Facts About Nursing Assistant Certification

Who Must Be Certified

All individuals who routinely perform nursing tasks delegated by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse must be certified by the Board of Nursing.

Certified nursing assistant is defined as an individual regardless of title, who routinely performs nursing tasks delegated by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse for compensation; and does not include a medication assistant or an individual who merely provides assistance with activities of daily living, unless the client's needs are such that adverse health consequences are predictable.

Only persons certified as a nursing assistant by the Board may use the title Certified Nursing Assistant or the initials C.N.A. after their name.

Training Requirements

The Board has developed regulations outlining the nursing assistant training programs.

The Board shall approve in conjunction with the Maryland Higher Education Commission each nursing assistant training program prior to its implementation.

Only persons completing the approved program may be certified as a nursing assistant.

Applicant Completing an Out-of-State Program

The applicant who completed a CNA/GNA program out of state must demonstrate that the CNA training is essentially similar to the Maryland CNA training requirements and that the certification is in good standing and free from any findings of patient abuse or neglect.

The verification must come directly from the out-of-state registry or certification program directly to the Maryland CNA Certification.

Other Requirements

Individuals wanting to be certified geriatric assistants, home health nursing assistants, certified medicine aides, school health nursing assistants, developmental disabilities nursing assistants, and certified nursing assistant - dialysis technicians must meet additional requirements.

The Board will also certify those individuals who meet the requirements of certification as a medication technician (MT). The medication  technician is defined as an individual who has completed a Board approved medication technician training program and is certified by the board as a medication technician. This individual works in community based practice settings such as assisted living, group homes, etc. Click here for more information on the Medication Technician

The Board will also certify those individuals who meet the requirements for certification as a medicine aide. Medicine aides must have had 1 year of previous experience as a geriatric nursing assistant, and have completed the 60-hour state approved course in medication administration. These individuals work in the licensed nursing home.

An advisory committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding:

• Education and training requirements;
• Clinical and administrative procedures; and,
• A plan for mobility of nursing assistants between various practice settings.

Certification Costs

Initial Certification: $20.00

Renewal: $40.00 every 2 years