FREE Arkansas CNA Exam Guide 2026: Pass the AR Nurse Aide Test

Arkansas CNA Exam 2026: The Complete Nurse Aide Competency Guide

Arkansas requires every paid nurse aide working in a federally certified nursing facility to complete a state-approved training program and pass the Arkansas Nurse Aide Competency Exam. The program is overseen by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long Term Care (OLTC) and delivered by D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster (D&SDT-Headmaster) through the Arkansas TestMaster Universe (TMU) portal at ar.tmutest.com.

This 2026 guide walks through every step — training, TMU registration, fees, the multiple-choice knowledge test, the 5-skill clinical evaluation, registry maintenance, reciprocity, and salary — and links you to a 100% free Arkansas-aligned practice course you can start in under a minute.

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Arkansas CNA Exam at a Glance

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Step 1: Complete an OLTC-Approved Arkansas Training Program

Under Arkansas DHS rule, every Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) must include at least 90 training hours — the minimum required for state-approved programs in Arkansas. This breaks down as:

• 16 hours of pre-clinical classroom theory (must be completed before any direct resident contact)
• Roughly 74 hours of additional classroom, lab, and supervised clinical practice in a Medicaid-certified facility

90 hours is 15 hours above the federal OBRA '87 floor of 75 hours, which is one of the reasons Arkansas CNAs hold up well in reciprocity to other states.

Where to Find Approved Arkansas Programs

DHS publishes a directory of approved programs across Arkansas. Common pathways include:

• Arkansas community colleges — North Arkansas College, Ozarka, ASU-Mountain Home, ASU-Beebe, NWACC, UA-Pulaski Tech, South Arkansas Community College, Phillips, Black River, SAU Tech
• Long-term care employer-sponsored programs that often refund tuition once you work in a Medicaid-certified facility
• Arkansas Department of Workforce Services WIOA grants for tuition assistance
• High school health-science academies that allow seniors to test alongside graduation

Waivers and Alternate Routes

You may challenge the competency exam without completing a full Arkansas NATCEP if you are:

• A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse with a current AR license
• A nursing student who completed a Fundamentals of Nursing course at an accredited program
• A military medic, corpsman, or LVN with documented equivalent training

Apply through TMU with transcripts, ID, and applicable verification forms.

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Our question bank mirrors the Headmaster blueprint — Safety, Infection Control, Personal Care, Basic Nursing Skills, Restorative Services, Mental Health, Resident Rights, Communication, and the full federal OBRA '87 framework.

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Step 2: Register for the Exam Through TMU

1. Go to ar.tmutest.com and create a candidate account (email becomes your username)
2. Upload proof of training completion or your eligibility waiver
3. Pay by credit card (self-pay) or use an employer-issued voucher
4. Pick a test event and location from the AR TMU calendar
5. Print your admission ticket and confirm your photo ID matches

You must pass both components within one year of finishing training, with up to 3 attempts per component. If you exhaust those attempts or run past the one-year window, Arkansas DHS rule requires you to complete another approved NATCEP before testing again — there are no extensions.

2026 Arkansas Fees (Headmaster TMU)

If you are employed by or have a job offer from a Medicaid-certified Arkansas facility, DHS may reimburse testing fees through your employer. Always confirm the live amount in your TMU cart before submitting payment — that number governs.

Fees are non-refundable once you are scheduled. Online rescheduling is free up to 3 business days before the event; later changes forfeit the fee.

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Step 3: The Knowledge Test — 60 Questions, 90 Minutes, 72% to Pass

The Arkansas knowledge exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, drawn from federal OBRA '87 subject areas. The passing score is 72% (43 of 60 correct), set using the Angoff method — a panel of subject-matter experts judges the difficulty of each item, and the cut score is the sum of those expected difficulties. There is no penalty for guessing — answer every question.

Subject categories (per the Arkansas Candidate Handbook V9, March 2024 and later updates):

• Role of the Nurse Aide & Member of the Healthcare Team
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Resident Rights & Independence
• Psychosocial Care Skills — Mental Health & Social Service Needs
• Care of the Cognitively Impaired Resident
• Basic Nursing Skills (vital signs, observation, hygiene)
• Personal Care Skills
• Restorative Services
• Safety / Emergency Procedures
• Infection Control
• Data Collection & Reporting
• Resident Care Scenarios

Arkansas does not publish a fixed per-category item count, so master the whole blueprint rather than chasing the heaviest category.

Audio (Oral) Test Option

If English is your second language, or if you read slowly, request the audio version when scheduling. You hear most items over headphones (each played twice). The final paragraph-based scenarios are read on screen. Audio testing adds $5 to the fee but does not change the passing standard.

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Step 4: The Skill Test — 5 Skills, 31-40 Minutes

An evaluator pulls 5 skills at random from the Arkansas published skill list. You have 31 to 40 minutes total depending on which 5 are drawn. To pass each task you must:

• Perform every key (critical) step correctly
• Demonstrate proper hand hygiene at the right moment in the procedure
• Maintain resident safety, dignity, and infection control throughout

Miss one critical step — typically hand hygiene, identifying the resident, providing privacy, or placing the call light at the end — and the task fails even if every other step is perfect. All 5 skills must be Satisfactory to pass the skill test as a whole.

The Arkansas Skill List (Headmaster Candidate Handbook)

Arkansas pulls from the same pool used in other Headmaster states — roughly 25 published nurse-aide skills. Common tasks an evaluator may select include:

The full skill list and step-by-step checklists appear in the current Arkansas NA Candidate Handbook on the Headmaster website. Evaluators score against the exact step sequence in that handbook — practice off the official checklist, not generic YouTube videos.

Universal Critical Steps (apply to almost every skill)

1. Knock and greet the resident; introduce yourself by name and title
2. Verify identity — check name on door/wristband or ask the resident
3. Wash hands before touching the resident
4. Explain the procedure in plain language (even if the actor stays silent)
5. Provide privacy — close door and curtain
6. Raise bed to working height; lock wheels
7. Maintain safety and body mechanics throughout
8. Lower bed when finished; place call light within reach on the unaffected side
9. Wash hands again after the task
10. Report and document to the nurse

Miss any of these and the entire task fails. Practice them until they are automatic.

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Our AI tutor walks you through each skill on the Arkansas list with the exact key-step sequence Headmaster evaluators score against — and explains why each step matters.

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6-Week Arkansas CNA Study Plan

Most candidates need 40-80 hours of focused review on top of their formal training program.

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Arkansas-Specific Pitfalls That Fail Candidates

Headmaster evaluators are strict on procedural sequencing. The failures below account for the majority of Arkansas skill-test retakes:

1. Reading questions too fast — knowledge items often hinge on a single qualifier ("first", "best", "most appropriate"). Slow down on every "first/initial" prompt and look for the safety-priority answer
2. Skipping the explain-the-procedure step because the actor stays silent — say it anyway; evaluators score what they hear
3. Forgetting to lock wheelchair brakes before any transfer — automatic failure on ambulate and stand-and-pivot transfer tasks
4. Not changing gloves and washing hands between body areas during catheter or perineal care — evaluators specifically watch for this
5. Placing the gait belt under the armpits — it belongs on the waist over clothing, snug enough that two fingers fit underneath
6. Counting respirations visibly — keep your fingers on the wrist as if checking pulse, then count for a full 60 seconds so the rate stays natural
7. Letting the call light fall out of reach at the end of a task — place it on the unaffected side and verify the resident can press it
8. Recording vitals before the BP cuff fully deflates — wait for the cuff to read 0 before stating the result aloud
9. Using your fingernail instead of the finger pad during pulse — Arkansas evaluators flag this as a dignity/safety violation
10. Carrying contaminated linen across the room — use a leak-proof bag at the bedside and keep soiled linen away from your uniform

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Test-Day Checklist

The Arkansas Candidate Handbook lists what you must bring and what is forbidden. Show up unprepared and Headmaster will turn you away without a refund.

• Two forms of ID — one government photo (driver's license, AR ID, or passport) plus one signed secondary (SSN card, employer badge, or credit card)
• Admission ticket from TMU with your candidate ID number
• Closed-toe non-slip shoes, scrubs or comparable clean clothing, hair tied back above the collar, no nail polish, no acrylic nails, fingernails trimmed short
• Wristwatch with a second hand — no smartwatches, no fitness trackers, no phone clocks
• Arrive 30 minutes early — late arrival forfeits your fee with no makeup option
• No phone, books, notes, gum, food, or beverages in the testing room; lockers are usually provided
• If sick, snowed in, or facing an emergency, call Headmaster the day before to reschedule without losing the fee (888-401-0462)

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After You Pass: The Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry

Headmaster posts your registry record after you pass both components. Employers verify you through the OLTC-managed Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry by name, SSN, or registration number. Your registry status drives your federal eligibility to work in Medicare/Medicaid-certified facilities.

24-Month Federal Maintenance Rule (OBRA '87)

Federal eligibility is valid for 24 months from your last successful test date. To stay active you must:

• Work at least 8 paid hours as a nurse aide under RN or LPN supervision during each 24-month window (42 CFR Part 483)
• Log hours through TMU before expiration; your employer confirms via emailed link
• Keep a clean record — substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property, or exploitation are listed publicly on the Arkansas registry and bar federal employment for life

Self-employment and private-duty work do not count for federal eligibility renewal.

If your 24-month window closes without qualifying hours, federal law does not allow extensions — you must retake both the knowledge and skill tests in Arkansas. You may continue to work in hospitals and state-licensed (non-Medicaid) facilities while State-only certified.

Reciprocity Into Arkansas (Form 9110AR)

Out-of-state CNAs use Form 9110AR — Arkansas Out-of-State Reciprocity Application, submitted to D&SDT-Headmaster. The processing fee is $25 and you must upload:

1. Proof of training (diploma, transcript, or letter from a state-approved program — Arkansas prefers at least 90 training hours to match its in-state minimum)
2. Verification of active status on another state's registry (no substantiated abuse, neglect, or misappropriation findings)
3. Image of your Social Security card
4. Government-issued photo ID
5. Completed Form 9110AR signed by the candidate

If your home state's training met or exceeded 90 hours and you passed a comparable competency exam, Headmaster can place you on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry without retesting. Candidates with 75-89 hours of training may be required to take the Arkansas competency exam, and CNAs whose home-state registry is inactive always retake the full Arkansas exam — there is no "reactivate via reciprocity" pathway. Headmaster typically processes 9110AR applications within 2-4 weeks of receipt.

Reciprocity Out of Arkansas

Verify your Arkansas registry eligibility is current, then apply directly through the destination state's registry. The receiving state pulls your federal eligibility from the Headmaster system — Arkansas DHS does not file outbound paperwork. Arkansas's 90-hour curriculum exceeds the federal floor, so most other states accept Arkansas training without further coursework.

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Military, Spouse, and Nursing-Student Waivers

Arkansas DHS recognizes several pathways that let qualifying candidates challenge the competency exam without completing a full 90-hour Arkansas NATCEP:

Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans

Army 68W (Combat Medic), Navy HM (Hospital Corpsman), Air Force 4N0X1 (Aerospace Medical Service), and Marine Corps Field Medical Service personnel may submit:

• DD-214 (separation document) or active-duty orders
• Military Training Verification showing equivalent classroom and clinical hours
• Joint Services Transcript (JST) listing relevant nurse-aide coursework

If the JST documents 75+ hours of equivalent training, Headmaster typically waives the NATCEP requirement and authorizes the candidate to sit for the AR competency exam directly.

Military Spouses

Under Arkansas Act 135 of 2021, spouses of active-duty service members stationed in Arkansas (Little Rock AFB, Camp Robinson, Fort Chaffee) who hold an active CNA credential in another state can request expedited reciprocity through Form 9110AR. Headmaster targets a 10-business-day turnaround for military-spouse applications.

Nursing Students

If you completed a Fundamentals of Nursing course at an accredited LPN, ADN, or BSN program, you can challenge the Arkansas competency exam by submitting:

• Sealed transcript showing the Fundamentals course and a passing grade
• Letter from the Director of Nursing on school letterhead
• Form 9110AR or the standard waiver application via TMU

Foreign-Educated Nurses

Nurses who completed nurse-aide-equivalent training outside the US must submit credential evaluation through CGFNS or an equivalent service. If the evaluation shows 75+ hours of comparable training, candidates can sit for the Arkansas competency exam directly.

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Arkansas Approved CNA Training Programs (2026)

Arkansas DHS publishes a directory of every OLTC-approved program. As of April 2026 the state lists 130+ active programs. Highest-volume providers by region:

Central Arkansas

• UA-Pulaski Tech (North Little Rock) — full-day and evening NATCEP
• Baptist Health College Little Rock
• Arkansas Children's Hospital training partnerships (Little Rock)
• Quapaw Technical Institute (Hot Springs)

Northwest Arkansas

• North Arkansas College (Harrison) — strong reciprocity track record
• NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC, Bentonville)
• Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
• Ozarka College (Melbourne, Mountain View, Ash Flat)

Northeast Arkansas

• Arkansas State University-Newport (Jonesboro)
• Black River Technical College (Pocahontas, Paragould)
• ASU-Beebe

Southern Arkansas

• South Arkansas Community College (El Dorado)
• SAU Tech (Camden)
• Phillips Community College of UA (Helena, Stuttgart, DeWitt)
• Cossatot Community College of UA (De Queen)

Employer-Sponsored Programs

Major LTC operators including CHI St. Vincent, Baptist Health, Mercy, Methodist Health, NHC HealthCare, and Encore Healthcare run free in-house NATCEPs that refund tuition once you complete a 6-12 month employment commitment in their facility. These are the cheapest path for candidates without WIOA grants.

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Career Ladder: From CNA to LPN to RN in Arkansas

Many Arkansas long-term care employers reimburse $3,000-$5,000 per year of LPN or RN tuition for CNAs who commit to 24+ months of post-graduation employment. Ask your employer's HR or workforce-development office about scholarships funded through Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

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Arkansas CNA Salary & Job Outlook

Figures below reflect April 2026 aggregator and BLS data for Arkansas certified nursing assistants:

Arkansas CNA Wages by City (April 2026)

Highest-paying employers: Hospitals (Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, UAMS) typically run $2-4/hour above LTC. Travel CNA contracts through Aya, Stride, and Vivian post Arkansas placements at $24-$30/hour with stipends, but require 1+ year of bedside experience.

Arkansas CNA wages run roughly 15% below the national average, but cost of living is also among the lowest in the country, so take-home buying power tracks closer to mid-pack states. Arkansas projects more than 1,000 CNA openings per year through 2030 to replace workforce attrition and meet aging-population demand.

CNA also remains the most common stepping stone into LPN (12-18 months at AR community colleges), ADN (2 years), or BSN (4 years) programs. Many Arkansas long-term care employers offer tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 for CNAs who advance to LPN.

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Five Most-Tested Arkansas Skill Walk-Throughs (Critical Steps Highlighted)

Headmaster evaluators score against the exact step sequence in the Arkansas Candidate Handbook. The five skills below appear most frequently in Arkansas test events — drill them off the official checklist, not generic videos.

1. Hand Washing (embedded inside many other skills)

1. Turn on warm water; do not touch the inside of the sink
2. Wet hands and wrists below elbow level
3. Apply soap; lather for at least 20 seconds with friction over all surfaces (palms, backs, between fingers, thumbs, wrists)
4. Rinse from clean (wrists) to dirty (fingertips), keeping fingertips down
5. Dry with a clean paper towel from clean to dirty
6. Use a fresh paper towel to turn off the faucet
7. Discard towels in the appropriate receptacle

Critical traps: turning off the faucet with bare hands, rinsing with fingertips up, drying with the same towel as faucet shut-off, lathering for less than 20 seconds.

2. Measure and Record Radial Pulse + Respirations

1. Knock, greet, identify, wash hands, explain, provide privacy
2. Position resident with arm supported and at rest
3. Place 2-3 finger pads (NOT thumb, NOT fingernail) on the radial artery
4. Look at watch with second hand and count for a full 60 seconds
5. Without telling the resident, keep your fingers in place and count respirations for a full 60 seconds by watching chest rise/fall
6. Record both numbers on the assigned worksheet
7. Wash hands; report findings to the nurse

Critical traps: counting for 30 seconds and doubling, using the thumb, telling the resident you are counting respirations (alters the rate), not recording immediately.

3. Stand-and-Pivot Transfer Bed → Wheelchair Using Gait Belt

1. Wash hands; gather wheelchair, gait belt, non-skid footwear
2. Lock wheelchair brakes on the resident's strong side, footrests up and out of the way
3. Identify resident; explain procedure; provide privacy
4. Lower bed to lowest position; lock bed wheels
5. Apply non-skid footwear
6. Apply gait belt over clothing at the waist; check that two fingers fit underneath
7. Bring resident to sitting position with feet flat on floor; let dangle for stability
8. On count of three, pivot to wheelchair leading with the strong leg
9. Lower into wheelchair; reposition feet on footrests
10. Remove gait belt; place call light within reach
11. Wash hands; report

Critical traps: unlocked wheelchair brakes, gait belt under armpits, lifting from under arms, transferring to weak side.

4. Modified Bed Bath (Whole Face + One Arm/Hand + Underarm)

1. Wash hands; gather basin, soap, towels, washcloths, gloves, clean linen
2. Identify, explain, provide privacy, raise bed to working height
3. Don gloves
4. Test water temperature with inside of wrist (~105°F)
5. Wash eyes from inner to outer canthus, separate corners of washcloth for each eye, no soap
6. Wash, rinse, and dry face, ears, neck
7. Wash, rinse, dry one arm and underarm; support joints during washing
8. Wash, rinse, dry hand by submerging in basin if appropriate
9. Empty water; remove gloves
10. Wash hands; place call light

Critical traps: outer-to-inner eye washing, soap on the face/eyes, water temperature too hot (>110°F), failing to support joints during arm wash.

5. Apply Anti-Embolic Stocking (TED hose)

1. Wash hands; gather stocking and gloves
2. Identify, explain, provide privacy, raise bed
3. Have resident supine with leg straight
4. Turn the stocking inside out down to the heel
5. Slip foot into stocking, position heel correctly
6. Pull stocking up smoothly over leg, eliminating wrinkles (wrinkles cause pressure injury)
7. Verify toe opening (if present) is centered over toes
8. Place call light; lower bed
9. Wash hands; report

Critical traps: wrinkles in the stocking, applying with leg dangling (causes venous pooling), forcing the stocking over an edematous limb, missing the heel position.

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Pass the Arkansas CNA Exam — Free, Today

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Our Arkansas-aligned course covers every Headmaster subject area, the full Arkansas skill list, and includes:

• 500+ practice questions matched to the Arkansas Candidate Handbook blueprint
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• Timed mock exams that match the Headmaster format
• Updated April 2026 for current OLTC and Headmaster rules

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Official Arkansas CNA Resources

• Arkansas DHS — CNA / NHA Training Program
• Arkansas Office of Long Term Care (OLTC)
• Headmaster Arkansas CNA Testing Hub
• Arkansas Candidate Handbook (Headmaster forms page)
• Arkansas TMU Test Calendar
• Headmaster testing: 888-401-0462 | Registry: 888-401-0465 | Email: arkansas@hdmaster.com