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200+ Free Arkansas CNA Practice Questions

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Which Arkansas state agency oversees the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (ARNAR)?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Arkansas CNA Exam

76%

Written Passing Score

Headmaster / DHS/OLTC

75

Written Questions

Headmaster

60 min

Written Time Limit

Headmaster

$125

Total Exam Fee

Waived for employed candidates

5 skills

Clinical Skills Required

30-minute skills test

3

Max Attempts per Section

DHS/OLTC policy

Arkansas switched from Prometric to Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) for CNA exam administration. The written test is 75 questions in 60 minutes — more questions and less time than Prometric's 60-question/90-minute format. The passing score is 76% (57/75 correct). The $125 exam fee is waived for candidates already employed by a nursing facility. After passing, ARNAR (Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry) lists your credential under DHS/OLTC oversight. CNAs must perform at least one nursing-related service every 24 months to stay active on the registry.

Sample Arkansas CNA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Arkansas CNA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Arkansas state agency oversees the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (ARNAR)?
A.Arkansas State Board of Nursing
B.Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long Term Care (OLTC)
C.Arkansas Department of Health, Division of Long Term Care
D.Arkansas Health Care Association
Explanation: The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long Term Care (OLTC) oversees the CNA program in Arkansas and administers the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (ARNAR). The OLTC contracts with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) to develop and administer the competency exam and manage the registry. CNAs with questions about program regulations should contact the OLTC at cna.oltc@arkansas.gov.
2A newly trained nursing assistant in Arkansas must pass both the knowledge and skills exams within what timeframe after completing a training program?
A.6 months
B.1 year
C.18 months
D.2 years
Explanation: Per Arkansas regulations, a newly trained nurse aide must successfully pass both the knowledge and skills exams within one (1) year of successfully completing an approved training program. If this deadline is missed, the candidate must retake the training program before becoming eligible to test again. This rule aligns with federal OBRA requirements for CNA certification.
3A resident asks a CNA to perform a medication injection because the nurse is busy. What is the MOST appropriate response?
A.Perform the injection if the CNA has seen it done before
B.Explain that administering injections is outside the CNA's scope of practice and notify the nurse
C.Ask the charge nurse over the phone for permission before proceeding
D.Perform the injection only if the resident has consented
Explanation: Administering medications, including injections, is strictly outside the CNA's scope of practice in Arkansas and every state. CNAs provide basic care under the supervision of licensed nurses. When asked to perform a task beyond their training, a CNA must respectfully decline and report the resident's need to the appropriate nurse immediately. Never performing tasks outside scope of practice protects both the resident and the CNA.
4An Arkansas CNA discovers that a fellow nursing assistant has been systematically stealing small amounts of cash from residents' rooms. What should the CNA do FIRST?
A.Confront the coworker directly and demand they stop
B.Wait to gather more evidence before reporting
C.Report the suspected misappropriation immediately to the supervisor
D.Inform the residents' family members before management
Explanation: Misappropriation of resident property is a form of financial abuse and must be reported immediately to the supervisor. In Arkansas, substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, or exploitation are recorded on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (ARNAR) and can result in permanent prohibition from working as a CNA. The CNA has a legal and ethical duty to report—not investigate personally.
5What is the passing score required on the knowledge portion of the Arkansas CNA exam as administered by Headmaster?
A.70%
B.75%
C.76%
D.80%
Explanation: In Arkansas, candidates must achieve a score of 76% or better to pass the knowledge (written) portion of the CNA competency exam administered by Headmaster/D&S Diversified Technologies. The knowledge exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute time limit. Both the knowledge exam and the clinical skills exam must be passed to become certified.
6When using a gait belt to transfer a resident from bed to wheelchair, where should the CNA position the gait belt?
A.Around the resident's chest, just below the armpits
B.Around the resident's waist, over clothing
C.Around the resident's hips, below the waist
D.Around the resident's thighs, just above the knees
Explanation: A gait belt should be placed around the resident's waist, over clothing (never on bare skin), snug enough that only two fingers can fit under it. The belt is positioned at the waist to provide the CNA with a secure grip to control the resident's center of gravity during transfers. Placing it above or below the waist reduces control and increases fall risk.
7A resident attempts to get out of bed unassisted, despite a fall-risk care plan that requires two-person assistance. The CNA is alone in the room. What is the BEST action?
A.Allow the resident to attempt the transfer since it's their right to move independently
B.Physically restrain the resident from getting up until help arrives
C.Stay with the resident, calmly encourage them to wait, and call for help using the call light or voice
D.Leave the room briefly to get a second CNA, locking the door behind you
Explanation: The CNA should never leave a high-fall-risk resident alone when they are attempting to get up. The correct action is to stay with the resident, use calm reassurance to encourage waiting, and use the nurse call system or call out for help. Physical restraint without a physician's order is abuse. Locking a resident in a room is also a rights violation. Prevention through presence and communication is the key principle.
8A CNA notices smoke coming from a resident's wastebasket. Using the RACE fire-response protocol, what is the FIRST action?
A.Activate the fire alarm (Alarm)
B.Remove residents in immediate danger (Rescue)
C.Close all doors and windows (Contain)
D.Extinguish the fire if small (Extinguish)
Explanation: RACE stands for: Rescue → Alarm → Contain → Extinguish. The FIRST priority is always to Rescue (remove) any residents in immediate danger from the fire. After ensuring residents are safe, activate the alarm, then contain the fire by closing doors, and finally extinguish if safe to do so. Human life always comes before property. Never pass a person in danger to sound an alarm first.
9Which body mechanics principle is MOST important for a CNA to practice when lifting or moving heavy objects to prevent back injury?
A.Bend at the waist and keep legs straight to use large back muscles
B.Bend at the knees, keep your back straight, and use your leg muscles
C.Twist at the waist to position yourself closest to the object
D.Hold the object as far from your body as possible to maintain balance
Explanation: Proper body mechanics requires bending at the knees (not the waist), keeping the back straight, and using powerful leg muscles to lift. Objects should be held close to the body to reduce leverage on the spine. Twisting the back while lifting is a primary cause of injury—instead, move your feet to turn. Back injuries are the most common occupational injury for CNAs, making proper mechanics essential.
10A resident with oxygen therapy is found smoking in his room. What is the MOST immediate safety concern, and what should the CNA do?
A.It is safe since oxygen is not a flammable gas; let the resident finish
B.Tell the resident to keep the window open while smoking to ventilate the room
C.Remove the cigarette immediately and explain that oxygen greatly increases fire risk; notify the nurse
D.Allow smoking in designated areas only after turning off the oxygen
Explanation: Oxygen is not flammable itself but dramatically accelerates combustion, making any open flame or spark extremely dangerous. A cigarette near an oxygen source can cause a severe fire or explosion. The CNA must remove the cigarette immediately to prevent injury, then notify the charge nurse. This is an urgent safety situation that supersedes resident preferences. The nurse and care team must then address the safety issue appropriately.

About the Arkansas CNA Exam

The Arkansas CNA competency exam has two parts: a 75-question Written Knowledge Test (60 minutes) and a Clinical Skills Test (5 randomly selected skills in 30 minutes). Passing lists you on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (ARNAR), maintained by the Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Long Term Care (DHS/OLTC). Headmaster administers the exam across Arkansas. You must complete at least 90 hours of state-approved CNA training (74 classroom + 16 clinical) before testing.

Questions

75 scored questions

Time Limit

60 min written + 30 min skills (5 skills)

Passing Score

76% written + 100% skills steps

Exam Fee

$125 written + skills (waived if employed by a nursing facility) (Headmaster / D&S Diversified Technologies (Arkansas DHS/OLTC))

Arkansas CNA Exam Content Outline

14.7%

Basic Nursing Skills (11 questions)

Vital signs, ROM, transfers, positioning, nutrition, I&O, wound observation, body mechanics, assistive devices

12%

Infection Control (9 questions)

Hand hygiene (20+ seconds), PPE selection, standard precautions, isolation categories, needlestick response, bloodborne pathogens

10.7%

Safety (8 questions)

Fall prevention, fire safety (RACE/PASS), body mechanics, restraint alternatives, disaster response, choking/Heimlich, OSHA standards

10.7%

Personal Care (8 questions)

Bathing, grooming, dressing, perineal care, oral hygiene, nail/foot care, elimination, catheter care

9.3%

Role and Responsibility (7 questions)

Scope of practice, DHS/OLTC regulations, mandatory reporting (abuse/neglect), professionalism, supervision, ARNAR requirements

8%

Resident Rights (6 questions)

OBRA rights, privacy/dignity, right to refuse, advance directives, HIPAA, Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman, grievance process

6.7%

Communication (5 questions)

Therapeutic communication, documentation, SBAR reporting, HIPAA, language access, interdisciplinary team communication

6.7%

Disease Process (5 questions)

Common chronic conditions (HTN, diabetes, COPD, CHF), stroke signs (FAST), diabetic emergencies, skin breakdown prevention

6.7%

Aging Process / Restorative Care (5 questions)

Normal aging changes, psychosocial needs, restorative programs, ROM, adaptive devices, contracture prevention

5.3%

Data Collection (4 questions)

Vital sign measurement, observation and reporting, intake/output measurement, weight, blood glucose monitoring

5.3%

Mental Health (4 questions)

Depression, anxiety, grief, behavioral approaches, therapeutic milieu, end-of-life support

4%

Care of Cognitively Impaired (3 questions)

Dementia stages, Alzheimer's care, validation therapy, wandering prevention, behavior management, redirection

How to Pass the Arkansas CNA Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 76% written + 100% skills steps
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 60 min written + 30 min skills (5 skills)
  • Exam fee: $125 written + skills (waived if employed by a nursing facility)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Arkansas CNA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Know that Arkansas requires 76% (not 70%) — study to get 80%+ in practice to have a buffer for the real exam
2Arkansas is a Headmaster state: 75 questions in 60 minutes (faster pace than Prometric's 90 minutes for 60 questions)
3Know the DHS/OLTC role: Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Long Term Care oversees all nursing aide regulations
4Memorize mandatory reporting: Arkansas CNAs are mandated reporters of abuse, neglect, and exploitation under Arkansas Adult Protective Services law
5Know the fee waiver: employed nursing facility workers may have the $125 fee waived — a common Arkansas-specific detail
6Review the 24-month work requirement: must perform at least one paid nursing service every 24 months to maintain active ARNAR status
7Master infection control: hand hygiene (20+ seconds), PPE donning/doffing order, standard precautions, bloodborne pathogens
8Handwashing is typically always one of the 5 clinical skills tested — know every step precisely

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arkansas CNA exam passing score?

Arkansas requires a 76% score on the Written Knowledge Test (approximately 57 out of 75 questions correct) to pass. The Clinical Skills Test requires successfully demonstrating all required steps for each of the 5 selected skills. You must pass both the written and skills portions to be listed on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (ARNAR).

Who administers the Arkansas CNA exam?

Headmaster / D&S Diversified Technologies (D&SDT) administers the Arkansas CNA competency exam on behalf of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care (DHS/OLTC). Arkansas switched from Prometric to Headmaster as its exam vendor. The written test is computer-based at authorized Headmaster test sites.

Is the Arkansas CNA exam fee waived for employed candidates?

Yes. Candidates already employed by an Arkansas-licensed nursing facility may have their $125 exam fee waived. Contact your employer and the DHS/OLTC to confirm eligibility. Employed candidates should coordinate scheduling through their facility, which may have a training program and testing arrangement with Headmaster.

How many times can I take the Arkansas CNA exam?

Candidates have 3 attempts to pass each portion of the exam before being required to complete additional state-approved CNA training. If you fail either the written or skills portion 3 times, you must retake an approved 90-hour training program before retesting. Keep track of your attempt count as it resets after additional training.

How do I stay active on the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry (ARNAR)?

After passing, you are listed on ARNAR under DHS/OLTC. To remain active, you must perform at least one compensated nursing-related service within every 24-month period. If you become inactive, you may need to retest or complete a refresher course. ARNAR also lists any substantiated abuse/neglect findings, which can disqualify you from working in nursing facilities.

What training is required before the Arkansas CNA exam?

Arkansas requires completion of at least 90 hours of state-approved CNA training before testing. This includes at least 74 hours of classroom/lab instruction and 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in an approved long-term care facility. Training programs must be approved by DHS/OLTC. Students in DHS/OLTC-approved programs are typically enrolled through the program to schedule the exam.