General Information
Healthcare training is a highly regulated industry, overseen by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS).
To offer a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training program in Missouri, you must:
- Complete the Proprietary School Certification application process. Any school, business, training provider, or organization that is not certified or exempt is prohibited from operating in Missouri.
- After the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development issues your certification, apply for DHSS approval and include your signed agreement and Certificate to Operate from the department with your application. You can submit your application and signed agreement to DHSS by email at cnaregistry@health.mo.gov.
- For DHSS approval, you must also be prepared to provide the following:
- The clinical portion of the CNA program or partner with a licensed long-term care facility in good standing (at the level of skilled nursing or intermediate care) for the clinical portion of the program.
- A signed contract, agreement, or memorandum of understanding establishing the relationship between the two entities. This agreement must specify the rules, responsibilities, and liabilities for each party.
- Proof the classroom has enough space and proper equipment to train students.
- Proof instructors are licensed through the TMU instructor registry
- Once approved by DHSS, upload approval letters in the comment section of the New Instructor and New Program applications in EDvera. You are not legally allowed to advertise, enroll students, or start classes for the CNA training program until the department approves the New Instructor and New Program applications in EDvera.
It is important to note that schools, businesses, training providers, and organizations certified through the department cannot offer Certified Medication Technician (CMT) and Level-One Medication Aid (L1MA). The Department of Health and Senior Services, Health Education Unit must give approval for an organization to become a training agency. More information about this can be found on the DHSS website or by emailing cnaregistry@health.mo.gov