South Portland, ME

Southern Maine Community College

Certified Nursing Assistant

Location

South Portland, ME

State Required Hours

180 hours typical (130 hours minimum)

Address

2 Fort Road

South Portland, ME 04106

About This Program

Southern Maine Community College, located on Casco Bay in South Portland, offers a Certified Nursing Assistant program through its workforce training pathway. The hybrid program combines classroom, lab, and clinical instruction approved by the Maine DHHS Registry of CNAs, preparing graduates for the Headmaster (D&SDT) Maine CNA exam.

Location & Directions

2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106

Becoming a CNA in Maine

Maine sits at the high end of the national CNA training-hour spectrum. The state's minimum is 130 hours, but the Division of Licensing and Certification has long encouraged 180-hour programs and most accredited providers in Maine choose the longer curriculum. The structure is also unique: instead of a single Board of Nursing oversight, Maine operates the credential through the DHHS Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC) and combines CNAs and Direct Care Workers (DCWs) in a single registry so that workers can move between MaineCare-funded settings without re-testing.

Minimum Age

16

Training Hours

180 hours typical (130 hours minimum)

Exam Vendor

Prometric (Maine DHHS contract)

Time to Cert

12-20 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the CNA program at Southern Maine Community College include?

Southern Maine Community College, located on Casco Bay in South Portland, offers a Certified Nursing Assistant program through its workforce training pathway. The program is located at 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106. For the current curriculum, admission requirements, and start dates, call (207) 741-5500 or visit https://www.smccme.edu.

How much does Southern Maine Community College cost?

Southern Maine Community College has not published a flat tuition figure on this directory; pricing for the certified nursing assistant depends on residency, financial aid, and any employer sponsorships. Call (207) 741-5500 or visit the program website at https://www.smccme.edu to request the current fee schedule. For reference, total CNA training costs in Maine generally fall in the range of $1,000-$2,500 including tuition and exam.

How long is the program at Southern Maine Community College?

Southern Maine Community College has not published a fixed length for this directory. Programs in Maine must meet the state minimum of 180 hours typical (130 hours minimum), so plan accordingly. Call (207) 741-5500 or check the program website at https://www.smccme.edu to confirm the program length, start dates, and full-time vs part-time schedule options.

How do I apply or contact Southern Maine Community College?

Call Southern Maine Community College directly at (207) 741-5500 or visit https://www.smccme.edu. The program is located at 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106. Ask about upcoming cohort start dates, application deadlines, background-check requirements, and any scholarships or financial-aid options before enrolling.

What Maine CNA requirements should I know before enrolling at Southern Maine Community College?

Before enrolling at Southern Maine Community College, make sure you meet Maine's minimum age (16), education requirements, and background-check rules. Maine requires 180 hours typical (130 hours minimum) of state-approved training and uses Prometric (Maine DHHS contract) for the competency exam, with most candidates reaching certification in 12-20 weeks. See the full Maine CNA requirements page for a complete checklist.

Are there other CNA programs near South Portland?

Yes. In addition to Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, our directory includes CNA training programs in Auburn, Bangor, Fairfield, Wells, Calais, and other Maine cities. Comparing programs by location, schedule, and cost is the easiest way to find the best fit for your situation. Browse all Maine CNA classes for the full list.