How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Maine
Maine employs approximately 8,540 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,070 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.43x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Maine, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Maine
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Maine? Maine requires credentials such as Certified Nursing Assistants, Nurse Practitioner, Certified (Advanced Practice RN), Clinical Nurse Specialist (Advanced Practice RN). The licensing authority is the Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Maine? Yes. Maine has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Maine? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Maine is $47,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,100 and experienced professionals can earn $58,120 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification
- Median wage (Maine): $47,070 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Maine
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Maine 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistants | Certified nursing assistants assist RNs in their duties. To be placed on the Maine CNA Registry, you must be able to provide official documentation of formal CNA training that meets Maine’s Rules and… |
| Nurse Practitioner, Certified (Advanced Practice RN) | “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual who is currently licensed under this chapter to practice advanced practice registered nursing as defined in subsection 2-A. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist (Advanced Practice RN) | “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual who is currently licensed under this chapter to practice advanced practice registered nursing as defined in subsection 2-A. |
| Nurse, Registered | The practice of “professional nursing” means the performance by a registered professional nurse for compensation of professional services. |
| Nurse Anesthetist (Advanced Practice RN) | “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual who is currently licensed under this chapter to practice advanced practice registered nursing as defined in subsection 2-A. |
| Nurse Midwife (Advanced Practice RN) | “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual who is currently licensed under this chapter to practice advanced practice registered nursing as defined in subsection 2-A. |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Nursing home administrators supervise, plan, develop, monitor and maintain appropriate standards of care throughout all departments in the nursing home. |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical | The practice of “practical nursing” means performing tasks and responsibilities for compensation within a structured health care setting, reinforcing the patient and family teaching program through he… |
| Nursing Home Administrator, Temporary | Nursing home administrators supervise, plan, develop, monitor and maintain appropriate standards of care throughout all departments in the nursing home. Temporary licenses are valid for 90 days. |
| School Nurse (K-12) | School nurses are specialist nursing professionals that are responsible for caring to students with illnesses and injuries and advancing the health of students and staff within the school environment. |
| Nursing Home Administrator-In-Training | “Administrator-in-Training” means an individual who meets the qualifications set forth in rules by the board, is engaged in a training program defined in rules and approved by the board and is under t… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Maine
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Maine
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Maine vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 3,380 | $48,180 | $48,930 | $41,280 | $58,790 |
| Bangor | 1,110 | $46,970 | $47,800 | $38,920 | $60,220 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 690 | $48,570 | $50,160 | $41,480 | $60,230 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Maine
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Maine according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 3,380 | $48,180 |
| Bangor | 1,110 | $46,970 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 690 | $48,570 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 8,540 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maine.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Maine is $47,070, which is $7,540 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Licensing and Certification - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/dlc/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |