How To: Apply for the CNA State Exam

Step 1 Successfully Complete Your CNA Training Program

You must finish your CNA (Certified Nurses Assistant) training program and must secure a CNA training certification in order for you to be qualified to apply for CNA state exam.

Step 2 Obtain CNA Exam's Application Form

You must seek assistance to your school or contact your state nurse registry in order for you to obtain an application form. Nowadays, with the emergence of technology, lots of applicants secure an application form through Internet. When you have a certain knowledge of your state nurse registry website, just check their website and download the form or print it. At your own convenient you can spend less time, money and effort to obtain your CNA state exam application form.

Step 3 Fill - Out Information in the Application Form

Answer all the required questions on the CNA application form. Otherwise, the registry will send back your application and consequently it might cause delay. It is best to accurately answer necessary questions and follow the directions found in the form.

Step 4 Don't Forget To Have Your Signature

All application form for the CNA state test must be signed or else it will be sent back to you. As a result, an additional effort, time and money might happen to you. Be careful on answering your application form. Don't rush it!

Step 5 Mail the Form To Your CNA Training School

Generally, in applying for CNA certification, every application form is divided into two or four parts. Not all information must be filled up by you, instead, there are parts in the application form that are intended for your training school. So either you mail the form or personally give the form to your school -- whatever way you choose as long as you follow the instructions then it would be fine. In a normal basis, when your school training receive your application form, they immediately respond to it and they will mail the form back to you.

Step 6 Don't Forget to Attach Necessary Additional Documents and Fees

In every state, you are required to choose which kind of payment you would like to do -- either in cash or through check or credit card. Whichever payment method you may prefer, just don't forget to attach or provide your account with your application form. If you fail in doing this, most likely, your application for CNA state certification might delay your exam or the registry might reject your application for the test.

Step 7 Mail Your CNA State Exam Application to State Nurse Registry

Once all documents, form and fee are set up, just mail the form to the address indicated in your application form. Wait for your exam schedule. For follow ups you can contact them by keeping your nurse registry's number.

Step 8 Wait for Your CNA Registry's Exam Schedule

After assessing your application, your registry will inform you if your application is approved or not. When it is approved, they provide you an exam schedule and other important details.

Step 9 Be Prepared With Your CNA Certification

Always have a good CNA review when you study your lessons in CNA. The exam is composed of 2 principal parts: a written or oral portion, and a hands-on skills part. These parts of the test are administered on the same day. On average, there are 75 multiple-choice questions; but it varies from state to state. For students with special preferences, it is possible to take the test in both English and Spanish.

The clinical skills component covers five skills picked randomly from the 25 skills you have learned and practiced throughout your training and study picked skills from the twenty-five skills you learned from your CNA training. It will take place in an environment that simulates a CNA workspace, with all the essential tools and equipment provided; you will be given 25-30 minutes to demonstrate all 5 skills.

Step 10 Stay Focus and Calm During Your CNA Test

You will be permitted to retake the exam up to 3 times within a two year period in most states. If you only fail one portion of the test, you will only need to retake that portion. If you fail both the written and skills parts, then both will need to be retaken. You will be required to pay the examination fee every time you retake the exam. If you fail the exam three consecutive times, re-training is required in order to the take the exam again. Pass the CNA state test the first time you take it.