CNA Practice Test & Certification Guide

Practice test content is for exam preparation only and does not constitute medical advice. Actual patient care must be performed per facility policy and state regulations under the supervision of licensed nurses. Information is current as of November 2026; state requirements, vendors, and fees change, so verify with your state's nurse aide registry before you register.

How the CNA Exam Works

The CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) exam is state-regulated: there is no single national test. Three testing services administer it depending on your state: NNAAP (run by NCSBN, used in about 30 states), Prometric (about 20 states), and Headmaster (about 10 states). Every exam has two parts: a written (knowledge) test and a skills test in which you demonstrate 5 skills from a state-defined list. You must pass both.

Test Structure by Service Provider

The skills test is scored pass/fail on each skill, and you must pass all 5. Written passing scores vary by state and are set by each state's nurse aide registry; check your state's official requirement.

NNAAP Content Outline (NCSBN; verify current version at ncsbn.org)

Percentages reflect the NCSBN NNAAP content outline widely referenced in its official PDF; the written test includes 70 questions (60 scored per the outline plus pretest questions).

Prometric Content Outline (verify current version at prometric.com)

Role of the Nurse Aide (18%), Promotion of Safety (18%), Promotion of Function and Health of Residents (24%), Basic Nursing Care Provided by the Nurse Aide (26%), and Providing Specialized Care for Residents with Changes in Health (14%).

Headmaster Content Outline (verify current version at hdmaster.com)

Headmaster organizes its 60 written questions into 12 topics, including Basic Nursing Skills (8), Role and Responsibility (9), Safety (6), Resident Rights (6), Communication (5), Disease Process (7), and Infection Control (4), among others.

Section Practice by Outline

Practice each section with 20 original questions, mapped to the official outline and labeled with the outline version:

• Activities of Daily Living (NNAAP I-A)
• Basic Nursing Skills (NNAAP I-B)
• Restorative Skills (NNAAP I-C)
• Psychosocial Care (NNAAP II)
• Role of the Nurse Aide (NNAAP III)
• Promotion of Safety (Prometric)
• Specialized Care (Prometric)
• Aging, Disease Process and Data Collection (Headmaster)

Full Practice Test

Take the full CNA practice test with 164 original questions covering the NNAAP, Prometric, and Headmaster outlines, each with an explanation. All questions are original and written from the official outline topics; none are copied from NCSBN, Prometric, or Headmaster materials.

Certification Guide

Read the complete CNA certification guide for state-by-state registration, fees, the skills test, and a study plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which testing service will I use?

It depends on your state. NNAAP states include (as of recent reporting) AL, AK, CA, CO, DC, GA, MD, MS, NC, PA, RI, SC, VA, and WA, among others. Prometric states include CT, DE, FL, HI, ID, LA, NM, NY, OK, and TX. Headmaster states include AZ, AR, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NV, OH, OR, TN, UT, WI, and WY. State-provider assignments change, so check your state's nurse aide registry.

2. What is the passing score for the CNA written test?

It is set by each state, commonly in the 75-80 percent range. There is no national passing score; always confirm with your state's nurse aide registry.

3. What happens if I fail one of the 5 skills?

The skills test is scored pass/fail per skill, and you must pass all 5 skills. Failing any skill means you do not pass the skills portion and must retest per your state's rules.

4. How much does the CNA exam cost?

The exam fee is commonly about $90-100, and state-approved training programs typically cost $1,000-5,000. Fees vary by state and provider.

5. Is the skills test the same in every state?

The skills are drawn from a state-defined skills list and are broadly similar across states, but the exact list and testing rules differ slightly. Study the skills list published by your state's nurse aide registry.

6. Can I practice with scenario-based questions?

Yes. The written exam uses scenario-based multiple-choice questions about daily resident care. Our practice questions use the same style and are mapped to the official outlines.

Outline Versions and Sources

• NNAAP: NNAAP Content Outline (NCSBN official PDF, 2016 version widely referenced; verify current version at ncsbn.org)
• Prometric: NA Written Test Content Outline (verify current version at prometric.com)
• Headmaster: Headmaster CNA written exam outline (verify current version at hdmaster.com)

Official sources: NCSBN | Prometric | Headmaster. State-provider assignments, passing scores, and fees can change; always confirm with your state's nurse aide registry.