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Key Facts: Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) Exam

$120

Exam Fee (OH)

Headmaster ($30+$90)

79

Written Questions

Headmaster

70%

Written Passing Score

~56/79 questions

90 min

Written Time Limit

Headmaster

75 hrs

Min. Training Required

Ohio ODH NATCEP

2 years

Renewal Cycle

Ohio ODH

Ohio law calls registry-listed nurse aides certified nurse aides (CNAs); STNA (State Tested Nurse Aide) is the older title many employers still use. The exam is administered by Headmaster and costs $120 ($30 knowledge + $90 skills) or $130 with the audio knowledge exam ($40 audio + $90 skills), per the December 2025 candidate handbook. Ohio requires a minimum 75-hour ODH-approved NATCEP training program. The knowledge test has 79 questions in 90 minutes with a 70% passing score. The 35-minute skill test has 3 or 4 tasks; each requires every key (bolded) step plus 80% of non-key steps. The Ohio Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by ODH. Certification renews every 2 years and requires at least 7.5 consecutive hours or 8 hours in a 48-hour period of paid CNA work every 24 months.

Sample Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 495+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Chapter 3701-18 regulations, what is the minimum training requirement to become a certified nurse aide in Ohio?
A.50 hours of classroom instruction only
B.75 total hours: the first 16 classroom hours, then 59 hours including 16–25 hours of supervised clinical experience
C.100 hours total (60 classroom + 40 clinical)
D.120 hours of combined instruction and clinical practice
Explanation: Ohio Administrative Code 3701-18-12(A)(4)-(5) requires the first 16 hours of the minimum 75-hour program to be classroom instruction. The remaining 59 hours include 16–25 hours of supervised clinical experience; 59 hours is not a separate classroom-only minimum.
2A nurse aide in Ohio discovers that a resident has been verbally abused by another staff member. According to Ohio mandated reporter requirements, the nurse aide must:
A.Report the incident to the facility administrator within 24 hours
B.Report immediately to the nurse in charge or designated supervisor
C.Document the incident and wait for the next staff meeting to discuss
D.Confront the abusive staff member directly and warn them to stop
Explanation: Ohio law requires nurse aides to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation immediately to the nurse in charge or designated supervisor. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 5101.61, nurse aides are mandated reporters and must report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect without delay. The report should be made to the appropriate supervisor who will then follow facility protocols for investigating and reporting to the Ohio Department of Health and/or local authorities as required.
3Under federal OBRA rules followed in Ohio, how many hours of in-service education must an employed nurse aide complete each year?
A.6 hours every year
B.12 hours every year
C.12 hours every 2 years
D.No in-service requirements once certified
Explanation: Federal OBRA regulations, which Ohio follows, require that each employed nurse aide receive at least 12 hours of in-service education per year, provided by the facility. This is separate from the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry renewal, which is based on a work requirement: the aide must have performed nursing or nursing-related services for pay for at least 7.5 consecutive hours (or 8 hours within a 48-hour period) during the 24-month period to keep active status. Failing the work requirement results in expiration of certification, requiring retesting.
4A CNA in Ohio is asked by a family member to share information about another resident who was recently discharged. The CNA should:
A.Share the information since the resident is no longer in the facility
B.Refuse and explain that resident information is confidential even after discharge
C.Share only general information without specific details
D.Ask the supervisor for permission before sharing
Explanation: Resident confidentiality continues even after discharge under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Ohio nurse aides are bound by federal HIPAA regulations and Ohio state privacy laws. The CNA must refuse to share any protected health information (PHI) about any resident, current or former, without proper authorization. Sharing such information could result in civil and criminal penalties under federal law and a finding against the aide on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, which is maintained by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
5According to Ohio NATCEP (Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program) regulations, which of the following tasks is outside the scope of practice for a nurse aide?
A.Assisting with range of motion exercises
B.Performing sterile dressing changes
C.Helping residents with feeding
D.Assisting with ambulation using a gait belt
Explanation: Performing sterile dressing changes is outside the scope of practice for Ohio nurse aides. Under ODH Chapter 3701-18, sterile procedures requiring aseptic technique must be performed by licensed nurses. Nurse aides may assist with non-sterile dressing applications if specifically trained and delegated by a nurse, but sterile dressing changes require clinical judgment and training beyond the nurse aide scope. The other options (ROM, feeding, ambulation) are all within the standard nurse aide scope of practice.
6When taking the Ohio Headmaster/D&S CNA examination, a candidate who fails the knowledge test may retake it:
A.Immediately on the same day
B.After a mandatory 30-day waiting period
C.Up to two additional times before retraining is required
D.Only after completing the entire training program again
Explanation: Under Headmaster/D&S testing procedures used in Ohio, candidates who fail the knowledge test may retake it up to two additional times (for a total of three attempts) before being required to complete the training program again. If a candidate fails the third attempt, they must complete a new NATCEP training program before testing again. This policy ensures candidates have adequate knowledge while providing multiple opportunities for success.
7A nurse aide in Ohio observes a coworker taking money from a resident's wallet without permission. This is an example of:
A.Theft that must be reported immediately
B.A personal matter between the resident and coworker
C.Acceptable if the resident previously gave permission
D.A minor policy violation requiring only verbal warning
Explanation: Taking money from a resident without permission is theft and constitutes financial exploitation, which is a form of abuse under Ohio law. Ohio Revised Code Section 5101.61 mandates that nurse aides report any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation immediately. Financial exploitation of elderly or disabled residents is also a criminal offense in Ohio. The nurse aide must report the observation immediately to a supervisor and follow the facility's abuse reporting protocol.
8The primary purpose of the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry is to:
A.Track employment history of all healthcare workers in Ohio
B.Maintain a record of individuals who have met training and testing requirements
C.Provide job placement services for nurse aides
D.Collect dues for the nurse aide union
Explanation: The Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Ohio Department of Health, serves as the official record of individuals who have successfully completed an approved NATCEP training program and passed the Headmaster/D&S competency examination. The registry verifies that nurse aides are qualified to work in Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing facilities. Employers must check the registry before hiring to ensure certification is active and to review any findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property.
9Under Ohio's 3701-18 regulations, a nurse aide who has not worked as a nurse aide for more than 24 consecutive months:
A.Can continue working with a temporary permit
B.Must retake both the knowledge and skills tests to regain certification
C.Only needs to complete 8 hours of refresher training
D.Can have their certification reinstated automatically upon request
Explanation: Under Ohio ODH Chapter 3701-18, nurse aides who have not performed nursing-related services for monetary compensation for more than 24 consecutive months lose their certification. To regain active status on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, they must retake and pass both the knowledge test and skills evaluation. This requirement ensures that nurse aides returning to practice have maintained competency in both theory and practical skills.
10When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair using a gait belt, the nurse aide should position the wheelchair:
A.At the foot of the bed facing away from the bed
B.At the head of the bed facing the wall
C.Alongside the bed at a 45-degree angle with wheels locked
D.At the foot of the bed with one wheel unlocked for easy movement
Explanation: The wheelchair should be positioned alongside the bed at a 45-degree angle (on the resident's stronger side if applicable) with the wheels locked. This positioning provides the safest and most efficient transfer path. Both wheels must be locked to prevent the chair from moving during transfer. The footrests should be swung out of the way or removed, and the armrest on the transferring side should be removed if possible.

About the Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) Exam

The Ohio CNA exam is the competency evaluation for listing on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry. Under Ohio Revised Code 3721.32(E), registry-listed aides in good standing are certified nurse aides (CNAs), a role long known in Ohio as the State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA). Administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) under the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), it includes a 79-question knowledge test and a 35-minute skill test of 3 or 4 tasks.

Exam sponsor: Headmaster (D&S) / Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

79 questions

Time Limit

90 min knowledge + 35 min skill test

Passing Score

70% knowledge + all key steps and 80% of non-key steps on each skill task

Exam / Certification Fees

$120 (Knowledge $30 + Skills $90)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. D&SDT-Headmaster does not publish Ohio first-time pass rates in its candidate handbook or Ohio CNA web page. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

11%

Basic Nursing Skills

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

11%

Personal Care

Bathing, grooming, dressing, perineal care, oral hygiene, elimination, fluid management

10%

Safety

Fall prevention, fire safety, body mechanics, emergency response, restraint alternatives

9%

Mental Health

Depression, dementia, Alzheimer's, grief, end-of-life care, behavioral approaches

9%

Role and Responsibility

Ohio scope of practice, ODH registry, delegation, professional behavior, chain of command

9%

Infection Control

Hand hygiene, PPE, standard/transmission-based precautions, bloodborne pathogens

8%

Care of Cognitively Impaired

Alzheimer's behaviors, redirection techniques, validation therapy, wandering prevention

8%

Communication

Therapeutic communication, documentation, SBAR, reporting changes, HIPAA

6%

Older Adult Growth & Development

Normal aging changes, developmental stages, aging process

6%

Resident Rights

Privacy, dignity, right to refuse, advance directives, HIPAA, ombudsman

6%

Disease Process

CHF, COPD, diabetes, stroke, pressure injuries, DVT recognition

6%

Data Collection

I&O measurement, objective vs. subjective data, vital sign recording

Preparing for the Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% knowledge + all key steps and 80% of non-key steps on each skill task
  • Exam length: 79 questions
  • Time limit: 90 min knowledge + 35 min skill test
  • Exam / certification fees: $120 (Knowledge $30 + Skills $90) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 495 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Ohio CNA (formerly STNA): Suggested Study Strategy

1Ohio law and the current Headmaster handbook say certified nurse aide (CNA); expect the older STNA title in job listings and older materials
2Schedule through Headmaster at hdmaster.com — all Ohio test sites use electronic TMU testing
3The exam has 79 questions in 90 minutes — practice pacing at about 68 seconds per question
4Know Ohio ODH regulations, mandatory reporting requirements, and the Nurse Aide Registry
5Study all 12 content domains — no single domain dominates, so you need broad knowledge
6Master the 21 official skill tasks — hand washing is embedded in every mandatory first task, and missing any key (bolded) step fails that task

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Ohio CNA (STNA) exam?

Ohio CNA exams are administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) under the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Ohio law uses the certified nurse aide (CNA) designation; many employers still say STNA. All Ohio test sites use electronic TMU testing. Schedule through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/ohio/.

What is an STNA in Ohio?

STNA stands for State Tested Nurse Aide, the title Ohio long used for its nurse aides. Since October 24, 2024, Ohio Revised Code 3721.32(E) says an individual listed on the Nurse Aide Registry in good standing is referred to as a certified nurse aide (CNA), and the current Headmaster candidate handbook uses CNA. To be listed, you must complete an ODH-approved NATCEP training program (or an approved alternate pathway) and pass both the knowledge exam and the skill test through Headmaster.

How much does the Ohio CNA (STNA) exam cost?

The Ohio CNA exam costs $120 for knowledge + skills ($30 knowledge + $90 skills). The optional audio knowledge exam costs $40, for a $130 total with the skill test. These fees took effect September 1, 2025, per the December 2025 Headmaster candidate handbook. Pay in your TMU account before scheduling.

What score do I need to pass the Ohio STNA exam?

You need 70% or better on the knowledge exam (about 56 of 79 questions correct). On the skill test, you must correctly perform every key (bolded) step and 80% of the non-key steps on each of your 3 or 4 tasks. The knowledge exam has 79 questions with a 90-minute time limit; the skill test allows 35 minutes.

How do I renew my Ohio CNA (STNA) certification?

Ohio STNA certification renews every 2 years. You must perform at least 7.5 consecutive hours or 8 hours in a 48-hour period of paid nursing assistant work every 24 months. The Ohio Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

Can nursing students waive the Ohio STNA training requirement?

Yes, nursing students enrolled in pre-licensure nursing programs may waive the NATCEP training requirement with ODH approval. They must still pass both the knowledge exam and clinical skills evaluation through Headmaster to be listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.

What are the abuse reporting requirements for Ohio STNAs?

Ohio STNAs are mandatory reporters of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property. Reports must be made immediately to your supervisor and to the Ohio Department of Health. The Ohio Nurse Aide Registry maintains records of substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation.