State terminology: Nurse aide. Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Minnesota Department of Health.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to Minnesota?
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 Minnesota?
Minnesota-approved nurse aide training programs must be at least 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training with a live person.
- Candidates have four attempts to pass the knowledge examination and three attempts to pass the skills examination within 24 months of completing the training program.
- MDH contracts with Headmaster for the knowledge and skills competency evaluation used for placement on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry.
Official training directory: MDH Nurse Aide Registry training and testing entry points ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
Online interstate endorsement review
Aide endorsing from another state without a prior Minnesota active record
- Current tutorial requires work or testing in the sending state within 24 months; reported employment must be in that state.[2]
- To work as a nurse aide in Minnesota, you must pass the Minnesota knowledge test and skills test. The interstate endorsement application does not replace those tests.[2]
This route may not apply to:
- Anyone previously active on the Minnesota registry.
Start at the current registry hub
Use Interstate Endorsement Candidate, upload the requested PDF evidence and monitor the dashboard.[1] [2]
Official route: Online Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry linked from current hub. [1] [2] Open agency instructions ↗
Renew or restore a Minnesota record
Former Minnesota registrant, including expiry within 24 months
- Submit employment history and paystub PDF showing at least one documented day, such as eight consecutive hours, of compensated nursing/nursing-related work in the prior 24 months. Training/orientation hours do not qualify.[4]
Use the existing registry dashboard
Choose the renewal application and upload employment evidence. An approved application can remain inactive if the evidence does not restore current status.[4]
Official route: Online Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry dashboard. [4] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in Minnesota?
A person active in Minnesota at any time must use Certified Nurse Aide registrant type. For expiry within 24 months, submit renewal and employment/paystub evidence; expiry beyond 24 months requires both knowledge and skills retesting and registry guidance.[2] [4]
Who sends registry verification?
Confirm who must send any outgoing registry verification.
What exceptions apply?
No additional exception is listed in the reviewed sources.
What else should you know?
The current renewal tutorial excludes training/orientation hours and currently excludes employment through a health-platform app for renewal employment updates.[4]
What fees does the state publish?
The reviewed source does not publish an amount for the following item: Registry processing. Confirm the current charge with the agency before paying.
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm who must send Minnesota registry verification and which form to use.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the Minnesota planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Online interstate endorsement review, Renew or restore a Minnesota record)
- Have you previously been listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- Nurse Aide Registry ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Updated October 21, 2026: online registry and interstate tutorial
- Submitting Your Interstate Endorsement Application ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · PDF pp.5–7 and 13: work/test recency; same-state employment; returning record
- How to Get on the Nursing Assistant Registry ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Updated October 4, 2022: requirements, email forms and no processing fee
- Submitting Your Renewal Application: Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry Tutorial ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Employment Dates; My certificate has expired; Next Steps.
- Who Can Work as a Nurse Aide? ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Updated August 25, 2025; general work and challenge rules; endorsement test exemption not expressly resolved.