How to Register for the CNA State Exam in All 50 States (Step-by-Step Guide)
Signing up for the CNA state test comes down to three things: finish a state-approved training program, apply through your state testing system, and pass both the written (or oral) exam and the hands-on skills evaluation. This guide walks through the process step by step and links every state official nurse aide registry or testing page so you can register in the state where you plan to work. It is a companion to our free CNA practice test, which lets you practice exam-style questions with clinical rationales, and to our CNA study hub, built by nurses who teach this exam.
Every state runs its own nurse aide program, so the details differ from state to state: who administers the exam, which forms you submit, and how your name gets added to the registry after you pass. That is why each state below gets its own section with a verified link.
How the CNA State Test Works: The General Path
The CNA state test follows the same basic path almost everywhere in the United States. Federal law (the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, or OBRA) requires every state to maintain a nurse aide registry and to evaluate nurse aides through a competency exam, so the overall sequence is consistent even when the paperwork is not.
Complete a state-approved training program. Most states require a program of at least 75 hours that combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical hours. Many states also offer waiver or equivalency routes, such as being currently enrolled in a nursing program.
Apply to test through the state registry or testing vendor. Many states contract with a third-party vendor, such as Prometric, Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) or Credentia, to run the exam and often the registry as well. A few states run testing through a state agency or a state college system instead.
Clear a background check where the state requires one. Some states require a criminal background check before a candidate can test or be listed on the registry.
Register and pay. Once the training program confirms eligibility, the candidate creates an account with the testing system and pays the exam fee. Where an employer can cover the fee, that arrangement usually has to be set up before registering.
Schedule both parts of the exam. The knowledge test is usually a multiple-choice exam, and an oral version is often available. The skills test requires performing assigned tasks in front of a nurse evaluator.
Pass both parts. Both the knowledge test and the skills test must be passed to earn certification.
Get listed on the registry. After passing, the candidate name and certificate number are added to the state nurse aide registry, which employers check before hiring.
Who Administers the CNA State Test
Most states hand the day-to-day exam administration to a testing vendor. The three seen most often are Prometric, Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies, which runs the TMU testing platform), and Credentia. Some states run testing through a state college system or their own health department instead. Fees are set by each state or vendor and change over time, so check the official page for the state in question for current prices.
Testing organization | States where it runs the exam or registry (verified October 2026) |
Prometric | Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, New York, Texas |
Headmaster (D&S Diversified / TMU) | Arizona, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
Credentia | Alaska, California (Northern and Southern regions), Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington |
State agency or state college system | Illinois (INACE via UIC), Indiana (Ivy Tech), Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire (Pearson VUE), New Jersey (PSI), Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah (UNAR), Vermont (Excel Testing), West Virginia (PHD) |
CNA State Test Sign-Up by State
Alabama
The Alabama Department of Public Health has approved Prometric to administer its Certified Nurse Aide exam. Once both parts are passed, the candidate name is added to the Alabama nurse aide registry.
Alaska
The Alaska Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the state Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing on behalf of the Board of Nursing, with applications filed online and testing services provided by Credentia.
Arizona
New Arizona CNAs apply through the Arizona State Board of Nursing Nurse Portal, submitting a CNA exam application once training and background check requirements are met. Headmaster administers the exam itself.
Arkansas
Arkansas nurse aide testing, certification and registry services for the state Department of Human Services are handled by Headmaster, including scheduling through the Arkansas TMU portal.
California
California certifies nurse assistants through the California Department of Public Health, and Credentia delivers the state online competency testing for the Northern and Southern regions.
Colorado
Colorado candidates register for the National Nurse Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam through Credentia Colorado page, and the Colorado registry is verified through the state Division of Professions and Occupations.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Public Health has contracted with Prometric to develop and administer its Nurse Aide Competency Exam and manage the CNA Registry.
Delaware
The Delaware Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection has contracted with Prometric to administer its Nurse Aide Competency Exam and manage the CNA Registry.
District of Columbia
DC Health oversees CNA testing and the registry in the District of Columbia, with Credentia handling applications, testing and registry listings.
Florida
The Florida Department of Health has contracted with Prometric to administer its Certified Nursing Assistant exam, including registration and scheduling for both the written and skills portions.
Georgia
Georgia nurse aide candidates register for the NNAAP exam through Credentia, and the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry can be searched through the state online registry portal.
Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has contracted with Prometric to administer its Nurse Aide Competency Exam and manage the Nurse Aide Registry.
Idaho
Idaho certified nurse assistant registry is run by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, with exam and certification services provided by its testing contractor, Prometric.
Illinois
Illinois runs its Health Care Worker Registry through the Department of Public Health, and the state competency exam (the Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Examination, or INACE) is administered by the University of Illinois at Chicago testing office.
Indiana
Nurse aide competency evaluations in Indiana are administered by Ivy Tech Community College on behalf of the Indiana Department of Health.
Iowa
The Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry is maintained by the state Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, with knowledge exams handled through the TMU/Headmaster platform.
Kansas
The Kansas Nurse Aide Registry is run by the state Department for Aging and Disability Services, which also approves the state nurse aide training programs.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry lists State Registered Nurse Aides (SRNAs) and is maintained by the Kentucky Board of Nursing through its Nurse Portal.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health has contracted with Prometric to develop and administer its Certified Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program.
Maine
The Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants lists the CNAs authorized to work in the state, with applications accepted online or by mail through the Division of Licensing and Certification.
Maryland
Nursing assistant certification in Maryland is run by the Maryland Board of Nursing, with examinations offered through Credentia and the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant Testing Service.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts nurse aide testing is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) on behalf of the Department of Public Health, with the exam offered in several languages.
Michigan
The Michigan Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Minnesota
Minnesota nurse aide testing is coordinated through the Minnesota State colleges and universities system, which registers candidates for the knowledge and skills tests. The Minnesota Department of Health has transitioned its testing vendor to Headmaster LLP.
Mississippi
Mississippi CNA testing and registry services are run by Headmaster for the state Department of Health, and applications are completed through the Mississippi TMU portal.
Missouri
The Missouri Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the state Department of Health and Senior Services, with registry records managed through the TMU system.
Montana
Montana certified nurse aide applications and renewals are handled online through the state BOUNDS portal, with competency exams administered by Headmaster.
Nebraska
Nebraska nurse aide registry is maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services, which also sets the state training and testing requirements.
Nevada
Nurse aide testing in Nevada is run by Headmaster under the approval of the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Licensed Nursing Assistant registry is maintained by the state Board of Nursing under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
New Jersey
New Jersey nurse aide certification is run by the state Department of Health, and the online nurse aide registry search is administered by PSI.
New Mexico
New Mexico certified nurse aide testing and registry services moved from Prometric to Headmaster in July 2024, and all applications are now submitted through the New Mexico TMU portal.
New York
The New York State Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the state Department of Health, and Prometric handles exam registration and scheduling.
North Carolina
North Carolina Nurse Aide I competency evaluation (testing) is run by Credentia, which schedules the tests and posts results to the state registry.
North Dakota
North Dakota nurse aide registry is maintained by Health and Human Services, which posts the state training, testing and registry requirements.
Ohio
Ohio nurse aide testing is administered by Headmaster, whose Ohio page covers scheduling, the candidate handbook and checking registry status.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry is run by the state Department of Health.
Oregon
Oregon Certified Nurse Aide testing and certification services are provided by Headmaster for the Oregon health care community.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania nurse aide testing is handled by Credentia, which also provides the state registry verification tool.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island nurse aide candidates register for the written and skills examinations through Credentia, with testing available online and at regional testing sites.
South Carolina
South Carolina nurse aide testing is administered by Credentia, and the nurse aide registry is maintained by the state Department of Health and Human Services.
South Dakota
South Dakota nurse aide registry is maintained by the state Board of Nursing, which sets the 75-hour training and competency evaluation requirements for CNAs.
Tennessee
Tennessee nurse aide testing is administered by Credentia, and the state registry can be searched through the CNA365 registry tool.
Texas
Texas candidates apply for certification through the state Health and Human Services TULIP portal, and Prometric handles scheduling and testing.
Utah
Utah nurse assistant registry and certification services are provided by the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR), which approves training programs and partners with testing sites across the state.
Vermont
Vermont Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) applications and renewals are processed by the state Office of Professional Regulation, with testing offered through Excel Testing.
Virginia
Virginia nurse aide candidates schedule the state competency test through Credentia, and the Board of Nursing manages the registry itself.
Washington
Washington licenses nursing assistants through the state Board of Nursing: the Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR) license lets a candidate start working, while the Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) credential requires completing an approved program and passing the certification exam, with registration through Credentia.
West Virginia
West Virginia certifies nurse aides through the state Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification, whose Nurse Aide Program page lists the requirements, forms and online registry verification.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin nurse aide testing and registry services are run by Headmaster (TMU) in partnership with the state Department of Health Services.
Wyoming
Wyoming CNA program is run by the state Department of Health, which posts the registry, forms and Headmaster testing information.
What to Expect on Test Day
Test day rules are set by each state and its vendor, but a few expectations are near universal. Bring a current government-issued photo ID, arrive early, and wear clinical attire if the state requires it. Most knowledge tests are taken on a computer, and oral versions are often available for candidates who request one. For the skills test, the candidate typically performs a set of assigned tasks, and some steps count as critical: missing a critical step fails that skill regardless of how well the rest is performed. Confirm the exact requirements for the test site before the appointment.
10 Free CNA State Test Practice Questions
These questions are original and written in the style of the CNA state test. Cover the answer, then choose one and read the rationale. The rationale matters more than the score.
Question 1
While taking a resident pulse, you feel an irregular heartbeat. What should you do next?
A) Wait an hour and take the pulse again
B) Report the irregular pulse to the nurse right away
C) Take the resident blood pressure instead
D) Ignore it if the resident feels fine
Correct answer: B. You measure and report, you do not interpret. An irregular pulse is a change in condition the nurse must know about, even when the resident feels well.
Question 2
When should a CNA perform hand hygiene during routine care?
A) Only before touching the resident
B) Only after removing gloves
C) Before care, after removing gloves and whenever hands are visibly soiled
D) Once at the start of the shift
Correct answer: C. Hand hygiene comes before contact, after glove removal and any time hands become contaminated. Washing for at least 20 seconds is the single most important way to stop the spread of infection.
Question 3
A resident says no to a bath right now. What is the best response?
A) Respect the refusal, offer another time and report it to the nurse
B) Give the bath anyway because it is scheduled
C) Tell the family to convince the resident
D) Skip the bath and document nothing
Correct answer: A. Residents can refuse care. Stay calm, offer choices and let the nurse know so the care plan can be adjusted.
Question 4
Before helping a resident transfer from bed to wheelchair, what must be done first?
A) Ask the resident to stand up alone
B) Place the call light within reach
C) Raise the bed to a working height only
D) Lock the wheelchair brakes
Correct answer: D. Locking the wheels comes before the transfer. Equipment rolling away mid-transfer is a common cause of falls, so the brakes must be secured first.
Question 5
A resident with hearing loss keeps missing instructions. What helps most?
A) Speak louder from across the room
B) Face the resident, get attention first and speak clearly without shouting
C) Write every instruction on paper
D) Talk while facing away
Correct answer: B. Facing the person, getting attention and speaking clearly lets them read lips and expressions. Shouting distorts sound and embarrasses the resident.
Question 6
What does passing the CNA state test usually require?
A) Passing both the knowledge test and the skills test
B) Passing only the written test
C) Passing only the skills test
D) Completing the training program alone
Correct answer: A. Both parts of the exam must be passed. Federal rules require a competency evaluation covering both knowledge and hands-on skills, which is why most states allow up to three attempts at each part.
Question 7
While counting a resident respirations, which approach is most accurate?
A) Ask the resident to breathe normally while counting
B) Count for a full minute while telling the resident what you are doing
C) Estimate the rate from the pulse
D) Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two, watching without the resident knowing
Correct answer: D. Counting for 30 seconds and doubling it works when the rate is regular, and counting without the resident noticing keeps breathing natural. Telling the resident you are counting changes how they breathe.
Question 8
A resident with dementia insists a relative who passed away years ago is coming to visit. What is the best response?
A) Argue and correct the resident
B) Ignore the resident entirely
C) Stay calm, redirect the conversation and respond to the feeling behind the words
D) Pretend the relative just arrived
Correct answer: C. Arguing agitates. A calm voice, simple redirection and attention to the resident feelings work better, and any new or worsening confusion is reported to the nurse.
Question 9
A resident asks for a change to a medication dose. What should be done?
A) Adjust it if the resident insists
B) Tell the resident to stop the medication
C) Explain it is outside the role and report the request to the nurse
D) Ask another aide for advice
Correct answer: C. CNAs never change or advise on medications. Report the request so the nurse can contact the prescriber.
Question 10
A resident is found on the floor after a fall, awake but complaining of hip pain. What comes first?
A) Help the resident up immediately
B) Keep the resident still, stay and call for help
C) Move the resident to bed alone
D) Leave to find the family
Correct answer: B. Do not move a resident who may have a hip or head injury. Stay, call for help and report the fall to the nurse.
Want more questions like these, grouped by exam topic with instant rationales? Take the free CNA practice test and study with the same platform our students use to prepare for the real exam.
CNA State Test FAQ
How do I sign up for the CNA state test?
Finish a state-approved training program, apply through the state registry or testing vendor, then schedule and pay for both parts of the exam. The links in the state-by-state section above lead to the official page for each state.
Does training have to be finished before testing?
In most states yes, though many offer waiver or equivalency routes for nursing students, graduates, foreign-trained nurses and some military medics. Check the state official page for the routes it accepts.
What is on the CNA state test?
A written or oral knowledge test, usually multiple choice with a set time limit, and a hands-on skills evaluation performed in front of a nurse evaluator. The number of questions and the passing score vary by state.
What happens after failing one part of the exam?
Most states allow up to three attempts at each part, per the federal rule that governs nurse aide competency evaluation. After three failed attempts the training program generally has to be retaken. Confirm the exact rules with the state registry.
How soon will a name appear on the nurse aide registry?
It varies by state, from a few days to a few weeks after passing. Use the state registry link above to confirm the certification is active before applying for jobs.
Keep Preparing
If this guide helped, the next step is practice. The CNA study hub includes free practice questions with rationales, timed exams, flashcards and skill guides, all built by nurses who teach the exam. There is also the free CNA practice test to start with, the free Home Health Aide practice exam for students preparing for that exam, and the guide to passing the Phlebotomy Technician exam in any state for students on that path.
State requirements change over time. This guide was last checked in October 2026. Always confirm current fees, forms and rules on the state official registry or testing page before registering.
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