Current Exam Facts
Key Takeaways
- Idaho CNA testing is administered by Prometric for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and candidates must pass both the written knowledge test and clinical skills test.
- The Idaho written knowledge test has 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit.
- Passing one part of the competency evaluation is not enough for registry placement; both the written or oral knowledge test and the manual skills exam must be passed.
- The written outline emphasizes role, safety, function, basic nursing care, and specialized care rather than isolated memorization.
Idaho CNA exam facts to memorize
The Idaho Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) competency evaluation is not a generic nursing-assistant quiz. Idaho uses Prometric as the testing contractor, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) operates the state nurse aide program and registry. For exam purposes, connect those names together: IDHW is the state authority, Prometric administers testing, and the Idaho Nurse Aide Registry is where successful candidates are verified.
The exam has two required parts. The knowledge test is the written portion, and the manual skills test is the performance portion. A candidate is not registry-ready just because one part is passed. Prometric materials state that successful completion of both the Written and Manual Skills exams is what leads to the candidate being added to the Idaho Registry as a CNA.
| Exam fact | Idaho rule to know |
|---|---|
| State authority | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) |
| Test contractor | Prometric |
| Required parts | Written knowledge test plus manual skills test |
| Written format | 60 multiple-choice questions |
| Written time limit | 90 minutes |
| Registry result | Added after passing both required parts |
| Skills focus | Safe, ordered performance of listed clinical skills |
What the written test measures
The written test is computer-administered at the test site. Prometric describes it as a 60-question multiple-choice exam that measures nurse aide knowledge. You should prepare for direct rule questions, but most testing value comes from applying rules in resident-care situations.
The content outline is broad. It includes the role of the nurse aide, safety, promoting resident function and health, basic nursing care, and specialized care for residents with changing health needs. That means Idaho candidates must know both what to do and what not to do. For example, a question about a fall is not only testing body mechanics; it is also testing priority, reporting, resident safety, and scope.
What the skills test measures
The manual skills exam checks performance. Common listed skills include handwashing, ambulation with a transfer or gait belt, bedpan assistance, linen changes, positioning, dressing a resident with a weak arm, measuring urine output, feeding, radial pulse, respirations, catheter care, denture care, mouth care, perineal care, hand and nail care, partial bed bath, passive range of motion, and transfer from bed to wheelchair.
Handwashing deserves special attention. Prometric notes that handwashing is evaluated at the beginning of the test and is not prompted. In plain terms, the evaluator expects a nurse aide candidate to know when to wash hands before and after resident contact without being reminded.
How to study the facts without overstudying trivia
Use the facts as anchors, then practice decision-making. Memorize 60 questions, 90 minutes, written plus skills, IDHW, Prometric, and registry placement after both parts. Then ask what the CNA should do in a facility: protect resident rights, use standard precautions, observe accurately, report changes, and follow the care plan.
A good Idaho answer usually keeps the CNA inside the supervised role. The CNA collects facts, performs approved skills, keeps the resident safe, and reports to licensed staff. The CNA does not diagnose, prescribe, change the care plan, or decide that a major change is harmless.
An Idaho CNA candidate passes the written knowledge test but does not pass the manual skills test. What is the best description of the candidate's status?