CNA Certification in Michigan

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Michigan

Becoming a CNA in Michigan requires that the candidate follow a few simple steps. It is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Health Professions, which is in charge of the administration of the nurse aide program. This agency, however, is contracted with Prometric to develop and administer the CNA exams and to also maintain the CNA registry in the state.

To obtain certified nursing assistant certification requires the use of one of the approved programs, passing the mandatory exams, and getting on the state registry. Entering into this process begins with acceptance into a training program. After this is done, the candidate does the mandatory hours and applies for the exam. Passing the exam means appearing on the registry and being able to work as a CNA.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for enrollment in certified nursing assistant certification training in Michigan requires the following:

Being at least 18 years of age;Submitting to a full background check. This explores previous convictions and arrests as well as the professional history of the CNA candidate;Proof of high school graduation or a GED; andA health screening that includes TB testing, drug screening, and evidence of current immunizations.

Once this material is submitted, along with the application for the program, the candidate can begin their studies. Before the student can schedule their exams, however, they have to complete the State of Michigan Competency Evaluation Registration Form and submit it to Prometric. This is reviewed and the candidate is either considered eligible to test or not.

Applying for CNA Certification in Michigan

There are some candidates who are able to forgo the CNA certification training if they are already qualified or have experience. These include:

Those with certification in another state, and that is active or expired within the past year;Those enrolled in an RN or LPN program and with a basic course in nursing; andThose with registry documents past the 60-day grace period or expired in the last 24 months.

For the candidates who need training, there is a page of the regional locations at the LARA website.

CNA certification programs must be at least 75 hours in length. Some training programs may include additional hours, but never less than the 75. The work is always divided between clinical and classroom study and only after these hours are done, will the candidate be allowed to apply for the exam.

The tests are comprised of one set of practical skills and one of written knowledge. Exams can be taken orally for those with testing or language problems.

Costs

CNA certification training in Michigan has an average cost of $1000, and takes roughly four months to complete. Along with additional materials, there are also testing fees. They are:

Both written and practical: $100 to the test site and $76.50 to Prometric
Clinical only: $85 to the test site and $34 to Prometric
Knowledge only: $15 to the test site and $30.50 to Prometric

FAQ

Below is a list of useful information that many newly certified nursing assistants like to have available. In Michigan there is a lot of responsibility on the CNA to handle renewals, and so we include details here.

CNAs employed by, or who have received job offers from, a certified nursing care facility on the date on which training begins cannot be charged for any part of the program;Those eligible for renewal must have worked as a CNA for at least eight consecutive hours during the 24-month period prior to the current registration expiration dateCNAs flagged on the Registry for resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property are not eligible for renewal or appeal;A sample exam is available from Prometric’s Michigan website; andCertification is valid for 24 months, and the CNA appears on the registry for that time.

Helpful Resources around the Web

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Health Professions
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 373-1820
Web: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_63294_63303_27529_27544—,00.html.

Prometric
1260 Energy Lane
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (800) 752.4724
Fax: 800.813.6670
Web: www.prometric.com/NurseAide/MI