How to become a CNA in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts requires 75 hours of nurse aide training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. Then you pass the state exam through Headmaster and get listed on the nurse aide registry.
- 75
- Training hours
- 16
- Clinical hours
- $100
- Exam fee
- 120
- Programs
Step by step
Five steps to your Massachusetts certification
- 1
Meet the entry requirements
Most programs also ask for photo ID, a TB test, and proof of immunizations.
- 2
Finish a state approved training program
Massachusetts requires 75 training hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical work. Only programs approved by the state qualify you for the exam. The state health department announced in April 2026 that the minimum will rise to 87 hours, including 21 hours of supervised practice. The start date has not been published.
See all 120 approved programs in Massachusetts - 3
Pass the state competency exam
The exam has a written or oral knowledge test and a hands on skills test, run by Headmaster. The exam fee is $100. 4 attempts at the knowledge test and 3 at the skill test. After that you must complete a new DPH-approved training program.
- 4
Get listed on the nurse aide registry
Once you pass, your name goes on the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry (MANAR). Employers check the registry before they hire you.
Search the MA registry - 5
Keep your certification active
Every 24 months. You must have worked for pay as a nurse aide at least 8 consecutive hours in the previous 24 months. Aides with misconduct restrictions cannot renew.
Moving from another state
Out-of-state reciprocity for a CNA who is certified in another state, whose certification is current and in good standing, and who has never been certified in Massachusetts. Training waivers are available under 105 CMR 156.100.
Paying for training
Vouchers, employers, grants, and scholarships cover nurse aide training in Massachusetts.
CNA funding in Massachusetts →Massachusetts CNA requirements
- Credential
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
- Training hours
- 75 hours
- Clinical hours
- At least 16 hours
- Exam provider
- Headmaster
- Exam fee
- $100 ($30 knowledge, $70 skills)
- Fee details
- Knowledge exam $30; audio (oral) knowledge exam $40 ($30 + $10 audio); skill test $70. Retakes are priced the same as the first attempt, and you repay only the part you failed. $25 test review deposit; $35 refund processing fee. Handbook Version 5, updated January 10, 2025.
- Retakes
- 4 attempts at the knowledge test and 3 at the skill test. After that you must complete a new DPH-approved training program.
- Regulator
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Checked September 2026 against official state and exam provider sources: law.cornell.edu, mass.gov, hdmaster.com. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the state or your program before you pay.
Becoming a CNA in Massachusetts, answered.
How many hours of training do you need to be a CNA in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires 75 hours of nurse aide training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. Then you pass the state exam through Headmaster and get listed on the nurse aide registry.
Who gives the CNA exam in Massachusetts?
Headmaster runs the Massachusetts nurse aide competency exam. The exam fee is $100.
I am a CNA in another state. Can I work in Massachusetts?
Out-of-state reciprocity for a CNA who is certified in another state, whose certification is current and in good standing, and who has never been certified in Massachusetts. Training waivers are available under 105 CMR 156.100.
How do you renew a CNA certification in Massachusetts?
Every 24 months. You must have worked for pay as a nurse aide at least 8 consecutive hours in the previous 24 months. Aides with misconduct restrictions cannot renew.
How do I pay for CNA training in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts.
Compare approved programs, then get matched to funding that pays for it.