You must register for the test in advance.  Walk-in testing is not available.  If you have not completed an approved training program within the last two years, please refer to the Challenge/Test out Candidate information.  When registering, please note that any exam that says "waitlisted" means that the exam is full.  Please make sure you are signing up for an available (open) exam.  Anyone that is on the exam waitlist will only be contacted if we have an exam opening.

Registration Fees are subject to change, please refer to the testing page for the most updated fees.

Full Test ( both knowledge and skills test) - $225.00

Skills Test - $150.00

Knowledge Test - $115.00

You must pass both parts in order to be certified and listed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.
A Minnesota candidate handbook can be accessed at www.hdmaster.com

Students must have access to TMU in order to test.   https://mn.tmutest.com

ADA/disability accommodation requests for the NA registry test must be submitted with the required documentation and approved by the test vendor Headmaster at least 14 days in advance of your test date.  For ADA questions related to NA testing, please contact Headmaster at 888-401-0462

⇨ View Courses & Register Online

You are eligible to test as a Challenge Candidate if:

1.  You have not completed a MN State approved Nursing Assistant training program within the last two (2) years
2. Your status on the Nursing Assistant Registry ( NAR) is expired

Register for the test date of your choice, after you register, please email Meriem Aman at: meriem.aman@dctc.edu to obtain a Challenge Form.  This form will need to be completed and emailed back to Meriem Aman at least three (3) days prior to your testing date.  We will create an account for you in the TMU testing platform and will schedule you for the test event.

The Knowledge test is administered onsite at Dakota County Technical College in a computer lab setting.  The test consists of seventy (70) questions written in English.  Candidates are allowed a maximum of 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the test.

An Audio Version of the test is available upon request.  You must request an Audio test by enabling audio testing in your TMU account before you schedule your test.

You must have a score of 76% of better to pass the knowledge portion of the exam

Passing scores, testing questions, time allotted to test and number of questions is all subject to change.  Please refer to the MN Nursing Candidate Handbook for the most updated information.  MN Candidate Handbook

The Skills test is administered in the nursing lab at Dakota County Technical College.  Please ensure that you are signing in for the Skills test at the Computer Lab where the Knowledge exam is taking place.  The test consists of randomly selected, MDH-approved nurse aid skills tasks for demonstration by the candidate.  A complete list of skill tasks may be found in the MN Candidate Handbook.

You will be allowed a maximum of thirty (30) minutes to complete all of your tasks.  You will be rated on your performance of these skills by an Evaluator based on the Headmasters criteria

Passing scores, skills tested, and time allotted to test is all subject to change.  Please refer to the MN Candidate Handbook for the most updated information.

• Get a free knowledge test question of the day and a 10-question online practice test at www.hdmaster.com.
• You may also purchase complete practice tests that are randomly generated, based on the state test plan from www.hdmaster.com.
• Watch free NA Skill videos at http://www.healthforceminnesota.org/students/students-nursing-assistant-skills-skill-videos.html (If you are asked to log in, enter Nursing as both the user name and password. N is capitalized in both.)
• Download and review the Minnesota Mock Skills.
• Review the vocabulary words in the Minnesota candidate handbook.

If you do not pass your test, you may retake one or both tests as needed. You may make a total of four (4) knowledge test attempts and a total of three (3) skills test events within 2-years from the date you completed an approved training program or your first testing attempt. Fees apply.

• Knowledge Test - $115
• Skills Test - $150
• Full Test (Knowledge and Skills Tests) - $225

• You do not need to take the Knowledge and Skills tests on the same day.
• ADA accommodation requests must be submitted with required documentation and approved at least 14 days advance of your test date. Refer to the candidate handbook.
• The testing site and testing teams are not responsible for your personal belongings.
• If you fail a test, you will need to register for a new test date and pay again.
• If you are late, do not bring the required mandatory ID, or are otherwise unprepared, you will not be allowed to test and will be considered a no-show. No-shows forfeit their testing fees and must register and pay again for another test date.  You need to arrive at your confirmed test site 20-30 minutes before your exam is scheduled to start. (For example, if your test start time is 8:00 AM, you must be at the test site for check in no later than 7:30 to 7:40 AM).  If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to test and testing fees will be forfeited.
• You must provide one form of ID that meets the following mandatory requirements: US GOVERNMENT-ISSUED, NON-EXPIRED, SIGNED, PHOTO-BEARING ID. Refer to the candidate handbook for examples and exceptions.
• Testing Attire - you must be in full clinical attires (scrubs - shirt/pants or long skirt), no open-toed shoes are allowed and long hair must be pulled back.  NOTE: you will not be admitted for testing if you are not wearing scrubs attire and appropriate shoes.  This is considered a NO SHOW and you will have to pay for another test and date.
• Cell phones, Smart Watches, fitness monitors, electronic recording devices and personal items are not permitted to be on or near you in the testing room.  All electronic devices must be TURNED OFF and removed from your wrist or body.
• If you are unable to access your TMU account, go to https://mn.tmutest.com, click Forgot Password and enter your Email. If you need further assistance, please call Headmaster at 888-401-0462.

Refunds and exam rescheduling must be communicated by e-mail or in person no later than three business days prior to the date of the examination. Refunds will not be issued after that date.

Do not remove yourself from the test event in TMU. You must contact Meriem Aman in order to cancel your registration and get a refund, if applicable.  Meriem Aman can be reached via email at: meriem.aman@dctc.edu

If you are late,  do not bring required mandatory ID and/or do not have the proper testing attire, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TEST AND YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED A “NO-SHOW”. No-shows forfeit their testing fees and must repay to re-register for another test date.

You may contact Headmaster at 888-401-0462 with questions related to TMU, or for any other questions please reach out to Meriem Aman at: meriem.aman@dctc.edu

Yes. We removed the word “Trained” in our course title for clarification purposes. This training fulfills the Minnesota State Statute requirements for a standardized medication administration training program for unlicensed personnel in nursing homes offered through a Minnesota postsecondary educational institution.

This course is open to everyone who wants to learn more about how to safely administer medication.

Most often, people take this course to satisfy the requirements needed to work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility in Minnesota. People also take the course for their own enrichment, to help them in another work-related role, like assisted living, or for guidance in caring for a family member that may need medications administered.

If the course is being taken to fulfill a work requirement, it is recommended that a person works as a certified nursing assistant for six months before taking this course and be at least 18 years of age. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home.

Please note: To work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility, a person must have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health before enrollment in a trained medication aide program.

The skilled nursing facility that employs the medication aide is responsible for documenting the completion of an approved nursing assistant training program and completion of the medication aide training.

If you question your eligibility or the eligibility of your employees, please read the Minnesota State Statute requirements.

Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home.

To work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility, a person must have completed a nursing assistant training program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health before enrollment in a trained medication aide program. The skilled nursing facility that employs the medication aide is responsible for documenting the completion of an approved nursing assistant training program and completion of the medication aide training.

If the course is being taken to fulfill a work requirement, it is also recommended that a person works as a certified nursing assistant for six months before taking this course and be at least 18 years of age.

Yes, they must take this class if they want to use this class to meet the requirements to work as a medication aide in a skilled nursing facility in Minnesota. This is true even if someone was trained as a trained medication aide in another state. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility or the eligibility of your employees, please read the Minnesota State Statute requirements.

No, this is not like the nursing assistant registry test. The state statute requires that a person takes (and passes) the training that meets the state statute’s requirements. A challenge test is not an option.

Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility or the eligibility of your employees, please read the Minnesota State Statute requirements.

No, there is not a test-out option in Minnesota, even if you have completed a similar training in another state or country. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility or the eligibility of your employees, please read the Minnesota State Statute requirements.

Taking and passing this course does not result in a certification, therefore there is no recertification. Upon successful completion, students earn a certificate of completion, which is different than a certification. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility or the eligibility of your employees, please read the Minnesota State Statute requirements.

There is no expiration date on the certificate of completion. Once a person has taken the class, they don’t need to retake the class – unless, of course, they lose their certificate of completion which may be needed for work purposes.

The skilled nursing facility that employs the medication aide is responsible for documenting the completion of an approved nursing assistant training program and completion of the medication aide training. Minnesota law governs the qualifications required to work as a medication aide in a licensed nursing home. If you question your eligibility or the eligibility of your employees, please read the Minnesota State Statute requirements.

The cost of the course may be reimbursable.

DHS Nursing Facility Scholarship program

For participating nursing facilities, the cost of the course and books may be covered by the DHS Nursing Facility Scholarship program. Participating nursing facilities can claim the allowable costs and receive reimbursement. Certified nursing facilities that have questions about what is and isn’t reimbursable under this scholarship program should contact Munna Yasiri. Please check with your employer's HR department before enrolling in a course if you are seeking reimbursement for the training.

Dislocated worker or WIOA funds

The cost of the course may also be covered by dislocated worker or WIOA funds. Please contact your dislocated worker or WIOA career navigator to learn more.

Employer Reimbursement

Some employers may cover the cost for their employee’s training. Please contact the campus of your choice to learn more about third party payment options.