Maryland Nursing Assistant / Nurse Aide Guide
Is a License or Certification needed: To get licensed and work as a nursing assistant or nurse aide in Maryland, you need to complete a nursing assistant program. An exam is not required for initial licensure, though it is required to work as a geriatric nurse assistant (GNA).
Who Grants Certification: The Maryland Board of Nursing grants certification to Maryland nursing assistants and nurse aides.
The Qualifications to become Certified: In order to receive a new nurse aide certification in the state of Maryland, you must successfully pass a background check before completing a state-approved nurse aide program. You can find a list of these programs here.
How to Apply for Certification: Apply for your certification by faxing, emailing or sending a postal letter to the Maryland Board of Nursing. Your request must supply:
- Your Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Whether this is an Endorsement, Renewal or Initial Certified Nurse Aide application
If using fax, fax this information to 410-764-8042.
Mail a request to:
Maryland Board of Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certification Program
4140 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Find full instructions and the application here.
How to Apply to Take the Exam for GNA Certification: The National Nurse Aide exam can be taken in Maryland at one of these locations. You may use this application to apply to take the test.
Test Content: The NNAAP test has two parts, a Skills Evaluation and a Written (or oral) part. Both parts must be passed to be listed on the Maryland Nurse Aide Registry as a GNA. The written section is 70 questions in length, 60 are multiple-choice and 10 are reading comprehension questions. Take two pencils with you. You will have two full hours to complete the exam. (The oral exam if given in place of the written exam is 160 questions in length.) The Skills Evaluation will be a 25 minute time period given to complete 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills. Content topics include:
- Activities of Daily Living – Hygiene, Dressing and Grooming, Nutrition and Hydration, Elimination, Rest/Comfort/Sleep
- Basic Nursing Skills - Infection Control, Safety/Emergency, Therapeutic/Technical Procedures, Data Collection and Reporting
- Restorative Skills – Prevention, Self-care/Independence
- Psychosocial Care Skills – Emotional and Mental Health Needs
- Spiritual and Cultural Needs
- Communication
- Client Rights
- Legal and Ethical Behavior
- Member of the Health Care Team
See the Candidate Handbook for more details.
Certification Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements: In order to renew your certified nurse aide license in Maryland, you will need to pay a fee for the two-year renewal. Renew here. Your CNA certification will expire 2 years after your first license renewal on the 28th day of your birth month. If you were born in an odd year, your license will expire in an odd year and if you were born on an even year, your CNA license will expire on an even year.
Contact
MD Nurse Aide Registry
MD Board of Nursing
4140 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-2254
Phone: 410-585-1990,
877-847-0626
Fax: 410-764-8042
Verification Line: 410-585-1994
To prepare for your nursing assistant or nurse aide exam, use Tests.com’s Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Practice Test Kit with 300 multiple choice questions, written by nursing experts and educators.
For more information on licensing and exam prep, go to Tests.com's CNA Test Guide.
And take Tests.com's free CNA Practice Test.
For nursing assistant and nurse aide exam preparation products and services, such as study guides, practice tests, flashcards and courses, go to Tests.com's CNA listings.
