To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Minnesota, you must complete a state-approved training program, pass the nurse aide competency exam, and be listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. This guide explains how to obtain, renew, reinstate, and transfer your CNA license under current requirements from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
- How to Get Your CNA License in Minnesota
- How to Verify Your CNA License in Minnesota
- How to Renew Your CNA License in Minnesota
- How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in Minnesota
- How to Transfer Your CNA License to Minnesota
- Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
- State-Approved CNA Programs in Minnesota
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
How to Get Your CNA License in Minnesota
Follow these steps to obtain your CNA certification, as required by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Step 1: Complete a State-Approved CNA Program
Enroll in a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) that includes:
- At least 75 hours of instruction
- A minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical training
You must finish the program before scheduling the exam.
Step 2: Activate Your TMU® Account
Once your training provider creates your TMU® account, log in to:
- Complete or correct demographic information
- Ensure all entries match MDH records
- Submit corrections if needed using the demographic form
Step 3: Take the CNA Competency Exam
After your training information is entered in TMU, you may test. The exam is administered by Headmaster and includes:
- Knowledge Test: 70 multiple-choice questions, 74% required to pass. Available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, with an oral format option.
- Skills Test: Perform 3–4 tasks. All key steps must be completed with at least 80% overall accuracy.
You have up to four attempts for the knowledge exam and three attempts for the skills test within 24 months of program completion. Testing fees apply unless covered by your training provider.
Step 4: Get Listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
After passing both exams, your certification is automatically added to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. You may verify your status by name or certificate number.
Need help? For testing, contact Headmaster at (800) 393-8664 or minnesota@hdmaster.com. For certification, contact MDH at (651) 201-4200 or health.fpc-nar@state.mn.us.
How to Verify Your CNA License in Minnesota
Use the official registry to confirm certification and work eligibility.
Step 1: Access the Registry
Go to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry Search page.
Step 2: Enter Your Information
Search using one of the following:
- Certificate number, or
- Full name and the last four digits of your Social Security number
Step 3: View Results
Click the blue Search button to display your record. Results include registry status, testing history, employment eligibility, and any substantiated findings.
Phone Verification: Call (651) 201-4200 or (800) 397-6124 (MN only), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. CT.
How to Renew Your CNA License in Minnesota
Follow these steps to renew certification through the MDH registry system.
Step 1: Confirm Work Eligibility
You must have completed at least 8 consecutive hours of paid CNA work in the past 24 months.
Step 2: Access the Registry
Log in to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry with your email and password. If you do not have an account, register first.
Step 3: Start the Application
Select Renewal Application on your dashboard. Update your contact information and correct errors before proceeding.
Step 4: Submit Employment Details
- Select facility or staffing agency
- Search and confirm facility with the correct HFID and address
- Enter employment dates
- Upload your pay stub (PDF only)
- Upload a job description (PDF) if requested
Step 5: Sign and Submit
Type your full name as your signature and click Finish. Status will appear as Received.
Step 6: Monitor Application Status
Allow up to 30 business days for review. If corrections are required, you will receive email or text alerts to log in and update your application.
Note: If your certification expired more than 24 months ago, you must retest to regain active status.
How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in Minnesota
If your certification has been expired for more than 24 months, you must complete reinstatement through testing.
Step 1: Check Your Status
Log in to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry to confirm eligibility for reinstatement.
Step 2: Register for Testing
Contact an approved test site to schedule both exams. The site will create your TMU account.
Step 3: Complete Your TMU Profile
Log in to your TMU account to update your password and demographic information. Submit corrections if necessary.
Step 4: Pass the Exams
- Knowledge Test: 70 questions, 74% required to pass
- Skills Test: Perform 3–4 tasks, 80% required
Tests are administered by Headmaster and may be taken at regional, in-facility, or remote sites.
Step 5: Check Certification Status
Once you pass, log in to your registry account to confirm your updated status. You may print your certificate online.
Reminder: If you exhaust all testing attempts, you must complete a new training program before reapplying.
How to Transfer Your CNA License to Minnesota
If you are certified in another state, you may apply through interstate endorsement if you have worked or tested there within the past 24 months.
Step 1: Create a Registry Account
Go to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry and select Register. Choose Interstate Endorsement Candidate as your registration type.
Step 2: Enter Personal Information
Provide your legal name (capitalized), birth date, Social Security number, contact details, and mailing address.
Step 3: Provide Endorsement Details
- Select the endorsing state
- Enter your CNA certificate number
- Confirm whether you worked or tested there in the past 24 months
Step 4: Add Employer Information
Enter employer or staffing agency details. Ensure the information matches your pay stub or supporting documents.
Step 5: Upload Required Documents (PDF only)
- Out-of-state CNA certificate
- Recent pay stub showing CNA duties
- Other documents if requested
Step 6: Sign and Submit
Enter your name as an electronic signature and click Finish. A confirmation will appear on your dashboard.
Step 7: Monitor Application Status
Log in regularly to check for updates. MDH review may take up to 30 business days.
Important: If you have not worked or tested in your current state within the past 24 months, you must apply as a test-out candidate in Minnesota. For guidance, contact health.fpc-nar@state.mn.us.
Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
The Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), is the official record of certified nurse aides authorized to work in licensed nursing homes and certified boarding care homes in the state. The registry includes certification status, employment eligibility, training and testing history, and any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. Employers must verify a nurse aide’s active status before hire, while CNAs use the system to confirm certification, submit renewals, update information, and apply for placement or interstate endorsement.
Contact Information
- Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
- Mailing Address: PO Box 64501, St. Paul, MN 55164-0501
- Phone: (651) 215-8705 or (800) 397-6124 (Minnesota only)
- Email: health.fpc-nar@state.mn.us
- Registry Search: Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT
State-Approved CNA Programs in Minnesota
The following programs are approved by MDH. Consider tuition, location, schedule, and clinical site access when selecting a program.
- 1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537(877) 450-3322
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the fastest way to become a CNA in Minnesota?
You can become a CNA quickly by enrolling in a state-approved accelerated three- to four-week program. After completion, you must pass both the knowledge and skills exams through Headmaster. Once successful, your name is added to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry and you are eligible to work.
Can you challenge the CNA exam in Minnesota without completing a training program?
Yes. Candidates with prior nurse aide training or experience in another state or country may be eligible to challenge the exam without completing a Minnesota-approved program.
Can you work as a CNA in Minnesota before passing the exam?
Yes. If you are enrolled in or have completed a state-approved program, you may work in a certified facility for up to 120 days. You must pass both exams within that period to continue working as a CNA.
What should you know before CNA exam day in Minnesota?
You must complete your TMU account at least 48 hours before testing. Bring an unexpired U.S. government-issued photo ID that matches your TMU profile. Wear scrubs and closed-toe shoes. Arrive 20–30 minutes early. Personal items and electronic devices are not allowed in the testing area.
Can you switch languages during the knowledge exam?
Yes. The exam is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. You may switch between English and your selected language during the test. Set your language preference in your TMU account before scheduling.
How do you update your name, address, or contact details on the Nurse Aide Registry?
Log in to your registry account and update your contact information under “My Information.” To correct your name or Social Security number, select the appropriate option and upload the required documentation in PDF format. MDH will review and process all updates.
Key Takeaways
- Complete approved training: Enroll in an MDH-approved program with at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised clinical practice.
- Pass both exam components: Complete the knowledge and skills exams administered by Headmaster to earn certification.
- Appear on the state registry: Create an account in the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry to be officially listed and manage your record.
- Renew every 24 months: Submit a renewal application with proof of at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work in the past two years. Orientation, training, and in-service hours are not accepted.
- Reinstate if expired: If your certification has been inactive for more than 24 months, complete a new training program and retake both exams.
- Transfer by endorsement: Apply through interstate endorsement if you have worked or tested in your certifying state within the past 24 months.
- Verify certification: Employers and CNAs can confirm active status through the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry search tool.
Sources
- Check Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry Status
- Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry Contact Page
- Minnesota CNA Interstate Endorsement Tutorial (PDF)
- Minnesota CNA Renewal Application Tutorial (PDF)
- Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry Search Instructions (PDF)
- Create a Nurse Aide Registry Account Tutorial (PDF)
- Minnesota CNA Candidate Handbook – Headmaster (March 2025)
