Minnesota CNA Registry: Verify a Certification
Minnesota CNAs are verified through the Nursing Assistant Registry maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health, and the official lookup is linked on this page. Anyone can search the registry by name to confirm whether a nurse aide is certified and in good standing. Federal law requires nursing facilities and home health agencies to check this registry before hiring an aide, so employers in those settings cannot skip this step. If you need to reach the registry directly, use the contact information posted on the Department of Health's site rather than a general facility phone line. This page links to the current lookup tool so you can check a name in a few minutes.
How to verify in three steps
- 1
Open the official lookup
Use the Minnesota 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.
Minnesota registry at a glance
| Run by | Minnesota Department of Health |
| Renewal cycle | Every 24 months (federal baseline) |
| Training required | 75 hours (16 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)
A registry check is not a criminal background check.
29,120
CNAs working in Minnesota
$46,680
Median pay per year ($22.44/hr)
$42,260
National median
75 hrs
Required training (16 clinical)
CNA median pay in Minnesota, 2015 to 2025
$27,850 in 2015 to $46,680 in 2025 (BLS OES).
Wages and employment: BLS OES, May 2025.
What you need for a lookup
To run a lookup you need the aide's full name; having a date of birth on hand helps narrow results if the name is common. A search shows the person's certification status, such as whether they are currently listed as an active nurse aide. The registry also records substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property, and a person 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 Minnesota
A Minnesota CNA certification follows the federal baseline of a 24-month renewal cycle. Under federal rules, certification lapses if an aide goes 24 months without performing paid nursing-related services, and once it lapses the aide typically has to retest rather than simply renew. Aides moving to Minnesota from another state also go through the registry, since Minnesota checks incoming certifications through reciprocity or endorsement rather than automatically accepting another state's listing. Because exact renewal and transfer steps are handled directly by the registry, contact the Minnesota Department of Health through the registry site for your specific situation.
CNA work in Minnesota, by the numbers
About 29,120 nursing assistants work in Minnesota, earning a median of $46,680 a year, or $22.44 an hour, according to BLS May 2025 figures. That's roughly $4,420 above the national median of $42,260 for the same occupation. Minnesota pay has climbed sharply over the past decade, up about 67.6% from a median of $27,850 in 2015. To become a CNA in Minnesota, candidates complete the federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised clinical practice; the state approves specific curricula that meet this floor rather than requiring extra hours beyond it. Nationally, the occupation is projected to add 196,200 job openings a year through 2035, a modest 2.6% overall growth rate, reflecting steady demand for aides even as the field matures.
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 Minnesota?
Use the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry, operated by the Minnesota Department of Health and linked on this page. Enter the aide's full name to search; a date of birth can help if the name is common. The result shows the person's certification status, such as whether they are listed as an active nurse aide in the state.
I passed my CNA exam. How long until I appear on the registry?
You're added to the registry after your exam results and required paperwork are processed by the Minnesota Department of Health. Processing time isn't fixed and can vary from one applicant to the next. If a reasonable amount of time has passed and you still don't see your name, contact the registry directly through its website rather than assuming something went wrong.
What if I search and can't find someone?
A name you can't find isn't proof that someone isn't certified. Try variations first, such as a maiden name, a hyphenated last name, or a different middle initial, since registry searches match on exact spelling. If you still can't locate the person after trying variants, confirm their status directly with the registry rather than relying on the search alone.
How often does a Minnesota CNA certification need to be renewed?
Every 24 months, under the federal baseline that applies to nurse aide certification nationwide. Certification can lapse if an aide goes without qualifying paid nursing work during that period. For Minnesota's specific renewal requirements and deadlines, check with the registry directly rather than assuming the federal cycle covers every detail.
How many hours of training does a CNA need in Minnesota?
75 hours total, including 16 hours of supervised clinical practice, which is the federal minimum that applies nationwide. Minnesota does not require additional hours beyond this floor; instead, the Department of Health approves specific training curricula that meet the 75-hour requirement. Programs must be state-approved for graduates to test and appear on the registry.
How do I update my name or address on the registry?
Contact the Minnesota Department of Health through the registry's website, since it holds your certification record and handles updates. Name and address changes are routine, but the exact steps and any documentation needed are set by the registry, not standardized nationally. Reach out directly rather than guessing at the process.