipO5THMBM7mwo861aBTJoxTU6X-fX1gU59yUQ5Wd=w408-h240-k-no-pi-0-ya0-ro-0-fo100 https://huberthhumphrey.jobcorps.gov/ 1480 Snelling Ave St Paul MN 55108 XRMM+WG St Paul, Minnesota (651) 642-1133 44.98 -93.17 44.984806-93.1661911 Employment center 87 3.0 28 11 11 8 29 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
1,006 Accelerated School of Nursing Assistant AF1QipM8W-615dILHl7mvw65zJG0q1OAvhES0C2872wG=w408-h306-k-no https://acceleratedsna.com/ 8470 Xerxes Ave N Brooklyn Park MN 55444 3MHH+3V Brooklyn Park, Minnesota (952) 215-4619 45.08 -93.32 45.0776404-93.3203318 Nursing school 5 4.2 4 0 0 0 1 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
1,007 Kathryn's Nursing Assistant Training thumbnail?panoid=BXQ0t55Z7GgK_L8vWkbEfg&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=292.1812&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://www.cnaclasses.org/cna-training/cna-classes-in-minnesota/ 1611 County Hwy 4 SW Cokato MN 55321 4VH3+H5 Cokato, Minnesota (320) 286-5304 45.13 -94.15 45.1289391-94.1470337 Vocational school More details
1,008 Anoka Technical College AF1QipOqnrbqvTpE_s8HtuLzsP6NdOUlDGtXj6T8iCYC=w408-h240-k-no-pi-0-ya329.58102-ro-0-fo100 https://www.anokatech.edu/ 1355 US-10 Anoka MN 55303 6H8M+M6 Anoka, Minnesota (763) 576-4700 45.22 -93.42 45.2166314-93.4169343 College 56 4.4 42 6 2 1 5 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
1,009 Benedictine Living Community-St. Peter AF1QipN9Rjjmj4NjRkeRvDrwcVfCRytEzHGNCoMfYkl7=w408-h271-k-no https://www.benedictineliving.org/st-peter-mn/ 1906 N Sunrise Dr St Peter MN 56082 922G+9W St Peter, Minnesota (507) 708-5440 44.35 -93.97 44.3509145-93.972665 Assisted living facility 25 4.0 16 3 0 1 5 9AM to 5PM 9AM to 5PM 9AM to 5PM 9AM to 5PM 9AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
1,010 Birchwood Healthcare Center SNF AF1QipNlkjuo5pfKknKG6XqzcxiOAhfjhvQJcF4CVtrl=w408-h272-k-no https://birchwoodseniorliving.com/ 604 NE 1st St Forest Lake MN 55025 72P8+JW Forest Lake, Minnesota (651) 464-5600 45.29 -92.98 45.2865283-92.9826734 Retirement community 21 4.4 18 0 0 0 3 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
1,011 Country Manor Campus AF1QipOgJ9ukRnRoWS21ioO8yMq_358aXfRN6rpNdBnl=w408-h271-k-no https://www.countrymanorcampus.org/ 520 1st St NE Sartell MN 56377 JR86+5G Sartell, Minnesota (320) 253-1920 45.62 -94.19 45.615495-94.188741 Assisted living facility 57 4.2 35 13 1 1 7 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
1,012 Glenwood Retirement Village thumbnail?panoid=vfjR7VR0Odkr8HhFcK2jCQ&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=44.049076&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://www.grvillage.org/ 719 2nd St SE Glenwood MN 56334 JJV7+8H Glenwood, Minnesota (320) 634-5131 45.64 -95.39 45.643375-95.3860634 Nursing home 6 3.3 3 0 1 0 2 8:30AM to 4:30PM 8:30AM to 4:30PM 8:30AM to 4:30PM 8:30AM to 4:30PM 8:30AM to 4:30PM Closed Closed More details