The healthcare industry in Massachusetts is growing and it can provide stable jobs for people looking to join the field as a CNA. If you are a high school graduate in Massachusetts you can get a certification as a Nursing Assistant. A CNA program in Massachusetts can be completed in a matter of weeks, and once completed, you will be eligible to work in hospitals, nursing homes, and a wide range of other healthcare institutions. CNAs in Massachusetts can make up to $48,880 per year. We have programs listed here in Massachusetts from Boston to Providence.
Who is the Regulatory Body for CNAs in Massachusetts?
The Nurse Aide Registry Program is the governing body that oversees all aspects of licensing and registration for CNAs in Massachusetts.
Who Administers the CNA Exam in Massachusetts?
The Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation in Massachusetts is administered by either the Nurse Aide Registry Program or the Red Cross Institute. Our CNA practice tests are a free way to help you prepare for the CNA multiple-choice exam. Take all of our tests by clicking on the following buttons.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
How Do I Become a CNA in Massachusetts?
As with most professions in the healthcare industry, CNAs have to meet some requirements before providing care. So what are the Massachusetts State Requirements for CNAs?
In Massachusetts, candidates are eligible to take nurse aide tests by completing a state-approved CNA program. Candidates must complete 100 hours of minimum coursework in their CNA classes. Within this, candidates must complete 60 hours of classroom learning and 40 hours of clinical/externship classes.
The 40 hours of clinical work typically involves hands-on skills, such as bedpan processes, patient daily activities, grooming, vital signs, and patient communication. The length of CNA programs varies from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the program.
How much do CNA classes cost in Massachusetts?
Typical costs are broad in range, but average between $850 and $2000, depending on the program. CNA programs are available across the state at Braintree, Easton, Worcester, Leominster, Lawrence, Springfield, and Peabody. Before enrolling in CNA classes you’ll typicall be required to attend an orientation session, pass a criminal background check, complete a physical, pass a tuberculosis test, and pass a reading and math assessment. You may also have the option to present your high school diploma or GED certificate to bypass the reading and math assessment.
Once the NACE is passed, CNAs have their name listed on the statewide Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry. Once listed, nurse aides in Massachusetts must renew their registration every two years.
Massachusetts CNA Exam Details
The CNA exam in Massachusetts is called the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation. The NACE is administered by the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry Program and the Red Cross Institute. It has two parts, a 60-question multiple-choice test, and a clinical skills exam. The clinical skills exam requires that the candidate bring an “actor” to conduct skills on. The actor must be over 18 years of age and not be taking the CNA test within the next 6 months. More information on the test can be found in the Red Cross Nursing Aide Testing Candidate FAQ guide here.
How Much Does the Massachusetts CNA Exam Cost?
You can take the written and skills portion of the Massachusetts CNA exam as a package deal for $100. If you’d prefer to take an oral exam in place of a written exam, you can do that for $50. Otherwise, the individual components of the tests are priced as follows:
- Written exam: $40
- Skills exam: $60
Where Can I Take the CNA Exam in Massachusetts?
You can set up a testing date, time, and location through either the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry Program or the state’s Red Cross. Contact information for both providers can be found below:
Nurse Aide Registry Program
67 Forest St.
Marlborough, MA 01752
(617) 753-8000
Red Cross Locations
Braintree
140 Wood Rd.
Braintree MA 01284
Easton
16 Belmont St.
Easton MA 02375
(781) 364-6249
Lawrence
60 Island St.
Lawrence MA 01840
Peabody
85 Lowell St.
Peabody MA 01968
(978) 482-5395
Worcester
2000 Century Dr.
Worcester MA 01606
Springfield
150 Brookdale Ave.
Springfield MA 01104
Gardner
34 Pearly Lane
Gardner, MA 01440
(508) 595-3715
How Much Does a CNA Get Paid in Massachusetts?
The average CNA salary in Massachusetts is $41,390 with an average hourly wage of $19.90, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics May 2022 data.
Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry
The following link will take you to the website where you can review the state’s status for a CNA – Massachusetts CNA Registry Status.
Find Free CNA Classes in Massachusetts
If you’re looking for free CNA courses near you in Massachusetts, the following accredited facilities offer free CNA classes. If you have specific questions about the program, how to get free classes, or class schedules, please use their contact information or website to learn more. We also have a page dedicated specifically to CNA classes in Boston if you’re looking for local programs there.
| CNA Free Class Locations | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation – Country Estates | Agawam, MA 01001-2933 | (413) 789-2200 |
| Belmont Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Belmont, MA 02478 | (617) 489-1200 |
| Westover Job Corps Center | Chicopee, MA 01022 | (413) 593-4000 |
| Shriver Job Corps Center | Devens, MA 01434-5106 | (978) 784-2600 |
| Bristol Community College | Fall River, MA 02720 | 508-678-2811 |
| North Shore Community College | Lynn, MA 01901 | 781-593-6722 |
| Hannah B. G. Shaw Home | Middleboro, MA 02346 | (508) 947-0332 |
| Grafton Job Corps Center | North Grafton, MA 01536 | (508) 887-7300 |
| University of Massachusetts | Plymouth, MA 02360 | 508-747-6064 |
| Project Hope | Roxbury, MA 02119 | (617) 442-1880 |
| Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Gloucester, MA 01930-4832 | (978) 283-0300 |
More CNA Classes in Massachusetts
If the above locations offering CNA classes are not a good match for you or your schedule, there are many other tuition-based programs that can help you earn your CNA certification in Massachusetts, which we have listed below. To find even more classes you can find an additional list of CNA classes in Massachusetts here.
| Location | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| International Health Care Training and Services, LLC | Attleboro, MA 02703 | (508) 222-8710 |
| Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District | Billerica, MA 01821 | (978) 667-2111 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston, MA 02129-2925 | (617) 228-2000 |
| Bourne Manor Extended Care Facility | Bourne, MA 02532 | (508) 759-8880 |
| Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School | Bourne, MA 02532 | (508) 759-7711 |
| Pleasant Bay Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Brewster, MA 02631 | (508) 240-3500 |
| Brockton Public Schools | Brockton, MA 02301 | (508) 580-7000 |
| Rindge School of Technical Arts | Cambridge, MA 02318 | (617) 349-6630 |
| Blue Hills Regional Technical School | Canton, MA 02021 | (781) 828-5800 |
| Westover Job Corps Center | Chicopee, MA 01022 | (413) 593-4000 |
| North Shore Community College | Danvers, MA 01923 | (978) 762-4000 |
| PJB Medical Career Center | Dedham, MA 02026 | (781) 326-3509 |
| Shriver Job Corps Center | Devens, MA 01434-5106 | (978) 784-2600 |
| Coastal Career Academy | Fall River, MA 02721 | (508) 536-5366 |
| Health Care Training Services | Fall River, MA 02723 | (508) 672-6800 |
| Royal Falmouth Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Falmouth, MA 02540 | (508) 548-3800 |
| Tantasqua Regional High School | Fiskdale, MA 01518 | (508) 347-9301 |
| Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School | Fitchburg, MA 01420 | (978) 345-9200 |
| Saint Patrick’s Manor | Framingham, MA 01701 | (508) 879-8000 |
| Metrowest Healthcare Academy | Framingham, MA 01702 | (508) 872-5973 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner, MA 01440 | (978) 632-6600 |
| Aurum | Gloucester, MA 01930 | (978) 282-9951 |
| Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility | Greenfield, MA 01301 | (413) 774-3724 |
| The Royal at Harwich Village | Harwich, MA 02645 | (508) 430-7067 |
| Cape Cod Regional Technical High School | Harwich, MA 02645 | (508) 432-4500 |
| Holyoke Community College | Holyoke, MA 01040 | (413) 538-7000 |
| CNS Academy for Healthcare Professionals, Inc. | Holyoke, MA 01040 | (413) 998-3176 |
| Cape Cod Healthcare | Hyannis, MA 02601 | (508) 771-1800 |
| Linda Manor Extended Care Facility | Leeds, MA 01053 | (413) 586-7700 |
| Minuteman High School | Lexington, MA 02421 | (781) 861-6500 |
| Middlesex Community College | Lowell, MA 01852 | (978) 656-3009 |
| Commonwealth Nursing Services | Lowell, MA 01852 | (978) 459-7771 |
| Seraphic Springs Health Care Agency, Inc. | Lynn, MA 01904 | (781) 780-6515 |
| Lynn Vocational Technical Institute | Lynn, MA 01905 | (781) 593-1680 |
| Medford Public Schools | Medford, MA 02155 | (781) 393-2387 |
| Training Resources of America, Inc. | New Bedford, MA 02740 | (508) 984-7419 |
| New Bedford High School | New Bedford, MA 02740 | (508) 997-4511 |
| Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School | New Bedford, MA 02745 | (508) 998-3321 |
| Life Stream, Inc. | New Bedford, MA 02746 | (508) 993-1991 |
| Grafton Job Corps Center | North Grafton, MA 01536 | (508) 887-7300 |
| Welch Healthcare & Retirement Group | Norwell, MA 02061 | (781) 878-6700 |
| Windemere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 | (508) 696-6465 |
| Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School | Palmer, MA 01069 | (413) 283-9701 |
| Boston Allied Health Training Center | Park, MA 02136 | (617) 333-0195 |
| Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Pittsfield, MA 01201 | (413) 445-2300 |
| Plymouth Public Schools | Plymouth, MA 02360 | (508) 830-4300 |
| Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School | Rochester, MA 02770 | (508) 763-8011 |
| Roxbury Community College | Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120 | (617) 427-0060 |
| Madison Park Technical Vocational High School | Roxbury, MA 02120 | (617) 635-8970 |
| Sommerville High School | Somerville, MA 02143 | (617) 625-6600 |
| Notre Dame Education Center | South Boston, MA 02127 | (617) 268-1912 |
| Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School | South Easton, MA 02375 | (508) 230-1200 |
| Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield, MA 01102-9000 | (413) 781-7822 |
| Massachusetts Career Development Institute, Inc. | Springfield, MA 01109 | (413) 781-5640 |
| Advantage Home Health Care Services | Stoughton, MA 02072 | (781) 436-5071 |
| Franklin County Technical School | Turners Falls, MA 01376 | (413) 863-9561 |
| Greater Lowell Technical High School | Tyngsboro, MA 01879 | (978) 454-5411 |
| Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School | Upton, MA 01568 | (508) 529-7758 |
| Northeast Metro Tech | Wakefield, MA 01880 | (781) 246-0810 |
| Epoch Senior Living Home | Waltham, MA 02453 | (781) 891-0777 |
| MassBay Community College | Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 | (781) 239-3000 |
| Westfield Vocational Technical High School | Westfield, MA 01085 | (413) 572-6533 |
| Nashoba Valley Technical School District | Westford, MA 01886 | (978) 692-4711 |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester, MA 01606 | (508) 853-2300 |
| 3 Dimensions Health Services | Worcester, MA 01609 | (508) 799-9786 |