Maryland CNA

Maryland Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certification Examination

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About this exam

The Maryland Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential is issued through the Maryland Board of Nursing, which lists Certified Nursing Assistant and Nurse Aid Registry among its licensing and certification programs. Candidates typically pursue it to work as nurse aides in long-term care, assisted living, home care, and hospital settings under the direction of licensed nurses. Preparation should focus on four broad areas: physical care skills such as bathing, feeding, mobility, and vital signs; psychosocial care skills such as communication, dignity, and resident rights; the role of the nurse aide, including legal and ethical boundaries, documentation, and reporting; and hands-on performance of core clinical skills, which many states evaluate through a practical demonstration. Because Maryland's Board of Nursing home page does not publish exam length, passing score, fee, or retake rules, treat any figure you see elsewhere as unverified and confirm it directly with the Board before you register. Note also that the Maryland Department of Health has launched a modernized online licensing system, MDH CHART, with the Board of Nursing as the first participating health occupation board; application and registration steps for nurse aides are moving through that system. Useful study habits include practicing skills out loud with a checklist, drilling safety and infection-control steps, and reviewing the Board's own news and fee schedule pages for current instructions.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Maryland CNA preparation

What does the Maryland CNA exam cover?

Preparation generally centers on physical care skills, psychosocial care skills, and the role of the nurse aide, plus a hands-on demonstration of core clinical skills. The Board of Nursing home page does not publish a detailed content outline, so check the Certified Nursing Assistant and Nurse Aid Registry pages for the current official description before you build a study plan.

How many questions are on the exam and how long does it take?

The Board of Nursing home page does not state a question count or time limit, so no reliable figure can be given here. Confirm item counts and timing with the Board or with your approved training program, since those numbers are revised periodically and outdated figures circulate widely online.

What score do I need to pass?

Maryland's passing standard is not published on the Board's home page, so be cautious about any specific percentage you read in forums or third-party sites. Ask your training program or the Board directly for the current passing requirement and how the written and skills portions are scored.

How much does it cost, and where do I pay?

Fees are not listed on the Board's home page, but the Board does maintain a Fee Schedule under its Board Information section. Use that page, or the MDH CHART licensing system, as your source for current amounts rather than relying on secondhand numbers.

Can I retake the exam if I fail?

Retake rules, waiting periods, and any additional fees are not stated on the Board's home page. Contact the Board of Nursing or your training program for the current retake policy, and confirm whether remediation hours are required before you can reschedule. Never assume a fixed number of attempts.

How do I apply now that MDH CHART has launched?

The Maryland Department of Health announced a modernized licensing system, MDH CHART, with the Board of Nursing as the first participating board. The Board provides instructional videos on registering and applying. Follow those steps and the Licenses and Certifications pages rather than older paper instructions you may find elsewhere.

What is the most common reason candidates fail the skills portion?

Candidates most often lose points on safety and infection control: skipping hand hygiene, forgetting to identify the resident, failing to explain the procedure, or omitting privacy measures. Practicing each skill in order with a checklist and saying your safety steps aloud builds the habits that graders look for.

In what order should I study?

Start with the role of the nurse aide, including resident rights, scope of practice, and reporting, because those concepts appear across every other topic. Then move to physical care skills and psychosocial care skills, and finish with repeated hands-on rehearsal of clinical skills, which is where performance anxiety costs the most points.

Is this platform affiliated with the Maryland Board of Nursing?

No. This is an independent study resource and is not connected to, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Maryland Board of Nursing or the Maryland Department of Health. Always verify requirements, fees, and procedures using official Board sources before you apply or schedule an exam.