CNA Classes in Massachusetts (Top Schools)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulates the certification and registry of nurse aides.

As such, you can only become a Certified Nurse Aide if you have:

• Completed an approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP)
• Passed the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Competency Exam (MA-NACE)

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Massachusetts

DPH’s on a mission to provide high-quality public healthcare services to every resident.

As such, they ensure to provide CNA guidelines and standards for training facilities to comply.

During NATP, you’ll undergo a minimum of 75 hours of training.

After completing it, the training facility will issue you a Certificate of Completion.

It will serve as proof that you’ve met all the CNA training requirements mandated by DPH.

Listed below are some of the approved CNA training facilities you can consider enrolling in.

Waiver of CNA Training

In fact, you can become a CNA in Georgia without having to undergo NATP.

A training waiver will be given to you when upon employment at a long-term facility, you’re deemed to have:

• Completed NATP in another state
• Completed a clinical course in an approved nursing school

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

Update: Prometric is now the testing vendor of MA-NACE, replacing the American Red Cross.

The MA-NACE assesses your knowledge and skills to ensure you’re capable of providing basic patient care to residents.

That’s why the exam has two components: a written test and a clinical skills test.

In the written test, you’ll have 90 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions.

You can opt to take this test in an oral format upon request.

Do note that the test will only be in English.

So if you choose for an oral test, translators or bilingual dictionaries aren’t allowed during the test.

On another note, the clinical skills test will ask you to perform five nurse aide skills.

Three of these skills will be randomly selected, while the other two are handwashing and indirect care.

The clinical skills test’s duration varies depending on the skills assigned to you.

But it usually takes 31 to 41 minutes to complete all five skills on average.

Exam Fees

Whether you’re a first-time tester or an exam retaker, you’ll pay the following exam fees:

• Written and clinical skills test – $110
• Oral and clinical skills test – $120
• Written test only – $40
• Oral test only – $50
• Clinical skills test only – $70

In the event of a no-show leading to a reschedule of the tests, you’ll need to pay the full exam fee.

Also, out-of-state CNAs under reciprocity don’t have to pay any fee upon exam application.

Exam Results

You will know your exam results shortly after the tests are done.

These will be given to you on the spot at the testing site or you can access it online at https://tcnet1.prometric.com/macna.

Meanwhile, the official results will be sent to you by mail.

If you pass, Prometric will forward your results to DPH.

DPH will then issue the certificate and add you to the registry.

It will take DPH at least 15 business days to mail your certificate and three weeks to add you to the registry.

However, if you fail, then you’ll have to retake the test/s.

Retesting instructions will be provided on your score sheet.

Note that you have four attempts on the written (or oral) test and three on the clinical skills test.

Otherwise, you’ll have to do NATP again to retake MA-NACE.

CNA Candidates Eligible for Certification

You are eligible to be a CNA in Massachusetts if you satisfy the following requirements:

Newly-trained nurse aide

• Duly accomplished MA-NACE application form
• A copy of your NATP’s Certificate of Completion
• Pass the MA-NACE

Out-of-state CNAs under reciprocity

• Currently has an “active” status and in good standing in another state’s registry
• Duly accomplished MA-NACE and MA Nurse Aide Reciprocity application forms

Completed a clinical course in an approved nursing school

• Duly accomplished MA-NACE and Nurse Aide Training Waiver application forms
• A transcript from your nursing school
• Pass the MA-NACE

Completed NATP in another state

• Duly accomplished MA-NACE and Nurse Aide Training Waiver application forms
• A transcript from your nursing school
• Pass the MA-NACE

CNA with lapsed or expired certification

• Currently has a lapsed CNA certification
• Hasn’t worked as a CNA with pay for the past 24 months
• Duly accomplished MA-NACE application form
• Pass the MA-NACE

Potential Salary

Being a CNA has plenty of advantages, especially for people with caring personalities.

With an average salary of $34,476 annually, you can expect a secure and stable lifestyle.

Below, you’ll find the salary information at some cities in Massachusetts.

CNA Schools by City

• Boston4 Schools
• Worcester3 Schools