CNA Classes in Maryland | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Maryland Board of Nursing

CNA Classes & Training Programs in Maryland

The Old Line State | Start Your Healthcare Career in as Little as 2-4 Weeks

Find Programs Near You How to Get Certified

Minimum Training Hours

$125

State Exam Fee

$36,500

Average Annual Salary

2-4

Weeks to Complete

About CNA Certification in Maryland

Begin Your Healthcare Journey in The Old Line State

Maryland's dynamic healthcare sector offers exceptional opportunities for aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants across the state's diverse communities. From the renowned medical institutions of Baltimore and the federal healthcare facilities in the Washington D.C. suburbs to the coastal healthcare centers of Salisbury and the western Maryland communities, CNAs play a vital role in delivering quality patient care throughout the Old Line State. Maryland requires only 60 hours of training—one of the shortest requirements in the nation—regulated by the Maryland Board of Nursing, allowing rapid entry into the healthcare workforce in as little as 2-4 weeks.

The state's strategic location in the mid-Atlantic region, proximity to Washington D.C., and concentration of world-class healthcare institutions create abundant employment opportunities for qualified CNAs. Maryland's higher-than-average cost of living is offset by competitive wages that rank among the highest in the nation for nursing assistants. Major employment centers include Baltimore, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, Columbia, and Annapolis, with many facilities offering excellent benefits packages, signing bonuses, and tuition reimbursement programs. Whether you're starting your healthcare career or seeking advancement opportunities, Maryland provides clear pathways from CNA to LPN and RN through numerous educational institutions across the state, including proximity to prestigious nursing programs in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

Just 60 hours required—fastest path to certification
Highest CNA wages on the East Coast
Access to world-renowned medical institutions
Excellent advancement opportunities and education access

Quick Facts

Training Hours Required 60 Hours

Classroom/Lab Hours 40 Hours

Clinical Hours 20 Hours

Exam Format Written + Skills

Exam Fee $125

Regulatory Body MD Board of Nursing

Registry MD Nurse Aide Registry

Browse CNA Schools in Maryland

Explore our directory of Maryland Board of Nursing-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 Maryland

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in a 60-hour training program approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. Maryland's efficient 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 20 hours of supervised clinical practice in a licensed healthcare facility such as a nursing home, hospital, or assisted living center. Training is available through community colleges, technical schools, healthcare facilities, and private training centers across Maryland. Full-time accelerated programs typically complete in 2-3 weeks with daily intensive classes, while part-time options accommodate working students over 4-6 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 basic wound care. Upon successful completion, your training facility will provide a completion certificate and submit your eligibility information to the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry for exam registration. Maryland's streamlined training allows for rapid career entry while maintaining high standards of patient care competency.

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing training, you'll take the Maryland 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 2-3 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. Maryland 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 Maryland in Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Salisbury, with exams offered frequently for convenient scheduling to accommodate the state's large healthcare workforce.

Complete Background Check & Registry Enrollment

Before beginning CNA employment in Maryland, you must complete a comprehensive criminal background check and register with the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry. Maryland 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 Maryland Board of Nursing. Background checks typically cost $40-75 and include fingerprinting through approved vendors like IdentoGO. Once you pass both portions of the competency exam, your results are electronically transmitted to the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry and processed within 7-14 business days. You'll receive an official registry identification number and certification from the Maryland Board of Nursing confirming your active status. Maryland 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 Maryland Nurse Aide Registry online portal at mbon.maryland.gov. With certification complete, you're qualified to work in Maryland's extensive healthcare system, including world-renowned institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, and hundreds of other facilities throughout the state.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Certification in Maryland

Becoming a CNA in Maryland typically takes 3-6 weeks from enrollment to certification. Maryland requires only 60 hours of training—one of the shortest requirements in the United States—including 40 hours of classroom instruction and 20 hours of clinical practice. This streamlined approach allows for extremely rapid entry into Maryland's high-demand healthcare workforce. Full-time accelerated programs offered by institutions like Baltimore City Community College, Montgomery College, Prince George's Community College, and Anne Arundel Community College complete training in just 2-3 weeks with daily intensive schedules Monday through Friday, making them ideal for those seeking immediate employment. Part-time programs extend over 4-6 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 1-2 weeks at testing centers throughout the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and across the state. 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 Maryland Nurse Aide Registry. The complete timeline from first day of training to starting your first CNA position generally ranges from 4-8 weeks. Maryland's efficient certification process is particularly advantageous given the state's robust healthcare job market and competitive wages, allowing you to begin earning quickly in one of the nation's highest-paying markets for CNAs.

CNA training costs in Maryland range from $600 to $2,000 depending on the institution type and geographic location. Maryland community colleges—including Baltimore City Community College, Montgomery College, Prince George's Community College, Anne Arundel Community College, and Howard Community College—offer the most affordable options at $600-$1,200 since they receive state funding for workforce development programs. Private vocational schools and healthcare training academies typically charge $1,400-$2,000 but often provide accelerated schedules, smaller class sizes, convenient locations throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor, and flexible scheduling options. Many Maryland 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 western and eastern Maryland 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 $40-75 for background check processing. Maryland residents may qualify for financial assistance through Maryland's Workforce Development programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or Maryland CNA Scholarship programs offered by various healthcare systems. Major healthcare employers like Johns Hopkins Health System, University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, and Luminis Health offer generous tuition reimbursement programs and signing bonuses ($1,500-$4,000) that can offset training costs within the first few months of employment. Given Maryland's high CNA wages ($17-22/hour in the Baltimore-Washington area), training investments typically pay for themselves within 2-3 months of full-time employment.

Maryland 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 Maryland Board of Nursing 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 20 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 Maryland's densely populated urban areas and rural regions, while ensuring you gain essential hands-on patient care experience. Several Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland Board of Nursing and includes the required 20 hours of supervised clinical training in a licensed healthcare facility. Check the official state registry of approved programs on the Maryland Board of Nursing website at mbon.maryland.gov before enrolling to ensure your training will be accepted for certification.

The Maryland 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. Maryland allows three testing attempts within two years of training completion; failing all three requires repeating the entire 60-hour training program. The current exam fee is $125 for both sections. Testing centers are conveniently located throughout Maryland in Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Salisbury.

Yes, Maryland 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 Maryland certification by endorsement through the Maryland Board of Nursing. The endorsement process requires submitting a completed application form available on the Maryland Board of Nursing website, requesting verification of your out-of-state certification sent directly from your current state's registry to Maryland, completing a Maryland-specific criminal background check including fingerprinting through an approved vendor like IdentoGO, and paying applicable fees (approximately $40-75 for background checks plus a $30-50 endorsement application fee). Maryland requires that your out-of-state training met or exceeded Maryland's 60-hour minimum standard—since virtually all 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, Maryland 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland Registry identification number and official certification from the Maryland Board of Nursing, allowing you to work immediately in any licensed healthcare facility throughout the state. Maryland's streamlined endorsement process and proximity to neighboring states (Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.) makes it relatively easy for out-of-state CNAs to transfer their credentials, particularly for those relocating to the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area for its higher wages and abundant healthcare opportunities.

Maintaining Your Certification

CNA Certification Renewal in Maryland

How to Renew Your Maryland CNA Certification

Maryland maintains an employment-based renewal system for CNA certifications. Your certification remains active on the Maryland 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, Maryland automatically maintains your active status through employer-reported work verification. When you're employed as a CNA in Maryland, your healthcare facility is responsible for reporting your employment activity to the Maryland Board of Nursing, 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. 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 Maryland. After successfully completing either reactivation method, you'll be reinstated on the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry and eligible to resume CNA employment throughout the state.

It's important to verify your registry status annually by checking the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry online portal at mbon.maryland.gov or calling (410) 585-1900. If you change employers—particularly common in Maryland's dynamic 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 Maryland and neighboring states or Washington D.C.) should maintain separate active status in each jurisdiction independently, as Maryland'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 Maryland

Maryland's healthcare sector provides exceptional employment prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants, with robust job growth projected through 2030. The state's concentration of world-class medical institutions, proximity to federal healthcare facilities, aging population, and healthcare expansion throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor creates unprecedented demand for qualified CNAs. The Maryland Department of Labor projects 12-15% growth in CNA positions over the next decade, significantly exceeding the national average. Major employment centers include Baltimore, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, Columbia, Annapolis, and Frederick, while rural areas in western and eastern Maryland often provide competitive wages and attractive incentives including signing bonuses ($1,500-$4,000), relocation assistance, and comprehensive benefits packages to recruit qualified healthcare workers.

CNAs in Maryland earn the highest wages on the East Coast and among the top in the nation, reflecting the state's high cost of living and concentration of prestigious healthcare institutions. The Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area typically offers the highest pay at $18-22/hour, while other areas of Maryland range $16-19/hour. Hospital-based CNAs, particularly those at major institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, or National Institutes of Health facilities, generally earn premium wages compared to long-term care facilities, and night shift differential pay often adds $3-5 extra per hour. Experienced CNAs working in specialized settings like intensive care, emergency departments, rehabilitation facilities, or dialysis centers can earn $20-25/hour. Maryland healthcare employers typically provide exceptional benefits including comprehensive health insurance, dental and vision coverage, generous retirement plans with employer matching (often 6-10%), extensive paid time off, tuition reimbursement for nursing school advancement (LPN/RN programs), and flexible scheduling options. The combination of top-tier wages, excellent benefits, access to world-renowned healthcare institutions, and proximity to Washington D.C. makes Maryland an extremely attractive destination for CNAs seeking both career success and advancement opportunities in one of the nation's most dynamic healthcare markets.

Average CNA Salary in Maryland

$36,500

per year

Hourly Wage

$17.55/hr

Nearby States