State terminology: Certified nurse aide (CNA). Michigan issues a nurse aide certificate of registration. Michigan Nurse Aide Registry ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Michigan at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Nurse and Medication Aide Section |
|---|---|
| Official state hub | Open the official state page ↗ |
| Training guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Transfer guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Renewal guidance | See Michigan CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 4, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
How do you become a CNA in Michigan?
Michigan training programs are at least 75 hours: 16 classroom hours, 16 clinical hours and 43 more hours of any mix of classroom, lab or clinical training. Lab and clinical hours must be in person.[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?
- You must complete at least 16 classroom hours before you have direct contact with residents.[1]
- Apply through MI-NATES and take the competency evaluation from Headmaster. You must pass both the written and skills parts.[2]
Where can you find training programs?
MI approved training-program directory ↗[2] [3] 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?
Find active permitted training
Search the LARA directory; it also contains inactive records.[2]
Pass testing
Use Headmaster for written/oral and clinical exams.[2]
Apply for registration
After passing, submit the new application in MI-NATES through MILogin.[2]
What should you confirm with the state?
- Use the state’s current program directory and confirm the school’s approval before enrolling.
- The Headmaster link is official. Confirm the current testing steps with the provider.
- Confirm program costs, admissions and exam availability with the school and provider.
Where did this information come from?
- Michigan Nurse Aide Administrative Rules ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · R 400.335(1)(d): minimum 75 hours, allocation, pre-contact instruction, in-person laboratory and clinical work.
- Michigan LARA Nurse Aide Registry ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (Testing), Initial Certification, Finding a Nurse Aide Training Program. Directory includes some inactive or lapsed programs; check active permission. The Headmaster link is official; confirm the current page with the state.
- Michigan LARA Nurse Aide Registry / Program Search ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Official LARA Finding a Nurse Aide Training Program section links this searchable database.
See reviewed CNA training programs →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to Michigan?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: Michigan LARA, Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Nurse and Medication Aide Section. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
MI-NATES reciprocity — Approved original training/testing plus active registry
Key requirement: You must be in good standing in a state that Michigan lists as meeting its reciprocity requirements.
What are the first steps for MI-NATES reciprocity?
Check original program state
Use the live approved-state list; current registry state alone does not establish eligibility.
Set up MILogin and MI-NATES
Request MI-NATES access and create a profile using Chrome or Edge. LARA's page notes that some users currently see an "ERROR ID: 2029" message when signing in to MiLogin or opening MI-NATES; if that happens, report it to the registry as LARA's page explains.
Choose Reciprocity and submit
Enter current registry state/number, attest active good standing, e-sign and pay in MI-NATES.
What else should you know?
- The current registry page lists a $40 fee. Confirm the fee in the portal before paying.
- Approved training/testing states: AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MS MO NE NV NH NJ NM NY ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT WA WI WY.
What should you confirm?
- Processing time is not guaranteed.
- Confirm the current MI-NATES steps and the prior-Michigan route with LARA.
What will the Michigan planner ask?
- Is your current nurse aide credential active? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Michigan? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
- Where did you originally train and pass the competency exam? (Choose from all 50 states and DC)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in Michigan?
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 | Every two years. A renewed certificate is good for 24 months from your last certificate's expiration date. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | At least 40 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work in the 24 months before your certificate expires. |
| CE or in-service | If your certificate expires on or after March 23, 2026, you must attest to at least 12 hours of continuing education each year of the renewal period, including abuse, neglect and care plan training (Rule R 400.315). |
| Renewal window | Renew online in MI-NATES no earlier than 45 days before your certificate expires; LARA emails a renewal notice 45 days ahead. The renewal fee is $40. If you don't renew on time, your certificate lapses the day after it expires, and you can't work as a CNA until it's renewed. |
| If the credential lapses | Lapsed less than 24 months: use the standard renewal process, as long as your paid work happened within the 24 months before expiration. Lapsed more than 24 months, or no qualifying work: you're removed from the registry and must retake a state-approved training program and competency exam. |
Michigan CNA certificates renew every two years. You need at least 40 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work in the past 24 months and, for certificates expiring on or after March 23, 2026, at least 12 hours of continuing education each year, including abuse, neglect and care plan training. Renew in MI-NATES no earlier than 45 days before expiration and pay the $40 fee. A certificate lapsed less than 24 months can be renewed if the work requirement was met; after that, you must retake training and the competency exam.
Source: Michigan LARA Nurse Aide Registry ↗
Open the official Michigan registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state