Certified Nursing Assistant Requirements in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota certifies nursing assistants through the Minnesota Department of Health. To get certified, you’ll complete a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 supervised clinical hours, pass the two-part Minnesota Nurse Aide Competency Exam, and be listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. You must be at least 16 to apply.
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Minnesota’s nursing assistant certification is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, not a nursing board. That distinction matters when you’re tracking down application materials or looking up registry status. For RN and LPN licensing, see RN and LPN licensing in Minnesota. The process follows a clear sequence: approved training, a competency exam with both written and skills components, and then placement on the state registry before you can work. Minnesota also offers a dual-credential path for candidates who want to add Home Health Aide certification at the same time.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, exam details, the application process, out-of-state endorsement, and renewal information.
- CNA Training in Minnesota
- Examination Requirements
- The Application Process
- Out-of-State CNAs
- Renewing Your Certification
Training Options
Minnesota requires candidates to complete a state-approved nurse aide training program before sitting for the competency exam. The minimum program length is 75 hours, with at least 16 of those hours devoted to supervised clinical practice with live patients. Clinical hours must be completed in person. Online CNA programs that skip hands-on clinical requirements don’t qualify for registry placement.
Programs can follow one of two approved curricula: the American Red Cross curriculum or the Minnesota State Health Care Core Curriculum/Nursing Assistant (HCCC/NA). If your program uses the HCCC/NA curriculum, the minimum length increases to 128 hours. Either way, training covers core competencies including infection control, patient safety, vital signs, personal care, mobility support, and mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect.
Minnesota allows CNA certification starting at age 16, and there’s no high school diploma or GED requirement to take the competency exam. Nineteen high school programs across the state offer approved CNA training through career and technology pathways.
Candidates can also pursue a combined Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) program for dual credentialing. The requirements for this path are more stringent than standard CNA certification and involve a separate assessment.
One other option is to challenge the nurse aide exam without completing an approved program. This applies to student nurses, graduate nurses, and those who completed training abroad. If you choose this path, note that you won’t have the four-month employment eligibility period that program completers receive. Exam challengers must be on the registry before working at a qualifying facility. Challenging the exam also only applies to the CNA certification. The NA/HHA dual credential requires program completion.
Examination Requirements
Minnesota uses a two-part competency exam: a knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation. Both must be passed to be placed on the registry. The exam is currently administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies), the MDH-approved test vendor for Minnesota. Minnesota transitioned from Pearson VUE to Headmaster in February 2022.
The skills evaluation requires candidates to demonstrate five typical nurse aide duties. At least one task will involve taking measurements and recording them. The knowledge test is multiple choice. An oral/audio version is available for candidates who need it. To use that option, candidates must select the audio testing format when registering through TMU before their test date.
Candidates pursuing only CNA certification take the full standard exam. Those who complete a combined NA/HHA program take a separate assessment that includes the same skills test but a different multiple-choice exam. CNAs who already hold standard certification and later complete home health aide training need only complete the written portion of the NA/HHA exam.
Most candidates receive their score reports on the day of the exam. You’re allowed up to three attempts without retraining. If you completed an approved program, the eligibility window is based on your program completion date. If you challenge the exam without a program, it starts on the date of your first attempt. Enrolling in an approved program after an initial exam attempt resets the eligibility clock.
Exam fees vary by testing site and are not set statewide by MDH. Candidates should confirm current pricing directly with their selected Headmaster testing location before registering.
The Application Process
For candidates going through the standard exam route, the application and exam processes are closely linked. Registration is handled through the testing vendor. Requirements vary by testing site, including whether same-day registration is allowed or advance registration is required. Bring two forms of ID and proof of program completion if applicable. The full list of required materials is in the candidate handbook, available on the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Resources page.
A successful pass on both the knowledge and skills components results in certification. Placement on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry follows. Employers call the registry to verify that a nurse aide is listed and that there are no substantiated findings of patient maltreatment on record. CNAs can also use the registry to confirm their own certification status, submit renewals, update contact information, and apply for interstate endorsement.
Out-of-State CNAs
Nursing assistants who are in good standing in another state can transfer certification to Minnesota through endorsement. You’ll need to document at least eight hours of paid CNA work within the preceding 24 months. Orientation or training hours don’t count toward that total.
Endorsement applications are available on the Minnesota Department of Health website. The packet includes an interstate verification form. You fill out the top section and attach copies of your Social Security card and out-of-state certificate. In most cases, you send that form to your current certification state to verify your standing. For certain states, the form goes directly to the Minnesota registry instead. The application packet identifies which states fall into that category and includes a list of out-of-state registry contacts.
The packet also includes a form for your most recent out-of-state employer. Attach a pay stub or W-2 before sending it. Minnesota doesn’t charge a processing fee for endorsement. Out-of-state aides who don’t qualify for endorsement can instead apply to challenge the Minnesota competency exam.
Renewing Your Minnesota CNA Certification
Minnesota requires CNAs to renew their certification every two years. To renew, you must document at least eight consecutive hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work within those 24 months. Training and orientation hours don’t qualify. If your certification has expired for more than 24 months without qualifying work hours, you’ll need to retest to regain active status.
Renewal applications are submitted online through the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. You’ll log in, select the renewal application, confirm your contact information, and submit. Status updates and any requests for corrections come through email or text alerts. Allow up to 30 business days for review.
The Nursing Assistant Registry can be reached at 651-215-8705 or toll-free within Minnesota at 1-800-397-6124, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
Advancement: CNAs interested in moving into nursing can explore CNA-to-RN Bridge Programs or consider becoming an LPN in Minnesota as a first step.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours of training do you need to become a CNA in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires a minimum of 75 training hours, with at least 16 of those hours completed as supervised clinical practice with live patients. Programs using the HCCC/NA curriculum require a minimum of 128 hours. Clinical training must be completed in person, regardless of whether the coursework portion is offered online.
Who administers the CNA exam in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Nurse Aide Competency Exam is administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies), the MDH-approved test vendor. The exam has two parts: a knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation. Both must be passed before you can be listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry.
Can an out-of-state CNA work in Minnesota?
Yes. CNAs certified in good standing in another state can transfer to Minnesota through endorsement. You’ll need to document at least eight hours of paid CNA work in the preceding 24 months. The endorsement application is available through the Minnesota Department of Health and doesn’t require a processing fee.
How do you renew a CNA certification in Minnesota?
Renewals are handled online through the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. You must document at least eight hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work in the previous 24 months. If your certification has lapsed for more than two years without qualifying work, you’ll need to retake the competency exam to regain active status.
Do you need a high school diploma to become a CNA in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota doesn’t require a high school diploma or GED to sit for the CNA competency exam. You must be at least 16 years old. Minnesota offers approved CNA training through 19 high schools statewide via career and technology pathways.
Key Takeaways
- The training minimum is 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised clinical practice that must be completed in person. Programs using the HCCC/NA curriculum require at least 128 hours.
- The exam has two parts — a knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation, both of which are required for registry placement. The current MDH-approved vendor is Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies).
- No diploma or GED required — but you must be at least 16 years old to pursue CNA certification in Minnesota.
- Out-of-state endorsement is available — CNAs certified in another state can transfer to Minnesota with documentation of at least eight paid hours of work in the past 24 months.
- Renewal is every two years — you’ll need to document eight hours of paid nursing work and submit your renewal online through the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry.
Select your state below to find approved CNA training programs, application links, and certification requirements for your jurisdiction.