Minnesota CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry.
Visit Official Registry2 years
Renewal Period
At least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the 24-month renewal cycle
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Minnesota CNA License
Visit the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
Go to nar.web.health.state.mn.us to access the official Minnesota Department of Health nurse aide verification system.
Go to MN RegistryChoose your search method
Select 'Search by Name' or 'Search by Registry Number' depending on the information you have about the nurse aide.
Enter the CNA's search information
Provide the CNA's first and last name (and city or county for common names) or their Minnesota registry number.
Review the certification details
View the CNA's current status (Active or Expired), expiration date, registry number, and any findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on record.
About the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
The Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and tracks every nurse aide who has met Minnesota training and testing standards to work in nursing homes and certified boarding care homes. Federal and Minnesota state law require employers to verify an aide's registry status before allowing them to provide patient care.
Since February 1, 2022, MDH has contracted exclusively with D&SDT-Headmaster as the state's nurse aide testing administrator, using the TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform. The exam fees are $270 for knowledge plus skills combined, $100 for written only, or $170 for skills only. Candidates have up to 4 knowledge attempts and 3 skills attempts within 24 months of completing their training program — among the most generous retake policies in the country.
The public registry lookup at nar.web.health.state.mn.us lets employers and the public verify an aide's current status in real time. To stay on the registry, a CNA must complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during each 24-month renewal cycle. MDH no longer accepts paper applications; nurse aides and administrators must register for online accounts through the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry portal.
Contact Information
Phone Number
(651) 215-8705Mailing Address
Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry P.O. Box 64900 St. Paul, MN 55164-0900
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT
Minnesota CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Minnesota uses D&SDT-Headmaster (using the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform since February 1, 2022) to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit D&SDT-Headmaster (using the TestMaster Universe / TMU platform since February 1, 2022)Training Requirements
Minnesota requires 75 hours minimum, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training with live patients. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Minnesota CNA ClassesMinnesota CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Minnesota CNA certification is valid for 2 years from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least At least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the 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 renew my Minnesota CNA certification?
Minnesota CNA certification is renewed every 24 months by submitting a renewal application through the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry online portal. You must include proof of at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related work in the past two years. MDH no longer accepts paper applications via mail or email — all renewal activity goes through the registry online system.
How do I look up a Minnesota CNA?
Visit nar.web.health.state.mn.us, the public lookup for the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. Search by name or by registry number to verify a CNA's current status, expiration date, and any findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on record. The registry is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and updated as MDH processes new actions.
Can I transfer my CNA certification to Minnesota from another state?
Yes — Minnesota accepts interstate endorsement if you are certified in another state, are in good standing with no findings, and have worked or tested in your home state within the past 24 months. Submit a Minnesota Interstate Endorsement Application through the MDH online registry portal with your home-state verification. Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks.
Who administers the Minnesota CNA exam?
Since February 1, 2022, MDH has contracted exclusively with D&SDT-Headmaster as Minnesota's nurse aide testing administrator, using the TestMaster Universe (TMU) platform. Tests are scheduled through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/Minnesota/MN_CNA_Home.htm. Minnesota does NOT use Prometric, Credentia, or Pearson VUE for the nurse aide exam.
How much does the Minnesota CNA exam cost?
The combined knowledge plus skills exam fee through D&SDT-Headmaster is $270, written only is $100, and skills only is $170. These fees include both Headmaster's testing charges and MDH administrative costs. There is no separate MDH application fee for initial registry placement after you pass both portions of the competency exam.
How do I update my name or address on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry?
Log in to your account on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry online portal at nar.web.health.state.mn.us to update your address. Name changes require supporting legal documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — contact MDH at [email protected] with documentation attached. Updates typically process within 2-3 weeks.
Minnesota CNA Refresher Topics
Whether you are preparing to renew your Minnesota certification, brushing up before returning to work, or studying for the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry 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 Minnesota CNA returning to active status.
Infection Control
Standard precautions, PPE protocols, and transmission-based precautions for Minnesota nurse aides working with vulnerable residents.
Safety & Emergencies
Fall prevention, RACE/PASS fire response, choking, and CPR — heavily tested on Minnesota CNA reinstatement exams.
Personal Care & Elimination
Bathing, peri-care, toileting, and incontinence management procedures used daily by Minnesota CNAs in long-term care.
Dementia & Cognitive Care
Validation therapy, sundowning, and de-escalation techniques for working with cognitively impaired residents in Minnesota.
Body Systems & Conditions
Recognizing strokes (FAST), hypoglycemia, pressure injuries, and CHF — essential clinical knowledge for active Minnesota CNAs.
Legal & Ethical Issues
Scope of practice, negligence, mandatory reporting, and professional boundaries — review essentials for any Minnesota CNA renewing certification.
Communication & SBAR
SBAR handoff, therapeutic responses, and adaptations for hearing- or vision-impaired residents — practical refreshers for Minnesota CNAs.
Data Collection & Reporting
Objective vs subjective documentation, pain scales, and what to report immediately — refresh the rules used daily by Minnesota CNAs.
End-of-Life Care
Hospice vs palliative care, recognizing signs of approaching death, and postmortem care — for Minnesota CNAs in long-term care settings.
Becoming a CNA in Minnesota?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Minnesota, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.