Before taking the CNA Exam a student must undergo training from an approved program in educational institutes such as high schools and community colleges. Private institutions like nursing homes and adult education programs may provide training. Certain Red Cross agencies offer training as well.
Training time varies by program, but a minimum of 75 hours is required to take the exam. Training programs cover 51 skill tasks a certified nurse aide is expected to know. Sixteen hours of classroom training are required before a student can have direct contact with patients. Another 16 hours is required for training of skills. The remaining time is left to the discretion of the training program designers.
Students who pass training will be issued a certificate of completion.
Individuals certified in other states or who are part of an approved registered nurse/licensed practical nurse program can file an Exemption from Nurse Aide Training form. The form will waive the training requirement, but not the clinical or written test. Individuals certified in another state will have to send a Verification of Nurse Aide Registration form to the state or states in which they are certified.
After earning a training certificate or exemption a student will have one year to register and take the CNA exam. Students will file a State of Michigan Competency Evaluation Registration Form and a copy of their certificate with Prometric, the company that administers the exam. Eligible students will be sent an Authorization to Test and a list of places to take the test. The document is valid for one year.
A clinical test is the first part of the exam. Students are tested on their skills in patient care. Students have three chances to complete the test. If they fail all three, they must go back to training and be re-tested. If they succeed they move on to the written test.
The written test evaluates the knowledge of the job. The test covers the role of the nursing assistant, health and safety procedures, patient functionality and health, basic nursing skills and specialized care.
After completing the written test the student will become a certified nurse aide. The certification is good for two years. To renew certification, the nurse aide must show proof he has worked at least eight hours for pay at a facility while under the supervision of a registered nurse with the prior two years. The renewal application is sent 60 days before certification expires.