State terminology: Certified nursing assistant (CNA-I and CNA-II). Since April 1, 2026, new applicants apply for CNA-I. CNA-I is the new name for the former CNA/GNA designation. CNA-II is a legacy designation for eligible holders of a Maryland CNA certificate as of March 31, 2026. Maryland Board of Nursing CNA FAQ ↗ · Maryland Health Occupations § 8-6A-07 ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Maryland Board of Nursing.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to Maryland?
Review the agency instructions and the details that still need confirmation before choosing a pathway.
What does CNA reciprocity mean?
States use the terms reciprocity, endorsement and transfer to describe how they review nurse aide credentials from another state. Each state defines its own process, so use the term your new state uses. Approval is not automatic. The destination state decides whether your training, testing, work history and registry status meet its rules.
A nurse aide registry is an official state list used to check nurse aide status. A competency evaluation is the state-approved nurse aide exam. Its format varies by state. This guide explains the published instructions, but the agency decides whether you qualify.
How do you become a CNA in Maryland?
Maryland CNA-I training programs must provide at least 100 hours: at least 60 hours of didactic and classroom-laboratory instruction, including 16 in-person pre-clinical hours, and 40 hours of supervised clinical training.
- Credentia administers the Board-approved written and skills competency evaluation; passing both adds the candidate to the Maryland CNA Registry.
- Effective April 1, 2026, Maryland uses CNA-I and CNA-II designations. The Board says that starting April 1, 2026, a former CNA-only program does not qualify an applicant for initial certification, even if they attended before that date.
Official training directory: Maryland Board-approved CNA-I training program list (August 30, 2026) ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
CNA-I endorsement
Qualifying out-of-state nursing assistant
- Good-standing other-state/territory certificate with essentially similar requirements and Board-standard nursing-assistant training; adverse findings/discipline restrictions apply.[1]
- Application includes CHRC/fingerprints and required records.[3]
This route may not apply to:
- Prior Maryland certificate needs renewal/return route
Obtain current CNA-I endorsement application
Contractor directs applicants to Maryland Board; confirm current form/channel before sending documents.[6]
Arrange direct verifications
Appropriate authorities send certification and program-completion verification directly to Board.[2]
Follow current Board submission directions
The published form lists a photo, fingerprint receipt, certificate copy and email to mdbon.cnaend@maryland.gov. Confirm the current packet with the Board before submitting.[4]
Official route: Fill in the Board's CNA endorsement PDF application. Email it with the required documents to mdbon.cnaend@maryland.gov, or mail it with a money order or cashier's check. [4] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in Maryland?
Board instructions exclude previous Maryland certification from endorsement and direct applicants to renewal or the Board at mbon.cna@maryland.gov. Confirm current CNA-I/CNA-II return handling.[4]
Who sends registry verification?
COMAR .06B requires direct authority verification of the credential and training-program completion, not only applicant copies.[2]
What exceptions apply?
CNA-II seeking CNA-I
Separate upgrade application under .06D; not a generic out-of-state endorsement.[2]
What else should you know?
The current contractor page uses CNA 1 but still refers to a GNA certificate in places. These labels alone do not show that two credentials are equivalent.[6]
Board regulation pages announce changes dated November 9, 2026. Confirm the current requirements with the Board before applying.[1] [2]
What fees does the state publish?
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm the current online application portal and prior-destination handling with the Board.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the Maryland planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (CNA-I endorsement)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Maryland? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- COMAR 10.39.01.05 Qualifications ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · B-C endorsement qualifications; page flags pending November 9, 2026 changes
- COMAR 10.39.01.06 Application ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · B-C direct verifications; D CNA-II upgrade; pending November 9 changes
- COMAR 10.39.01.04 General provisions ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · A CHRC/fingerprints; emergency action August 25, 2026-February 21, 2027
- CNA application instructions ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · PDF page 3 Section III endorsement; page 2 prior-credential renewal
- Schedule of Fees ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · CNA-I endorsement fee $20; biennial CNA-I and CNA-II renewal fee $40.
- Maryland handbook eligibility ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · A-4 endorsement; current CNA 1 language
- COMAR 10.39.01.10 Expiration and renewal ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · A: birth-month expiration and 180-day initial protection; C: paid work and alternatives; D: criminal history records check schedule; E: 30-day grace period. Page announces November 9, 2026 changes.
- Maryland Nursing Assistant Renewal Application ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · PDF page 2: 16 paid practice hours. Page 4: implicit-bias attestation only at first renewal after April 1, 2022; structural-racism attestation only at first renewal after April 1, 2026.