ExamReady CNACNA Exam Guide · 2026
Prometric CNA Practice Test 2026: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Prometric administers the nurse aide exam in the states listed on this page. Exact format, fees and scoring are set by your state and are published in your state's candidate handbook, so we do not quote numbers here. Use this guide for general preparation and always confirm details with your state.
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Official vendor portal
Register for the Prometric exam through Prometric.
States using this exam
11
Questions
Varies by state
Time limit
Varies by state
Passing score
Varies by state; check your handbook
Exam fee
Varies by state
Retake limit
At least 3 opportunities (federal); state sets the window
What is the Prometric?
Prometric is a testing company that runs the nurse aide competency exam for some states. Under federal rules (42 CFR 483.154) every candidate must pass both a written (or oral) test and a skills demonstration, and has at least three opportunities. The format, fees and retake windows are set by each state, so rely on your state's candidate handbook.
Prometric format: written and skills
Written component
The written (or oral) test format, number of questions, time limit and scoring differ by state and provider. Check your state candidate handbook for the exact format.
Skills component
The skills demonstration uses randomly selected skills graded by a nurse evaluator against a checklist with critical steps. Federal rules require randomly selected items. Skill count, time and scoring details are in your state's candidate handbook.
Total exam duration: Varies by state. Check your state's candidate handbook.
Which states use the Prometric?
11 US states are listed here, based on provider information we could verify. Some states use more than one provider and some use a state-run exam, so always confirm with your state's nurse aide registry.
| State | Details |
|---|---|
| ALAlabama | Alabama requirements |
| CTConnecticut | Connecticut requirements |
| DEDelaware | Delaware requirements |
| FLFlorida | Florida requirements |
| HIHawaii | Hawaii requirements |
| IDIdaho | Idaho requirements |
| LALouisiana | Louisiana requirements |
| NYNew York | New York requirements |
| OKOklahoma | Oklahoma requirements |
| TXTexas | Texas requirements |
| VTVermont | Vermont requirements |
How to apply for the Prometric
- 1
Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program
Federal rules require at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more. Check your state's approved-program list.
- 2
Confirm your state's exam provider
Prometric runs the exam in the states listed on this page. Confirm with your state's nurse aide registry, which publishes the current provider and candidate handbook.
Open the vendor site - 3
Register, pay and schedule
Exam fees vary by state and provider. Check your state's candidate handbook for the fee, the retake rules and how to schedule.
Prometric exam day: what to bring and expect
- Arrive early: Arrive early for check-in. Your state's candidate handbook gives the recommended arrival time.
- ID: Bring the identification your state's handbook requires. Requirements are set by the state and provider.
- Leave at home: Check your state's candidate handbook for what you may bring, including phones and personal items. Plan to leave valuables at home or in your car.
- Results: Result timing and score reporting differ by provider and state. Check your state handbook.
Prometric pass rates and difficulty
Providers do not publish pass rates on a comparable basis, so we do not quote one. Most candidates who prepare with the checklist for each skill and practice the written content areas do well. If you do not pass, federal rules give you at least three opportunities.
Prometric cost and fees
- Exam feeVaries by state and provider. Check your state's candidate handbook.
- Retake feeVaries by state and by component. Check your state's candidate handbook.
- Training programSet by the program. Aides hired by a facility cannot be charged for training or testing under federal rules.
How is the Prometric graded?
You must pass both the written (or oral) test and the skills evaluation. The skills evaluation is scored by a nurse evaluator against a checklist: missing a critical step means you do not pass that skill. Credentia reports Pass or Fail only, with no numeric score, and passing scores are not published. Other providers and state-run exams may report differently, so check your state's candidate handbook.
Prometric clinical skills
Federal rules require the skills demonstration to use randomly selected skills graded by a nurse evaluator. Missing a critical step means you do not pass that skill. Your state's candidate handbook lists the skills and checklists for your exam. Walk through each skill step by step in our clinical skills walkthrough.
How to prepare for the Prometric
Start with your state's candidate handbook and the skills checklist. Take a timed practice test to find weak content areas, drill written questions daily, and rehearse every skill out loud, step by step, including the critical steps. In the last week, do full-length timed simulations.
Common mistakes that fail the Prometric
These are common ways candidates lose points. Avoiding them matters as much as memorizing every content area.
1.Skipping or rushing hand washing
On the Credentia (NNAAP) skills test, hand washing is always one of the five skills, and every skill is graded on a checklist that includes critical steps. Practice the full sequence until it is automatic.
2.Missing a critical step
If you leave out a critical step you do not pass that skill, and you need a satisfactory result on all five skills to pass the skills evaluation. The number of critical steps differs by skill, so learn each skill's checklist from your state handbook.
3.Forgetting privacy and respect for the resident
Knock, introduce yourself, explain what you are about to do, and keep the resident's privacy for the whole skill, not only at the start.
4.Running out of time
Pace yourself. Mark hard written questions for review and come back to them. On the Credentia (NNAAP) skills test you have 30 minutes for all five skills, so do not over-explain or repeat steps.
5.Bringing items the test center will not allow
Credentia test centers do not allow cell phones and have no storage for personal belongings. Leave them at home or in your car and arrive 30 minutes early.
Prometric sample questions (with answers)
These questions mirror the format and difficulty you'll see on the Prometric 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.
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 a high-stakes nursing assistant task.
What happens if you fail the Prometric
Federal rules give you at least three opportunities to pass. Your state sets the exact limits and the time window, and a state may require retraining after repeated failures. Retake fees and windows differ by state and provider, so check your state's candidate handbook. Between attempts, review your score report, practice the skills you missed, and drill the written content areas where you were weakest.
Prometric frequently asked questions
Is the NNAAP the same as the Credentia exam?▾
Yes. The NNAAP is now developed and managed by Credentia, so they are the same exam, not two vendors. Some states use Prometric, Headmaster or their own state exam instead.
What is the passing score?▾
Credentia reports Pass or Fail only and does not publish a numeric passing score. Other providers and state exams may differ; check your state's candidate handbook.
How many times can I retake the exam?▾
Federal rules give you at least three opportunities to pass. Your state sets the exact limit and the time window.
How much does the exam cost?▾
Fees vary by state and provider. Check your state's candidate handbook.
Which states use this provider?▾
See the state list on this page. It only includes states where we could verify the provider; for any other state, check your state's nurse aide registry.
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