CNA Classes in Mississippi (Top Schools)

The Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) oversees the regulations for Certified Nurse CNAs.

For you to become a CNA, you must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program (NATP)
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam

Taking on a CNA Training Program in Mississippi

The first step toward becoming a CNA is to enroll in a state-approved NATP.

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

In the program, you’ll spend a minimum of 75 hours of training, with at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice.

After the training competition, if you want, you can work in nursing facilities, valid only for 120 days.

During that time, you must successfully complete the NNAAP exam to continue working.

On another note, the list below shows some of the approved NATPs that you can check out.

For a complete and updated list, email MSDH Nurse Aide Office at antanikah.robbins@msdh.ms.gov.

Evaluating a CNA Candidate

Now that you’ve completed NATP, you can now sit for the state’s NNAAP exam, which is administered by Credentia.

This exam assesses your nurse aide knowledge and skills to ensure you…

• Understand the responsibilities attached to this profession
• Can safely perform those responsibilities

In the succeeding sections, you’ll learn who can take the exam and important exam details.

CNA Candidates Eligible for the NNAAP Exam

MSDH only allows certain CNA candidates to take the NNAAP exam.

Read on to see if you belong to any of these eligibility routes.

Nurse Aides Trained in MS Non-Facility-Based and Proprietary Schools and Colleges

You have completed the MS-approved NATP.

As such, you need to submit the following to take the NNAAP exam:

• Duly accomplished exam application
• Exam fees
• Proof of training, either:
  • A copy of your NATP Certificate of Completion
  • Original letter on letterhead from your NATP instructor, director, or administrator

Note that you only have 24 months from the date of training completion to take and pass the exam.

Nurse Aides Trained in MS Facility-Based (Nursing Homes)

You have completed the MS-approved NATP at a nursing home.

To apply for the exam, you must submit the following:

• Duly accomplished exam application
• Exam fees
• Proof of training, either:
  • A copy of your NATP Certificate of Completion
  • Original letter on letterhead from your NATP instructor, director, or administrator

You only have 120 days from the first day of employment to take and pass the exam.

Nursing Students

You’re an RN or LPN student who has completed the nursing fundamentals course in the past 24 months.

Before you can apply for the exam, you must first obtain approval to test (ATT) from MSDH.

If you’re approved, you must submit the following:

• Duly accomplished exam application, with your instructor’s signature
• Exam fees
• A copy of your training completion certificate

Nursing Graduates

You have graduated from an MS-approved RN or LPN program in the past 24 months.

To apply for the exam, you must submit the following:

• Duly accomplished exam application
• Exam fees
• A copy of either:
  • RN or LPN training completion certificate diploma
  • Certificate to be eligible to take the NNAAP exam

Reciprocity Candidates

Please see CNA Certification through Reciprocity below.

Out-of-State or Foreign RN or LPN

You have completed an RN or LPN program outside of Mississippi or the U.S.

To apply for the exam, you must submit the following:

• Duly accomplished exam application signed by MSDH Bureau of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification
• Exam fees

Lapsed Nurse Aides

You’re a CNA from any state with a lapsed certification, and so, you must retest.

To apply for the exam, you must submit the following:

• Duly accomplished examination application
• Exam fees

You only have one chance to pass the exam.

If you fail, then you need to retrain in NATP and retake the exam as a new nurse aide.

Challenger: CNA with Revoked Certification Due to Neglect

You’re a CNA whose certification has been revoked for at least 12 months due to Neglect.

You can become active on the MS Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) again by:

• Petitioning to have the revoke removed as long as no other findings of neglect are found
• Challenging the NNAAP exam

Because of this special circumstance, MSDH will review your application for an ATT.

As a challenger, you’re given two chances.

If in the first chance you fail either the written/oral or skills test…

• Your Petition for Removal of Neglect won’t be reviewed
• NAR will deny you any consideration for the removal

You’re only given a second chance if the findings of neglect remain the same after one year from the date of your first failed exam.

If you still fail, you can no longer apply for a challenge and your petition will be dismissed.

The Mississippi NNAAP Exam

The NNAAP exam has two parts: a written/oral test and a skills test.

You must pass both tests to receive certification and be listed in NAR.

Here are the things you should know about each test:

Written/Oral Test

• It consists of 70 multiple-choice questions in English.
• You have two hours to complete the test.
• An oral test is available upon request.
• The oral test has two parts:
  • Part I – 60 knowledge questions
  • Part II – 10 reading comprehension questions
• Questions in the oral test are read twice for Part I and thrice for Part II.

Skills Test

• You’ll demonstrate five nurse aide skills to be completed in 30 minutes.
• A Nurse Aide Evaluator will rate your performance following a checklist for each skill.
• Your assigned skills are as follows:
  • Skill 1 – Handwashing
  • Skill 2 – A measurement skill
  • Skills 3 to 5 – Randomly selected from the Skills Listings
• Each skill represents a task that’s broken into a series of steps, some of which are critical steps.
• All critical steps must be correctly performed to pass a skill.

Exam Results

Shortly after the testing event, you’ll receive an email notification that your exam results have been posted on your CNA365 account.

If you pass both tests, you’ll be added to NAR and issued a CNA certificate, which is valid for 24 months from the issue date.

But if you fail, you have to retake the test/s you didn’t pass.

You can refer to the retesting instructions included on your score report on how to apply and schedule for a retest.

Do note that you only have three attempts within the eligibility period to successfully complete the NNAAP exam.

Otherwise, you’ll have to retrain in NATP to retake the exam.

Exam Fees

You or your employer will pay the following exam fees, whether it’s your initial exam or a retest:

• Written test – $32
• Oral test – $32
• Skills test – $69
• Reciprocity – $26
• Recertification – $26

CNA Certification through Reciprocity

If you’re an out-of-state CNA, you can apply for reciprocity provided that, in another state’s NAR, you…

• Have completed OBRA training and competency evaluation requirements
• Have an active listing
• Are currently in good standing

To apply, you must submit the following online through your CNA365 account:

• Reciprocity Application
• Proof of employment, either:
  • W-2 Form
  • Paystub
• Application fee of $26

It will take Credentia at least 30 days to process your application and verify your registry.

If accepted, you’ll be listed on Mississippi’s NAR.

But if denied, you’ll have to take and pass the NNAAP exam.

Note that you only have one chance to pass the exam.

If you fail either of the tests, you’ll have to train in an MS-approved NATP to retake the exam.

Should the reason for denial stem from negative findings, then you’re not eligible for an MS certification.

Potential Salary

Being a CNA can bring you a stable income that can support your lifestyle.

Right now, you can expect to receive an average annual salary of $27,568 as a Mississippi CNA.

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

Regional Salary

CNA Schools by City

• Jackson3 Schools