Certified Nursing Assistant Exam FAQs
The CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant, is a specialty certification exam for nursing assistants. Certified nursing assistants care for people and work under the supervision of licensed RN's and LPN's. Common tasks that CNAs perform for patients include: bathing, showers, dressing, transferring from bed to wheelchair, using mechanical lifts, turning and repositioning bedridden patients, providing hygiene for incontinent patients, assisting with meals, maintaining dietary restrictions, taking vital signs, measuring meal intake, weights, and output of urine, collecting non-invasive body fluid specimens, and documenting patient interactions in the medical record. Above all else, CNAs aim to provide dignity, respect, and privacy for all patients while providing care.
Certified nursing assistants work in most places where patients are treated in healthcare. They have the ability to work in many different job settings and serve a variety of patient populations. Some common places where CNAs work include: hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospices, assisted living centers, psychiatric hospitals, adult day care, and home health care.
The CNA consists of multiple-choice questions, The exam is administered in a computer-adaptive format, which means that each question is chosen based on the answer given to the previous question. The test continues until a pass or fail determination can be made. It also has a clinical portion, in which you must demonstrate skills on a mannequin or patient actor.
The number of questions varies as multiple testing organizations may handle the administration of the exam, depending on the state, including the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program (NNAAP), Prometric, and Pearson Vue. The CNA certfication or licensing exam will typically have between 50 to 70 multiple choice questions. Check with your CNA school or your state's CNA Registry for information about your state.
Once students have completed the CNA training program, they are eligible to take the competency exam. Multiple testing organizations may handle the administration of the exam, depending on the state, including the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program (NNAAP), Prometric, and Pearson Vue. Check with your CNA school or your state's CNA Registry for the testing schedule in your state.
Most states require that you score at least 70% on both the written and clinical portions of the exam in order to pass.
The CNA typically covers the following domains:
- Safety
- Communication
- Infection Control
- Data Collection
- Personal Care
- Basic Nursing Skills
- Mental Health
- CNA Roles and Responsibilities
- Disease Processes
- Patient Rights
- Adult Growth and Development
Check with your CNA school or your state's CNA Registry for the testing schedule in your state.
Although training requirements vary state to state, all CNA students must attend a state-approved education program and pass a competency exam. CNA educational programs can be found in local hospitals, technical and vocational schools, community colleges, and nursing homes and usually last 4-18 weeks. The American Red Cross also offers a CNA training program. Costs for CNA programs will vary and some employers may offer free CNA training with the requirement for students to commit to working at the facility for a certain length of time. Before choosing and enrolling in a program, make sure to check with your state Board of Nursing or Board of Health to make sure the program is approved in your state (since there is no national governing body for accrediting CNA courses). Depending on the state, some students may be eligible to work up to 4 months after graduating from their CNA training while waiting to take the competency exam.
Students who do not pass the competency exam may be allowed to retake it after a waiting period of 14-90 days (varies by state) or they may have to re-do their training course depending on state requirements.
Practice tests, such as Tests.com's CNA Practice Exam, are a good way to study as it goes over the material you need to know while giving you a chance to practice your test taking skills. Additionally, study guides, text books, class notes, flashcards and videos are important study tools. It is best to use a wide range of test prep to get the most comprehensive coverage of the subject matter.
Tests.com has worked with instructors in nurse assistant practice to create a CNA Practice Test to help you prepare for the CNA exam. Tests.com's TestSim online interactive platform allows you to tailor tests to the subjects you want to study and to form tests to fit your study schedule. You can even simulate the actual CNA exam by setting the number of questions and timer to the time period allowed for the actual test. Get experience reading multiple-choice questions and taking timed tests. Tests.com will help you pass your CNA exam on your way to a successful career as a CNA. Click here for a free CNA Practice Test.
