State terminology: Certified nurse aide (CNA). Mississippi certification and training ↗ · terminology checked November 6, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Mississippi State Department of Health; D&S/Headmaster.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to Mississippi?
Compare the reviewed application routes to see which one fits your situation. An out-of-state credential alone does not establish eligibility.
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 Mississippi?
Federal rules require every nurse aide training program to include at least 75 clock hours, with at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (42 CFR 483.152). MSDH's CNA page doesn't list a separate Mississippi hour total, so confirm your program's total hours before you enroll.
- MSDH directs new candidates to a Mississippi-approved nurse-aide training program followed by competency examination; the registry and current testing services are managed by Headmaster/TMU.
- The currently linked directory identifies training providers by county and includes approval status.
Official training directory: MSDH Nurse Aide Training Programs (August 25, 2026) ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
Active out-of-state reciprocity
Active good-standing CNA from another state
- Show eight work hours in a nursing home, hospital or hospice with a paystub/W-2 from the past 24 months.[2]
- If certified six months or less without CNA work, provide dated training-completion proof instead; also upload Social Security card and valid U.S. government photo ID.[2]
Submit the TMU reciprocity form
Attach all required evidence and complete payment.[2]
Official route: Online Mississippi TMU. [2] Open agency instructions ↗
Reactivation by examination
Mississippi aide without eight paid nursing-related hours in 24 months
- Request authorization through TMU; one attempt at both exam components is allowed, then MSDH-approved retraining if either fails.[3]
Official route: TMU Reactivation by Examination application. [3] Open agency instructions ↗
Out-of-state certification reactivation review
Lapsed out-of-state CNA, or active credential nearing expiry without renewal work history
- The handbook describes an out-of-state reactivation application and one approved exam attempt; review the exact category with Headmaster.[3]
Official route: TMU Out of State Certification – Reactivation by Examination. [3] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in Mississippi?
Use the Mississippi record for renewal/reactivation. The handbook allows renewal up to 30 days after expiry; later expiry requires testing.[3]
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?
Renewal requires eight consecutive paid hours within 24 months; TMU sends the selected employer an email verification link.[3]
What fees does the state publish?
| Item | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Active out-of-state reciprocity: Reciprocity verification and processing | $25 non-refundable.[2] |
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm the agency’s manual verification procedure.
- The out-of-state reactivation rules mention a lapsed credential and a credential expiring within 60 days without work. Confirm which category applies to you.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the Mississippi planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Active out-of-state reciprocity, Reactivation by examination, Out-of-state certification reactivation review)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Mississippi? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- CNA Certification and Training ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Reciprocity; registry contractor and application link
- CNA Reciprocity Form Application ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Eligibility, new-CNA exception, attachments and $25 fee
- Mississippi Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Printed pp.2–4 and 7: renewal, reactivation, out-of-state reactivation, reciprocity