The state of Maryland can be considered an exception in a sense that the “CNA” title there represents only the first, most basic credential (requiring only a completion of training program and passing background checks).
What is called “CNA” in other states, in Maryland has an equivalent in the “GNA” title (Geriatric Nursing Assistant); requiring a satisfactory testing result.
Good to know: aides employed in nursing homes do require GNA certification, but can work as CNAs for a limited time while pursuing to complete the tests.
There are several other certificates that a Maryland CNA can carry in addition, such as Certified Medication Aide (which also requires a GMA status as well) or Dialysis Technician.
After 2 years of working as CNA (full time) or as GNA in an officially licensed facility, such an employee may start training for a CMA (Certified Medicine Aide), if the director’s recommendation is obtained.
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Learning to be a CNA in Maryland
Multiple approved programs are available to achieve the CNA status; even nursing students are obliged to obtain it (graduate and international nurses can also pursue it).
Candidates for whom CNA training is the final goal are enrolled in Board-approved courses; the same lists may be useful for nursing students chasing this license.
Often, the same CNA-training courses will be valid for GNA training as well (at least for Maryland schools).
Please note: out-of-state schooling institutions can only guarantee a CNA status, but don’t bring the opportunity to get experience in real Maryland nursing homes.
Both in-state and out-of-state schools and their courses are listed by The Board, and we have made a short list here to give you initial information about their names and locations.
Certain personnel, such as military healthcare workers, can be recognized as CNAs in Maryland if they finished the necessary courses.
For example, a person who received training through the Air Force Department will need to have finished both ‘N. 1317 Fundamentals of Patient Care’ and ‘N. 1318 Basic Nursing Care’.
Maryland GNA certification candidates are trained in approved programs in nursing homes.
There are also other very important conditions that every aspiring CNA must safisty: first, there are background checks for criminal activity, including taking fingerprints, manually or electronically
Reistertown Plaza fingerprints are processed very fast, and there are other institutions that serve the purpose as well.
Once valid fingerprints are submitted and approved, a temporary license will be received; from this stage it is possible to proceed to GNA testing if pursuing that title (if other GNA conditions are met).
You can consult the following list to see the list of important CNA training schools in the state.
24 CNA Schools in Maryland
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ginger Cove | Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| American Red Cross of Southern Maryland | Baltimore , MD 21215 |
| Alice Manor | Baltimore, MD 21211 |
| St. Ambrose Family Outreach Centre | Baltimore, MD 21215 |
| Hardford Community College | Bel Air, MD 21015 |
| Maplewood Park Place | Bethesda, MD 20814 |
| District 5 Maryland Nurses Association | Bowie, MD 20720 |
| Clinton Nursing and Rehabilitation | Clinton, MD 20735 |
| Howard County General Hospital | Columbia, MD 21044 |
| Devlin Manor | Cumberland, MD 21502 |
| Allegany College of Maryland Scholarship | Cumberland, MD 21502 |
| Caroline Nursing & Rehab | Denton, MD 21629 |
| Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center of Frederick | Frederick, MD 21702 |
| Glen Meadows | Glen Arm, MD 21057 |
| Woodland Job Corps Center | Laurel, MD 20724 |
| Garrett College | McHenry, MD 21541 |
| Collingswood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Rockville, MD 20850 |
| Charles E. Smith Life Communities | Rockville, MD 20852-4803 |
| Peninsula Regional Medical Centre | Salisbury, MD 21801 |
| Althea Woodland | Silver Spring, MD 20901 |
| Asbury Solomons | Solomons, MD 20688 |
| Fairhaven | Sykesville, MD 21784-5201 |
| Carroll Community College | Westminster, MD 21157 |
| Woodstock Job Corps Center | Woodstock, MD 21163 |
After Training: Becoming a GNA
CNA status is a prerequisite for testing, as well as is passing the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam (NNAAP is used in many other states, usually required for a CNA credential).
NNAAP means two distinct tests: skill test and knowledge test.
During skill testing, successful execution of five random nursing assistant tasks is required (with at least one measuring task, such as measuring blood pressure, weight or radial pulse)
Knowledge exam is a multiple choice test, done in either written or oral manner.
The oral version consists of 60 knowledge questions and 10 questions that test basic ability to read (help and outline of these tests is available in a candidate handbook).
While Pearson VUE company administers the testing, the registration is done through the American Red Cross.
Only candidates that prove eligible can take the tests; nursing students do not have to be enrolled at the time, but if graduation is still pending, the application must be submitted in 12-month time limit since the completion of qualifying coursework.
For international nurses, there is a requirement to document approval to take the NCLEX licensing nurse exam (the actual taking of this exam is not required).
For re-examination candidates, only one test is required.
15th of the month is the latest day for the Red Cross to receive applications, so it can schedule candidates to be tested in the next month.
Admission tickets are received approximately 2 weeks before the day of testing (rescheduling must be requested at least 4 days in advance).
American Red Cross is available at phone number 866-257-6470.
Note that fees are asked for in certain situations: full testing will cost you $105 ($70 for the skill test, and 35$ for knowledge exam)
Those working at nursing homes will, however, often have these fees covered by that institution.
The results of the test will usually be accessible on the same day.
The test can be repeated 4 times before the need to retrain (within the 24-month time limit).
Endorsement and Application
In certain cases, CNAs from other states can be recognized in Maryland, especially if in good standing and their registration hasn’t lapsed.
But, an inactive CNA from another US state will still have to go through the mandated training.
For some candidates, application will be regulated by their program (by a schools or nursing home).
In other cases, materials will first have to be obtained from the Board (they can be requested by fax at 410-764-8042, by mail or e-mail).
In the request, it should be stated whether the initial or endorsement application is desired; the phone number and address should also be provided.
After the process is complete, Pearson VUE delivers the list of successfully tested candidates to the Board; after the registration, a candidate can check his or her Registry status online.
Living as a CNA in Maryland
Becoming a CNA in Maryland is enough to make a comfortable living; it ensures a stable job, but the salary level will often vary depending on skills, education, seniority, experience, place of work, etc.
The average CNA salary in Maryland is currently $, and if further information is desired, you are invited to check the table we organized here.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of CNAs in Maryland
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $32,514 |
| Frederick | $33,850 |
| Gaithersburg | $34,909 |
| Bowie | $34,930 |
| Rockville | $34,961 |
| Hagerstown | $32,036 |
| Annapolis | $33,427 |
| College Park | $35,004 |
| Salisbury | $33,630 |
| Cumberland | $29,023 |
CNA Schools by City
