CNA Exam 2026: Your Complete Certification Guide
The CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) exam is a two-part certification test required to work as a nursing assistant in healthcare facilities across the United States. CNAs provide essential direct patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses, making this certification your gateway into the rewarding field of healthcare.
Whether you're starting your healthcare career or looking for a stepping stone to nursing, CNA certification opens doors to immediate employment opportunities.
Exam Format & Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Exam | 60-70 multiple-choice questions |
| Written Time | 90 minutes |
| Skills Test | 3-5 clinical skills demonstrated |
| Skills Time | 25-40 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% written + 100% per skill |
| Testing Vendors | NNAAP, Prometric, D&S, Headmaster |
The CNA exam has two separate components you must pass:
- Written (or Oral) Examination - Tests your knowledge of nursing assistant concepts
- Clinical Skills Evaluation - Tests your ability to perform hands-on patient care
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Our comprehensive course covers all 9 content areas for the written exam plus clinical skills preparation—100% FREE.
CNA Written Exam Content Areas
The written exam tests your knowledge across 9 major content areas:
1. Role and Responsibilities (10-15%)
- CNA scope of practice and limitations
- Working within the healthcare team
- Delegation and supervision
- Chain of command
- Documentation and reporting
2. Communication (10-15%)
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
- Active listening techniques
- Communication with patients, families, and team
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Reporting changes in condition
3. Infection Control (10-15%)
- Chain of infection
- Standard precautions
- Hand hygiene (most important!)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Transmission-based precautions
- Bloodborne pathogens
4. Safety and Emergency Procedures (10-15%)
- Fall prevention
- Fire safety (RACE and PASS)
- Restraint use and alternatives
- Body mechanics and safe lifting
- Emergency response
- Incident reporting
5. Personal Care Skills (15-20%)
- Bathing and showering
- Oral hygiene and denture care
- Hair care and grooming
- Dressing and undressing
- Perineal care
- Toileting and incontinence care
6. Basic Nursing Skills (15-20%)
- Vital signs measurement
- Height and weight
- Intake and output
- Positioning and transfers
- Range of motion exercises
- Catheter care
- Nutrition and feeding
7. Mental Health and Cognitive Care (5-10%)
- Dementia and Alzheimer's care
- Depression in elderly
- Anxiety and agitation
- Reality orientation
- Behavioral interventions
8. Legal and Ethical Considerations (5-10%)
- Residents' rights (OBRA)
- HIPAA and confidentiality
- Advance directives
- Informed consent
- Abuse and neglect reporting
9. Care of Special Populations (5-10%)
- Elderly (geriatric) care
- Rehabilitation patients
- Hospice and end-of-life care
- Developmentally disabled
Free Practice Questions & Study Materials
Access FREE CNA Practice Questions
Each chapter includes:
- Detailed content explanations
- NNAAP-style practice questions
- Clinical skills checklists
- Key takeaways for quick review
Clinical Skills Evaluation
The Clinical Skills Evaluation is the hands-on portion where you demonstrate nursing assistant skills. This is often the more challenging part of the exam.
How the Skills Test Works
- Random Selection: You'll perform 3-5 skills from the skills list
- Time Limit: Usually 25-40 minutes total
- Evaluation: A trained Nurse Aide Evaluator observes and scores you
- Scoring: Must perform each skill correctly (100%)
- Critical Steps: Missing critical elements = automatic failure of that skill
Common Skills Tested
| Category | Skills |
|---|---|
| Infection Control | Hand hygiene, PPE donning/doffing |
| Vital Signs | Blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature |
| Personal Care | Bathing, oral care, perineal care, grooming |
| Mobility | Positioning, transfers, ambulation, ROM exercises |
| Elimination | Bedpan/urinal, catheter care, output measurement |
| Nutrition | Feeding assistance, intake measurement |
Hand Hygiene (Almost Always Tested!)
Hand hygiene is required before and after EVERY skill. Key points:
- Wet hands, apply soap
- Scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds
- Clean between fingers, under nails, wrists
- Rinse thoroughly, dry with paper towel
- Use towel to turn off faucet (don't recontaminate!)
Critical Steps for All Skills
These steps are mandatory—missing them fails the skill:
- Identify patient (check ID band or ask name)
- Explain procedure before starting
- Hand hygiene before and after
- Maintain privacy and dignity
- Ensure safety (bed position, side rails, call light)
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Practice Clinical Skills with Our Course
Our skills chapters include step-by-step procedures with critical steps highlighted for each skill commonly tested on the exam.
State-Specific Requirements
CNA certification is regulated at the state level, meaning requirements vary:
| Requirement | Range by State |
|---|---|
| Training Hours | 75-180 hours minimum |
| Clinical Hours | 16-100 hours minimum |
| Minimum Age | 16-18 years old |
| Background Check | Required everywhere |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years (most states) |
| Work Requirement | 8-16 hours within renewal period |
Testing Vendors by State
| Vendor | States |
|---|---|
| NNAAP | Most states (default) |
| Prometric | FL, MI, NY, and others |
| D&S Diversified | AZ, TN, OR, OH |
| Headmaster | IL, KS, MO, and others |
Check with your state nursing board for exact requirements.
Study Timeline for CNA Exam Success
| Week | Focus | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Foundation | Chapters 1-4 (Role, Communication, Infection, Safety) |
| 3-4 | Core Skills | Chapters 5-7 (Personal Care, Nursing Skills, Mental Health) |
| 5 | Specialized | Chapters 8-9 (Legal/Ethical, Special Populations) |
| 6 | Final Review | Practice tests + skills practice |
Recommended: 50-100 hours total after training program
Test-Taking Strategies
For Written Exam
- Read questions carefully - Look for keywords
- Eliminate wrong answers - Then choose best remaining
- Choose the safest answer - Patient safety is priority
- Maintain dignity - Privacy and respect matter
- Stay in scope - Know what CNAs can and cannot do
For Skills Exam
- Practice until automatic - No hesitation during test
- Talk through steps - Helps you remember and shows evaluator
- NEVER skip hand hygiene - Before AND after every skill
- Identify the patient - Every single time
- Explain procedure - Communication is key
- Don't rush - Accuracy over speed
Career Advancement: CNA to LPN/RN
CNA certification is an excellent stepping stone to nursing:
| Path | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| CNA → LPN | 12-18 months | Practical nursing program |
| CNA → ADN (RN) | 2 years | Associate degree nursing |
| CNA → BSN (RN) | 4 years | Bachelor's degree nursing |
Many CNAs continue working while attending nursing school, gaining valuable experience.
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Join thousands of nursing assistant candidates who passed their CNA exam using our comprehensive, 100% FREE study materials. Our course includes:
- 9 complete chapters covering all content areas
- Clinical skills checklists with critical steps
- AI-powered study assistance for instant explanations
- Regularly updated for 2026 exam content
No credit card required. Start studying today.
Official Resources
- Prometric CNA Testing
- NNAAP Information
- CMS Nurse Aide Registry
- Your State Board of Nursing website