Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Massachusetts
- Training hours
- 75 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $110
- Exam
- Knowledge Test, Skill Test
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) — Nurse Aide Registry Program
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. No DPH-published minimum age was found for CNA training/testing itself (the candidate handbook only notes a parent/guardian may act on a candidate's behalf until they turn 18, which concerns account administration, not eligibility). Background check: Massachusetts long-term care facilities are required to run Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks on employees, including nurse aides, under state law — this is a facility/employer-level check rather than one administered directly by the Nurse Aide Registry itself. [4]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 75 hours of training at a state-approved program. 105 CMR 156.300: each nurse aide training course must be a minimum of 75 hours and include all modules of DPH's minimum standard curriculum. The regulation leaves curriculum organization (classroom vs. clinical split) to the training provider's discretion, so no separate mandated clinical-hour minimum was found in the regulation text itself. Fully online certification is not permitted — all clinical skills/supervised practice must occur in person before testing. [1]
- 3
Knowledge Test
Pass the Knowledge Test (fee: $40). Multiple-choice; an Oral Knowledge Test alternative is also offered for $50. You may take the knowledge portion up to 4 times. As of December 2, 2024 the exam is also offered in Spanish, Chinese, and Haitian Creole. Allow at least 3 weeks after testing for results and registry listing. [2]
- 4
Skill Test
Pass the Skill Test (fee: $70). Hands-on, proctored demonstration of nurse aide skills. You may take the skill portion up to 3 times. Combined Knowledge + Skill fee is $110 when scheduled together. [2]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) — Nurse Aide Registry Program. Typical processing time: At least 3 weeks after testing for results and registry listing. [4]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) — Nurse Aide Registry Program issues your Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) for Massachusetts.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | None specified |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | None specified |
| Knowledge Test [2] | $40 |
| Skill Test [2] | $70 |
DPH does not charge a separate application, certification, or renewal fee for the Nurse Aide Registry — the only cost identified is D&SDT-Headmaster's exam fee (Knowledge $40 / Oral $50, Skill $70, listed under exams). Neither the official 'how to become a certified nurse aide' page nor the renewal-information page mentions a DPH-charged dollar amount for registry renewal.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
To maintain eligibility to work you must renew every 24 months by documenting at least 8 consecutive paid hours performing nursing or nursing-related services as a nurse aide during the previous 24 months; renewal is done online via the Health Profession Licensing System. There is no continuing-education-hour requirement for Massachusetts nurse aides.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Massachusetts instead runs an Out-of-State Reciprocity process: to be eligible you must be a CNA who is certified in another state, whose certification is current and in good standing, and who has never been certified in Massachusetts. Since December 4, 2023 the reciprocity application is processed through D&S Diversified Technologies (D&SDT-Headmaster) rather than DPH directly.
1 state-approved training provider in Massachusetts — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $40
- $70
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of CNA training does Massachusetts require?
A minimum of 75 hours in a DPH-approved nurse aide training program (105 CMR 156.300). Fully online certification is not permitted — clinical skills must be demonstrated in person.
Who administers the Massachusetts nurse aide exam?
D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP. The Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation has a Knowledge Test (or Oral alternative) and a Skill Test.
How much does the Massachusetts nurse aide exam cost?
Knowledge Test is $40 (Oral version $50) and the Skill Test is $70 — $110 combined. You may retake the knowledge portion up to 4 times and the skill portion up to 3 times.
How often do I need to renew my Massachusetts nurse aide certification?
Every 24 months, by documenting at least 8 consecutive paid hours of nurse aide work in that period. There is no state-charged renewal fee and no continuing-education requirement.
Can I transfer my nurse aide certification from another state to Massachusetts?
Yes, through the Out-of-State Reciprocity process, if your out-of-state certification is current and in good standing and you've never been certified in Massachusetts before. Reciprocity applications are processed through D&S Diversified Technologies (D&SDT-Headmaster).
Sources
- [1] mass.gov/doc/105-cmr-156-the-training-of-nurses-aides-in-long-term-care-facilities/download — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/Massachusetts/forms/MA%20NA%20Candidate%20Handbook%20V1%208.2022.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] mass.gov/info-details/renewal-information-for-massachusetts-certified-nurse-aides — accessed 2026-07-10
- [4] mass.gov/info-details/learn-how-to-become-a-certified-nurse-aide-in-massachusetts — accessed 2026-07-10