Maine Nurse Aide Registry

Maine Nurse Aide Registry
Maine Department of Human Services - Division of Licensing & Certification
State House Station #11, 442 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, ME 04330
CNA Registry Phone: (207) 287-9310
CNA Registry Fax: (207) 287-9325
Division of Licensing and Certification Phone: (207) 287-9300
Division of Licensing and Certification Fax: (207) 287-9304

Why does federal law mandate that every state must have a CNA Registry? Each state must maintain a nurse aide registry in order to regulate and oversee the training and qualification credentials of certified nursing assistants. The Maine Nurse Aide Registry performs several important functions including: respond to questions from the public, health care agencies, and certified nurse aides; protect the public by maintaining the abuse registry; providing information for nurse assistants regarding employment, rules and regulations, and eligibility issues. To be listed on the Maine Nurse Aide Registry, you need to complete a Maine-approved CNA training program and pass the state examination for nurse assistants. As of January 2010, all state approved nursing assistant courses in Maine must provide at least 180 hours of training. Prior to hiring, licensed nursing homes and other health care facilities in Maine use the nursing assistant registry to verify if an individual is qualified for employment as a certified nurse aide.

CNA Registries in the United States

Select an area from the map below to find addresses and phone numbers for Nurse Aide Registries in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia as well as links to online nursing assistant registries if available.

Should you know about your state's nursing assistant registry? Absolutely. A state's nurse aide registry serves important functions for any certified nursing assistant as well as for those looking to become certified. An individual who has finished a nursing assistant training program and has passed the state competency exam becomes listed on the CNA registry. Employers check the registry listings to confirm that a potential employee satisfies the training and testing requirements to obtain a nursing assistant job. To work as a certified nursing assistant, your status on the CNA registry must be active, without any charges of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. It is important to update your name and address on the registry. By doing so, your information is current and you are able to receive important documents sent by the registry.

For example, renewal forms are mailed to the address you have provided to the registry. You will not receive the certification renewal forms unless your address on the registry is accurate. One of the most frequent questions we get is how to get a copy of a CNA certificate. The nurse aide registry is in charge of issuing a duplicate of your nurse aide certificate and to obtain a copy you need to contact them. A nursing assistant certificate is typically reprinted when the original has been lost, accidentally destroyed, stolen, or when the individual has changed their name. The nurse aide registry is also the entity in charge of revoking a nursing assistant's certification in cases of neglect, abuse, or misappropriation of a client's property. In such cases, an individual's name is permanently listed on the registry along with the specific findings.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Amanda L. on July 20, 2009 at 07:25 PM
I live in Maine and I have been out of work for a while. Can you tell me where I need to go to recertify my CNA license?

Admin on July 24, 2009 at 08:30 PM
You must recertify if your CNA certification has expired and you wish to return to work as a nurse aide. Has your certification expired for less than five years? If the answer is yes then you must re-take the nurse aide certification exam. When your certificate has been expired for more than five consecutive years, and you wish to re-certify, you need to complete a new nursing assistant course and then pass the state exam.

I have moved from Indiana to Maine and my CNA certification expired in 2007. Do I need to take the Maine certification exam to renew my certification?

Is it possible to enroll in a CNA class without a high school diploma or GED?

How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?

After becoming a CNA how much more experience, training or school has to be done to become a registered nurse?

I am in the military and I do not have too much time to actually attend a regular CNA program. Who offers online CNA classes?

CNA Resources

Being a Successful C.N.A

Besides knowledge and proficiency there are many qualities which define a competent CNA. Our list includes the answers of residents, families, and those of experienced nurse aides who have been in the health care field for an extended period of time. Most of the qualities listed below represent the reasons and motivational factors driving new individuals to become certified nurse aides.

A competent CNA shows support for others, as well as patience, compassion and empathy. To become a good nursing assistant one needs to understand the meaning of being a team player. An effective nursing assistant learns to become a good listener who cares about and understands the needs of the residents, has a helping nature and a positive attitude. Both patients and co-workers appreciate a smile, an upbeat personality, as well as someone who takes pride in their work. A nurse aide job requires good organizational skills, patience, good judgment, and effective communication.

Nurse Aide Registries