Maine CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers.
Visit Official Registry2 years
Renewal Period
Minimum 8 hours of qualified paid nursing or nursing-related employment within each 24-month renewal cycle
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Maine CNA License
Open the almsonline registry portal
Visit pfr.maine.gov/almsonline/almsquery/SearchIndividual.aspx?board=6719. Maine routes the public CNA registry search through the same almsonline portal used by other state-licensed professionals, with board identifier 6719 reserved for the CNA and DCW Registry. Bookmark the URL if you do registry verifications regularly.
Enter the CNA's information
Search by last name, first name, or certificate number. The form accepts partial matches, so you can use a first initial and last name combination if you are not sure of the spelling. Results return live from the Division of Licensing and Certification database.
Review status and any annotations
Confirm the worker's current status (active, expired, suspended, or revoked), credential type (CNA or DCW), expiration date, and any annotations for abuse, neglect, or misappropriation findings. The portal lists each annotation with a description of the action taken by the Division of Licensing and Certification.
Save the verification for your records
Print the verification or save a PDF for the employee personnel file. CMS surveyors and Maine state surveyors expect Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities to demonstrate registry verification at the time of hire. A time-stamped PDF from almsonline serves as proof of compliance.
About the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers
The Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers is operated by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC). Maine takes the unusual step of combining CNAs and Direct Care Workers (DCWs) on a single registry, which lets MaineCare providers staff personal care, homemaker, and direct nursing roles from one pool of vetted workers. The registry is the official record of every active and lapsed credential in the state.
Maine contracts with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) to administer the written and skills tests, but DLC owns the registry data and handles all disciplinary action. Federal law prohibits Maine from charging applicants a fee to be listed on the registry, so registry maintenance is free; the only state-collected fee on the path to listing is for background checks. The registry sends reminder notices 45-60 days before expiration, allowing CNAs to renew without lapsing.
Maine's registry is searched online through the almsonline portal hosted by the state's Office of Professional and Financial Regulation. Employers can confirm a CNA's status, expiration date, and any disciplinary findings within seconds. The Augusta office at 41 Anthony Avenue handles all paper correspondence, application processing, and complaint intake; most direct communication with candidates happens by email at [email protected].
Contact Information
Official Website
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/dlc/cna-registryPhone Number
(207) 624-7300Mailing Address
Maine CNA Registry\nDivision of Licensing and Certification\n41 Anthony Avenue\n11 State House Station\nAugusta, ME 04333-0011
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Eastern Time
Maine CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Maine uses Prometric (Maine DHHS contract) to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit Prometric (Maine DHHS contract)Training Requirements
Maine requires 180 hours typical (130 hour minimum), including 70 clinical in the 180-hour structure. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Maine CNA ClassesMaine CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Maine CNA certification is valid for 2 years from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least Minimum 8 hours of qualified paid nursing or nursing-related employment within each 24-month renewal cycle during your certification period to be eligible for renewal.
Employer Verification
Your employer verifies your work hours directly through the registry system. Keep your contact information current with your employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up a Maine CNA on the public registry?
Use the almsonline portal hosted at pfr.maine.gov/almsonline/almsquery/SearchIndividual.aspx with the CNA board ID 6719. Search by name or certificate number to see the worker's status, expiration date, and any disciplinary findings. The portal returns live data from the Division of Licensing and Certification registry database.
Is there a fee to be listed on the Maine CNA Registry?
No. Federal CNA law prohibits Maine from charging an applicant or a CNA a fee to be listed on the Registry. Your only direct out-of-pocket costs are the D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) testing fees and any background check fees collected at fingerprinting.
How long does it take to be added to the Maine Registry?
The Division of Licensing and Certification has up to 30 days to process completed applications and determine eligibility after receiving your training verification, background check results, and Headmaster test scores. Most applicants are added within that 30-day window, and the registry sends an automatic notice when your status becomes active.
What is the difference between a CNA and a Direct Care Worker (DCW) on the registry?
A CNA has completed a full 130-180-hour state-approved training program and passed the Maine competency exam, qualifying for placement in skilled nursing and other federally regulated settings. A DCW has completed a shorter Maine-approved training pathway for personal care, homemaker, and assisted housing roles funded by MaineCare. Both are searched on the same registry portal.
How do I contact the Maine CNA Registry?
The Maine CNA Registry is located at 41 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04333. Phone is (207) 624-7300 and email is [email protected]. You can also fax documents to 207-287-9325. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, and email is generally the fastest way to reach registry staff.
Can I work in Maine using a CNA certification from another state?
Yes, Maine recognizes out-of-state CNA certifications through a reciprocity-style pathway. Submit verification of your current certification, evidence of equivalent training, recent paid CNA work history, and a Maine background check. The Division of Licensing and Certification reviews the packet and adds qualifying applicants to the registry without retesting.
Maine CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your Maine certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers reinstatement exam, these free guides cover the topics most commonly tested:
Patient Rights & HIPAA
OBRA '87 resident rights, mandatory reporting, advance directives — essential for any Maine CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for Maine nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on Maine CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by Maine CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in Maine.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active Maine CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any Maine CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for Maine CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by Maine CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for Maine CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in Maine?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Maine, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.