Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Michigan offers a direct entry point into the healthcare field. CNAs provide essential, hands-on patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses. This career path is regulated by the state to ensure high standards of quality and safety. Navigating the requirements for training, examination, and state registration is the first step toward this profession.
Initial Eligibility and Prerequisites
Applicants must meet foundational requirements established by the state before seeking certification. The process is overseen by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), specifically the Bureau of Community and Health Systems (BCHS). Although LARA does not impose a minimum age for training enrollment, many employers require candidates to be at least 18 years old for employment.
Prospective students must demonstrate English proficiency to communicate effectively with patients and staff. A high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate is often required for enrollment in state-approved training programs. A mandatory criminal background check is required, usually performed by the employing facility before hiring. Certain felony convictions may disqualify an individual from working as a CNA in a state-regulated facility.
Completing Michigan-Approved Nurse Aide Training
Certification requires the successful completion of a Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) approved by the State of Michigan. These programs impart the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for entry-level patient care. Training is offered through community colleges, vocational schools, and some licensed long-term care facilities.
Michigan law mandates that approved NATPs must consist of a minimum of 75 total clock hours of instruction. A minimum of 59 hours must be dedicated to classroom instruction and lab practice, covering topics like resident rights, safety procedures, and basic nursing skills. The remaining time, at least 16 hours, must be supervised clinical experience. This clinical portion requires students to apply their skills in a Michigan licensed nursing facility, providing direct care to residents.
The Nurse Aide Competency Examination Process
After completing training, candidates must successfully pass the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Examination to earn certification. This two-part exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies, operating as Headmaster, the state’s contracted testing vendor. The exam measures the candidate’s theoretical knowledge and their ability to perform hands-on care procedures.
Written and Clinical Components
The examination has two components. The written examination consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, requiring a score of 70% or higher within 90 minutes. An oral examination option is available for candidates who may have difficulty with the written format.
The second component is the clinical skills demonstration test, where the candidate performs five randomly selected nursing skills within 31 to 40 minutes. Candidates must pass both sections within 24 months of completing training. They are limited to three attempts to pass each section before being required to retake the full training course. The fee for each attempt is $175, covering both the written and the skills tests.
Final Registration on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry
Successful passage of both parts of the competency examination qualifies an individual for official state registration. Once the testing vendor reports the passing scores, the individual becomes eligible for inclusion on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry (MINAR). The registry is the official record of all certified CNAs in the state, managed by LARA-BCHS through the Michigan Nurse Aide, Training, and Enforcement System (MI-NATES).
To finalize registration, the individual must create a MILogin account and request access to the MI-NATES system to set up a user profile. The registry confirms that the individual has met all federal and state requirements for practice. New registrants must pay a biennial registration fee of $40. Employers rely on the MINAR to verify the active status of all CNAs they hire.
Maintaining and Renewing Your Certification
Maintaining active status on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry requires adherence to specific renewal criteria every two years. Certification is valid for 24 months. CNAs must demonstrate recent work experience to qualify for renewal. The primary requirement is proof of having worked a minimum of 40 hours in a paid nursing or nursing-related services capacity under the supervision of a licensed nurse within the two-year renewal period.
This compensated work must be verifiable, ensuring the CNA maintains current competence in direct patient care. Effective March 23, 2026, Michigan CNAs must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education annually, totaling 24 hours over the two-year renewal cycle. This continuing education must include training on topics such as abuse, neglect, and care planning. If certification lapses for more than two years, the individual must retake the entire state-approved training program and pass the competency examination again to be reinstated on the registry.
Requirements for Out-of-State CNAs
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) holding active certification in another state can transfer their credentials to Michigan through endorsement, or reciprocity. This pathway is intended for CNAs in good standing on another state’s nurse aide registry whose original training met federal minimum standards. The process is managed by LARA through the MI-NATES system.
An out-of-state CNA must submit an online application via MI-NATES, including a $20 application fee and verification of their current certification. Michigan generally waives the requirement for out-of-state applicants to repeat the initial training course or the competency exam. This waiver applies provided the applicant’s prior state certification requirements included a minimum of 75 course hours. The state verifies that the candidate’s previous training and testing were consistent with the Federal Code of Regulations.