To complete a CNA renewal in Michigan, log in to MI-NATES within the 45 days before your certificate expires, attest that you’ve worked at least 40 paid hours in nursing services during the past 24 months, and pay the $40 fee. Certification lasts two years. Starting March 23, 2026, you’ll also attest to completing continuing education. Miss the deadline by more than 24 months and you’re off the registry entirely.
What Michigan Requires
Three things: recent paid work, the renewal fee, and (for certificates expiring on or after March 23, 2026) continuing education. Your certificate runs 24 months from the date it was granted, and the renewal window opens 45 days before it expires.1Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 333-21915 – Registration or Permit; Time Period Effective; Application for Renewal
The 40-Hour Work Requirement
You must have worked at least 40 paid hours providing nursing or nursing-related services within the 24 months before your certificate expires. You’ll attest to this electronically during renewal. If you can’t meet the 40 hours, you don’t qualify for standard renewal.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
This rule comes from federal law, which requires every state to remove nurse aides from the registry after 24 consecutive months without paid nursing work.3GovInfo. 42 USC 1396r – Requirements for Nursing Facilities
The Fee
Renewal costs $40, paid online through MI-NATES. It’s nonrefundable, even if the renewal is denied.4Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 333-21918 – Fees; Payable to Department; Revocation or Denial; Nonrefundable
The New Continuing Education Rule
For certificates expiring on or after March 23, 2026, Michigan requires 12 hours of continuing education per year, or 24 hours across the two-year renewal cycle. The training must address ongoing competence, including abuse, neglect, and care plans.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
If you work in a CMS-certified nursing home, the 12 hours of annual in-service training your facility already provides under federal regulations satisfies the requirement. CNAs outside CMS-certified facilities will need to find qualifying education elsewhere.5Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Michigan Nurse Aide Continuing Education FAQ
How to Renew Through MI-NATES
Everything happens online through MI-NATES (the Michigan Nurse Aide, Training, and Enforcement System). There’s no paper option. Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge; the system doesn’t work in Safari.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
- Log in to MI-NATES through your MILogin account.
- Open the renewal application. You can start no earlier than 45 days before your expiration date.
- Attest that you’ve worked at least 40 paid hours in nursing services during the last 24 months.
- For expirations on or after March 23, 2026, attest to completing 12 hours of continuing education per year.
- Pay the $40 fee electronically.
The Bureau of Community and Health Systems emails a reminder 45 days out, but only if your contact information in MI-NATES is current. Your renewed certificate runs 24 months from your previous expiration date, not from your submission date, so there’s no penalty for renewing early in the window and no advantage to waiting.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
If Your Certificate Lapses
Your certificate lapses the day after it expires if you haven’t submitted a complete renewal. You can’t work as a CNA while it’s lapsed.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
Lapsed Under 24 Months
If less than 24 months have passed since your certificate expired, you can still use the standard renewal process. You’ll need to confirm you met the 40-hour work requirement within the 24 months before your original expiration date. The renewed certificate is valid only for 24 months from that original expiration date, so every month you wait is a month lost from the next cycle.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
Lapsed Over 24 Months
If more than 24 months have passed, or you can’t meet the 40-hour requirement, federal regulations require the state to remove you from the registry.6eCFR. 42 CFR 483.156 – Registry of Nurse Aides To get back on, you must complete a state-approved nurse aide training program again and pass the competency exam. No waiver, no credit for prior experience.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
Penalties for Working Without a Current Certificate
Michigan law prohibits anyone from working as a nurse aide without current registration.7Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 333-21916 – Practice as Nurse Aide Prohibited Until Renewal of Registration Under the Michigan Public Health Code, practicing a health profession with a lapsed, suspended, or revoked registration is a felony.8Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 333-16294
Employers face exposure too. Facilities that employ excluded or unregistered individuals can be hit with civil monetary penalties from the federal Office of Inspector General and can lose Medicare and Medicaid eligibility.9Office of Inspector General. Exclusions Program That gives employers strong reason to remove a CNA from the schedule the moment a lapse surfaces.
Moving to Michigan From Another State
If you’re certified elsewhere, Michigan grants reciprocity from about 40 approved states whose training programs meet or exceed Michigan’s standards. You apply through MI-NATES without retesting or repeating training. You must be in good standing on your current state’s registry, your training must have included at least 75 course hours consistent with federal standards, and the fee is the same $40.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry
Moving out of Michigan works differently. Because the registry runs entirely online, LARA no longer processes paper reciprocity forms or completes verification paperwork on your behalf. If your destination state needs verification from Michigan, handle it through MI-NATES directly.2Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Nurse Aide Registry