CNA Classes in Maine | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

CNA Classes & Training Programs in Maine

The Pine Tree State | Start Your Healthcare Career in as Little as 8-12 Weeks

Find Programs Near You How to Get Certified

180

Minimum Training Hours

$125

State Exam Fee

$34,000

Average Annual Salary

8-12

Weeks to Complete

About CNA Certification in Maine

Begin Your Healthcare Journey in The Pine Tree State

Maine's healthcare landscape offers outstanding opportunities for aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants throughout the Pine Tree State's coastal cities and rural communities. From the medical centers of Portland and Lewiston to the scenic towns of Bangor and Augusta, CNAs play an essential role in delivering quality patient care to Maine's aging population. Maine requires 180 hours of comprehensive training—one of the most thorough programs in the nation—regulated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), ensuring graduates receive exceptional preparation for professional nursing assistant careers.

The state's commitment to quality healthcare education, combined with its aging demographic and expanding healthcare infrastructure, creates strong demand for well-trained CNAs. Maine's higher training requirement translates to better-prepared professionals who command competitive wages and enjoy excellent job security. Major employment centers include Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Bangor, Augusta, and Biddeford, with rural areas often providing attractive incentives including signing bonuses, relocation assistance, and housing stipends to recruit qualified healthcare workers. Whether you're starting your healthcare career or seeking advancement, Maine offers clear pathways from CNA to LPN and RN through community colleges and healthcare institutions statewide.

Comprehensive 180-hour training—most thorough in New England
Above-average wages with excellent benefits packages
Strong job security in growing healthcare market
Outstanding quality of life in coastal communities

Quick Facts

Training Hours Required 180 Hours

Classroom/Lab Hours 90 Hours

Clinical Hours 90 Hours

Exam Format Written + Skills

Exam Fee $125

Regulatory Body Maine DHHS

Registry ME CNA Registry

Browse CNA Schools in Maine

Explore our directory of Maine Department of Health and Human Services-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 Maine

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in a 180-hour training program approved by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Maine's comprehensive curriculum includes 90 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction covering advanced nursing fundamentals, infection control, patient safety, therapeutic communication, pharmacology basics, residents' rights, and mental health awareness, plus 90 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 Maine. Full-time programs typically complete in 8-10 weeks with daily intensive classes, while part-time options accommodate working students over 12-16 weeks with evening or weekend schedules. You'll master comprehensive skills including advanced vital signs monitoring, medication assistance, wound care basics, assistance with complex activities of daily living (ADLs), patient transfers using mechanical lifts, infection prevention protocols, emergency response, hospice care principles, and end-of-life care. Upon successful completion, your training facility will provide a completion certificate and submit your eligibility information to the Maine CNA Registry for exam registration.

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing training, you'll take the Maine 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 advanced patient care concepts (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 25 possible tasks. Skills may include proper handwashing, measuring vital signs with precision, assisting with complex mobility and transfers, providing personal hygiene care, catheter care, range of motion exercises, or assisting with specialized feeding techniques. The complete exam takes approximately 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. Maine 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 Maine in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Augusta, and Presque Isle, with exams offered regularly for convenient scheduling.

Complete Background Check & Registry Enrollment

Before beginning CNA employment in Maine, you must complete a comprehensive criminal background check and register with the Maine Certified Nursing Assistant Registry. Maine requires thorough background screening including state and federal criminal history checks, abuse registry searches, and fingerprinting to ensure the highest standards of 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 Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Background checks typically cost $40-70 and must be completed through approved vendors. Once you pass both portions of the competency exam, your results are electronically transmitted to the Maine CNA Registry and processed within 10-14 business days. You'll receive an official registry identification number and certification from the Maine DHHS confirming your active status. Maine CNAs must maintain active registry status by working at least 8 hours in a paid nursing assistant position and completing 12 hours of approved in-service education within each 24-month certification period. You can verify your certification status anytime through the Maine CNA Registry online portal. With certification complete, you're qualified to work in Maine's healthcare facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice programs, and assisted living communities throughout the state.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Certification in Maine

Becoming a CNA in Maine typically takes 10-16 weeks from enrollment to certification. Maine requires 180 hours of training—one of the most comprehensive programs in the United States—including 90 hours of classroom instruction and 90 hours of clinical practice in licensed healthcare facilities. This extensive training ensures Maine CNAs are exceptionally well-prepared for professional healthcare careers. Full-time accelerated programs offered by institutions like Southern Maine Community College, Central Maine Community College, and Eastern Maine Community College complete training in 8-10 weeks with daily intensive schedules Monday through Friday. Part-time programs extend over 12-16 weeks, offering evening or weekend classes to accommodate students with work or family obligations. After completing training, you'll schedule your state competency exam through Prometric, typically available within 2-3 weeks at testing centers in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, and Augusta. Exam results are usually provided immediately after testing for the skills portion, with final certification processing within 10-14 business days once you're added to the Maine CNA Registry. The complete timeline from first day of training to starting your first CNA position generally ranges from 12-20 weeks. While Maine's training is more extensive than most states, graduates consistently report feeling extremely confident and well-prepared for their healthcare careers, and many employers prefer Maine-trained CNAs for their comprehensive skill sets.

CNA training costs in Maine range from $800 to $2,500 depending on the institution type and geographic location. Maine Community College System institutions—including Southern Maine, Central Maine, Eastern Maine, Northern Maine, Kennebec Valley, and York County Community Colleges—offer the most affordable options at $800-$1,400 since they receive state funding for workforce development programs. Private vocational schools and healthcare training academies typically charge $1,800-$2,500 but often provide accelerated schedules, smaller class sizes, and personalized instruction. Many Maine nursing homes and healthcare facilities offer FREE CNA training programs in exchange for a 12-18 month employment commitment—this "earn while you learn" model is particularly prevalent in rural areas and coastal communities experiencing healthcare worker shortages. Most program fees include textbooks, training materials, uniforms, clinical supplies, and liability insurance, though you should budget an additional $125 for the state competency exam fee and $40-70 for background check processing. Maine residents may qualify for financial assistance through Maine's Adult Education programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or Maine Quality Centers training grants. Major healthcare employers like Maine Medical Center, Northern Light Health, and MaineHealth offer generous tuition reimbursement programs and signing bonuses ($1,000-$3,500) that can offset training costs within the first few months of employment. Additionally, some programs partner with organizations like Jobs for Maine's Graduates to provide comprehensive support including tuition assistance, career counseling, and job placement services.

Maine 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 Maine Department of Health and Human Services permits up to 90 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 90 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 Maine's geographically dispersed communities, while ensuring you gain essential hands-on patient care experience. Several Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine Department of Health and Human Services and includes the required 90 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed healthcare facility. Check the official state registry of approved programs on the Maine DHHS website before enrolling to ensure your training will be accepted for certification.

The Maine 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 and advanced nursing skills, infection prevention and control, safety and emergency procedures, therapeutic communication and interpersonal skills, residents' rights and independence, personal care assistance, and specialized care concepts. 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 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 25 possible skills. Common skills include proper handwashing technique, measuring and recording vital signs with precision (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature), assisting residents with complex ambulation using safety devices, performing passive and active range of motion exercises, providing comprehensive perineal care, assisting with specialized feeding techniques, measuring urinary output, providing catheter care, or assisting with transfers using mechanical lifts. 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 60-75 minutes due to the complexity of Maine's comprehensive training. 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. Maine allows three testing attempts within two years; failing all three requires repeating the entire 180-hour training program. The current exam fee is $125 for both sections.

Yes, Maine accepts CNA certifications from other states through reciprocity or endorsement, though the process requires careful attention due to Maine's higher training 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 Maine certification by endorsement through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The endorsement process requires submitting a completed application form available on the Maine DHHS website, requesting verification of your out-of-state certification sent directly from your current state's registry to Maine, completing a Maine-specific criminal background check including fingerprinting through an approved vendor, and paying applicable fees (approximately $40-70 for background checks plus a $30-50 endorsement application fee). Here's the critical consideration: Maine requires 180 hours of training while most states require 75-120 hours. If your out-of-state training was significantly shorter than Maine's requirement, Maine may require you to complete supplemental training hours or demonstrate additional competencies before granting full endorsement. However, if you've maintained active employment as a CNA and can document your work experience, Maine typically accepts this as evidence of competency. If your certification has expired for more than 24 months or you haven't worked as a CNA during that period, Maine will definitely require you to complete a competency evaluation or refresher training before granting endorsement. The entire reciprocity process typically takes 6-10 weeks from application submission to approval. It's essential to initiate this process well BEFORE beginning employment in Maine, 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 Maine Registry identification number and official certification, allowing you to work immediately in any licensed healthcare facility throughout the Pine Tree State.

Maintaining Your Certification

CNA Certification Renewal in Maine

How to Renew Your Maine CNA Certification

Maine maintains a dual-requirement renewal system for CNA certifications that combines employment verification with continuing education. Your certification remains active on the Maine Certified Nursing Assistant Registry for 24-month periods as long as you meet two requirements: (1) work at least 8 hours in a paid nursing assistant position during the certification period, and (2) complete 12 hours of approved in-service education. This dual approach ensures Maine CNAs stay current with evolving healthcare practices while maintaining active clinical experience. When you're employed as a CNA in Maine, your healthcare facility is typically responsible for providing the required in-service education and reporting both your employment activity and completed training hours to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

The 12 hours of required in-service education must cover topics approved by Maine DHHS, including infection control updates, safety procedures, communication skills, residents' rights, or specialized care techniques. Most healthcare employers provide this training at no cost as part of their employee development programs. If you work for multiple employers or in home health care, you're responsible for ensuring you complete the full 12 hours and that your training is properly documented and reported to the state registry. If your certification lapses due to not meeting these requirements, you must reactivate it through one of two pathways: completing a competency evaluation where you demonstrate proficiency in required nursing skills through testing with an approved evaluator (typically costing $200-400), or completing a state-approved refresher training course (usually 60-90 hours of instruction) followed by passing the clinical skills portion of the state competency exam (refresher courses cost $600-$1,200). After successfully completing either reactivation method, you'll be reinstated on the Maine CNA Registry.

It's important to verify your registry status and renewal requirements annually by checking the Maine CNA Registry online portal at maine.gov/dhhs or calling (207) 287-9300. Keep personal records of your in-service education certificates and work verification to ensure compliance. If you change employers, confirm that your new healthcare facility properly reports both your employment and training completion to maintain your active certification status. If you're planning an extended leave from healthcare work, complete at least one 8-hour shift and your required in-service hours before your 24-month certification period expires to avoid lapsing. CNAs working in multiple states should maintain separate active status in each state independently, as Maine's renewal requirements are unique and don't automatically transfer across state lines.

Renewal Fee

Work Requirement

8 Hours/24 Months

CEU Requirement

12 Hours Required

Reactivation Cost

$200-$1,200

Career Opportunities

CNA Job Outlook & Salary in Maine

Maine's healthcare sector provides exceptional employment prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants, with robust job growth projected through 2030. The state's rapidly aging population—Maine has the oldest median age in the nation—combined with healthcare expansion and ongoing efforts to improve access in rural communities, creates unprecedented demand for qualified CNAs. The Maine Department of Labor projects 15-18% growth in CNA positions over the next decade, among the highest growth rates in the nation. Major employment centers include Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Bangor, Augusta, Biddeford, and Brunswick, while coastal and rural areas throughout the state often provide competitive wages and attractive incentives including signing bonuses ($2,000-$5,000), relocation assistance, housing stipends, and comprehensive benefits packages to recruit qualified healthcare workers to underserved communities.

CNAs in Maine earn above-average wages compared to national standards, reflecting both the state's higher training requirements and strong demand for qualified professionals. The Portland metro area typically offers the highest pay at $17-20/hour, while Lewiston-Auburn, Bangor, and Augusta range $15-18/hour. Hospital-based CNAs generally earn premium wages compared to long-term care facilities, and night shift differential pay often adds $3-4 extra per hour. Experienced CNAs with Maine's comprehensive 180-hour training working in specialized settings like intensive care, emergency departments, rehabilitation facilities, or dialysis centers can earn $19-23/hour. Maine healthcare employers typically provide exceptional benefits including comprehensive health insurance, dental and vision coverage, generous retirement plans with employer matching (often 5-8%), extensive paid time off (3-4 weeks annually), tuition reimbursement for nursing school advancement (LPN/RN programs), and flexible scheduling options. The combination of competitive wages and Maine's outstanding quality of life—beautiful coastal scenery, outdoor recreation, safe communities, and excellent schools—makes the Pine Tree State an attractive destination for healthcare professionals seeking both career success and exceptional living conditions.

Average CNA Salary in Maine

$34,000

per year

Hourly Wage

$16.35/hr

Nearby States