Maryland CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Maryland Board of Nursing CNA Registry (CNA-I and CNA-II).
Visit Official Registry2 years
Renewal Period
Paid nursing or nursing-related employment during the 24-month certification period
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Maryland CNA License
Visit the MBON License Verification System
Go to lookup.mbon.org/verification/ to access the official Maryland Board of Nursing license verification portal.
Go to MBON VerificationSelect the CNA-I or CNA-II credential type
Choose 'Certified Nursing Assistant I' (formerly GNA) or 'Certified Nursing Assistant II' (formerly CNA) from the license type dropdown to filter your search.
Enter the CNA's information
Search by name, certification number, or other available filters to find the CNA's record. For common names, narrow by city or middle initial.
Review the certification details
View the CNA's current status, expiration date, certification level (CNA-I or CNA-II), and any disciplinary actions or registry findings on record.
About the Maryland Board of Nursing CNA Registry (CNA-I and CNA-II)
The Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) maintains the state's CNA Registry, which operates under a two-tier structure that is unique in the United States. Effective April 1, 2026, MBON formally redesignated its credentials: CNA-I is the new name for what used to be called the Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA), and CNA-II is the new name for what used to be called the CNA. The registry tracks both credential levels plus any findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation.
CNA-I (formerly GNA) is the credential required to work in any licensed Maryland nursing home. Earning CNA-I requires completion of MBON-approved 100-hour training plus passing the NNAAP-style competency exam through Credentia or Headmaster (D&SDT). CNA-II (formerly CNA) requires the 100 hours of training and MBON registration but does not require the NNAAP exam — so CNA-II graduates can work in some healthcare settings but not in nursing homes.
The MBON CNA Registry public lookup at lookup.mbon.org/verification/ lets employers and the public confirm a CNA's current status in real time — the data updates daily. The Maryland Board of Nursing partners with Credentia as the primary testing service ($105 per attempt, up to 4 attempts within 24 months of training), and on October 23, 2024 MBON approved Headmaster (D&SDT) as a second vendor specifically to address scheduling shortages during the April 2026 transition.
Contact Information
Phone Number
(410) 767-6500Mailing Address
Maryland Board of Nursing Certification Division 4140 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215-2254
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
Maryland CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Maryland uses Credentia (primary) and Headmaster (D&SDT) — approved as additional vendor by MBON on October 23, 2024 to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit Credentia (primary) and Headmaster (D&SDT) — approved as additional vendor by MBON on October 23, 2024Training Requirements
Maryland requires 100 hours, including at least 40 hours of supervised clinical practice in a licensed Maryland nursing home. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Maryland CNA ClassesMaryland CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Maryland CNA certification is valid for 2 years from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least Paid nursing or nursing-related employment during the 24-month certification period 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 renew my Maryland CNA certification?
Maryland CNA certification (now CNA-I or CNA-II as of April 1, 2026) must be renewed every 2 years through the Maryland Board of Nursing. To maintain active status you must have worked for compensation in a nursing or nursing-related capacity during the 24-month certification period. Effective April 2026 the renewal application is available on the MBON website. Note that during March-May 2026 MBON's online payment system was experiencing issues, so mailed renewal with check or money order was recommended.
What is the difference between CNA-I and CNA-II in Maryland?
Effective April 1, 2026, Maryland redesignated its nurse aide credentials. CNA-I is the new name for what used to be called the Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) — required to work in licensed Maryland nursing homes and earned by completing 100-hour training plus passing the NNAAP exam. CNA-II is the new name for what used to be called the CNA — earned by completing 100-hour training and MBON registration but does not require the NNAAP exam.
How do I look up a Maryland CNA-I or CNA-II?
Visit the MBON License Verification system at lookup.mbon.org/verification/. Search by name, certification number, or other criteria to verify a CNA-I or CNA-II's current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary or registry findings on record. The system provides primary-source verification and is updated daily.
Who administers the Maryland CNA exam?
Credentia is the primary testing service for the Maryland NNAAP exam — register at credentia.com/test-takers/maryland for $105 per attempt, with up to 4 attempts within 24 months. On October 23, 2024, the Maryland Board of Nursing approved Headmaster (D&SDT) as a second approved testing vendor to address Credentia scheduling capacity shortages ahead of the April 2026 CNA-I/CNA-II transition.
Can I transfer my CNA certification to Maryland from another state?
Yes. Submit a CNA endorsement application to the Maryland Board of Nursing's Certification Division at 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215-2254 (email [email protected]). You'll need verification of your home-state certification, a CJIS/FBI background check, and the $20 endorsement application fee. To work in a licensed Maryland nursing home you may also need to pass the NNAAP exam to obtain CNA-I status.
How do I update my name or address on the Maryland CNA Registry?
Maryland CNAs must report name and address changes to the Maryland Board of Nursing. Log in to the MBON online system to update your address; name changes require supporting legal documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, submitted by mail to the Certification Division. Updates typically process within 4-8 weeks during the April 2026 system-transition period.
Maryland CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your Maryland certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the Maryland Board of Nursing CNA Registry (CNA-I and CNA-II) 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 Maryland CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for Maryland nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on Maryland CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by Maryland CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in Maryland.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active Maryland CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any Maryland CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for Maryland CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by Maryland CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for Maryland CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in Maryland?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Maryland, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.