CNA Exam Guide · 2026
Prometric CNA Practice Test 2026: Format, States, and How to Pass
The Prometric CNA exam is one of three major US nurse aide certification tests, administered at Prometric's network of professional computer-based testing centers. Used in 12 states, the Prometric exam combines a 60-question (or 70-question in some states) computer-delivered written exam with a hands-on clinical skills evaluation. Use this guide to understand the format, find your state, and prepare with confidence.
Official vendor portal
Register for the Prometric CNA Exam exam through Prometric.
States using this exam
12
Questions
60-70
Time limit
90 min
Passing score
70-75%
Exam fee
$100
Retake limit
3 attempts in 24 months
What is the Prometric CNA Exam?
The Prometric CNA exam is the nurse aide certification test delivered by Prometric, a globally recognized testing company that operates thousands of computer-based testing centers. Prometric administers the CNA exam for 12 US states, most of them high-population states like Texas, Florida, and New York. The exam follows a similar blueprint to the NNAAP — a multiple-choice written exam plus a clinical skills evaluation — but is delivered in a more standardized, computer-based testing environment. Prometric is the largest commercial testing company in the world, so candidates who test through Prometric benefit from a consistent and well-managed testing experience.
Prometric CNA Exam format: written and skills
Written component
60 multiple-choice questions on most state exams (70 in Hawaii). Delivered by computer at a Prometric testing center. You have 90 minutes. Each question has one correct answer; no penalty for wrong answers.
Skills component
5 randomly assigned clinical skills performed in front of a Registered Nurse evaluator. Hand Hygiene and Indirect Care are always tested. The remaining 3 skills are drawn from a pool of 23 Prometric-approved procedures.
Total exam duration: 90 minutes written + approximately 30-45 minutes for the skills evaluation.
What's tested on the Prometric CNA Exam: content area weights
The Prometric 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 Prometric CNA Exam?
12 US states currently use Prometric CNA Exam for nurse aide certification.
| State | Questions | Exam fee |
|---|---|---|
| CTConnecticut | 60 | $100 |
| DEDelaware | 60 | $100 |
| FLFlorida | 60 | $100 |
| HIHawaii | 70 | $100 |
| IDIdaho | 60 | $100 |
| LALouisiana | 60 | $100 |
| NJNew Jersey | 60 | $100 |
| NYNew York | 60 | $100 |
| OROregon | 60 | $100 |
| RIRhode Island | 60 | $100 |
| SCSouth Carolina | 60 | $100 |
| TXTexas | 60 | $100 |
How to apply for the Prometric CNA Exam
- 1
Complete a state-approved CNA training program
75+ hours of training including 16 clinical hours is the federal minimum. Some states require more — check your specific state on Prometric's website.
- 2
Register online at Prometric
Create a Prometric account at prometric.com, select your state's nurse aide exam, and follow the eligibility submission instructions.
Open the vendor site - 3
Schedule at a nearby testing center
After your application is approved, schedule at one of Prometric's 8,000+ testing centers worldwide. Most states have 5-20 sites.
- 4
Pay and confirm
Fees are around $100 for the full exam. Pay online and bring the confirmation to your exam.
Prometric CNA Exam exam day: what to bring and expect
- Bring: Two forms of government-issued ID (one with photo), your Prometric scheduling confirmation. Test center will provide a locker for personal items.
- Dress code: Casual professional attire, flat closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles. Long hair tied back. No jewelry that could interfere with skills demonstrations.
- Arrival time: 30 minutes before your scheduled time.
- Test center: Most Prometric centers are dedicated testing facilities — quiet, temperature-controlled, monitored by cameras and proctors.
- Results: Computer-based written results are typically available immediately after submission. Skills results arrive within 5-10 business days.
Prometric CNA Exam pass rates and difficulty
Prometric does not publish first-attempt pass rates by state, but pass rates for properly prepared candidates are typically 75-85%. The biggest differentiator is preparation on the clinical skills portion: candidates who practice the full critical-step checklist (especially hand hygiene) before exam day pass at significantly higher rates than those who rely on training-program instruction alone.
Prometric CNA Exam cost and fees
- Written exam$75 (state dependent)
- Skills exam$75 (state dependent)
- Combined written + skills$100 (typical)
- Retake fee$75 per component
- Prometric testing feeIncluded in exam fee
How is the Prometric CNA Exam graded?
Prometric uses the same NNAAP-aligned two-part scoring system. The computer-based written exam is scored immediately when you click submit, with results posted to your Prometric account within minutes. The minimum passing score for the written portion is 70% (or as specified by your state board — most states use 70%, some 75%). The clinical skills portion is graded by a Registered Nurse evaluator who scores each step against a critical-step rubric. To pass, every critical step must be performed correctly; missing even one critical step fails the entire skills exam. Prometric posts your official score report to your online account within 5-10 business days of the exam date. The report shows your written exam score (broken down by content area) and a pass/fail for each of the 5 clinical skills. You can retake just the failed portion — most states allow up to 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion, with a per-component retake fee of $60-$80.
Prometric 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. Test gender-appropriate — typically the resident is the opposite gender of the aide.
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 and keeping the drainage bag below bladder level.
How to prepare for the Prometric CNA Exam
Start with the official Prometric candidate handbook for your state — it includes the exact content areas, the approved skills list, and the scoring rubric. Then take at least three full-length timed practice tests in the week before your exam. The skills portion requires memorization of the critical-step checklist for each skill; review those until you can perform each skill flawlessly without referring to notes. Day-of tips: eat a real meal beforehand, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a snack for after the exam.
Try 5 free Prometric CNA Exam practice questions
Five real-style Prometric 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 — Prometric
Question 1 of 5
Score: 0
When taking a resident's oral temperature with a digital thermometer, where should the probe be placed?
Common mistakes that fail the Prometric 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
Prometric scoring is identical to NNAAP: every skills demonstration must begin with hand hygiene. Candidates who jump straight to the skill task fail this critical step immediately. The 8-step hand hygiene sequence is scored exactly the same way across all NNAAP-aligned vendors.
2.Mistaking the computer-based format for easier
Some candidates assume computer-based testing is easier than paper. The questions are the same difficulty, but the format can fool you: you can't easily flip back to earlier questions to re-read, and the on-screen timer is unforgiving. Practice the Prometric computer interface before exam day so you're not surprised by the navigation.
3.Misreading multi-step scenario questions
Many Prometric questions use clinical scenarios that require 2-3 reasoning steps ('A resident refuses to eat. What should the nurse aide do FIRST?'). Candidates often pick the answer that's right in isolation but wrong in sequence — for example, documenting the refusal instead of first addressing it directly with the resident.
4.Forgetting indirect care steps
Like NNAAP, Prometric scores indirect care as its own critical step: knocking, introducing yourself, verifying identity, providing privacy, explaining the procedure. Missing any one of these costs points. Practice the opening ritual as one continuous sequence.
5.Rushing through the written exam to finish early
Prometric's computer-based format shows a countdown timer that pressures candidates to answer quickly. Candidates who finish in 30 minutes often have lower scores than those who use the full 90 minutes. Mark anything uncertain for review; second-pass review catches 10-15% of careless errors.
Prometric CNA Exam sample questions (with answers)
These questions mirror the format and difficulty you'll see on the Prometric 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.When documenting a resident's vital signs in the chart, the nurse aide should:
- Use pencil so corrections are easier
- Skip lines between entries
- Record immediately after measurement(Correct)
- Sign with the resident's name for clarity
Show explanation
Vital signs must be documented immediately after measurement to maintain accuracy. Pencil, skipping lines, and signing with the resident's name are all charting errors. This tests the documentation standard that Prometric emphasizes.
Q2.A resident with dementia repeatedly asks the same question. The nurse aide should:
- Redirect the resident to a different activity(Correct)
- Answer the question each time with patience
- Tell the resident they already asked
- Ignore the resident to discourage the behavior
Show explanation
Redirecting a resident with dementia to a different activity is the most therapeutic response. Repeatedly answering the same question reinforces the cycle. Telling them they already asked is confrontational. This tests the psychosocial care content area.
Q3.Before serving a meal tray, the nurse aide should verify:
- The resident's name on the tray matches the diet card(Correct)
- The food is at room temperature
- The resident's family is present
- The meal ticket has been signed
Show explanation
Verifying that the resident's name on the tray matches the diet card prevents wrong-diet errors — a serious safety issue in long-term care. This is one of the highest-stakes nursing assistant tasks and is heavily tested on Prometric.
What happens if you fail the Prometric CNA Exam
If you fail the Prometric CNA exam, your Prometric online account will show your score report within 5-10 business days of your exam. The report breaks down your performance by content area so you can see where to focus. Prometric allows up to 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion in most states, 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 — even experienced candidates miss this because they jump straight to the equipment. The second-most-skipped is patient identification (just asking the patient's name isn't enough; you must check the wristband). For your retake, schedule at least 2-3 weeks out so you have time to re-practice. Most candidates who fail on the first attempt pass on the second or third try. Contact your training program — many offer free re-prep sessions for graduates who failed. The computer-based Prometric format may have surprised you the first time; the second time you'll know what to expect.
Prometric CNA Exam frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Prometric CNA exam?▾
Most states have 60 multiple-choice questions; Hawaii has 70. You have 90 minutes to complete the written portion.
Is the Prometric CNA exam harder than the NNAAP?▾
The content is similar. Prometric's computer-based format is often described as more standardized; some candidates prefer it. Difficulty depends more on preparation than on which vendor administers the test.
What is the passing score for Prometric CNA?▾
Most states require a minimum of 70% on the written exam, with some requiring 75%. The skills portion requires every critical step to be passed.
How do I register for the Prometric CNA exam?▾
Create an account at prometric.com, select your state's nurse aide program, complete the eligibility application, schedule at a testing center, and pay the fee online.
Can I retake the Prometric CNA exam?▾
Yes. Most states allow 3 attempts within 24 months of training completion. Each retake typically requires a new fee.
Which states use Prometric for the CNA exam?▾
12 US states use Prometric, including Texas, Florida, New York, and others. Use the table above for the complete list.
How long does it take to get Prometric CNA results?▾
Computer-based written exam results are usually available the same day. Skills exam results arrive within 5-10 business days via your online Prometric account.
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