• Nurse aides provide care to patients in long-term care facilities.nurse chris image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
  
  A certified nurse aide is someone who takes care of patients in a long-term care facility who isn't a licensed health care professional (LPN or RN), registered dietitian or volunteer working for free. While CNAs are not licensed, they are certified in the state in which they work and their names are maintained on a registry. The Michigan Department of Community Health, Bureau of Health Professions oversees nurse aide programs in the state.
  
  

Training program

• To start the process of becoming a CNA, complete a state-approved 75-hour training program at a high school, nursing home, community college and some American Red Cross or other agencies. Michigan is home to more than 200 approved programs. The state does not recognize online programs.
  
  

Testing

• After completing the training, submit your certification of completion from the school with a State of Michigan Competency Evaluation Registration Form to Prometric, the testing contractor, within one year. If you are eligible to test, Prometric will send you an Authorization to Test, with a list of nearby testing facilities. Contact the individual testing site to schedule your written and clinical tests. You have one year from receipt of the Authorization to Test to successfully complete the test, and you have three chances. Download forms and get more information from Prometric at www.prometric.com/nurseaide/mi.
  
  

Certification

• After you pass the test, your certification is valid for two years. To renew the certification, submit documentation that you have worked at least eight hours for pay in the previous 24 months. Also, you must complete 12 hours of in-service continuing education each year. The state does not require a certain type of classes, but those classes must help the CNA improve her competence.