Kansas CNA Exam 2026: The Complete KDADS Certified Nurse Aide Guide
In Kansas, a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is regulated by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) through its Health Occupations Credentialing (HOC) office. Unlike most states, Kansas does not outsource its nurse aide exam to Credentia, Pearson VUE, or D&S/Headmaster. KDADS-HOC administers the written and skills evaluation directly at more than 32 testing sites across Kansas, which makes Kansas one of the lowest-fee CNA exams in the country.
This guide covers every Kansas-specific rule: the 90-hour training split (45 classroom + 45 clinical), the 100-question written test, the 5-skill evaluation, the $20 exam fee, the 12-month testing window with 3 attempts, the 24-month paid-work renewal rule, and the reciprocity path for out-of-state CNAs. All facts below are verified against KDADS-HOC and training-provider sources current for 2026.
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Kansas CNA Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Title | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) |
| Regulator | Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) |
| Office | Health Occupations Credentialing (HOC) |
| Registry | Kansas Nurse Aide Registry (KDADS-HOC) |
| Testing Vendor | KDADS-HOC administers directly (not Credentia, Pearson VUE, or D&S) |
| Training Required | 90 hours (45 classroom + 45 clinical/simulated clinical) |
| Written Questions | 100 multiple-choice |
| Written Time Limit | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Skills Tested | 5 skills demonstrated live to an RN evaluator |
| Skills Time Limit | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Passing Score | 75% on BOTH the written AND the skills portion |
| State Application Fee | $20 to KDADS-HOC (check or money order, non-refundable) |
| Testing-Center Fee (separate) | $25–$45 at the approved site (e.g., Donnelly College $38; some sites list written $25 + clinical $30) |
| Reschedule / Late Fee | $20 additional if you miss or reschedule |
| Testing Window | Must pass within 12 months of starting an approved training program |
| Attempts Allowed | 3 attempts on each portion within the 12-month window |
| Initial Certification Validity | 24 months |
| Renewal Requirement | At least 8 paid nurse-aide hours documented within the prior 24 months |
| HOC Contact | (785) 296-6877 · kdads.certification@ks.gov |
| HOC Mailing Address | 612 S Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603 |
Why Kansas CNA is Different From Other States' Exams
Most "CNA" practice material online is written for the NNAAP (Credentia/Pearson VUE) or the D&S/Headmaster formats. Kansas uses neither. If you study generic national CNA material, you will get blindsided by these Kansas-specific differences:
- 100 written questions, not 60 or 70. Kansas runs a longer knowledge test than the NNAAP standard.
- State-employee RN evaluators. KDADS-HOC staff and contracted RN evaluators administer skills directly, not a private vendor's proctor.
- Uniform 75% threshold. Written AND skills both require 75% to pass — no separate scoring rules, no weighted section cuts.
- $20 state application fee — plus a separate testing-center fee. The $20 goes to KDADS-HOC. The testing site (community college, regional testing center, adult care home) charges its own $25–$45 sitting fee. Competitor guides often quote only one number; budget for both.
- 12-month testing window. You must pass both portions within 12 months of starting your approved training program, or you retrain from scratch.
- No automatic reciprocity. Kansas does not auto-reciprocate with neighboring states; you file the KDADS Interstate Application with $20 and may or may not be required to retest.
- Paid work, not CE. Renewal is strictly work-hour based — at least 8 paid nurse-aide hours in 24 months. Kansas does not require continuing education for base CNA renewal.
Kansas CNA Prerequisites (Before You Enroll)
KDADS-HOC and training programs require:
- Minimum age: Most approved programs require 16+; Kansas does not set a higher statutory age, but employers generally hire at 18.
- High school diploma or GED — required by nearly every KDADS-approved training provider and most Kansas long-term-care employers.
- Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and/or federal background check — convictions for abuse, exploitation, or certain felonies are disqualifying under K.A.R. 26 and federal OBRA rules.
- Nurse Aide Registry abuse/neglect/misappropriation screen — must be clear in every state you have ever lived or worked.
- Two-step TB skin test (PPD) or IGRA within the past 12 months; positive PPD requires a clear chest X-ray.
- Immunization records: MMR, Tdap, varicella, hepatitis B series (or declination), annual flu.
- Physical exam / fitness statement signed by a provider attesting ability to lift 50 lb and stand 8 hours.
- Social Security card — original (not a photo) is commonly required at application and test day.
Kansas Training: The 90-Hour Requirement
Kansas requires a minimum of 90 hours of KDADS-approved nurse aide training — 15 hours above the 75-hour federal OBRA floor. The 90 hours split into two equal parts:
| Component | Hours | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom / Lab | 45 hours | Theory: infection control, communication, residents' rights, HIPAA, body mechanics, nutrition, dementia care, safety, scope of practice, ethics |
| Clinical / Simulated Clinical | 45 hours | Hands-on resident care in an adult care home, hospital long-term care unit, or KDADS-approved simulation lab under an RN instructor |
Key Kansas training rules:
- Programs must be on the KDADS-HOC Approved Nurse Aide Programs list before tuition is paid. Non-approved training does NOT count — no exceptions.
- Curriculum follows the KDADS Kansas Model Nurse Aide Course Objectives and module sequence.
- Skills must be performance-evaluated by a Registered Nurse (RN) instructor — LPNs cannot be the primary instructor of record.
- Tuition typically runs $400 to $1,350, with many Kansas long-term-care facilities offering free training in exchange for a 90-day to 1-year work commitment.
- Challenge-track eligibility: Kansas LPN or RN students, Licensed Mental Health Technicians, and certain healthcare personnel may be eligible to challenge the exam without completing the full 90 hours. They receive only 1 attempt — versus the 3 attempts for traditional program graduates.
Verify any program against the official list at KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing before paying tuition.
Step-by-Step: How to Register for the Kansas CNA Exam
Follow this sequence in order. Out-of-sequence applications bounce back from HOC.
- Complete a KDADS-approved 90-hour training program. Your program submits your completion record directly to HOC.
- Obtain your Kansas Nurse Aide application form from your training program or the KDADS Applications & Forms page.
- Submit the application with the $20 fee to KDADS-HOC at 612 S Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. Payment is by check or money order — confirm current accepted methods on the HOC page.
- Schedule your test date at one of the 32+ Kansas testing sites (community colleges, adult care homes, regional testing centers). Available sites are listed in the HOC application packet.
- Test within 12 months of your training start date. Missing the 12-month window requires you to retake the full 90-hour program.
- Sit for both portions — typically on the same day: written (100 questions, 2 hours) and skills (5 tasks, about 30 minutes). Both must be scored at 75% or higher.
- Wait for your name to appear on the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry — typically within a few business days of passing.
- Begin employment — Kansas employers are required to verify active registry status before hiring you for direct resident care.
Written Exam Content Breakdown (100 Questions)
The Kansas KDADS-HOC written knowledge test covers 10 content domains drawn directly from the Kansas Model Nurse Aide Course Objectives. You have 2 hours for 100 questions — about 72 seconds per question.
| Content Domain | Approx. Weight | What's Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Activities of Daily Living / Basic Nursing Skills | ~20% | Bathing, dressing, toileting, oral care, grooming, feeding, positioning, vital signs |
| Infection Control | ~12% | Standard precautions, PPE sequencing, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, chain of infection |
| Safety and Emergencies | ~12% | Falls, fire (RACE/PASS), choking/Heimlich, body mechanics, ID bands, restraint alternatives |
| Resident Rights | ~10% | OBRA residents' rights, HIPAA, privacy, grievance, advance directives, abuse reporting |
| Communication and Interpersonal Skills | ~10% | Verbal/nonverbal, therapeutic communication, cultural awareness, documentation |
| Role and Responsibilities of the CNA | ~10% | Scope of practice, chain of command, delegation, reporting, ethics |
| Mental Health and Social Needs | ~8% | Depression, anxiety, coping, family dynamics, spiritual/cultural needs |
| Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Care | ~8% | Alzheimer stages, validation, redirection, sundowning, environmental cues |
| Restorative Services | ~5% | Range of motion, ambulation, transfer techniques, prosthetics, adaptive devices |
| Common Diseases and Disorders | ~5% | CVA, CHF, COPD, diabetes, UTI, pressure injury stages, end-of-life |
You need 75 of 100 correct to pass the written portion.
Highest-Yield Kansas Written-Test Topics
Based on KDADS blueprint weights and training-program feedback:
- Standard vs. transmission-based precautions — when to gown, glove, mask, or use N95; how to sequence PPE donning and doffing.
- Resident rights under OBRA — right to refuse care, privacy, freedom from restraint, grievance, advance directives.
- Abuse, neglect, and misappropriation reporting — Kansas mandatory reporter rules, immediate verbal report to charge nurse, written incident report, protective services.
- Change-in-condition recognition — vital sign abnormalities, mental status shifts, skin breakdown stages, dehydration, choking/aspiration signs.
- Safe transfers and body mechanics — gait belt use, lock wheels, weak side toward chair, never lift with your back.
Practice the Exact Kansas CNA Content
Our question bank mirrors the KDADS 10-domain blueprint, with full-length 100-question simulators and AI-powered explanations on every wrong answer.
The 5-Skill Evaluation: What to Expect
On skills-test day, a Kansas RN evaluator will randomly assign you 5 skills to perform on a standardized resident (usually a classmate or volunteer). You have about 30 minutes total. Every skill is scored against a published step list; missing any critical element step fails the entire skill.
Hand hygiene is tested on every candidate. The other four skills are pulled from a pool covering personal care, vital signs, mobility, measurements, and dressing/skin care.
Common Kansas CNA Skill Pool (What You Must Master)
| Category | Skills |
|---|---|
| Hygiene & Comfort | Hand washing, mouth care, denture care, perineal care (female), partial bed bath, back rub |
| Vitals & Measurements | Radial pulse, respiration count, blood pressure (one arm), weight on upright scale, measuring urinary output |
| Mobility | Transfer bed to wheelchair with gait belt, ambulation with gait belt, positioning on side, passive range of motion (shoulder, knee/ankle) |
| Nutrition & Elimination | Feeding a dependent resident, assisting with bedpan, catheter care, emptying urinary drainage bag |
| Dressing & Skin | Dressing resident with a weak/affected side, applying anti-embolism stocking, foot care, fingernail care |
| Safety | Making an occupied bed, applying heel protector / positioning device |
The Non-Negotiable Critical Element Steps
Missing any of these on any skill is an automatic fail:
- Knock and identify yourself before entering the room
- Identify the resident by name and ID band
- Explain the procedure before starting and get consent
- Perform hand hygiene before and after the skill (and again after glove removal)
- Provide privacy — close the door and draw the curtain
- Maintain safety at the end — bed in lowest position, wheels locked, side rails per care plan, call light within reach
- Maintain dignity and communication throughout — no exposing the resident, no rushing
6-Week Kansas CNA Study Plan (50–80 Hours Self-Study)
This plan layers on top of your 90-hour KDADS-approved training program.
| Week | Focus | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Role of the CNA, scope of practice, communication, residents' rights, HIPAA | 8–10 |
| 2 | Infection control, PPE sequencing, standard and transmission-based precautions, safety basics | 8–10 |
| 3 | Vital signs, personal care skills, basic nursing skills, documentation | 10–12 |
| 4 | Mobility, restorative care, ROM, transfers with gait belt, positioning | 8–10 |
| 5 | Psychosocial care, dementia and cognitive impairment, end-of-life, nutrition | 8–10 |
| 6 | Full-length 100-question practice tests + skills rehearsal with a partner and timer | 10–15 |
Most first-try Kansas CNA passers log 50–80 total self-study hours beyond the 90 program hours.
Kansas-Specific Pitfalls (Avoid These)
- 12-month testing window. You must pass both portions within 12 months of starting your training. Blow the window and you retake the full 90-hour program from scratch.
- 3 attempts only. Program graduates get 3 tries on each portion; challenge applicants (LPN/RN students, LMHTs, etc.) get only 1 attempt. Wasting attempts is costly.
- 75% cutoff on BOTH parts. Pass the written and fail skills (or vice versa) and you retake only the failed portion — but you still need to do so within the 12-month window.
- $20 reschedule fee. Missing a scheduled test date, or arriving late, forfeits your seat and requires a $20 reschedule fee.
- Non-approved training. Only programs on the KDADS Approved Nurse Aide Programs list count. Out-of-state programs do NOT automatically qualify — you need reciprocity via Interstate Application.
- Challenge applicants: 1 attempt. If you are an LPN/RN student or LMHT challenging the Kansas CNA exam, confirm your eligibility in writing from HOC before paying — failing your single attempt means you must enroll in a full 90-hour program.
- Name match. The name on your government ID, training record, and HOC application must match exactly. A middle-initial or surname mismatch delays or voids registry posting.
- Registry lapse. Going more than 24 months without a paid nurse-aide shift removes you from active registry status — you then must complete a refresher course or RN skills verification before returning to work.
- Employer verification. Every Kansas long-term-care employer must confirm your active registry status before hiring. If HOC has not yet posted your name, you cannot legally begin direct-care employment.
- Federal offender registry. Adverse findings on any state's Nurse Aide Registry (abuse, neglect, misappropriation) follow you nationwide. Dispute any incorrect Kansas finding in writing within 30 days of notice.
Test-Day Checklist
Bring:
- Original Social Security card (not a photo or copy) — confirm requirement on your HOC admission letter
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport) — name must match your HOC application exactly
- Admission letter / scheduling confirmation from KDADS-HOC
- Two #2 pencils with erasers
- Wristwatch with a second hand (NO smart watches — needed to count respirations and pulse)
- Full clinical scrubs and closed-toe, non-slip shoes — required for both written AND skills
- Hair tied back, no artificial nails, nails trimmed short, no jewelry except a plain wedding band and small studs
Leave at home:
- Cell phone, smart watch, fitness tracker, earbuds (lockers usually provided)
- Bags, backpacks, food, notes, gum, hats
Arrive 30 minutes early. Late arrival forfeits your fee and requires a $20 reschedule.
Master Every Critical Step
Our course highlights the exact critical element steps Kansas RN evaluators watch for — the ones that fail otherwise competent candidates.
Kansas Nurse Aide Registry: Renewal and Reciprocity
Initial Certification Validity
Your Kansas CNA certification is valid for 24 months from the date you pass both portions and are posted to the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry.
Renewal: 8 Paid Hours in 24 Months
Kansas uses a work-based renewal (not CE-based). To maintain active registry status, you must document:
- At least 8 paid hours performing nursing-assistant duties in the prior 24 months, OR
- A continuous paid shift meeting the equivalent minimum under your employer's verification
Key renewal facts:
- Renewal is free — Kansas does not charge for base registry renewal; your employer verifies paid work.
- No continuing education requirement for base CNA renewal (separate in-service requirements exist in long-term-care facilities under federal OBRA 42 CFR 483.152 — typically 12 in-service hours per year).
- If you do NOT work 8 paid hours in 24 months, your registry status lapses.
Reinstatement After Lapse
If your status lapses (went 24+ months without paid nurse-aide work), you have two reinstatement paths:
- Refresher course — complete a KDADS-approved refresher (typically 21 hours: 12 classroom + 9 lab/clinical) at an approved nurse aide program and document competency.
- RN skills verification — an RN completes a formal task checklist verifying you can still perform core CNA skills competently, then submits it to HOC.
If your training completion is more than a few years old, HOC may additionally require you to retake the state exam — contact HOC at (785) 296-6877 before starting reinstatement.
Kansas CNA Reciprocity (Interstate Application)
Kansas does not auto-reciprocate with any state. Out-of-state CNAs must file the KDADS Interstate Application with HOC:
- Fee: $20 Interstate Application fee to KDADS-HOC.
- Required documents: photocopy of your current state certification, copy of your training completion, KBI/federal background check results (approximately $57), and registry verification from your home state confirming active status with no abuse/neglect/misappropriation findings.
- Training must meet federal OBRA minimum of at least 75 hours — if it falls short of Kansas's 90-hour standard, HOC may require supplemental training.
- Most interstate candidates must pass the Kansas exam. HOC typically issues an Approval to Test notice; you receive 1 attempt (not the 3 granted to program graduates). Failing means enrolling in a full 90-hour Kansas program.
- Trainee work window. Kansas allows interstate candidates to work up to 4 months as a nurse-aide trainee while completing the exam process, provided the employer verifies your out-of-state certification.
- Send to: KDADS/Health Occupations Credentialing, 612 S Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.
- Typical processing: 2–6 weeks depending on home-state registry response time.
Related KDADS-HOC Credentials
KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing also administers registries and exams for related Kansas long-term-care roles — worth knowing if you want to advance or broaden your qualifications:
- Certified Medication Aide (CMA) — available to active CNAs who complete a 75-hour medication-administration course and pass a separate KDADS exam.
- Home Health Aide (HHA) — Kansas CNAs can add a home health endorsement with 20 additional hours of approved training.
- Paid Nutrition Assistant (PNA) — 8-hour course for feeding-assistance-only roles in adult care homes.
- Activity Director, Operator, and Administrator-in-Training (AIT) — separate credentials for LTC leadership tracks.
All share the same KDADS-HOC registry infrastructure, so once you're in the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry, upgrading to CMA or HHA is a paperwork-light pathway.
Kansas CNA Career Outlook and Salary (2026)
Kansas employs roughly 18,000–20,000 nursing assistants across hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospice (BLS OEWS). Aging demographics across the state — particularly in western and central Kansas counties — have created sustained CNA shortages, with most long-term-care facilities hiring year-round.
| Setting | Hourly Wage | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas statewide average | $16.00–$17.90 | $33,000–$37,200 |
| Hospitals (acute care) | $18–$21 | $37,400–$43,700 |
| Skilled nursing facility | $15–$17.50 | $31,200–$36,400 |
| Home health | $14–$17 | $29,100–$35,400 |
| Hospice | $17–$20 | $35,400–$41,600 |
By Kansas metro (approximate 2026 averages):
- Overland Park / Johnson County: $17.50–$19.50/hr (highest in the state; Kansas City metro influence)
- Wichita: $16.50–$18.00/hr
- Topeka: $16.00–$17.50/hr
- Lawrence: $16.00–$17.50/hr
- Manhattan: $15.50–$17.00/hr
- Rural central/western Kansas: $14.50–$16.00/hr (often offset by sign-on bonuses and housing stipends)
Salary sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (Kansas), ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, Indeed — all pulled for 2026. Sign-on bonuses of $500–$2,500 are common in metro hospitals and larger long-term-care chains.
Why Kansas CNA Wages Lag the National Median
Kansas's CNA median sits roughly 10–15% below the U.S. median ($18.96/hr per BLS). Two structural reasons:
- Low cost of living. Kansas housing and utilities are well below national averages, so nominal wages look lower even when purchasing power is similar.
- Medicaid reimbursement rates. A large share of Kansas nursing-home revenue comes from Medicaid; reimbursement caps limit how fast facilities can raise base wages.
The best combined packages are in Johnson County (Kansas City metro-influenced wages), Wichita hospital systems, and union-supported urban SNFs. Rural facilities often offset lower base pay with sign-on bonuses, housing, and tuition reimbursement for LPN/RN bridging.
CNA to LPN to RN Kansas Career Ladder
Kansas has a well-developed community college system for CNA-to-nurse bridging. Typical timelines:
- CNA to LPN: 12–18 months (Kansas LPN median ≈ $51,000)
- LPN to ADN (RN): 12–18 additional months
- ADN to BSN: 12–24 months online (Kansas RN median ≈ $72,000)
Many Kansas SNFs and hospital systems — including Stormont Vail, University of Kansas Health System, Ascension Via Christi, and HaysMed — offer tuition reimbursement for CNAs pursuing LPN/RN degrees. Working as a CNA while in nursing school is one of the fastest paths to a Kansas RN license.
Pass the Kansas CNA Exam with Confidence
Our free Kansas CNA prep program includes:
- Full KDADS 10-domain content coverage (100-question blueprint)
- Kansas-specific rules (90-hour training split, 12-month window, 3-attempt rule, challenge path)
- Skills checklists with critical-element-step highlighting
- AI-powered explanations for every wrong answer
- Full-length 100-question simulator that mirrors the 2-hour test-day timing
- Updated for 2026 KDADS-HOC requirements
No credit card. No signup wall. Start studying today.
Official Kansas CNA Resources
- KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing — primary regulator homepage
- KDADS Applications & Forms — Kansas Nurse Aide application, Interstate Application, renewal
- KDADS Certification Policies & FAQs — official policy manual
- KDADS Training Provider Information — approved programs and curriculum
- Kansas Nurse Aide Registry Public Lookup — verify status, search CNAs
- CMS Nurse Aide Registry — federal registry information
- KDADS-HOC phone: (785) 296-6877
- KDADS-HOC email: kdads.certification@ks.gov
- Mailing address: KDADS / Health Occupations Credentialing, 612 S Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603
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