CNA License in Maryland

Would you like to begin an exciting medical career in Maryland after just one or two months of training? If you would, you should consider becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the state. CNAs in Maryland benefit from comfortable salaries, plentiful job opportunities across the state, a wealth of emotional rewards, flexible work schedules, and no complex licensing procedure or requirements.

CNA Certification Requirements in Maryland

The Maryland Board of Nursing regulates the training and certification requirements for aspiring CNAs in the state. According to the Board, the requirement for becoming a CNA and obtaining a CNA certificate in Maryland is to complete a state-approved CNA program. After meeting this requirement, graduates can, and often do, apply and sit for a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) exam offered through the Susquehanna Red Cross (The Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant Testing Service (MDGNATS)). The Susquehanna Red Cross tells the Board who passes the examination. Those passing the examination are given GNA certification. No new certificate will be issued. GNA certification will appear on the CNA certificate at the next renewal.

How to Get Your CNA Certification in Maryland

Once you fulfill the CNA training requirement, you will be able to apply for certification with the Maryland Board of Nursing. The application is to be completed by the training program and must include a 2"x2" full-face photograph and the appropriate fee, which is currently $20.

How to Verify Your CNA Certification in Maryland

If there comes a time when you need to verify your CNA status in Maryland, you can do so on the Maryland Board of Nursing website at https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/nursing-assistant-certification.aspx. On that page, click on "Verify a Nursing Assistant’s Certification." Then on “Proceed to look up your license/certification.” This will lead you to the tool you need to check your status.

How to Renew Your CNA Certification in Maryland

In Maryland, you will need to renew on-line 60 days before and 30 days after the expiration date of your certification (the 28th day of your birth month). You can renew online by going to the same page as above and clicking on “Certified Nursing Assistant Online Certification Renewal.” After reading the details there, you need to click “Proceed to Log In” to log in to your account and initiate the renewal process.

How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in Maryland

If your certificate expired, you must contact the Maryland Board of Nursing, Nursing Assistant Certification Program, at (410) 585-2041.

How to Transfer Your CNA Certification from Maryland to Another State

In most cases, you will simply need to verify your CNA status in Maryland to transfer said certification to another state. However, since there may be other requirements, you should contact the other state's CNA regulatory agency. You can locate the proper agency by using the CNA regulatory agencies search tool, which can be found on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.

State-Approved CNA Programs in Maryland

Finding a top-quality school that offers a CNA program in Maryland does not have to be difficult with the presence of such excellent facilities as:

1. Allegany College of Maryland

   12401 Willowbrook Rd, La Vale, MD 21502 (301) 784-5000

2. Anne Arundel Community College

   101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012 (410) 777-2222

3. Cecil College

   1 Seahawk Dr, North East, MD 21901 (410) 287-1000

4. Community College of Baltimore County

   10300 Grand Central Ave, Owings Mills, MD 21117 (443) 840-4700

5. Frederick Community College

   7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702 (301) 846-2400

6. Howard Community College

   10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044 (443) 518-1000