CNA Classes in Michigan (Top Schools)

In Michigan, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees the administration of Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs).

So for you to become a CNA, you must meet these requirements:

• Completed a state-approved nurse aide training program (NATP)
• Pass the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam (MI NACE)

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Michigan

Your journey toward becoming a CNA starts with enrolling in a state-approved NATP.

Doing so ensures that you’ll receive nurse aide education that meets state and federal standards.

In the program, you’ll spend 75 hours of training, with 16 hours on supervised clinical practice.

Below are some of the CNA training facilities that you can check out.

For a complete and updated list, visit LARA’s Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) web page.

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

Update: As of February 2022, D&SDT-Headmaster replaces Prometric as the administrator for MI NACE and NAR.

After completing NATP, you’ll now sit for the state’s competency exam.

This exam evaluates your knowledge and skills competencies to safely perform the job of an entry-level nurse aide.

As such, it has two parts: a knowledge test and a skills test.

You have to pass both tests to be certified and listed in NAR.

So, here are the things that you should know about each test:

Knowledge Test

• It consists of 65 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes.
• Questions are taken from a LARA-approved test plan in the following subject areas:
  • Aging process and restorative care
  • Infection control
  • Basic nursing skills
  • Mental health
  • Care impaired
  • Personal care
  • Communication
  • Resident rights
  • Data collection
  • Role and responsibility
  • Disease process
  • Safety
• Before answering, you must listen carefully to the Knowledge Test Proctor’s instructions.
• The test is taken online at TestMaster Universe testing at all test sites.
• Usually, it’s a written test but can be an oral test upon request.
• In the oral test, questions are read aloud through the headphones, which are provided by the test site.
• During the oral test, you can’t use bilingual dictionaries.
• The passing rate is 74%.

Skills Test

• The test will simulate an actual nursing care situation.
• You’ll demonstrate three to four skill tasks under the watch of the RN Test Observer.
• The tasks are as follows:
  • One mandatory first task involving handwashing, either:
    • Assisting resident with the use of a bedpan, measuring and recording urine output with handwashing
    • Catheter care for a female with handwashing
    • Donning PPE (gown and gloves), emptying a urinary drainage bag, measuring and recording urine output, and removing PPE with handwashing
    • Perineal care for a female with handwashing
  • Two or three randomly selected tasks from the Skills Task Listings
• You have 30 minutes to complete all skill tasks.
• Each skill task has a scenario that will be read to you by the RN Test Observer.
• You can correct any mistakes at any time within the time limit provided that you tell the RN Test Observer about it.
• The passing rate is 80% on each task, with all key steps accounted for.

For exam resources and other information, read the Candidate Handbook found at D&SDT-Headmaster.

Exam Results

You can receive your exam results shortly after the test event.

If you pass, you will be added to NAR.

But if you don’t pass, you need to retake the test/s you failed.

Do note that you have three attempts within 24 months of training completion to pass both tests.

Otherwise, you’ll need to retrain in NATP to retake MI NACE.

Exam Fees

You or your employer will pay the following exam fees, whichever is applicable:

• Initial exam
  • Knowledge (written or oral) and skills test – $125
• Retake exam
  • Knowledge (written or oral) and skills test – $125

Out-of-State CNAs under Reciprocity

You can be granted reciprocity provided that you…

• Meet the conditions listed in Section 333.21913 of the Michigan Public Health Code
• Have an active status and are in good standing in another state’s NAR
• Have passed training and competency evaluation in any of the states listed below

 

If this is you, then you can submit the following to D&SDT-Headmaster:

• Duly accomplished Out-of-State Reciprocity Form
• Processing fee of $20

Once they approve your application, you’ll be placed in Michigan’s NAR.

They will then provide you with your TMU login credentials so you can verify your registry listing.

Note: If you don’t belong to any of the states above, you’re not eligible for reciprocity.

Potential Salary

Michigan CNAs can enjoy sufficient and stable income.

Right now, you can expect to receive an average salary of $31,713 a year.

In the table below, you’ll find the salary information in the different cities of the state.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

CNA Schools by City

• Ann Arbor3 Schools
• Detroit3 Schools
• Grand Rapids2 Schools