Maryland CNA Registry: Verify a Certification
Verify a Maryland CNA through the Maryland Board of Nursing, which operates the state's nurse aide registry; the official lookup is linked on this page. The Board maintains the registry and updates it daily, showing each aide's current certification status. Federal law requires nursing facilities and home health agencies to check this registry before hiring anyone as a nurse aide, and periodically afterward. Other employers often check it too, since it's the most direct way to confirm someone holds an active Maryland CNA certification. For anything the lookup doesn't answer, call the Maryland Board of Nursing directly at (410) 767-6500.
Official Maryland lookup
Run by Maryland Board of Nursing.
(410) 767-6500
Official link checked 2026-09-01
How to verify in three steps
- 1
Open the official lookup
Use the Maryland lookup linked above. It is free and public.
- 2
Search by name
Enter the aide’s full legal name. If you have it, a certification number narrows the result fastest; some states also ask for city or date of birth.
- 3
Read the status
An active status means the certification is current. Also check for any substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation, which bars employment as an aide.
Maryland registry at a glance
| Run by | Maryland Board of Nursing |
| Phone | (410) 767-6500 |
| Renewal cycle | Every 24 months (federal baseline) |
| Training required | 100 hours (40 clinical) |
| Federal minimum | 75 hours (16 clinical) |
What the lookup shows
- ✓Certification status (active, expired, or inactive)
- ✓Certification details on file with the registry
- ✓Any substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation (bars employment as an aide)
Maryland note: CHART lookup, updated daily
A registry check is not a criminal background check.
27,720
CNAs working in Maryland
$43,240
Median pay per year ($20.79/hr)
$42,260
National median
100 hrs
Required training (40 clinical)
CNA median pay in Maryland, 2015 to 2025
$28,010 in 2015 to $43,240 in 2025 (BLS OES).
Wages and employment: BLS OES, May 2025.
What you need for a lookup
A search typically needs the CNA's full legal name, and results are more reliable with a date of birth or certification number if you have one. The lookup returns certification status, such as active, expired, or lapsed, along with basic certification details. The registry also records substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property; anyone with such a finding cannot be employed as a nurse aide. It is not a full employment or criminal background check.
Renewal, lapses, and moving to Maryland
Maryland CNA certification follows the federal baseline: it must be renewed every 24 months. Under federal rules, certification lapses if an aide goes 24 months without paid nursing-related work, and a lapsed certification usually means retesting to get certified again. Maryland's registry records renewal and reinstatement, so the status shown in the lookup reflects an aide's current standing. Aides certified elsewhere and moving to Maryland go through the registry's reciprocity or endorsement process rather than starting training over. Exact renewal deadlines and reciprocity requirements are set by the Board of Nursing, so call (410) 767-6500 or check the registry page for specifics.
CNA work in Maryland, by the numbers
Maryland employed about 27,720 nursing assistants as of BLS May 2025 figures, earning a median of $43,240 a year, or $20.79 an hour. That's roughly $980 above the national median CNA salary of $42,260. Maryland pay has climbed sharply over the past decade, up about 54.4% from a median of $28,010 in 2015. Maryland also trains its aides beyond the federal floor: the state requires 100 hours of instruction, including 40 clinical hours, compared with the federal minimum of 75 hours with at least 16 supervised practical hours. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 196,200 annual CNA job openings through 2035, with modest overall employment growth of 2.6%, so the demand for certified aides remains steady in Maryland and elsewhere.
Verifying an aide certified in a different state? Every state runs its own registry: find the right one in the state directory.
Common questions
How do I look up a CNA license in Maryland?
Use the Maryland Board of Nursing's CHART lookup, linked on this page, which is updated daily. Enter the CNA's name and, if you have it, a certification number or date of birth to narrow the results. The lookup shows current certification status. If you run into trouble or need to confirm a result, call the Board of Nursing at (410) 767-6500.
I passed my CNA exam. How long until I appear on the registry?
You're added to the registry after your exam results and paperwork are fully processed by the Maryland Board of Nursing, and how long that takes can vary. If a reasonable amount of time has passed and you still don't see your name, don't assume something is wrong; call the Board directly at (410) 767-6500 to check on your status.
What if I search and can't find someone?
A missing result isn't proof someone lacks certification, so try searching name variants first, such as a maiden name, hyphenated last name, or a different middle initial. Spelling differences and name changes are common reasons a search comes up empty. If you still can't find the person after trying variants, call the Board of Nursing at (410) 767-6500 to confirm their status directly.
How often does a Maryland CNA certification need to be renewed?
Every 24 months, which is the federal renewal cycle that applies to nurse aide certification nationwide, including Maryland. Certification can lapse if an aide goes that long without qualifying paid nursing-related work. For Maryland's specific renewal process and deadlines, contact the Board of Nursing at (410) 767-6500 or check the registry page.
How many hours of training does a CNA need in Maryland?
Maryland requires 100 hours of CNA training, including 40 clinical hours, which is well above the federal minimum of 75 hours with at least 16 supervised practical hours. This training must be completed through a Board-approved nurse aide training program before a candidate can sit for the certification exam.
How do I update my name or address on the registry?
Contact the Maryland Board of Nursing directly at (410) 767-6500 to update your name or address on the registry. This is a routine request, but the exact steps and any documentation required, such as proof of a legal name change, are set by the Board, not by this page.