How to Get Your CNA Certification in Mississippi (MS): 2026 Guide
Mississippi uses Headmaster for the NNAAP exam. Training is 75 hours and the combined exam fee is about $101. Registry listing is free.
Mississippi uses Headmaster to administer the NNAAP exam. Candidates complete a 75-hour state-approved program, pass both parts of the exam, and get listed on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry. Mississippi has one of the lowest combined exam fees in the country — about $101 — and the registry listing itself is free.
Mississippi CNA at a glance
- Testing vendor: Headmaster (NNAAP)
- Training hours: 75 total (including 16 clinical)
- Exam format: 70-question knowledge test + 5-skill hands-on evaluation
- Exam fee: approximately $101 combined ($32 written + $69 skills)
- Registry: Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH)
- Renewal: 24 months; 3 attempts per component
Who oversees CNA certification in Mississippi
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) approves training programs and maintains the registry. Headmaster administers the NNAAP exam under state contract. MSDH reviews reciprocity applications and processes certification transfers for out-of-state CNAs.
Training programs in Mississippi
Mississippi requires a 75-hour state-approved program. Programs are offered at:
- Community colleges (Hinds CC, Jones College, Meridian CC, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Northwest Mississippi CC, Pearl River CC, Co-Lin CC, East Central CC, Itawamba CC, Holmes CC, Southwest Mississippi CC, Mississippi Delta CC, Holmes CC)
- Private training academies
- Long-term care facilities with in-house programs
- Some high school career and technical education programs
Most programs run 4–8 weeks. Tuition typically ranges from $600 to $1,200, plus $80–$200 for textbooks, uniforms, and the Mississippi State Department of Health background check.
A criminal background check is required before clinical training begins. Plan to submit your fingerprints in the first week of your program. Most programs include background check coordination; verify this with your program coordinator before paying.
The Mississippi CNA exam: Headmaster/NNAAP details
The NNAAP exam has two parts:
-
Knowledge Test — 70 multiple-choice questions on resident rights, basic nursing skills, infection control, communication, and safety.
-
Skills Test — 5 randomly selected skills demonstrated in front of a Headmaster nurse evaluator. Handwashing is always tested.
Register through Headmaster's TMU portal at ms.tmutest.com.
How much does the Mississippi CNA exam cost?
- Written — ~$32
- Skills — ~$69
- Combined — ~$101
- Background check — $25–$50
- State registry listing — $0 (free)
Mississippi has one of the lowest combined exam fees in the country, and the registry listing itself is free.
Where to take the test in Mississippi
- Jackson — frequent testing; Hinds CC-area partner sites
- Gulfport / Biloxi — regular sessions; Mississippi Gulf Coast CC-area dates
- Hattiesburg — periodic testing; scheduled through partner programs
- Tupelo — limited dates; book early
- Meridian — limited dates; Meridian CC-area sites
- Hattiesburg/Pine Belt — limited dates
- Greenville / Delta region — limited dates; book early
Mississippi's testing footprint covers the population centers well. Rural Mississippi Delta and Pine Belt candidates may travel 60–90 minutes to the nearest active site.
Scheduling and what to bring on test day
Bring government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport), your Headmaster test confirmation, and clinical scrubs. The skills portion may be scheduled on a separate day from the knowledge portion. Arrival 15 minutes early is required.
After you pass: Mississippi certification and renewal
Headmaster reports passing scores to MSDH, which lists you on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry within 7–14 days. Your name appears on the public registry. Certification is valid for 24 months. To renew, complete at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work during the certification period under the supervision of an RN.
Common pitfalls specific to Mississippi
- Background check timing: Required before clinicals start — schedule this in week 1 of training.
- Low exam fee: Mississippi has one of the lowest combined fees — don't confuse the state's fee with Headmaster's other states' fees.
- Free registry listing: Unlike most states, Mississippi does not charge for registry listing — only Headmaster's testing fee applies.
- Limited rural sites: Delta and Pine Belt regions have fewer test dates.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a CNA in Mississippi? Most students finish training in 4–8 weeks and add 2–4 weeks for exam scheduling and registry listing.
Can I challenge the Mississippi CNA exam without training? Generally no. MSDH requires graduation from a state-approved nurse aide training program.
How much is Mississippi CNA training? Plan $600–$1,200 for tuition plus $100–$200 for supplies, the background check, and the exam fee.
Why is Mississippi's registry listing free? MSDH includes the registry listing fee in its annual budget, removing that cost for candidates. Only Headmaster's testing fee applies.
Practice for the Mississippi CNA exam at /exam and review skills at /skills.
