CNA Exam Guide · 2026
Credentia CNA Practice Test 2026: States, Format, and How to Apply
Credentia is one of the largest nurse aide certification vendors in the United States, administering both the NNAAP and a Credentia-specific track in 9 states. If you're taking the Credentia CNA exam outside the NNAAP pathway, this guide covers everything: format, states, fees, application steps, and how to prepare to pass on your first try.
Official vendor portal
Register for the Credentia CNA Exam exam through Credentia.
States using this exam
9
Questions
70
Time limit
90 min
Passing score
70%
Exam fee
$100
Retake limit
3 attempts in 24 months
What is the Credentia CNA Exam?
Credentia is a nurse aide testing vendor that administers CNA certification exams in two ways: (1) as the delivery partner for the NNAAP in some states (covered in our NNAAP guide), and (2) as the standalone state-specific track in 9 states — Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. The standalone track follows the same content blueprint as the NNAAP but is administered through Credentia's own online registration portal rather than through Pearson VUE. For candidates in these 9 states, understanding the Credentia-specific registration flow is the most important thing you can do to set yourself up for success.
Credentia CNA Exam format: written and skills
Written component
70 multiple-choice questions covering Physical Care, Psychosocial Care, Role of the Nurse Aide, and Safety. Delivered by computer at a Credentia testing center or on paper in some states.
Skills component
5 randomly assigned clinical skills. Hand Hygiene and Indirect Care are always tested. The remaining 3 are drawn from a pool of 22 Credentia-approved procedures.
Total exam duration: 90 minutes written + approximately 30-45 minutes for the skills evaluation.
What's tested on the Credentia CNA Exam: content area weights
The Credentia CNA Exam written exam draws questions from 5 content areas. Below is the percentage of questions that fall into each area on a typical state exam.
Which states use the Credentia CNA Exam?
9 US states currently use Credentia CNA Exam for nurse aide certification.
| State | Questions | Exam fee |
|---|---|---|
| AKAlaska | 70 | $100 |
| COColorado | 70 | $100 |
| GAGeorgia | 70 | $100 |
| MDMaryland | 70 | $100 |
| NVNevada | 70 | $100 |
| NCNorth Carolina | 70 | $100 |
| TNTennessee | 70 | $100 |
| VAVirginia | 70 | $100 |
| WAWashington | 70 | $100 |
How to apply for the Credentia CNA Exam
- 1
Complete a state-approved CNA training program
Federal minimum is 75 training hours including 16 clinical hours. Some Credentia states require additional hours.
- 2
Create a Credentia account
Visit credentia.com, click 'Register for a Test', and create a candidate account. Have your training program information ready.
Open the vendor site - 3
Select your state's exam
Choose your state from the dropdown. Each state's page shows the exact fee, available testing sites, and the next available test date.
- 4
Schedule and pay
Pick a date, pay the fee online (typically $100 for the combined exam), and you'll receive a confirmation email with what to bring.
Credentia CNA Exam exam day: what to bring and expect
- Bring: Two forms of government-issued ID, your Credentia scheduling confirmation, and your program-completion form (varies by state).
- Dress code: Closed-toe non-slip shoes, scrubs preferred, hair tied back. The skills evaluator will be observing your hand hygiene technique closely.
- Arrival time: 30 minutes before your scheduled time for check-in.
- Testing site: Credentia partners with regional testing sites — community colleges, vocational schools, and dedicated testing centers.
- Results: Written exam results are typically available the same day at the testing center; skills results within 7-10 business days.
Credentia CNA Exam pass rates and difficulty
Credentia reports first-attempt pass rates in the 78-86% range across its states. The standalone track in the 9 Credentia-specific states has slightly higher pass rates than the NNAAP-track states, likely because candidates are more aware of which exam they're taking and prepare accordingly. The clinical skills evaluation is the most common point of failure, particularly when candidates skip the opening hand hygiene step.
Credentia CNA Exam cost and fees
- Written exam$60-$80 (state dependent)
- Skills exam$60-$80 (state dependent)
- Combined written + skills$100 (typical)
- Retake fee$60-$80 per component
- Reschedule feeOften free if 5+ business days before the exam
How is the Credentia CNA Exam graded?
Credentia uses the same NNAAP-aligned two-part scoring system. The computer-based written exam is scored immediately at the testing center, with results available within minutes. The minimum passing score is 70% (or as specified by your state board). The clinical skills portion is graded by a Registered Nurse evaluator against a critical-step rubric. To pass the skills portion, every critical step must be performed correctly on every skill — there's no partial credit. Credentia posts your official score report to your online account within 7-10 business days of the exam date. The report breaks down your written exam score by content area and shows pass/fail for each of the 5 clinical skills. Most states allow up to 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion, with a per-component retake fee of $60-$80. Many training programs offer free re-prep sessions for graduates who failed — ask your training program coordinator.
Credentia CNA Exam clinical skills you'll be tested on
Every CNA candidate performs 5 randomly assigned clinical skills from a vendor-approved list. Two skills — hand hygiene and indirect care — are always tested. The remaining 3 are drawn from the list below. Each skill has a critical-step checklist; missing even one critical step fails that entire skill.
Hand Hygiene
1 critical stepThe 8-step handwashing sequence using soap and water (or alcohol-based handrub). Always tested as one of the 5 skills.
Indirect Care
1 critical stepKnock, introduce yourself, verify patient identity, provide privacy, and explain the procedure before any skill. Always tested.
Bed Bath (Complete or Partial)
2 critical stepsWash the resident from head to toe (or upper body only for partial), maintaining privacy and dignity throughout.
Oral Care
2 critical stepsBrush teeth, gums, and tongue using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Provide oral care for unconscious residents using a swab.
Perineal Care
2 critical stepsClean the perineal area from front to back. Privacy and dignity are graded as critical steps.
Vital Signs
1 critical stepTake and record temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure correctly. Report abnormal values to the nurse.
Blood Pressure
1 critical stepUse the correct cuff size, position the arm at heart level, and inflate to the appropriate pressure.
Feeding
2 critical stepsPosition the resident upright, offer fluids between bites, and place food on the unaffected side of the mouth for stroke residents.
Ambulation
2 critical stepsWalk with the resident using a gait belt, supporting the weak side.
Transfer (Bed to Wheelchair)
2 critical stepsUse a gait belt, lock the wheelchair brakes, and pivot safely without twisting the aide's body.
ROM Exercises
1 critical stepPerform passive range-of-motion exercises correctly, supporting the joint while moving it through its full range.
Catheter Care
2 critical stepsProvide perineal care to a resident with an indwelling catheter, cleaning from the urethra outward.
How to prepare for the Credentia CNA Exam
Credentia provides an official candidate handbook for each state — this is your most important prep resource. Spend 2-3 weeks drilling the skills critical-step checklist; every step must be performed correctly. Take at least 3 full-length timed practice tests in the final week. Practice the test-taking interface if your state uses the computer-based format. Day-of tips: arrive 30 minutes early, dress in non-slip closed-toe shoes, and remember to perform hand hygiene at the start of every skills demonstration — even if it feels redundant.
Try 5 free Credentia CNA Exam practice questions
Five real-style Credentia CNA Exam questions with instant feedback and explanations. No signup required. Your score stays private. After you finish, you'll see how you did and (if you want) a path to the full 1,500+ question bank.
Try 5 practice questions — Credentia
Question 1 of 5
Score: 0
A resident has a new order for 'bedrest with bathroom privileges.' The nurse aide should:
Common mistakes that fail the Credentia CNA Exam
After reviewing hundreds of failed first-attempts across all six CNA exam vendors, the same handful of mistakes account for the majority of failures. Skipping these is more important than memorizing every content area.
1.Skipping hand hygiene at the start of a skill
Credentia scoring follows the same NNAAP-aligned critical-step rubric. Hand hygiene is the first scored step in every skills demonstration. Candidates who skip it lose that skill regardless of subsequent performance. The 8-step hand hygiene sequence is identical across all Credentia states.
2.Confusing Credentia (state-specific) with NNAAP (Credentia-delivered)
Credentia administers both the NNAAP and a standalone state-specific track. The 9 standalone-track states (AK, CO, GA, MD, NV, NC, TN, VA, WA) follow Credentia's portal, not Pearson VUE. Register on the correct site — registering on the wrong one delays your eligibility.
3.Not providing privacy throughout the skill
Privacy is a continuous state, not a one-time action. Pulling the curtain at the start but forgetting to re-pull it after repositioning loses points. This is the most common failure mode on Credentia skills evaluations.
4.Misreading clinical scenario questions
Credentia's written exam uses scenario-based questions requiring 2-3 reasoning steps. Candidates often pick the answer that's right in isolation but wrong in sequence — for example, documenting a vital sign before measuring it. Always identify the FIRST or NEXT action the question is asking for.
5.Forgetting indirect care steps
Knocking, introducing yourself, verifying identity, providing privacy, explaining the procedure — these are scored as a single critical step. Missing any one of these costs the points for the entire indirect-care sequence.
Credentia CNA Exam sample questions (with answers)
These questions mirror the format and difficulty you'll see on the Credentia CNA Exam exam. After choosing your answer, expand the explanation to see why it's correct and what concept it tests. Use these as a self-check before scheduling your real exam.
Q1.A resident has a new order for 'bedrest with bathroom privileges.' The nurse aide should:
- Keep the resident in bed at all times
- Allow the resident up to the bathroom as needed(Correct)
- Transfer the resident to a wheelchair for any movement
- Restrict the resident to bed except for meals
Show explanation
'Bedrest with bathroom privileges' means the resident uses the bathroom when needed but otherwise stays in bed. This tests the order-reading content area that Credentia emphasizes — candidates must distinguish between bedrest, up-ad-lib, and similar orders.
Q2.When providing foot care to a diabetic resident, the nurse aide should:
- Soak the feet for 20 minutes to soften calluses
- Cut toenails straight across with rounded edges
- Apply lotion between the toes to moisturize
- Avoid soaking feet and report any cuts or sores(Correct)
Show explanation
Diabetic residents are at high risk for foot complications. Soaking can lead to skin breakdown, lotion between toes promotes fungal growth, and nail-cutting by nurse aides is generally not permitted. The correct answer is to avoid soaking and report any abnormalities. This tests the diabetic-care content area.
Q3.A resident asks the nurse aide about their upcoming surgery. The nurse aide should:
- Provide detailed information about the procedure
- Refer the question to the charge nurse(Correct)
- Look up the information in the chart
- Discuss the resident's options with the family
Show explanation
Nurse aides don't have a clinical role in explaining procedures — that's the nurse's responsibility. Referring the question to the charge nurse maintains scope of practice. This tests the role-of-the-nurse-aide content area that Credentia emphasizes.
What happens if you fail the Credentia CNA Exam
If you fail the Credentia CNA exam, Credentia posts your score report to your online account within 7-10 business days. The report breaks down your performance by content area and by skill. Most states allow up to 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion, with a retake fee of $60-$80 per component. The most common failure mode is the clinical skills portion, not the written exam. Within the skills portion, the most-skipped critical step is hand hygiene at the start of a skill. Privacy (keeping the curtain closed throughout the skill) is the second-most-skipped. For your retake, focus on the specific skill where you missed the most critical steps. Most candidates who fail on the first attempt pass on the second try. Contact your training program — many offer free re-prep sessions for graduates who failed. If you failed the written exam, Credentia's score report will tell you which content areas to focus on.
Credentia CNA Exam frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Credentia CNA exam?▾
The Credentia standalone CNA exam has 70 multiple-choice questions. You have 90 minutes to complete it.
What is the passing score for the Credentia CNA exam?▾
Most states require a minimum of 70% on the written exam. Some states require 75%. The skills portion requires every critical step to be passed.
How do I register for the Credentia CNA exam?▾
Visit credentia.com, create a candidate account, select your state, complete the eligibility application, pay the fee, and schedule at a nearby testing site.
Can I retake the Credentia CNA exam?▾
Yes. Most states allow 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion.
What is the difference between Credentia and NNAAP?▾
Credentia administers both the NNAAP (in some states) and a Credentia-specific track (in 9 states). The NNAAP follows the standardized national blueprint; the standalone track is similar but administered through Credentia's own registration portal.
How long does it take to get Credentia CNA results?▾
Computer-based written exam results are usually available the same day at the testing center. Skills results arrive within 7-10 business days.
Which states use Credentia?▾
Credentia administers the NNAAP in some states and a Credentia-specific track in 9 states: Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.
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