CNA Classes in Michigan | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

CNA Classes & Training Programs in Michigan

The Great Lakes State | Start Your Healthcare Career in as Little as 3-6 Weeks

Find Programs Near You How to Get Certified

Minimum Training Hours

$125

State Exam Fee

$32,500

Average Annual Salary

3-6

Weeks to Complete

About CNA Certification in Michigan

Begin Your Healthcare Journey in The Great Lakes State

Michigan's robust healthcare sector offers excellent opportunities for aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants throughout the Great Lakes State. From the renowned medical centers of Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids to the healthcare facilities serving communities in Lansing, Flint, and the Upper Peninsula, CNAs play a vital role in delivering quality patient care. Michigan requires 75 hours of training regulated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), providing efficient preparation while allowing rapid entry into the healthcare workforce in just 3-6 weeks.

The Great Lakes State's diverse economy, growing healthcare infrastructure, and commitment to expanding access in underserved areas create consistent demand for qualified CNAs. Major employment centers include the Detroit metropolitan area, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Flint, with rural communities across both peninsulas also providing opportunities. Michigan offers competitive wages relative to the cost of living, comprehensive benefits packages, and clear pathways from CNA to LPN and RN through community colleges and universities statewide, making it an attractive destination for healthcare careers.

Just 75 hours required—fast-track your career start
Growing healthcare sector with stable employment
Affordable cost of living with competitive wages
Excellent educational opportunities for advancement

Quick Facts

Training Hours Required 75 Hours

Classroom/Lab Hours 40 Hours

Clinical Hours 35 Hours

Exam Format Written + Skills

Exam Fee $125

Regulatory Body MI LARA

Registry MI Nurse Aide Registry

Browse CNA Schools in Michigan

Explore our directory of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs-approved nursing assistant training programs. Filter by location, cost, and program type to find the perfect fit for your career goals.

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Certification Process

How to Become a CNA in Michigan

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in a 75-hour training program approved by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Michigan's curriculum includes 40 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction covering nursing fundamentals, infection control, patient safety, communication skills, residents' rights, and basic patient care principles, plus 35 hours of supervised clinical practice in licensed healthcare facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, or assisted living centers. Training is available through community colleges, technical schools, healthcare facilities, and private training centers across Michigan. Full-time programs typically complete in 3-4 weeks with daily intensive classes, while part-time options accommodate working students over 6-8 weeks with evening or weekend schedules. You'll master essential skills including vital signs monitoring, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), patient transfers and positioning, infection prevention protocols, emergency response procedures, and end-of-life care basics. Upon successful completion, your training facility will provide a completion certificate and submit your eligibility information to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry for exam registration.

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing training, you'll take the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by Prometric. The exam consists of two mandatory components: a written or oral knowledge test with 60 multiple-choice questions covering nursing skills, infection control, safety procedures, communication techniques, residents' rights, and patient care fundamentals (you need 70% or 42 correct answers to pass), and a hands-on clinical skills demonstration where you'll perform 5 randomly selected nursing skills from a list of 22 possible tasks. Skills may include proper handwashing, measuring vital signs accurately, assisting with mobility and transfers using safety equipment, providing personal hygiene care, catheter care, or range of motion exercises. The complete exam takes approximately 2.5-3 hours. You must pass both sections on the same testing day to earn certification—if you pass one component but fail the other, you only need to retake the failed portion. Michigan allows three testing attempts within two years of training completion; if you fail all three, you must complete training again. The current exam fee is $125. Testing centers are located throughout Michigan in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, and other cities, with exams offered regularly for convenient scheduling.

Complete Background Check & Registry Enrollment

Before beginning CNA employment in Michigan, you must complete a comprehensive criminal background check and register with the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry. Michigan requires thorough background screening including state and federal criminal history checks and abuse registry searches to ensure patient safety in healthcare settings. Most healthcare employers coordinate the background check process as part of their hiring procedures, though you can also initiate it independently through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Background checks typically cost $30-60 and include fingerprinting through approved vendors. Once you pass both portions of the competency exam, your results are electronically transmitted to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry and processed within 7-14 business days. You'll receive an official registry identification number and certification from Michigan LARA confirming your active status. Michigan CNAs must maintain active registry status by working at least 8 hours in a paid nursing assistant position within each 24-month certification period. You can verify your certification status anytime through the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry online portal at michigan.gov/lara. With certification complete, you're qualified to work in Michigan's extensive healthcare system, including major institutions like Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health, and hundreds of other facilities throughout the state.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Certification in Michigan

Becoming a CNA in Michigan typically takes 4-8 weeks from enrollment to certification. Michigan requires 75 hours of training, including 40 hours of classroom instruction and 35 hours of clinical practice, providing efficient preparation for professional nursing assistant careers. Full-time accelerated programs offered by institutions like Oakland Community College, Macomb Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, and Lansing Community College complete training in 3-4 weeks with daily intensive schedules Monday through Friday. Part-time programs extend over 6-8 weeks, offering evening or weekend classes to accommodate students with work or family obligations throughout the Detroit metro area, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and other Michigan communities. After completing training, you'll schedule your state competency exam through Prometric, typically available within 1-2 weeks at testing centers throughout Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Exam results are usually provided immediately after testing for the skills portion, with final certification processing within 7-14 business days once you're added to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry. The complete timeline from first day of training to starting your first CNA position generally ranges from 5-10 weeks. Michigan's streamlined certification process is particularly advantageous for those seeking rapid entry into the healthcare workforce, and the state's relatively low cost of living means your training investment pays off quickly once you begin earning.

CNA training costs in Michigan range from $500 to $1,800 depending on the institution type and geographic location. Michigan community colleges—including Oakland, Macomb, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Washtenaw, Muskegon, and Wayne County Community Colleges—offer the most affordable options at $500-$1,000 since they receive state funding for workforce development programs. Private vocational schools and healthcare training academies typically charge $1,200-$1,800 but often provide accelerated schedules, smaller class sizes, convenient locations throughout metro Detroit and Grand Rapids, and flexible scheduling options. Many Michigan nursing homes and healthcare facilities offer FREE CNA training programs in exchange for a 6-12 month employment commitment—this "earn while you learn" model is particularly prevalent in rural areas of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula experiencing healthcare worker shortages. Most program fees include textbooks, training materials, uniforms, and clinical supplies, though you should budget an additional $125 for the state competency exam fee and $30-60 for background check processing. Michigan residents may qualify for financial assistance through Michigan Works! (Michigan's Workforce Development Agency), Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or Going Pro Talent Fund training grants. Major healthcare employers like Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Michigan, and Ascension Michigan offer tuition reimbursement programs and signing bonuses ($500-$2,000) that can offset training costs within the first few months of employment. Given Michigan's cost of living (approximately 10% below the national average), CNA training investments typically pay for themselves within 2-3 months of full-time employment.

Michigan allows hybrid CNA training where theoretical classroom instruction can be completed online, but hands-on clinical training must be conducted in person at an approved healthcare facility. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) permits up to 40 hours of didactic coursework—including lectures, reading assignments, instructional videos, case studies, and written assessments—to be delivered via distance learning platforms. However, the mandatory 35 hours of clinical skills training must be completed face-to-face in a licensed nursing home, hospital, or long-term care facility under direct supervision of qualified registered nurse instructors. This hybrid model provides valuable flexibility for students managing employment, family responsibilities, or transportation challenges in Michigan's diverse geography, from urban areas like Detroit and Grand Rapids to rural communities across both peninsulas, while ensuring you gain essential hands-on patient care experience. Several Michigan institutions including select community colleges and private training providers now offer hybrid programs combining online theory modules with weekend or evening clinical rotations at healthcare facilities throughout the state. It's critical to understand that FULLY online CNA programs (100% virtual with no in-person clinical component) are NOT recognized by Michigan and will not qualify you to take the state competency exam or obtain certification. Federal and state regulations require supervised, in-person clinical training to ensure patient safety and proper skill development. When researching programs, always verify that the provider is approved by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and includes the required 35 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed healthcare facility. Check the official state registry of approved programs on the Michigan LARA website at michigan.gov/lara before enrolling to ensure your training will be accepted for certification.

The Michigan CNA competency exam, administered by Prometric, consists of two mandatory components that comprehensively test your knowledge and practical nursing skills. The written or oral knowledge test contains 60 multiple-choice questions covering basic nursing skills, infection prevention and control, safety and emergency procedures, communication and interpersonal skills, residents' rights and independence, and personal care assistance. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam and need a score of 70% (42 out of 60 questions correct) to pass. The test is available in English and Spanish, and an oral version is offered for candidates who prefer auditory testing or have reading difficulties. After completing the written portion, you'll immediately proceed to the clinical skills evaluation where you'll demonstrate 5 randomly selected nursing procedures from a list of 22 possible skills. Common skills include proper handwashing technique, measuring and recording vital signs with precision (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature), assisting residents with ambulation using safety devices, performing passive range of motion exercises, providing perineal care, assisting with feeding techniques, measuring urinary output, or providing catheter care. You'll perform these skills on a mannequin or volunteer "patient" while a trained Prometric evaluator observes and scores your performance using a detailed checklist focusing on safety, infection control, patient dignity, communication, and proper technique. The skills test typically takes 45-60 minutes. You must pass BOTH sections on the same day to earn certification—if you pass one section but fail the other, you only retake the failed component. Michigan allows three testing attempts within two years of training completion; failing all three requires repeating the entire 75-hour training program. The current exam fee is $125 for both sections. Testing centers are conveniently located throughout Michigan in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Traverse City, and Marquette.

Yes, Michigan accepts CNA certifications from other states through reciprocity or endorsement, provided you meet specific requirements. If you hold an active, unexpired CNA certification from another state and are in good standing on that state's nurse aide registry, you can apply for Michigan certification by endorsement through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The endorsement process requires submitting a completed application form available on the Michigan LARA website, requesting verification of your out-of-state certification sent directly from your current state's registry to Michigan, completing a Michigan-specific criminal background check including fingerprinting through an approved vendor, and paying applicable fees (approximately $30-60 for background checks plus a $25-40 endorsement application fee). Michigan requires that your out-of-state training met or exceeded Michigan's 75-hour minimum standard—since most states have equal or higher requirements, this is rarely problematic. If your certification has expired for more than 24 months or you haven't worked as a CNA during that period, Michigan may require you to complete a competency evaluation or refresher training before granting endorsement. The entire reciprocity process typically takes 4-8 weeks from application submission to approval. It's essential to initiate this process BEFORE beginning employment in Michigan, as federal regulations prohibit healthcare facilities from hiring CNAs who aren't properly certified in the state where they're working. Once approved, you'll receive a Michigan Registry identification number and official certification from Michigan LARA, allowing you to work immediately in any licensed healthcare facility throughout the state. Michigan's streamlined endorsement process and proximity to neighboring states (Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin) makes it relatively easy for out-of-state CNAs to transfer their credentials, particularly for those relocating to the Detroit metro area or other Michigan communities for employment opportunities or family reasons.

Maintaining Your Certification

CNA Certification Renewal in Michigan

How to Renew Your Michigan CNA Certification

Michigan maintains an employment-based renewal system for CNA certifications. Your certification remains active on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry indefinitely as long as you work in a paid nursing assistant position for at least 8 hours (one shift) during each 24-month certification period. Unlike many states requiring formal renewal applications, continuing education credits, or renewal fees, Michigan automatically maintains your active status through employer-reported work verification. When you're employed as a CNA in Michigan, your healthcare facility is responsible for reporting your employment activity to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), which keeps your registry status current without any action required on your part.

If your certification lapses due to not working for 24 consecutive months, you must reactivate it through one of two pathways. The first option involves completing a competency evaluation where you demonstrate proficiency in required nursing skills through testing with an approved evaluator, typically costing $150-300 depending on the testing provider and location within Michigan. The second option requires completing a state-approved refresher training course (usually 30-60 hours of instruction) followed by passing the clinical skills portion of the state competency exam. Refresher courses cost $400-900 depending on the training institution and location throughout Michigan. After successfully completing either reactivation method, you'll be reinstated on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry and eligible to resume CNA employment throughout the state.

It's important to verify your registry status annually by checking the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry online portal at michigan.gov/lara or calling (517) 241-0199. If you change employers—particularly common in Michigan's healthcare market—confirm that your new healthcare facility properly reports your employment to maintain your active certification status. If you're planning an extended leave from healthcare work—such as for education, family care, relocation, or personal reasons—try to work at least one 8-hour shift before your 24-month activity window expires to avoid allowing your certification to lapse. CNAs working in multiple states (particularly those working in both Michigan and neighboring states like Ohio or Indiana) should maintain separate active status in each state independently, as Michigan's registry operates separately from other state registries and reciprocity agreements don't automatically transfer renewal requirements across state lines.

Renewal Fee

Work Requirement

8 Hours/24 Months

CEU Requirement

None Required

Reactivation Cost

$150-$900

Career Opportunities

CNA Job Outlook & Salary in Michigan

Michigan's healthcare sector provides strong employment prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants, with steady job growth projected through 2030. The state's aging population, healthcare expansion in major metropolitan areas, and ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access in rural communities creates consistent demand for qualified CNAs. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity projects 10-13% growth in CNA positions over the next decade, exceeding the national average for most occupations. Major employment centers include the Detroit metropolitan area, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Flint, while northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula communities often provide competitive wages and incentives including signing bonuses ($1,000-$2,500) and relocation assistance to attract healthcare workers.

CNAs in Michigan earn competitive wages relative to the state's cost of living, which ranks approximately 10% below the national average. The Detroit metro area and Ann Arbor typically offer the highest pay at $16-19/hour, while Grand Rapids, Lansing, and other regions range $14-17/hour. Hospital-based CNAs, particularly those at major institutions like Henry Ford Hospital, University of Michigan Health, or Spectrum Health, generally earn premium wages compared to long-term care facilities, and night shift differential pay often adds $2-3 extra per hour. Experienced CNAs working in specialized settings like intensive care, emergency departments, rehabilitation facilities, or dialysis centers can earn $18-21/hour. Michigan healthcare employers typically provide comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement plans with employer matching, paid time off, tuition reimbursement for nursing school advancement (LPN/RN programs), and flexible scheduling options. The combination of reasonable wages and Michigan's low cost of living—particularly affordable housing and utilities—means CNAs can achieve comfortable living standards while building long-term healthcare careers in the Great Lakes State.

Average CNA Salary in Michigan

$32,500

per year

Hourly Wage

$15.63/hr

Nearby States