How to Become a CNA in Maine

You must be at least 16 years old to work as a CNA in Maine. You do not need to have graduated from high school but you do have to provide documented proof that you completed at least the ninth grade.

The Nursing Assistant program will be a 180-hour training course. The breakdown of a course is 90 hours of classroom theory, 20 hours of clinical laboratory work, and 70 hours of supervised clinical practice. CNA curriculum is determined by the Maine State Board of Nursing. The Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training program is typically designed to be completed within a short period of 4-15 weeks, and some accelerated programs even offer 4-week CNA classes. For non-native English speakers, CNA classes en Español are also available to facilitate learning.

Looking for a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) school in your area? Our website offers a free location tool that enables you to find local and online CNA schools with ease. Simply enter your zip code into the location tool on this page to view a comprehensive list of CNA schools available in your vicinity.

When you start your CNA training course you will also need to complete a background check. A criminal background check is the examination of an individual’s criminal history record, including convictions, that is obtained from the Maine State Bureau of Identification. Criminal background checks are done on all names the individual has used. For example, the individuals maiden name and name after marriage, if they are different. Students will receive a copy of the criminal background check.

There is also a second level of certification for CNAs in Maine called a CNA-Medication. This designation allows CNAs to dispense medication to patients older than 4-years-old. This complex responsibility is supervised by CNAs who have completed a CNA-M course. A CNA must complete at least 1 year of full-time employment as a CNA before applying to become a CNA-M. The Maine State Board of Nursing has established certain requirements that must be met to become a Certified Nursing Assistant-Medication (CNA-M). These requirements include being listed as "Active" on the Maine CNA Registry with no disqualifying annotations, achieving a tenth-grade competency level on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) or other approved competency assessment mechanisms, and successfully finishing the Maine State Board of Nursing Standardized Medication Course for Certified Nursing Assistants. A CNA-M and a CRMA are two different roles with different skill sets. CRMA's are responsible for transcribing physician orders and completing medication administration records since they do not work under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. They can also only work in residential care facilities. CNA-Ms may work in nursing homes, state mental health institutions, county jails, state correctional buildings, and assistive living facilities.

If you are already certified as a CNA in another state and your license is still active, you can apply to transfer your license to Maine. Complete an online application and include your photo identification and current state license and allow a few weeks for processing. The same process applies for those with CNA training in a military service. When you’re able to see your name on the Maine Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Direct Care Worker (DCW) Registry then your license is activated and you’re allowed to work as a CNA.

A Closer Look at CNA Training

A typical CNA program in Maine will include all the knowledge and skills you must perform for the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Competency Evaluation Program. You can expect to learn CNA skills such as:

• Ethical Aspect of Care

• Disposable Glove Removal

• Medical Communication

• Skeletal System

• Changing an Occupied Bed

• Nutritional and Fluids Balance

• Endocrine System

• Denture Cleaning

• Mental Health

• Social Media Etiquette

The cost of a CNA Training Program can vary significantly, ranging from $400 to $1,500, depending on the program. For instance, the American Red Cross program costs $1,300, but this fee does not include the cost of classroom materials, uniforms, or textbooks. However, some facilities such as adult education centers and nursing homes offer free CNA classes, and others accept financial aid and payment plans. If a CNA completes a training program or competency evaluation and receives an offer of employment from a nursing facility within 12 months, they may qualify for free CNA Certification and reimbursement of the costs associated with the program or evaluation. To learn more about this opportunity, it's recommended that you speak with your employer.

You can find a CNA school near you using our free location tool. Just enter your zip code to find online and local CNA schools.

The CNA Test in Maine

The Maine CNA competency test is a 2-part test including a written or oral examination, and a skills demonstration test.

Before you take your state exam, it’s recommended you take a free CNA practice exam to prepare. We offer a comprehensive study guide to make sure you’re ready for the test. 

To ensure a smooth testing experience, it is recommended that candidates arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment time. This allows adequate time to complete the sign-in process and have the staff review the required documents. Please note that only required materials will be allowed inside the testing site. Personal items such as purses, backpacks, cell phones, and study materials are not permitted.

The Certified Nurse Assistant exam in Maine is divided into two parts - the Knowledge Test and the Clinical Skills Test. The Knowledge Test is a 60 multiple-choice question test that is taken on a computer. Basic computer skills are sufficient, and test-takers can ask the administrator for assistance if needed. The Knowledge Test assesses the candidate's knowledge of Nurse Aide responsibilities, safety, and patient care. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete this section.

The Clinical Skills Test evaluates a candidate's ability to demonstrate nursing skills to the test administrator. The test starts with demonstrating proper hand washing techniques, followed by the demonstration of 5 skills chosen from a list of 20. The nursing skills are performed on a mannequin or a person acting as a patient. Candidates must correctly demonstrate all 5 skills within a specific time frame to pass this section of the test. While perfection is not expected, it is essential that the candidate demonstrates competency and performs the skills by hitting key checkpoints as instructed by the test administrator.

Individuals who have a documented disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible for specialty testing accommodations during the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) exam. These accommodations are provided free of charge and aim to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. The CNA exam is designed to be accessible to all and is written at an elementary reading level, allowing individuals with varying levels of literacy to take the test confidently. If you have a documented disability and require special testing accommodations, don't hesitate to request them to ensure that you can take the exam comfortably and achieve your desired results.

Congratulations! You are now listed as active on the Maine CNA Registry once you pass your CNA exam. You must be actively listed on the Maine CNA Registry in order to legally work as a CNA in Maine. It’s free to be listed on the registry.

For additional questions about the Maine CNA Registry, contact:

Department of Health and Human Services Division of Licensing and Certification.

Email: DLRS.CNARegistry@maine.gov

Phone: 207-624-7300

Fax: 207-287-9325