Nurse Aide Registry

Beginning Monday, August 5, nurse aide candidates will resume testing on the Feeding a Dependent Resident task, and should be prepared for it to be included as a required task on the Nurse Aide Skills Test. 

Update

• Feeding a Dependent Resident skill, step 20 — the candidate's calculation must be within 60 mLs of the RN Test Observer. This is a change from the previous 30 mLs. 
• Information about the task and the steps required to perform the task successfully are listed on page 43 of the Minnesota Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook. The handbook will be updated to reflect this skill.  
• Test sites should also review the instructions for sanitizing cups after the Feeding a Dependent Resident skill task that have be posted on the Nurse Aide Registry Testing Information page of the MDH website. 

Please review the Candidate Handbook on the MN Headmaster website for additional information. The website will identify that these documents were updated. These changes will also be noted on the first page of the handbook and will be highlighted in the text for easy identification. 

Contact information 

If you have questions, please contact health.fpc-nar@state.mn.us, 651-215-8705 or 800-397-6124 (toll-free).

The Minnesota Department of Health is adjusting the score required to pass the Nurse Aide Knowledge Test from 76% to 74%. Candidates will need to correctly answer 52 questions (out of a total of 70) in order to receive a passing score.

This change follows a thorough review of the exam process. The adjustment aims to ensure candidates demonstrate minimal competency while upholding the integrity of the Nurse Aide position.

The new passing score goes into effect on August 5. It applies only to future exams and does not affect candidates who have already taken the exam, or who take the exam prior to August 5.

MDH will adjust the schedule of quarterly training program test data reports to reflect the updated requirements and make it easy to review data from before and after the change. Reports will be posted on the Nurse Aide Registry Training Program Test Data page.

• The 2024 Q2 report will include data from April 1 – Aug. 5, where the passing score requirement is 76%. This data should be available end of August. 
• The 2024 Q3 report will include data from Aug. 5 – Sept. 30, where the passing score requirement is 74%. This data should be available mid-October. 

After the 2024 Q3 report is released, we will return to the regular quarterly schedule.

Exciting news! The new and improved Nurse Aide Registry system is available this week. This new system transitions MDH and the nurse aides to a fully digital experience, which streamlines and improves updates and renewals.

Active nurse aides and those endorsing from another state will be able to create an account, upload supporting documents, and submit their application online.

Nurse aides whose certificates are expiring soon must register an account in the new system and apply for a renewal.

Nursing Home and Certified Boarding Care Home facilities’ administrators must register an account to update staff reports real-time (no more semi-annual updates)!

Next Steps

Currently, MDH is no longer accepting paper applications via mail or email. Nurse aides and administrators can register for accounts here: Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. Tutorials for creating your account are available below.

• Nurse Aide Registry Tutorial: Creating Your Account (PDF)
• Nurse Aide Registry Tutorial: Searching the Registry (PDF)
• Nurse Aide Registry Tutorial: Submitting Your Renewal Application (PDF)
• Nurse Aide Registry Tutorial: Facility Renewal for Staff Reporting (PDF)
• Nurse Aide Registry Tutorial: Submitting Your Interstate Endorsement Application (PDF)

Attached is a flyer providers can display at their facilities to help MDH raise awareness among the nurse aides on your staff: New and Improved Nurse Aide Registry Coming Soon! We appreciate your ongoing support.