What Specific Skills Are Tested on the CNA Skills Exam? (2025 Guide)

When I first started preparing for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam, I was most nervous about the skills test. Many candidates ask the same question: “What specific skills are tested on the CNA skills exam?” The answer is that examiners can select from a list of 30–35 essential CNA skills (depending on your state). On test day, you’ll be asked to demonstrate five random skills — one of which will always be hand hygiene.

CNA Skills Exam Overview (2025)

The skills test is designed to make sure you can perform the core duties of a CNA safely and correctly.

  • Number of Skills Tested: 5 random skills (out of the full state-approved list).
  • Exam Length: About 25–30 minutes.
  • Passing Requirement: Perform all critical steps correctly for each skill.
  • Evaluator: A nurse aide examiner observes and checks off steps on a skills checklist.

👉 Missing a critical safety or infection control step (like failing to wash hands or forgetting to lock the wheelchair brakes) usually means automatic failure for that skill.

List of CNA Skills Commonly Tested

While the exact list may vary by state, here are the core CNA skills you should be ready to perform in 2025:

Personal Care Skills

  • Hand washing (always tested).
  • Providing perineal care.
  • Assisting with bedpan use.
  • Providing catheter care.
  • Performing partial bed bath.
  • Providing mouth care (including denture care).
  • Assisting with dressing/undressing.
  • Hair, nail, and foot care.

Basic Nursing Skills

  • Taking and recording vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure).
  • Measuring and recording urine or output.
  • Weighing and measuring height.
  • Making an occupied and unoccupied bed.
  • Feeding a dependent resident.

Mobility & Safety Skills

  • Assisting with ambulation using a gait belt.
  • Transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair.
  • Assisting with range of motion (ROM) exercises.
  • Turning and repositioning residents.
  • Applying restraints (if allowed by your state).

Infection Control & Communication

  • Proper glove use and PPE (personal protective equipment).
  • Following standard precautions.
  • Demonstrating effective communication with residents.
  • Promoting resident rights and dignity.

How the Skills Are Scored

Each skill has a step-by-step checklist used by the examiner. Some steps are routine, but others are marked as critical (like infection control, resident safety, and communication).

Example: Ambulation with a gait belt

  • Critical steps include locking bed brakes, locking wheelchair brakes, applying the gait belt correctly, and ensuring resident safety during transfer.

👉 Even if you miss a minor step, you can still pass — but failing a critical step usually results in not passing that skill.

Pro Study Tip 📘

The key to passing the CNA skills exam is practice, practice, practice. Repetition builds confidence and reduces nervousness.

👉 Check out our CNA Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025, with step-by-step instructions for every tested skill, practice checklists, and exam-day tips.

CNA Skills Exam Facts (2025)

Category Details
Skills Tested 5 random skills (hand washing always included)
Skill Pool 30–35 state-approved skills
Passing Requirement Perform all critical steps correctly
Exam Length 25–30 minutes
Common Focus Hand hygiene, safety, infection control, resident rights

✅ Final Thought: The CNA skills exam tests 5 random skills out of a 30–35 skill pool, with hand washing always included. By practicing each skill thoroughly and focusing on critical safety and infection control steps, you’ll be well-prepared to pass and earn your CNA certification.

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