CNA Requirements in Mississippi
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Mississippi: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Mississippi CNA Training ProgramsMississippi CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
16
Training Hours
75 hours
Time to Certification
5–10 weeks (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks)
Exam Vendor
Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies)
Becoming a CNA in Mississippi
Becoming a CNA in Mississippi is one of the lowest-friction pathways in the South. The state sticks with the federal 75-hour training minimum, and most full-time training programs at community colleges and career schools can be completed in 4 to 6 weeks. Programs are typically priced in the $300 to $1,000 range, with several Mississippi LTC chains in Jackson, Tupelo, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi sponsoring training tuition in exchange for a 6 to 12 month work commitment, especially in markets facing acute staffing shortages.
Mississippi is one of a small number of states that uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its CNA testing vendor rather than the more common Prometric or Credentia. The two-part Headmaster exam — a written/oral knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation — costs approximately $101 total. One Mississippi-specific rule worth knowing: you have 24 months from program completion to pass both portions, and you are limited to three exam attempts within that window. After three failures, you must repeat the full 75-hour training program before testing again.
Background screening is handled through Mississippi State Police criminal background checks plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Schedule your fingerprint appointment early so processing happens in parallel with training. Once on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry, you can work as a CNA in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice programs, and other healthcare settings licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health. The minimum age for CNA training is 16, though some programs set their own minimum at 18, and there is no state-level high school diploma requirement.
Detailed Mississippi CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Mississippi State Department of Health, Health Facilities Licensure and Certification
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to begin CNA training in Mississippi.
Education Requirement
No high school diploma or GED required by the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry, though most training programs require basic English literacy
Training Hours
75 hours required.
Minimum 75 hours total, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility
Background Check
Mississippi State Police criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance
Competency Exam
Administered by Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies). Two-part exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation. Up to three exam attempts within 24 months of completing training before retraining is required.
Cost: Approximately $101 total for both portions
Application Fee
Application included in Headmaster's testing packet; no separate state application fee
Total Cost Estimate
$0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,000 (private program)
Where You Can Work
Nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice programs, and other Mississippi State Department of Health-licensed facilities
What's Different About Mississippi
Mississippi uses Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its testing vendor rather than the more common Prometric or Credentia, and allows up to three exam attempts within 24 months of completing training before a candidate must repeat the full 75-hour program
How to Become a CNA in Mississippi: Step by Step
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the Mississippi State Department of Health, though most training programs require basic English literacy and some require students to be 18.
Find a Mississippi State Department of Health-approved training program
Look for a 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program. Approved programs are offered through the Mississippi Community College Board's network, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Several Mississippi LTC chains sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.
Complete the 75-hour training program
Pass all 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Your program issues a completion certificate that registers you with Headmaster for the competency exam.
Complete state and FBI background screening
Submit fingerprints for both Mississippi State Police criminal background check and federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Disqualifying offenses include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and vulnerable-adult abuse.
Schedule and pass the Headmaster competency exam
Submit your application through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/mississippi and schedule the written/oral and skills exams. The total exam fee is approximately $101. You have up to 24 months and up to three attempts from program completion before you must repeat the full 75-hour training program.
Get listed on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass both portions of the exam, Headmaster transmits your results to the Mississippi State Department of Health and you are added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at the MSDH public nurse aide search portal. From that point you can work as a CNA in any Mississippi licensed healthcare facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in Mississippi?
You must be at least 16, complete a Mississippi State Department of Health-approved 75-hour Nurse Aide Training Program (with at least 16 clinical hours), pass a Mississippi State Police background check and federal FBI fingerprint clearance, and pass both portions of the Headmaster competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by the state, though many programs prefer it.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Mississippi?
Most full-time training programs take 4 to 6 weeks. Part-time programs may run 8 to 12 weeks. After training, allow 2 to 4 weeks for the Headmaster exam and registry listing. Total time from program start to registry listing is typically 5 to 10 weeks.
Who administers the Mississippi CNA exam?
Mississippi uses Headmaster LLP (D&S Diversified Technologies) as its contracted testing vendor, rather than the more common Prometric or Credentia. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation. The total cost is approximately $101 for both portions. You schedule through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/mississippi.
How many times can I take the Mississippi CNA exam?
Mississippi allows up to three exam attempts within 24 months of completing your approved training program. If you fail three times or run out the 24-month window without passing, you must repeat the entire 75-hour training program before testing again. There is a $25 reschedule fee for missed appointments. Most candidates pass on their first attempt with adequate preparation.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Mississippi?
Mississippi community college and technical school programs typically cost $300 to $800 for residents. Private programs may run $800 to $1,200. Many Mississippi LTC chains sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The Headmaster exam costs approximately $101 for both portions. Total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $0 (employer-sponsored) to about $1,000.
What disqualifies you from becoming a CNA in Mississippi?
Mississippi disqualifies applicants with certain felony convictions, including violent crimes, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and vulnerable-adult abuse. Substantiated findings of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any state's nurse aide registry are also disqualifying. Pending criminal charges can delay your application. The Mississippi State Police and FBI background checks must both clear before you can be added to the registry.
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