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Arkansas CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Arkansas’s CNA skills test is given by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster). Below: the test format, every skill on the list, and one skill in full.

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The test

Tested by
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)
Skills on the test
3-4 tasks
Time allowed
30 minutes
Skills on the list
20
Critical steps marked
38

How it is scored: On every task: all key (bold) steps plus 80% of all steps. Steps not order-dependent unless BEFORE/AFTER is stated; steps must be demonstrated, not just said.

Hand hygiene: The first task is always one of 4 mandatory tasks, each ending with scored soap-and-water hand washing; every other task starts and ends with scored hand-sanitizer hand hygiene.

The 20 skills on the list

  1. Assist a Resident with a Bedpan, Measure and Record Output, with Hand Washing
  2. Catheter Care for a Female Resident, with Hand Washing
  3. Put On an Isolation Gown and Gloves, Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Output, Remove Gown and Gloves, with Hand Washing
  4. Perineal Care for a Female Resident, with Hand Washing
  5. Ambulate a Resident from Bed to Wheelchair Using a Gait Belt
  6. Ambulate a Resident from Wheelchair to Bed Using a Gait Belt
  7. Partial Bed Bath: Whole Face and One Arm, Hand and Underarm
  8. Denture Care: Clean an Upper or Lower Denture
  9. Dress a Bedridden Resident
  10. Feed a Dependent Resident
  11. Foot Care: One Foot
  12. Make an Occupied Bed
  13. Mouth Care: Brush a Resident's Teeth
  14. Nail Care: One Hand
  15. Pivot-Transfer a Weight-Bearing, Non-Ambulatory Resident from Bed to Wheelchair Using a Gait Belt
  16. Pivot-Transfer a Weight-Bearing, Non-Ambulatory Resident from Wheelchair to Bed Using a Gait Belt
  17. Position a Resident on Their Side in Bed
  18. Range of Motion for Hip and Knee
  19. Range of Motion for One Shoulder
  20. Vital Signs: Count and Record Radial Pulse and Respirations

One skill in full: Assist a Resident with a Bedpan, Measure and Record Output, with Hand Washing

  1. Knock on the door.
  2. Introduce yourself to the resident.
  3. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface and rub until completely dry.
  4. Tell the resident what you are going to do.
  5. Provide privacy.
  6. Put on gloves.
  7. Place the resident on the bedpan the right way (centered, not upside down) using good body mechanics.
  8. Raise the head of the bed to a comfortable height.
  9. Leave the call light or signal device and tissue within easy reach.
  10. Step away from the resident to another part of the room.
  11. Come back when the RN Test Observer signals.
  12. Help the resident clean their hands (disposable wipe, wet washcloth, or hand sanitizer rubbed in until dry).
  13. Make sure the resident's hands are dry (dry them or hand over a dry towel if a washcloth was used).
  14. Put soiled linen in the laundry hamper; throw a used disposable wipe in the trash.
  15. Gently take away the bedpan or fracture pan and hold it while the RN Test Observer pours in an unknown amount of fluid.
  16. Set the graduate on a flat, level surface.
  17. Read the output with the graduate at eye level.
  18. Empty the equipment into the designated toilet.
  19. Rinse the bedpan/fracture pan and graduate and empty the rinse water into the designated toilet.
  20. Put the equipment away.
  21. Take off gloves inside out and throw them away properly.
  22. Write the output on the recording form you signed earlier.
  23. Your recorded output must be within 25 mL of the RN Test Observer's reading. (critical)
  24. Leave the call light or signal device where the resident can easily reach it.
  25. Stay respectful and courteous with the resident the whole time.
  26. Start hand washing by wetting your hands.
  27. Put soap on your hands.
  28. With soap, rub your hands together with friction for at least 20 seconds. (critical)
  29. With soap, lace your fingers together, fingertips pointing down.
  30. Wash every surface of your hands and wrists with soap.
  31. Rinse your hands well under running water, fingers pointing down.
  32. Dry your hands with clean paper towel(s).
  33. Turn the faucet off with a clean, dry paper towel (or use a knee/foot control, or pull your hands away from the sensor).
  34. Throw each paper towel in the trash as you finish with it.
  35. Never re-contaminate your hands by touching the faucet or sink during or after hand washing. (critical)

Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (Arkansas Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective July 1, 2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the Arkansas exam

Practise the written part with the Arkansas CNA practice test, and check a certification on the Arkansas nurse aide registry.