Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Michigan! If you have a passion for helping others and want to launch a rewarding healthcare career, you've come to the right place. This blog post will take you through the entire CNA process, from training and certification to landing your dream job in the Great Lakes State. Let's dive in!

In Michigan, the average CNA class costs $1,230 and is five weeks long. The Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam exam costs $125. The average starting salary ranges based on where in the state you are, but it is around $15-21/hour.

What are the requirements to become a CNA in Michigan?

In Michigan, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees the CNA certification process. Here are some things you need to know before enrolling in a training program:

1. There is no minimum age requirement for enrolling in a CNA training program. However, there is a minimum age for working as a CNA, so keep that in mind. Employers in Michigan generally don’t hire CNAs under 18 years old because they need to follow special laws, but some may hire 16 or 17-year-olds.

2. A high school diploma or GED is not required by the state, but some training programs may require it. If you don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you’ll have the most luck enrolling in a vocational school. Community colleges and other technical colleges generally require a high school diploma or GED. 

3. You need a Social Security Card or ITIN (if you are not a US resident). Some schools may also require a TB test, vaccination records, physical, or others.

4. You will need to pass a criminal background check. Felonies and certain misdemeanors in the past five years will disqualify you from enrolling in a training program. You will also need to get fingerprinted.

When you’re ready to start your CNA training, here are the next steps:

• Complete a state-approved CNA training program. Michigan CNA programs are the shortest in the country, requiring only 75 hours of training. As a result, you can complete a training program in as short as two weeks (although most are longer than that, especially CNA training programs at community colleges). Lectures may be done online, but clinicals have to be done in person. As a result, there are no fully online CNA training programs. Any CNA training programs claiming to be online are actually hybrid programs.

• Pass the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (MACE). You must pass the exam within 24 months of completing your training. Otherwise, you will have to retake a training program. As of April 2023, the state exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies. It consists of a multiple-choice section assessing knowledge and a practical skills portion. The knowledge section can be taken either written or orally (if you make an accommodations request).

Where can I find CNA classes in Michigan?

You can search for schools on Dreambound by zip code. Dreambound allows you to compare multiple CNA training programs at once. You’ll be able to see upcoming classes, class schedules, cost, and payment plan options available.

How do I register for a CNA exam? 

Upon finishing your 75-hour CNA training, your institution will either register you for the state exam or you can do so directly through D&S. The Michigan test fee is $125, and retakes also cost the same amount.

For any concerns or rescheduling needs, you may reach out to D&S through the following channels:

Phone: (888) 401-0465

Email: [email protected]

You have a maximum of three attempts to pass the exam. Failing to pass within these attempts requires retaking the CNA course.

How do I prepare for my CNA exam?

There are two sections on the Michigan CNA test: a written/oral knowledge section and a skills test. The knowledge test has 60 questions, and you must get at least 74% correct within 60 minutes. For skills, you’ll be randomly assigned 3-4 tasks to complete within 30 minutes. You must perform all “key” steps and 80% of all “non-key” steps.

Your school will offer you various resources like practice tests and videos to prepare. D&S has also uploaded some practice exams that you can use, like this mock skills test. It's a good idea to watch videos on YouTube to prepare for the skills portion of the exam, but make sure they're specific to Michigan.

How do I get a job as a CNA? 

In Michigan, you can work as a temporary nurse aide in a facility for up to four months, provided you have completed a state-approved nurse aide training program. However, if you fail to pass the CNA exam within four months, you won’t be able to work in the facility any longer.

However, most employers prefer to hire CNAs who have passed the state exam, as they don’t want to take the risk that you fail. You can apply for jobs on popular job boards to look for roles. You can also work at the clinical site that your CNA training program worked with, local hospitals, or staffing agencies. CNAs in Michigan generally don’t have difficulty finding jobs.

Dreambound has an extensive collection of guides that dive deep into how to get started in the field, tailored for various cities. For those based in different locations or planning to move, we recommend exploring our other guides.

• CNA classes near me in Baton Rouge
• CNA classes near me in Harrisburg
• CNA classes near me in New Orleans
• CNA classes near me in Orlando
• CNA classes near me in Toledo

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