Discover the path to becoming a CNA in Massachusetts. Learn about license requirements, renewal, verification, reinstatement, and reciprocity for your rewarding career in the Bay State.
Amanda Jordan, BSN, RN September 6, 2024
Is it your dream to find a job that offers a terrific paycheck? Do you derive great satisfaction and pleasure out of helping the sick, disabled and/or injured? If you answered yes to both the questions, you will likely enjoy working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Massachusetts. This career has become quite popular in Massachusetts today mainly due to its short training program and absence of strict licensing procedure.
The Massachusetts Government’s Nurse Aide Registry Program sets the regulations regarding CNA training and certifications in the state. According to the Program, to become a CNA in Massachusetts, you must enroll in and complete a state-approved CNA educational program. After you have fulfilled this requirement, you can sit for the nurse aide certification evaluation examination. This is a two-part exam that you must pass before you can become certified. In Massachusetts, CNA testing is administered by the American Red Cross.
The nurse aide certification process in Massachusetts is unbelievably easy. You simply need to achieve acceptable scores on both sections of the nurse aide evaluation examination, and your name will be placed on the state's Nurse Aide Registry in at least three weeks. Other than your testing application and fees, there are no certification applications or fees necessary to become a Certified Nurse Aide (also CNA) in Massachusetts.
If you want to verify your CNA certification status in Massachusetts, you may use the license verification website at https://checkalicense.hhs.state.ma.us/MyLicenseVerification/ . Remember to wait at least three weeks to receive your test results and for your name to be included in the registry if you have just taken the competency exam.
CNAs in Massachusetts are required to renew their certifications every two years. If you have worked doing nursing-related services for at least one eight-hour period during your two-year Registry period, you are eligible to renew. You need to download the document at https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/cna/massachusetts-cna/MA-registry-renewal-form.pdf and have your employer complete it. The completed form must be mailed to the American Red Cross.
If your CNA certification has expired, you will need to reinstate it. To achieve this, you will have to retake both parts of the nurse aide evaluation examination.
If you wish to transfer your CNA certification out of Massachusetts to another state, you must find out about the other state's requirements for transferring. First, go to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website and use their CNA Regulatory Agencies search tool to find your new state's CNA regulatory agency. Once you find the appropriate agency, simply contact them to find out what you need to do.
If you have additional questions, contact the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry at:
67 Forest St, 1st Floor, Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: (617) 753-8144
Email: narsstate.ma.us
Verification Link
Some of the top nurse aide schools in Massachusetts include:
