Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Information

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To practice as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), entry-into-nursing students must complete first-semester coursework from a Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON)-approved education program.

A CNA is defined as an individual, regardless of title, who routinely performs nursing tasks delegated by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse for compensation.

Applications for CNA certification are made through each state’s Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB). The Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) is Maryland’s NRB; therefore, the MBON oversees the certification of Nursing Assistants who live and work in Maryland.

Students are prepared to carry out the role of CNA if they:

  • are currently enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Nursing
  • have completed their first-semester courses with a minimum grade of C
  • are applying for their CNA certification for the first time.

Once you have successfully completed your first-semester coursework, we will send confirmation of your eligibility to apply for CNA to the NRB. You have 90 days from the email confirmation to apply to the NRB without having to request an official transcript. If you choose not to apply within 90 days, you must request an official transcript from the University of Maryland, Baltimore be sent to the NRB.

Instructions for Completing CNA Application

Step 1: Review the appropriate application instructions below, in step 3.

Please note: Paper applications require supporting documentation prior to submitting.

Step 2: Obtain the required materials

Ten business days (two weeks) before you apply to the Maryland Board, obtain your criminal history record check. Learn more on the Maryland Board of Nursing’s Frequently Asked Questions about Criminal History Records Checks.

If you chose not to apply within 90 days of UMSON verifying your eligibility to the NRB, you must request an official transcript from the University of Maryland, Baltimore be sent to the NRB at mdbon.netstranscripts@maryland.gov. The Maryland Board will only accept official transcripts emailed directly from a digital credentialing service.

Step 3: Submit your application (background dependent).

Online Application Paper Application

Applies to those who do not have a history of:

  • disciplinary action in the state of Maryland or out of state
  • criminal history (felony or misdemeanor)

Applies to those who do have history of:

  • disciplinary action in the state of Maryland or out of state
  • criminal history (felony or misdemeanor)
Download Online Application Instructions Download Paper Applications Instructions

 

Instructions for completing an application for certification renewal

All students seeking to renew a certification earned prior to enrolling at UMSON and have a history of:

  • disciplinary action in the state of Maryland or out of state
  • criminal history (felony or misdemeanor)

must submit a complete explanation and court documents showing the outcome of the case(s) to the Maryland Board, with their renewal application.

Students seeking to renew an active certification:

  1. Reference the MBON’s Online Renewal website to determine if a criminal history record check is required.
  2. Complete the online application.

Students seeking to renew an inactive certification:

  1. Request a paper renewal application from the Maryland Board of Nursing by completing the following steps:
    • Visit the Maryland Board of Nursing office.
    • Inform the MBON representative:
      • You are currently enrolled in a nursing program, and
      • Would like to renew an expired CNA.
    • Present your photo ID
    • Complete the paper application and add your email address at the top of the paper application.
  2. If required by the Board, obtain your criminal history record check within 5 days of submitting the paper application. For more information, reference the Maryland Board of Nursing’s Criminal History Records Check for Renewal of Existing License/Certification for requirements.
Approximate Costs in Maryland Additional Information
  • Background check/fingerprinting: $58
  • Application fee: $20
  • Renewal Fee: $40

For career counseling or assistance with completing your application, please visit the links below to schedule an appointment with the UMSON Office of Academic and Career Success:

For concerns regarding your application once it is submitted, please contact the Office of the Academic Deans at NRSAcademicdeans@umaryland.edu.

 

Disclaimer: The information provided does not, and is not intended to, represent, guaranty, or warranty whatsoever the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of the Nursing Assistant certification process. Thus, you should not rely on any information provided herein for any purpose without seeking advice from a duly authorized agent competent to advise on the Nursing Assistant certification process. All information, content, and materials available are provided by third-party sites and are only for the convenience of the reader for general informational purposes, which may be incomplete or outdated.