CNA Classes in Minnesota (Top Schools)

The certification and registry of nursing assistants fall under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Department of Health (MNDOH).

The department will only deem you eligible of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) if you:

• Complete an approved Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP)
• Pass the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Competency Exam (MN-NACE)

Or, if you’re an out-of-state CNA with active status and good standing at another state’s Nursing Assistant Registry (NAR).

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Minnesota

The MNDOH wants to make sure you can be a CNA who provides basic patient care that’s up to the standard.

That’s why the department has given guidelines to CNA training facilities to meet the minimum standards.

You’ll undergo a minimum of 75 hours of training, wherein:

• 59 hours of classroom instruction
• 16 hours of supervised clinical training

There are many training facilities in the state that you can consider enrolling in.

The choice is yours which one will best prepare you for the MN-NACE.

Here’s a list of CNA training facilities you can check out.

Waiver of CNA Training

You can skip over NATP and go ahead to the MN-NACE if you meet any of these criteria:

• Complete a state-approved NATP in the last 24 months
• CNA with a lapsed or expired registry status
• A challenger or test-out candidate who is either a/an:
• Foreign-trained nursing assistant
• Individual who hasn’t taken NATP
• Individual who hasn’t worked in the last 24 months
• Out-of-state CNA who doesn’t qualify for reciprocity
• Out-of-state CNA with expired registry status

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

Update:

• D&SDT-Headmaster now administers MN-NACE, replacing Pearson VUE.
• You can register for the knowledge and skills tests at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities’ website.
• Newly-trained nursing assistants and challengers can register at Minnesota State Nursing Assistant Testing’s website.

After completing NATP, you can now take MN-NACE.

This exam assesses your capabilities to become an entry-level nursing assistant in the industry.

The MN-NACE has two types of tests: a knowledge test and a skills test.

Here are the details for both tests:

Knowledge test

• Answer 70 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes
• An oral version is available upon request
• No bilingual dictionary allowed during the oral test
• Passing rate is 76%

Skills test

• Demonstrate competency on three to four random nursing assistant tasks
• Complete all tasks in 30 minutes
• Passing rate for non-key steps is 80%, while key steps is 100%

Regarding the exam fees, you’ll have to contact the testing site for information on initial and retester fees.

Exam Results

Your test results will be available the business day after your exam at 7 PM CST.

You can access it online at D&SDT-Headmaster’s TestMaster Universe.

If you pass, then Minnesota NAR will add your information to the registry.

If not, then you have two other attempts to pass the tests within 24 months from the date of completing NATP.

In the event that you can’t pass both tests at this time, you’ll have to enroll in NATP again to take MN-NACE.

If you’re a trainee working at a healthcare facility…

Per the law, you can work at a healthcare facility even while undergoing a training and competency evaluation program.

Of course, this is with the condition that you will pass MN-NACE within 120 days of completing the program.

If you pass, then you can continue working at that facility.

If not, then you can no longer be employed there.

Out-of-State CNA for Registry

As mentioned, an out-of-state CNA can be registered as a CNA in Minnesota if you have:

• Active status and in good standing at another state’s NAR
• Worked at least eight hours as a CNA with pay in the past 24 months

If you meet these criteria, then submit a duly accomplished Interstate Endorsement Form to health.FPC-NAR@state.mn.us.

You won’t have to pay any processing fees to apply for the registry.

Potential Salary

Being a CNA means having the passion to help people have a safe and comfortable healthcare environment.

That’s why this passion needs an equal and satisfying remuneration.

As of this writing, you can expect to receive an average of $32,416 annual salary.

Below, you’ll find the salary information in the different cities of Minnesota.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2023

CNA Schools by City

• Minneapolis