Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Minnesota
- Training hours
- 75 hrs
- Upfront cost
- —
- Exam
- Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Knowledge Test and Skills Test)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) — Nurse Aide Registry
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. No MDH-published minimum age for CNA training/certification was found (the candidate handbook only notes a parent/guardian may act on a candidate's behalf until they reach 18 years of age, which concerns account administration, not eligibility). Background check: the registry itself does not maintain background-check records; MDH directs questions to the Department of Human Services, Background Studies and Investigation Section, indicating background studies are handled through DHS rather than the Nurse Aide Registry directly. [3]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 75 hours of training (including 16 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. An MDH-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program must be at least 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training with a live person in a lab or other setting. Self-study/self-reported hours do not count toward the 75-hour total unless tracked in an online learning management system. [1]
- 3
Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Knowledge Test and Skills Test)
Pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Knowledge Test and Skills Test). Knowledge Test: 70 multiple-choice questions (74% / 52 correct needed to pass), available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong as of January 27, 2025. Skills Test: hands-on practical evaluation at an approved test site. Unlike most D&SDT-Headmaster states, Minnesota does not publish one statewide exam fee — cost is set per test site (the 'MN State' server vs. 'In-Facility' server) and is either self-paid via TMU or pre-paid by the training program; MDH's own testing pages direct candidates to contact the specific test site for pricing. You have 4 attempts to pass the knowledge exam and 3 attempts to pass the skill test within the 24-month testing cycle. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) — Nurse Aide Registry. Typical processing time: Up to 30 business days for interstate endorsement review. [3]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) — Nurse Aide Registry issues your Nursing Assistant for Minnesota.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | None specified |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | None specified |
| Nurse Aide Competency Exam (Knowledge Test and Skills Test) [2] | None specified |
MDH's Nurse Aide Registry pages do not publish an application, certification, or renewal fee — nurse aides are placed on the registry automatically upon passing the competency exam, and renewal only requires documenting work hours (no dollar fee identified). Interstate Endorsement (reciprocity) placement is explicitly free — MDH states there is no processing fee for that application.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
To stay on the registry, a nurse aide must work at least 8 hours as a paid nursing assistant every 24 months and provide a copy of a recent pay stub from their employer; a 24-month lapse in employment results in an expired registry status. Minnesota does not mandate a specific number of continuing-education hours for renewal.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers CNAs/nursing assistants (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Minnesota uses an Interstate Endorsement Application for out-of-state nurse aides who are current and in good standing on another state's registry; forms are submitted by email to MDH, which allows up to 30 business days to review the application. There is no processing fee for interstate endorsement.
15 state-approved training providers in Minnesota — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of CNA training does Minnesota require?
At least 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training with a live person in a lab or other setting.
Who administers the Minnesota nurse aide exam?
D&S Diversified Technologies-Headmaster, MDH's selected test contractor since February 1, 2022. The exam has a 70-question Knowledge Test and a hands-on Skills Test.
How much does the Minnesota nurse aide exam cost?
Minnesota doesn't publish one statewide fee — cost depends on the test site (MN State vs. In-Facility server); candidates should confirm pricing with their specific test site or training program.
How often do I need to renew my Minnesota nursing assistant registration?
Every 24 months, by documenting at least 8 hours of paid nursing-assistant work in that period. There is no dollar renewal fee and no continuing-education-hour requirement.
Can I transfer my nurse aide certification from another state to Minnesota?
Yes, through the Interstate Endorsement Application if you're current and in good standing on another state's registry. There's no processing fee, and MDH allows up to 30 business days to review the application.
Sources
- [1] health.state.mn.us/facilities/providers/nursingassistant/curriculum.html — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] health.state.mn.us/facilities/providers/nursingassistant/testing.html — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] health.state.mn.us/facilities/providers/nursingassistant/index.html — accessed 2026-07-10