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.
Maryland at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | Maryland Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Official state hub | Open the official state page ↗ |
| Training guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 6, 2026 |
| Transfer guidance | Agency confirmation needed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Renewal guidance | See Maryland CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 6, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
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.[1] Completing training alone does not give you a state credential. Before enrolling, check the state’s testing requirements and what it takes to get the credential or be listed on the registry.
What else should you know about training?
- Credentia administers the Board-approved written and skills competency evaluation; passing both adds the candidate to the Maryland CNA Registry.[3]
- 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.[4] [2]
Where can you find training programs?
Maryland Board-approved CNA-I training program list (August 30, 2026) ↗[2] Before you enroll, confirm with the state that the exact program and training site are currently approved. Check the total hours, clinical placement and costs as well.
What are the steps?
Check the program is Board-approved for CNA-I
Use the current approved-program grid and confirm the program type, not just the school name.[2]
Complete the 100-hour program
Confirm the didactic, pre-clinical and 40-hour clinical components.[1]
Apply and test through Credentia
Create the candidate account, submit the application and pass the written and skills exams.[3]
What should you confirm with the state?
- Program costs, admission and approval vary. Confirm them directly with the school.
- The Board’s CNA-I/CNA-II rules are under revision; confirm the current designation and application route before enrolling.
Where did this information come from?
- Maryland Nursing Assistant Training Program Application ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · COMAR 10.39.02.06: minimum 100 hours; 60 didactic/lab with 16 pre-clinical; 40 supervised clinical; 75% written-final pass
- Maryland approved nursing assistant training programs ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Board-approved CNA-I program list, last updated August 30, 2026
- Maryland Board of Nursing: Credentia candidate process ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Candidate account, application, written and skills exams, CNA registry
- MBON town hall: CNA-I and CNA-II changes ↗
Checked November 6, 2026 · Slides 5 and 16: designation changes effective April 1, 2026, and the cutoff for certification based on a former CNA-only program.
See reviewed CNA training programs →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to Maryland?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: Maryland Board of Nursing. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
CNA-I endorsement — Qualifying out-of-state nursing assistant
Key requirement: Good-standing other-state/territory certificate with essentially similar requirements and Board-standard nursing-assistant training; adverse findings/discipline restrictions apply.
What are the first steps for CNA-I endorsement?
Obtain current CNA-I endorsement application
Contractor directs applicants to Maryland Board; confirm current form/channel before sending documents.
Arrange direct verifications
Appropriate authorities send certification and program-completion verification directly to Board.
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.
What exceptions apply?
- CNA-II seeking CNA-I — Separate upgrade application under .06D; not a generic out-of-state endorsement.
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.
- Board regulation pages announce changes dated November 9, 2026. Confirm the current requirements with the Board before applying.
What should you confirm?
- Confirm the current online application portal and prior-destination handling with the Board.
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)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in Maryland?
The state sets the renewal cycle and any requirements for work hours and continuing education. This section summarizes the sources we reviewed. Follow the official instructions if they differ.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year terms. Your certificate expires on the 28th day of your birth month: in odd-numbered years if you were born in an odd-numbered year, and in even-numbered years if you were born in an even-numbered year. A new certificate won't expire within 180 days of being issued. CNA-I and CNA-II are separate certificates. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | At least 16 hours of paid work as a nursing assistant in the two years before your certificate expires. |
| CE or in-service | Maryland's renewal regulation doesn't set a continuing-education hour requirement. The renewal form asks you to attest to implicit bias training only on your first renewal after April 1, 2022, and to structural racism training only on your first renewal after April 1, 2026. A criminal history records check is required when it's scheduled for your birth month. |
| Renewal window | The Board sends a renewal notice at least 3 months before your certificate expires. Renew before it expires and pay the $40 renewal fee. You have a 30-day grace period after expiration to renew. COMAR 10.39.01.10 has changes pending for November 9, 2026, so check the current rule if you renew after that date. |
| If the credential lapses | If you don't have 16 hours of paid work in the past two years: a CNA-I must pass a nursing assistant competency evaluation, and a CNA-II must complete a nursing assistant training program. |
Maryland CNA certificates renew every two years and expire on the 28th of your birth month. You need at least 16 hours of paid nursing assistant work in the two years before expiration and a $40 renewal fee. The Board mails a notice at least 3 months ahead, and you have a 30-day grace period. The regulation doesn't set CE hours, but the renewal form asks for one-time implicit bias and structural racism training attestations. Without the 16 hours, a CNA-I must pass the competency evaluation and a CNA-II must retrain. Changes to the renewal rule are pending for November 9, 2026.
Source: COMAR 10.39.01.10 Expiration and renewal ↗ Maryland Nursing Assistant Renewal Application ↗ Schedule of Fees ↗
Open the official Maryland registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state