CNA Classes in Baltimore, MD

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Baltimore?

Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($115 total through Credentia ($43 written or $43 oral knowledge exam + $72 skills evaluation); Headmaster pricing is set separately for approved Maryland test sites), the application/registry fee ($20 MBON initial CNA/GNA application fee; criminal background check fees of roughly $51-$57), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Maryland typically falls around $500-$2,500 depending on whether training is employer-sponsored, a community college, or a private provider. Note that 2 Baltimore programs offer free training — see the highlighted options above.

How to Become a CNA in Baltimore, MD

1. 1

   Confirm you meet Maryland's eligibility requirements

   The Maryland Board of Nursing requires applicants to be at least 16 years old (most training programs set their own minimum at 17 or 18), able to read and write English, and free of disqualifying criminal history. You will complete a CJIS/FBI criminal background check before certification, and substantiated findings of abuse or neglect on any state registry are permanent disqualifications.

2. 2

   Enroll in an MBON-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP)

   Find a 100-hour nurse aide training program approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. Approved providers include Maryland community colleges, the University of Maryland School of Nursing, many nursing homes, and private schools. The program must include at least 100 hours of instruction with a minimum of 40 hours of clinical practice in a licensed Maryland nursing home.

3. 3

   Complete the 100-hour training and submit your initial application

   Pass all classroom modules and demonstrate the required clinical skills. Submit Maryland Board of Nursing Form for initial CNA/GNA certification with the $20 application fee. Note that effective April 1, 2026 these forms have been updated to reflect the new CNA-I (formerly GNA) and CNA-II (formerly CNA) terminology.

4. 4

   Complete the CJIS/FBI criminal background check

   Submit fingerprints through a CJIS-approved Live Scan vendor for state and FBI background checks. Fees typically run $51-$57. Results are returned to MBON and must clear before your initial certification is issued.

5. 5

   Register and schedule the NNAAP exam through Credentia (or Headmaster)

   Create an account at credentia.com/test-takers/maryland and register for the NNAAP-style competency evaluation. The fee is $105 per attempt and you have up to 4 attempts within 24 months of finishing training. As of late 2024, Headmaster (D&SDT) is also approved by MBON as an additional testing vendor to address scheduling shortages.

6. 6

   Pass both portions of the NNAAP exam to become CNA-I (formerly GNA)

   The written test is 70 multiple-choice questions; the skills test asks you to perform 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills under a nurse aide evaluator's observation. Passing both portions earns you Maryland CNA-I status (formerly called Geriatric Nursing Assistant or GNA), which is required to work in licensed Maryland nursing homes.

7. 7

   Get listed on the Maryland CNA Registry

   Once Credentia (or Headmaster) transmits your passing scores and MBON processes your application and background check, you are added to the Maryland CNA Registry. Verify your status anytime at lookup.mbon.org/verification. You can then work as a CNA-I (or CNA-II if you complete only the CNA path without the NNAAP exam) in approved Maryland facilities.

Becoming a CNA in Maryland

Becoming a nurse aide in Maryland is uniquely structured among U.S. states because the Maryland Board of Nursing operates a two-tier system. Effective April 1, 2026, the state formally redesignated its credentials: what used to be called GNA (Geriatric Nursing Assistant) is now CNA-I, and what used to be called CNA is now CNA-II. CNA-II requires completing a 100-hour MBON-approved training program and registering with the Board, while CNA-I requires the additional step of passing the NNAAP-style competency exam — and CNA-I is the credential you need to work in any licensed Maryland nursing home.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Baltimore