Credentia CNA Practice Test
Free Credentia-format practice questions for the CNA written exam, plus walkthroughs for all 23 clinical skills. Aligned with current NNAAP testing standards used across 18 U.S. states and territories.
What is Credentia?
Credentia is the official testing partner that administers the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) and the Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) on behalf of state nurse aide registries. If your state uses Credentia, you'll register, schedule, and take both the written knowledge exam and the clinical skills evaluation through Credentia's testing system.
Credentia replaced Pearson VUE as the primary CNA exam vendor in 2022, and the format remained largely consistent. The written portion is 70 multiple-choice questions; the skills portion requires you to perform 5 randomly assigned skills (out of 23 possible) while a Registered Nurse evaluator scores you.
Credentia CNA Exam Format
Two parts, one certification. Here's what you'll face on test day.
Written Knowledge Exam
- 70 multiple-choice questions (60 scored + 10 pretest)
- 90 minutes to complete
- Available in English and Spanish
- Online with remote proctor or in person
- Passing score: ~75% (varies by state)
Clinical Skills Evaluation
- 5 skills randomly selected from 23
- Performed in front of an RN evaluator
- Handwashing and indirect care always scored
- Approximately 30–40 minutes total
- Each step rated satisfactory or unsatisfactory
Credentia vs Prometric vs Headmaster
Three different vendors run CNA testing across the U.S. The one your state uses changes the question count, time limit, and even whether you can test online. Here's how Credentia compares head-to-head.
| Credentia (NNAAP) | Prometric | Headmaster (D&SDT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written questions | 70 (60 scored + 10 pretest) | 60–70 (state-dependent) | 60–75 (state-dependent) |
| Time limit | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 90–120 minutes |
| Passing score | ~70% (42 of 60) | 70–75% (state-dependent) | 70–75% (state-dependent) |
| Skills evaluated | 5 of 23 (random) | 5 randomly selected | 5 randomly selected |
| States served | 17 states & territories | 14 states | 22 states |
| Online written exam | Yes — ExamRoom.AI remote proctor | Limited, varies by state | In-person only |
| Languages | English & Spanish | English (Spanish in some states) | English |
| Official site | credentia.com | prometric.com | hdmaster.com |
Not sure which provider your state uses? Find your state's CNA testing provider →
How to Register for the Credentia CNA Exam
Once you've completed a state-approved nurse aide training program, here's how to schedule and take your Credentia exam.
- 1
Complete state-approved CNA training
Federal law requires at least 75 hours, but most states require 100–120 hours before you can test. Your program submits your completion record to your state registry and to Credentia.
- 2
Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT)
After Credentia processes your training record you'll receive an email with a Candidate ID and ATT. You can't schedule without it.
- 3
Schedule through the Credentia portal
Log in at credentia.com, pick a written exam slot (online with remote proctor or in person), then a skills date at an approved regional test site.
- 4
Pay the testing fee
Fees vary by state. If your training program covered your first attempt you'll see a $0 balance; otherwise pay by credit card at checkout.
- 5
Show up prepared on test day
Bring a government-issued photo ID and your candidate confirmation. Arrive 30 minutes early. Wear scrubs and closed-toe shoes for the skills portion.
Typical Credentia Exam Costs
Fees are set by your state nurse aide registry, not by Credentia itself. Many state-approved training programs cover the first attempt. Confirm exact pricing on your state's Credentia page.
What's Actually on the Credentia Written Exam
The 60 scored questions are distributed across three NNAAP knowledge domains. Here's the exact blueprint so you know where to focus your study time.
Physical Care Skills
Hands-on nursing skills and activities of daily living. The largest domain by far.
- Basic nursing skills39%
- Personal care skills (ADLs)15%
- Restorative services10%
Psychosocial Care Skills
Emotional, mental health, spiritual, and cultural needs of residents.
- Emotional & mental health7%
- Spiritual & cultural needs3%
Role of the Nurse Aide
Communication, client rights, ethics, and working as part of the healthcare team.
- Communication8%
- Client rights7%
- Legal & ethical behavior3%
- Healthcare team member8%
Study tip: Over 60% of the test is physical care. If you only have one weekend to prepare, drill basic nursing skills (vitals, positioning, infection control) and ADLs (bathing, feeding, grooming). Those two categories alone cover the majority of scored questions.
All 23 Credentia Skills Tested
You'll perform 5 of these 23 skills on your skills exam. Credentia selects them randomly, so you need to be ready for every one.
Free Credentia CNA Practice Questions
Sample questions in the same format as the Credentia (NNAAP) written exam. Click any question to reveal the answer.
Q1 How long should a nursing assistant wash their hands during routine handwashing? Infection Control
Why this is correct: CDC and Credentia standards require at least 20 seconds of vigorous lathering with soap and friction on all hand surfaces, including under nails and between fingers.
Q2 The normal resting pulse range for a healthy adult is: Vital Signs
Why this is correct: A normal adult resting pulse is 60–100 bpm. A pulse outside this range should be reported to the nurse promptly.
Q3 When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair, the CNA should: Mobility
Why this is correct: Proper body mechanics require a wide stance, bending at the knees, keeping the back straight, and using a transfer belt to protect both the resident and the CNA.
Q4 A resident refuses their prescribed medication. The CNA should: Resident Rights
Why this is correct: Residents have the right to refuse medication. The CNA must document the refusal and notify the licensed nurse so the care plan can be updated and the prescriber informed.
Q5 The single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection in long-term care is: Infection Control
Why this is correct: Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection control measure. Hands of healthcare workers are the most common route of pathogen transmission in long-term care settings.
Q6 A resident says, "I don't want to live anymore." The CNA should: Psychosocial
Why this is correct: All statements suggesting suicidal ideation must be taken seriously, the resident should not be left alone, and the nurse must be notified immediately so the care plan can be adjusted.
Ready for the full prep experience?
500+ Credentia-format practice questions, full skills walkthrough videos, and an AI study coach that adapts to the questions you get wrong.
States & Territories That Use Credentia
18 states and U.S. territories use Credentia for CNA certification testing. Click your state for state-specific exam prep.
Credentia CNA Exam — Common Questions
Is the Credentia CNA exam hard?
The Credentia CNA exam is designed to be passable with focused preparation. The national first-time pass rate hovers around 80–90% for candidates who complete a structured prep course. The skills portion is what trips up most candidates because of the indirect-care steps that are scored on every skill performed.
How many questions are on the Credentia CNA written exam?
The Credentia (NNAAP) written exam includes 70 multiple-choice questions: 60 scored questions plus 10 unscored pretest questions used for future test development. You have 90 minutes to complete it.
How many clinical skills does Credentia test?
Credentia evaluates 5 clinical skills selected at random from a pool of 23. Handwashing is always included, and indirect-care steps (privacy, communication, comfort, safety) are scored on every skill you perform, not just as separate items.
Can I take the Credentia CNA exam online?
Yes. Credentia offers the written exam online with a remote proctor through ExamRoom.AI. You'll need a working webcam, microphone, government-issued photo ID, and a quiet, private testing environment. The clinical skills portion must still be performed in person at a regional test site.
How much does the Credentia CNA exam cost?
Credentia testing fees vary by state and typically range from $100 to $135 for the combined written and skills exams. Many state-approved training programs cover the first-attempt fee. Retake fees apply separately and are usually $50–$75 per portion.
What's the passing score on the Credentia CNA exam?
You need roughly 70% on the written portion (42 of 60 scored questions correct) and a satisfactory rating on every critical step of every skill performed. Failing one critical step — such as breaking sterile technique or skipping handwashing — can fail the entire skills exam regardless of overall performance.
Is Credentia the same as NNAAP?
Credentia is the company that administers the NNAAP. NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) is the name of the actual exam. So "taking the NNAAP" and "taking the Credentia exam" mean the same thing. Credentia took over from Pearson VUE in 2022.
What states use Credentia for CNA testing?
17 states and U.S. territories use Credentia: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Islands, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Virgin Islands, and Washington. Alabama, California, and Maryland are dual-provider states, meaning you can also test with Prometric or Headmaster there.
What happens if I fail one part of the Credentia CNA exam?
If you pass one portion (written or skills) but fail the other, you only need to retake the part you failed. Your passing score on the completed portion remains valid, typically for 24 months from your training completion date. You can retake a failed portion up to 3 times within 24 months before you're required to retrain.
How soon can I retake the Credentia CNA exam?
You can schedule a retake as soon as the day after your failed attempt in most states, though availability at test sites and remote-proctor slots may limit you. You'll need to pay the retake fee ($35–$100 depending on portion) and receive a new ATT before rescheduling.
How many skills do I perform on the Credentia skills exam?
Credentia selects 5 skills at random from the list of 23. Handwashing (hand hygiene) is always one of them. The other 4 are chosen by the computer, so you must be ready to perform any skill on the list. The entire skills evaluation takes about 30–40 minutes.
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