\nCNA Study Guide<\/a>
\nCNA Flashcards<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span>What is the CNA Exam?<\/h2>\nThe National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) administers the most large-scale nurse aide certification program with over 200,000 paper and practical exams annually through the NCSBN. The CNA exam is available through a national testing service by Credentia, which assumes scheduling, administration, and delivery of the exams in the designated states.<\/p>\n
There are currently 18 NCSBN jurisdictions that accept the CNA exam to measure your competency as a nurse aide. It is important for you to know that the exam guidelines vary for each of these states. To ensure that you are reading the correct information related to the exam for your desired state of practice, read its corresponding Candidate Handbook for complete details.<\/p>\n
The CNA exam is designed for entry-level nurse aides and nursing assistants (NAs), meaning those who zero to 12 months of direct care experience after receiving certification. Eligibility varies per state but in general, applicants are required to have completed at least a state-approved nurse aide training program that usually includes classroom learning, practical training, and on-the-job training.<\/p>\n
Once you pass the CNA exam, you will be given a certification to practice as a nursing assistant and will be added to your state\u2019s nurse aide registry.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Outline<\/h2>\nThe CNA exam is composed of two parts: 1) a written or oral portion and 2) a skills demonstration portion. You must complete and pass both assessments to gain a certification and for a state to add your name to the state nurse aide registry.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Written\/Oral Test<\/h3>\nWhether you take the written version of the exam or the oral version is entirely up to you. You will get to choose your preference during registration.<\/p>\n
\nThe written exam<\/strong> is composed of 70 multiple-choice items, 10 of which are non-scored items that will only collect statistical information.<\/p>\nThe oral exam<\/strong> is composed of 60 multiple-choice items and 10 reading comprehension (word recognition) items. This is recommended for those who may have difficulty reading and answering a written exam. Instead, recordings of the questions will play on a headset and you will be asked to provide an answer from the list of choices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe written and oral exam covers three main content domains: Physical Care Skills, Psychosocial Care Skills, and the Role of the Nurse Aide.<\/p>\n
Physical Care Skills (64%)<\/strong>
\nThis domain is divided into three categories:<\/p>\n\n- Activities of Daily Living<\/strong> takes up 22% of the exam with 13 questions. These questions cover the topics of hygiene, dressing and grooming, nutrition and hydration, elimination, and rest\/sleep\/comfort.<\/li>\n
- Basic Nursing Skills<\/strong> takes up 35% of the exam with 21 questions. It covers infection control, safety in an emergency, therapeutic and technical procedures, and data collection and reporting.<\/li>\n
- Self Care\/Independence<\/strong> takes up 7% of the exam with four questions. It covers prevention, self-care, and independence for the client.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Psychosocial Care Skills (10%)<\/strong>
\nThis domain tackles two categories that deal with the client’s non-physical needs:<\/p>\n\n- Emotional and Mental Health Needs<\/strong> takes up 8% of the exam with five questions.<\/li>\n
- Spiritual and Cultural Needs<\/strong> takes up only 2% of the exam with one question.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Role of the Nurse Aide (26%)<\/strong>
\nThis domain assesses your ability to fulfill your responsibilities as a nurse aide through your knowledge and skills in the following categories:<\/p>\n\n- Communication<\/strong> takes up 7% of the exam with four questions.<\/li>\n
- Client Rights<\/strong> takes up 8% of the exam with five questions.<\/li>\n
- Legal and Ethical Behavior<\/strong> takes up 5% of the exam with three questions.<\/li>\n
- Member of the Health Care Team<\/strong> takes up 6% of the exam with four questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Skills Test<\/h3>\nThe skills demonstration portion of the exam will have you perform five key skills of a nurse aide in an area similar to your work setting where you will be evaluated by a Nurse Aide Evaluator. You will be given 30 minutes to finish all tasks. You will be performing these skills to a candidate volunteer who will act as a weakened elderly person in an area that has all the necessary equipment you will need.<\/p>\n
All skills are broken down into a series of tasks and will be measured by assessing your performance on these tasks. Each task has a Critical Step that must be performed correctly for you to pass that skill. Among the five skills, all examinees will be required to perform the Hand Hygiene skill along with four other random skills that will be assigned to you. One of the four random skills will involve a measurement skill and will ask you to measure and record certain vital signs or specimens (e.g. measures and records blood pressure or urinary output of the client).<\/p>\n
There are 23 skills that may be evaluated during the exam:<\/p>\n
\n- Hand hygiene<\/li>\n
- Applies one knee-high elastic stocking<\/li>\n
- Assists in ambulation using a transfer belt<\/li>\n
- Assists with use of bedpan<\/li>\n
- Cleans upper or lower denture<\/li>\n
- Counts and records radial pulse<\/li>\n
- Counts and records respirations<\/li>\n
- Donning and removing PPE (gown and gloves)<\/li>\n
- Dresses client with affected (weak) right arm<\/li>\n
- Feeds client who cannot feed self<\/li>\n
- Gives modified bed bath (face and one arm, hand, and underarm)<\/li>\n
- Measures and records electronic blood pressure<\/li>\n
- Measures and records manual blood pressure<\/li>\n
- Measures and records urinary output<\/li>\n
- Measures and records the weight of an ambulatory client<\/li>\n
- Performs modified passive range of motion (PROM) for one knee and one ankle<\/li>\n
- Performs modified passive range of motion (PROM) for one shoulder<\/li>\n
- Positions on side<\/li>\n
- Provides catheter care for female<\/li>\n
- Provides foot care on one foot<\/li>\n
- Provides mouth care<\/li>\n
- Provides perineal care (peri-care) for female<\/li>\n
- Transfers from bed to wheelchair using a transfer belt.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"exam](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/CNA-Exam-Outline.svg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"Ad](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/CNA-Mobile-Ad.webp\")
\n<\/a>\n<\/span> Registration<\/h2>\nYou must register to take the exam through Credentia, the official testing vendor for the CNA exam. You must first choose the state in which you plan to practice in and the website will lead you to its specific platform. Note that one major prerequisite to taking the CNA exam is the completion of a state-approved nurse aide training program at the least.<\/p>\n
You will be asked to sign up or sign in to a Credentia CNA365 account on their website. After signing up or signing in to your new account, you may start a new application, select the applicable eligibility route for you, and enter the required information and submit any supporting documents that may be asked from you. You will receive an email confirming whether your application is approved after which you can register for the exam.<\/p>\n
Once registered, you can select your preferred schedule for both the written or oral exam and the skills demonstration exam. You may also choose how you want to take the written or oral exam, whether it will be conducted online remotely or on-site in a testing center near you. If you plan to take an exam online, you may schedule an exam until the day before your preferred schedule depending on exam availability.<\/p>\n
If you decide to take the exam at a testing center, make sure to register at least 10 calendar days before your desired schedule to ensure ample time. Finally, you will be asked to pay for the exam through their online platform using a credit card or a pre-paid credit card.<\/p>\n
Consult your state\u2019s Candidate Handbook so you are reading the appropriate information for your chosen state. Exam fees also vary per state, but in general, be prepared to spend around $100 for exam fees.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCheck Out Mometrix's CNA Printed Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tGet Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cna-29777.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\nFor both online and on-site exams, you are required to bring at least two current, unexpired, and valid government-issued IDs with your photo and signature (one of them should be your Social Security card). Other items that you may bring include two No. 2 pencils, an eraser, a watch with a second hand, and other supporting documentation that may be asked from you.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Taking the Exam Online<\/h3>\nIf you plan to take the online exam, you will be asked to prepare your computer or laptop accordingly by performing a system test so that everything works smoothly on the day of the exam.<\/p>\n
You will also need a mobile device that can download Credentia\u2019s free mobile app to complete a 360-degree scan of your planned testing room on the day. Your testing room should be private with a news workspace and no one else should be in the room with you during the exam.<\/p>\n
Read the onboarding procedure beforehand so you don\u2019t run into problems on the day.<\/p>\n
<\/span>CNA Scores<\/h2>\nYour official Score Report will indicate whether you have passed or failed the exam. For your results in the skills demonstration exam, the Score Report will indicate a score of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory for each skill. Any skill with an Unsatisfactory rating is considered a failed skill. You must have a Satisfactory rating on all five skill demonstrations to pass this portion of the exam.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Receiving Your Scores<\/h3>\nYour exam results will be available a few hours after you finish the exam. You will be notified via email once the results are available in your CNA365 account. For some states, your exam results will be mailed to you physically which you should receive within five to seven business days.<\/p>\n
If you have passed both exams, your name will be registered in the state\u2019s nurse aide registry a few weeks to a few months after you pass. On the hand, if you failed the exam, you can submit a written grievance or complaint through the state\u2019s appropriate channels, or you may opt to retake the exam after a period of time.<\/p>\n
<\/span>CNA Online Prep Course<\/h2>\nIf you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online CNA prep course<\/strong> designed to give you everything you need to succeed!<\/p>\nHere’s what you’ll find in the CNA course:<\/p>\n
The CNA exam is composed of two parts: 1) a written or oral portion and 2) a skills demonstration portion. You must complete and pass both assessments to gain a certification and for a state to add your name to the state nurse aide registry.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Written\/Oral Test<\/h3>\nWhether you take the written version of the exam or the oral version is entirely up to you. You will get to choose your preference during registration.<\/p>\n
\nThe written exam<\/strong> is composed of 70 multiple-choice items, 10 of which are non-scored items that will only collect statistical information.<\/p>\nThe oral exam<\/strong> is composed of 60 multiple-choice items and 10 reading comprehension (word recognition) items. This is recommended for those who may have difficulty reading and answering a written exam. Instead, recordings of the questions will play on a headset and you will be asked to provide an answer from the list of choices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe written and oral exam covers three main content domains: Physical Care Skills, Psychosocial Care Skills, and the Role of the Nurse Aide.<\/p>\n
Physical Care Skills (64%)<\/strong>
\nThis domain is divided into three categories:<\/p>\n\n- Activities of Daily Living<\/strong> takes up 22% of the exam with 13 questions. These questions cover the topics of hygiene, dressing and grooming, nutrition and hydration, elimination, and rest\/sleep\/comfort.<\/li>\n
- Basic Nursing Skills<\/strong> takes up 35% of the exam with 21 questions. It covers infection control, safety in an emergency, therapeutic and technical procedures, and data collection and reporting.<\/li>\n
- Self Care\/Independence<\/strong> takes up 7% of the exam with four questions. It covers prevention, self-care, and independence for the client.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Psychosocial Care Skills (10%)<\/strong>
\nThis domain tackles two categories that deal with the client’s non-physical needs:<\/p>\n\n- Emotional and Mental Health Needs<\/strong> takes up 8% of the exam with five questions.<\/li>\n
- Spiritual and Cultural Needs<\/strong> takes up only 2% of the exam with one question.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Role of the Nurse Aide (26%)<\/strong>
\nThis domain assesses your ability to fulfill your responsibilities as a nurse aide through your knowledge and skills in the following categories:<\/p>\n\n- Communication<\/strong> takes up 7% of the exam with four questions.<\/li>\n
- Client Rights<\/strong> takes up 8% of the exam with five questions.<\/li>\n
- Legal and Ethical Behavior<\/strong> takes up 5% of the exam with three questions.<\/li>\n
- Member of the Health Care Team<\/strong> takes up 6% of the exam with four questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Skills Test<\/h3>\nThe skills demonstration portion of the exam will have you perform five key skills of a nurse aide in an area similar to your work setting where you will be evaluated by a Nurse Aide Evaluator. You will be given 30 minutes to finish all tasks. You will be performing these skills to a candidate volunteer who will act as a weakened elderly person in an area that has all the necessary equipment you will need.<\/p>\n
All skills are broken down into a series of tasks and will be measured by assessing your performance on these tasks. Each task has a Critical Step that must be performed correctly for you to pass that skill. Among the five skills, all examinees will be required to perform the Hand Hygiene skill along with four other random skills that will be assigned to you. One of the four random skills will involve a measurement skill and will ask you to measure and record certain vital signs or specimens (e.g. measures and records blood pressure or urinary output of the client).<\/p>\n
There are 23 skills that may be evaluated during the exam:<\/p>\n
\n- Hand hygiene<\/li>\n
- Applies one knee-high elastic stocking<\/li>\n
- Assists in ambulation using a transfer belt<\/li>\n
- Assists with use of bedpan<\/li>\n
- Cleans upper or lower denture<\/li>\n
- Counts and records radial pulse<\/li>\n
- Counts and records respirations<\/li>\n
- Donning and removing PPE (gown and gloves)<\/li>\n
- Dresses client with affected (weak) right arm<\/li>\n
- Feeds client who cannot feed self<\/li>\n
- Gives modified bed bath (face and one arm, hand, and underarm)<\/li>\n
- Measures and records electronic blood pressure<\/li>\n
- Measures and records manual blood pressure<\/li>\n
- Measures and records urinary output<\/li>\n
- Measures and records the weight of an ambulatory client<\/li>\n
- Performs modified passive range of motion (PROM) for one knee and one ankle<\/li>\n
- Performs modified passive range of motion (PROM) for one shoulder<\/li>\n
- Positions on side<\/li>\n
- Provides catheter care for female<\/li>\n
- Provides foot care on one foot<\/li>\n
- Provides mouth care<\/li>\n
- Provides perineal care (peri-care) for female<\/li>\n
- Transfers from bed to wheelchair using a transfer belt.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/span> Registration<\/h2>\nYou must register to take the exam through Credentia, the official testing vendor for the CNA exam. You must first choose the state in which you plan to practice in and the website will lead you to its specific platform. Note that one major prerequisite to taking the CNA exam is the completion of a state-approved nurse aide training program at the least.<\/p>\n
You will be asked to sign up or sign in to a Credentia CNA365 account on their website. After signing up or signing in to your new account, you may start a new application, select the applicable eligibility route for you, and enter the required information and submit any supporting documents that may be asked from you. You will receive an email confirming whether your application is approved after which you can register for the exam.<\/p>\n
Once registered, you can select your preferred schedule for both the written or oral exam and the skills demonstration exam. You may also choose how you want to take the written or oral exam, whether it will be conducted online remotely or on-site in a testing center near you. If you plan to take an exam online, you may schedule an exam until the day before your preferred schedule depending on exam availability.<\/p>\n
If you decide to take the exam at a testing center, make sure to register at least 10 calendar days before your desired schedule to ensure ample time. Finally, you will be asked to pay for the exam through their online platform using a credit card or a pre-paid credit card.<\/p>\n
Consult your state\u2019s Candidate Handbook so you are reading the appropriate information for your chosen state. Exam fees also vary per state, but in general, be prepared to spend around $100 for exam fees.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCheck Out Mometrix's CNA Printed Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tGet Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\nFor both online and on-site exams, you are required to bring at least two current, unexpired, and valid government-issued IDs with your photo and signature (one of them should be your Social Security card). Other items that you may bring include two No. 2 pencils, an eraser, a watch with a second hand, and other supporting documentation that may be asked from you.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Taking the Exam Online<\/h3>\nIf you plan to take the online exam, you will be asked to prepare your computer or laptop accordingly by performing a system test so that everything works smoothly on the day of the exam.<\/p>\n
You will also need a mobile device that can download Credentia\u2019s free mobile app to complete a 360-degree scan of your planned testing room on the day. Your testing room should be private with a news workspace and no one else should be in the room with you during the exam.<\/p>\n
Read the onboarding procedure beforehand so you don\u2019t run into problems on the day.<\/p>\n
<\/span>CNA Scores<\/h2>\nYour official Score Report will indicate whether you have passed or failed the exam. For your results in the skills demonstration exam, the Score Report will indicate a score of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory for each skill. Any skill with an Unsatisfactory rating is considered a failed skill. You must have a Satisfactory rating on all five skill demonstrations to pass this portion of the exam.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Receiving Your Scores<\/h3>\nYour exam results will be available a few hours after you finish the exam. You will be notified via email once the results are available in your CNA365 account. For some states, your exam results will be mailed to you physically which you should receive within five to seven business days.<\/p>\n
If you have passed both exams, your name will be registered in the state\u2019s nurse aide registry a few weeks to a few months after you pass. On the hand, if you failed the exam, you can submit a written grievance or complaint through the state\u2019s appropriate channels, or you may opt to retake the exam after a period of time.<\/p>\n
<\/span>CNA Online Prep Course<\/h2>\nIf you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online CNA prep course<\/strong> designed to give you everything you need to succeed!<\/p>\nHere’s what you’ll find in the CNA course:<\/p>\n
The written exam<\/strong> is composed of 70 multiple-choice items, 10 of which are non-scored items that will only collect statistical information.<\/p>\n The oral exam<\/strong> is composed of 60 multiple-choice items and 10 reading comprehension (word recognition) items. This is recommended for those who may have difficulty reading and answering a written exam. Instead, recordings of the questions will play on a headset and you will be asked to provide an answer from the list of choices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The written and oral exam covers three main content domains: Physical Care Skills, Psychosocial Care Skills, and the Role of the Nurse Aide.<\/p>\n Physical Care Skills (64%)<\/strong> Psychosocial Care Skills (10%)<\/strong> Role of the Nurse Aide (26%)<\/strong> The skills demonstration portion of the exam will have you perform five key skills of a nurse aide in an area similar to your work setting where you will be evaluated by a Nurse Aide Evaluator. You will be given 30 minutes to finish all tasks. You will be performing these skills to a candidate volunteer who will act as a weakened elderly person in an area that has all the necessary equipment you will need.<\/p>\n All skills are broken down into a series of tasks and will be measured by assessing your performance on these tasks. Each task has a Critical Step that must be performed correctly for you to pass that skill. Among the five skills, all examinees will be required to perform the Hand Hygiene skill along with four other random skills that will be assigned to you. One of the four random skills will involve a measurement skill and will ask you to measure and record certain vital signs or specimens (e.g. measures and records blood pressure or urinary output of the client).<\/p>\n There are 23 skills that may be evaluated during the exam:<\/p>\n You must register to take the exam through Credentia, the official testing vendor for the CNA exam. You must first choose the state in which you plan to practice in and the website will lead you to its specific platform. Note that one major prerequisite to taking the CNA exam is the completion of a state-approved nurse aide training program at the least.<\/p>\n You will be asked to sign up or sign in to a Credentia CNA365 account on their website. After signing up or signing in to your new account, you may start a new application, select the applicable eligibility route for you, and enter the required information and submit any supporting documents that may be asked from you. You will receive an email confirming whether your application is approved after which you can register for the exam.<\/p>\n Once registered, you can select your preferred schedule for both the written or oral exam and the skills demonstration exam. You may also choose how you want to take the written or oral exam, whether it will be conducted online remotely or on-site in a testing center near you. If you plan to take an exam online, you may schedule an exam until the day before your preferred schedule depending on exam availability.<\/p>\n If you decide to take the exam at a testing center, make sure to register at least 10 calendar days before your desired schedule to ensure ample time. Finally, you will be asked to pay for the exam through their online platform using a credit card or a pre-paid credit card.<\/p>\n Consult your state\u2019s Candidate Handbook so you are reading the appropriate information for your chosen state. Exam fees also vary per state, but in general, be prepared to spend around $100 for exam fees.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t Check Out Mometrix's CNA Printed Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tGet Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t For both online and on-site exams, you are required to bring at least two current, unexpired, and valid government-issued IDs with your photo and signature (one of them should be your Social Security card). Other items that you may bring include two No. 2 pencils, an eraser, a watch with a second hand, and other supporting documentation that may be asked from you.<\/p>\n If you plan to take the online exam, you will be asked to prepare your computer or laptop accordingly by performing a system test so that everything works smoothly on the day of the exam.<\/p>\n You will also need a mobile device that can download Credentia\u2019s free mobile app to complete a 360-degree scan of your planned testing room on the day. Your testing room should be private with a news workspace and no one else should be in the room with you during the exam.<\/p>\n Read the onboarding procedure beforehand so you don\u2019t run into problems on the day.<\/p>\n Your official Score Report will indicate whether you have passed or failed the exam. For your results in the skills demonstration exam, the Score Report will indicate a score of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory for each skill. Any skill with an Unsatisfactory rating is considered a failed skill. You must have a Satisfactory rating on all five skill demonstrations to pass this portion of the exam.<\/p>\n Your exam results will be available a few hours after you finish the exam. You will be notified via email once the results are available in your CNA365 account. For some states, your exam results will be mailed to you physically which you should receive within five to seven business days.<\/p>\n If you have passed both exams, your name will be registered in the state\u2019s nurse aide registry a few weeks to a few months after you pass. On the hand, if you failed the exam, you can submit a written grievance or complaint through the state\u2019s appropriate channels, or you may opt to retake the exam after a period of time.<\/p>\n If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online CNA prep course<\/strong> designed to give you everything you need to succeed!<\/p>\n Here’s what you’ll find in the CNA course:<\/p>\n
\nThis domain is divided into three categories:<\/p>\n\n
\nThis domain tackles two categories that deal with the client’s non-physical needs:<\/p>\n\n
\nThis domain assesses your ability to fulfill your responsibilities as a nurse aide through your knowledge and skills in the following categories:<\/p>\n\n
<\/span>Skills Test<\/h3>\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/span> Registration<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\n
<\/span>Taking the Exam Online<\/h3>\n
<\/span>CNA Scores<\/h2>\n
<\/span>Receiving Your Scores<\/h3>\n
<\/span>CNA Online Prep Course<\/h2>\n