CNA Training in Maine
Maine requires at least 130 hours of approved CNA training, well above the federal minimum, and many programs run 180 hours. The Maine State Board of Nursing sets the curriculum, and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) runs the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers.
Getting on the registry is free; federal law bars Maine from charging a listing fee. Below you'll find each step, pay, ways to train free, and adult education and college programs statewide.
Training
130+ Hours
Median Pay
$22.63/hr
Exam Cost
$45 to $145
Want to work in clients' homes? See what it takes to become a home health aide in Maine.
Maine home health aide →The 4 Steps to Certification in Maine
Pick a State-Approved Program
Programs follow the Maine State Board of Nursing curriculum. Your options:
- Adult education: most Maine CNA classes run through local adult and community education programs.
- Community colleges: including Central Maine Community College.
- Nursing facilities: many train people they hire, and they can't charge you for it.
Complete at Least 130 Hours
Maine requires classroom, lab, and clinical training.
You must finish training and pass the Maine CNA competency test within the last 2 years to apply for the registry.
Pass the Maine CNA Test
The state competency test has a written part and a skills part. Ask your program how and where you will test.
| Testing fee (varies by program) | About $45 to $145 |
| Registry listing | Free |
| Renewal | Free |
Stay Active
Renew your registry listing every 24 months.
- Submit a renewal form with the current CNA Employment Verification Form. Older versions are not accepted.
- Watch for the reminder the registry mails it 45 to 60 days before your listing expires.
- Keep up in-service hours nursing facilities must give CNAs at least 12 hours of in-service education each year.
💰 How to Get CNA Training Free in Maine
Get hired first, or get help paying.
Nursing Facility Training
✨ Free When You're HiredAdult Education Programs
✨ Low-Cost Local ClassesCareerCenters (WIOA)
✨ Grant-Funded, If You QualifyMaine CNA Pay by Area
Maine CNAs earn about $2.31 an hour more than the national median.
| Area | Median Hourly | Median Annual | CNAs Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (statewide) | $22.63 | $47,070 | 8,540 |
| United States (national) | $20.32 | $42,260 | 1,505,900 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nursing Assistants (31-1131). Medians exclude overtime and shift differentials.
What It Costs to Get Certified
Adult education programs keep costs low, and nursing facilities can cover them.
About $500 to $2,300
Based on Maine JobLink program listings. Free through a nursing facility that employs you.
About $45 to $145
Set by each program, based on Maine JobLink listings.
Free
Federal law bars a fee to be listed.
Free
Every 24 months, with the employment verification form.
Moving to Maine?
If you're a CNA in another state, you can apply to be listed on the Maine registry.
Active CNA in Another State
You must be current, active, and in good standing on at least one other state's registry. Apply online, or send the PDF application with your photo ID and verification from every state where you've been certified.
Lapsed or Never Tested
If you're not active in any state, expect to train and test in Maine.
Questions? Call
(207) 287-3707
Maine DHHS (CNA Registry by email below)
CNA Schools in Maine
CNA training programs on the Maine JobLink eligible training provider list: adult education programs and a community college. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by county.
| Program | City | County | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta Adult & Community Education33 Union Street, Suite 2, Augusta, ME 04330 | Augusta | Kennebec | (207) 626-2470 |
| Biddeford Adult Education189 Alfred St, Biddeford, ME 04005 | Biddeford | York | (207) 282-3883 |
| Central Lincoln County Adult Education767 Main St., Suite 4, Damariscotta, ME 04543 | Damariscotta | Lincoln | (207) 563-2811 |
| Central Maine Community College1250 Turner St, Auburn, ME 04210 | Auburn | Androscoggin | (207) 755-5370 |
| Franklin County Adult and Community Education129 Seamon Road, Suite 1-A, Farmington, ME 04938 | Farmington | Franklin | (207) 778-3460 |
| Gray-New Gloucester Adult & Community Education10 Libby Hill Road, Gray, ME 04039 | Gray | Cumberland | (207) 657-9612 |
| Lewiston Adult Education156 East Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240 | Lewiston | Androscoggin | Call school |
| Merrymeeting Adult Education35 Republic Avenue, Topsham, ME 04086 | Topsham | Sagadahoc | (207) 729-7323 |
| Mid-Coast School of Technology Adult Education1 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841 | Rockland | Knox | (207) 596-7752 |
| MSAD #1 Adult and Community Education79 Blake Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769 | Presque Isle | Aroostook | (207) 764-4776 |
| Oxford Hills / Nezinscot Adult Education1570 Main Street, Suite 6, Oxford, ME 04281 | Oxford | Oxford | (207) 743-8842 |
| Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative (PVAEC)8 Moosehead Lane, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 | Dover-Foxcroft | Piscataquis | (207) 564-6525 |
| Portland Adult Education14 Locust Street, Portland, ME 04101 | Portland | Cumberland | (207) 874-8155 |
| Region 9 Adult Education377 River Road, Mexico, ME 04257 | Mexico | Oxford | (207) 364-2012 |
| Riverside Adult Education14 Goodridge Drive, Orono, ME 04473 | Orono | Penobscot | (207) 866-4119 |
| RSU 24 Adult Education1888 US Highway 1, Sullivan, ME 04664 | Sullivan | Hancock | (207) 422-4794 |
| RSU 29/MSAD 70 Houlton Hodgdon Adult & Community Education56 Military Street, Houlton, ME 04730 | Houlton | Aroostook | (207) 538-3191 |
| RSU 54 Adult & Community Education61 Academy Circle, Skowhegan, ME 04976 | Skowhegan | Somerset | (207) 474-7553 |
| RSU 73 Spruce Mountain Adult Education9 Cedar St, Livermore Falls, ME 04254 | Livermore Falls | Androscoggin | (207) 897-6406 |
| Sanford Community Adult Education668 Main Street, Sanford, ME 04073 | Sanford | York | (207) 490-5145 |
| Scarborough Adult Learning Center11 Municipal Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074 | Scarborough | Cumberland | (207) 730-5045 |
| Valley Unified Continuing Education (Madawaska & Fort Kent)84 Pleasant Street, Fort Kent, ME 04739 | Fort Kent | Aroostook | (207) 834-3536 |
| Washington County Adult and Community Education19 Main Street, Machias, ME 04654 | Machias | Washington | (207) 255-4917 |
| Westbrook Adult Education125 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook, ME 04092 | Westbrook | Cumberland | (207) 854-0826 |
| York Adult and Community Education286 Long Sands Road, York, ME 03909 | York | York | (207) 363-7922 |
No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All counties."
Source: Maine JobLink, eligible training provider list, Certified Nursing Assistant programs (October 2026). Maine does not publish a statewide list of approved CNA programs, so facility-run programs are not shown. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.
Maine CNA Questions, Answered
Who oversees CNAs in Maine?
The Maine State Board of Nursing sets the CNA curriculum, and DHHS, Division of Licensing and Certification, runs the CNA Registry.
How long is CNA training in Maine?
At least 130 hours. Many programs run 180 hours.
Does it cost money to get on the Maine CNA registry?
No. Federal law bars Maine from charging a fee to be listed or to renew.
Can I work as a CNA before I am on the registry?
No, you must be listed as active. Nursing facilities can hire CNAs granted reciprocity, or deemed competent under Board rules, for up to four months before listing.
Can I get CNA training for free in Maine?
Yes. A nursing facility can't charge you if it employs you or has offered you a job before training. Maine CareerCenters can also help pay if you qualify.
How do I renew my CNA listing in Maine?
Every 24 months, submit a renewal form with the current CNA Employment Verification Form.
Sources
- Maine DHHS: CNA Registry
- Maine DHHS: CNA Registry Frequently Asked Questions
- Maine State Board of Nursing: CNA Information
- Maine JobLink: Eligible Training Programs
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
Last verified: October 2026. Maine does not publish a statewide list of CNA programs. Program, cost, and testing details come from the Maine JobLink eligible training provider list. See something out of date? Report a correction.