How to become a CNA in Maine.
Maine requires 130 hours of nurse aide training, including 40 hours of supervised clinical practice. Then you pass the state exam and get listed on the nurse aide registry.
- 130
- Training hours
- 40
- Clinical hours
- Varies
- Exam fee
- 29
- Programs
Step by step
Five steps to your Maine certification
- 1
Meet the entry requirements
Minimum age: 16. Registry application must include a copy of the criminal background check secured by the instructor as part of the course application Most programs also ask for photo ID, a TB test, and proof of immunizations.
- 2
Finish a state approved training program
Maine requires 130 training hours, including 40 hours of supervised clinical work. Only programs approved by the state qualify you for the exam.
See all 29 approved programs in Maine - 3
Pass the state competency exam
The exam has a written or oral knowledge test and a hands on skills test. Registry FAQ references documentation of passing the Maine CNA competency test within the last two years for placement; exact time limit from training to test not confirmed
- 4
Get listed on the nurse aide registry
Once you pass, your name goes on the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers. Employers check the registry before they hire you.
Search the ME registry - 5
Keep your certification active
Renew every 24 months with renewal form; must complete at least 8 hours of qualified employment every 24 months
Moving from another state
Must be current, active, and in good standing on at least one other state's CNA registry; submit verification from all states where certification was held; temporary listing possible for up to 4 months (not renewable) while awaiting approval
Paying for training
Vouchers, employers, grants, and scholarships cover nurse aide training in Maine.
CNA funding in Maine →Maine CNA requirements
- Credential
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Training hours
- 130 hours
- Clinical hours
- 40 hours
- Fee details
- No official source found naming the exam vendor or exam fees. There is no fee to be listed on the registry (federal law prohibits it).
- Deadline to test
- Registry FAQ references documentation of passing the Maine CNA competency test within the last two years for placement; exact time limit from training to test not confirmed
- Minimum age
- 16
- Background check
- Registry application must include a copy of the criminal background check secured by the instructor as part of the course application
- Regulator
- Maine State Board of Nursing
Checked September 2026 against official state and exam provider sources: maine.gov, legislature.maine.gov, www1.maine.gov. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the state or your program before you pay.
Becoming a CNA in Maine, answered.
How many hours of training do you need to be a CNA in Maine?
Maine requires 130 hours of nurse aide training, including 40 hours of supervised clinical practice. Then you pass the state exam and get listed on the nurse aide registry.
I am a CNA in another state. Can I work in Maine?
Must be current, active, and in good standing on at least one other state's CNA registry; submit verification from all states where certification was held; temporary listing possible for up to 4 months (not renewable) while awaiting approval
How do you renew a CNA certification in Maine?
Renew every 24 months with renewal form; must complete at least 8 hours of qualified employment every 24 months
How do I pay for CNA training in Maine?
Workforce vouchers, employer sponsorship, state grants, and scholarships all pay for nurse aide training. A nursing home that hires you within a year of certification must reimburse your training costs under federal rules.
Start your training in Maine.
Compare approved programs, then get matched to funding that pays for it.