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Arizona CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Arizona’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
35 minutes
Skills on the list
19
Critical steps marked
33

How it is scored: Perform all key (bold) steps and at least 80% of the non-key steps on each task. Steps marked (*) count more toward the percentage score. Unlimited attempts within 2 years of finishing training.

Hand hygiene: Every task includes scored hand hygiene: tasks start with hand sanitizer on all surfaces rubbed until dry and end with hand hygiene before leaving the call light; the 4 mandatory first tasks end with full soap-and-water hand washing (no hand-washing step is a key step in AZ).

The 19 skills on the list

  1. Catheter Care for a Female Resident, Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Output with Hand Washing
  2. Don an Isolation Gown and Gloves, Assist Resident with a Bedpan, Measure and Record Output, Remove Gown and Gloves with Hand Washing
  3. Perineal Care for a Female Resident with Hand Washing
  4. Perineal Care for a Male Resident and Changing Their Soiled Brief with Hand Washing
  5. Ambulating a Resident with a Walker Using a Gait Belt
  6. Apply the Resident's Anti-Embolic Stocking to One Leg
  7. Bed Bath for Resident: Face and One Arm, Hand and Axilla
  8. Denture Care: Cleaning an Upper or Lower Denture
  9. Dressing a Bedridden Resident with an Affected (Weak) Side
  10. Feeding a Dependent Resident
  11. Making an Occupied Bed
  12. Mouth Care: Brushing the Resident's Teeth
  13. Mouth Care for a Comatose Resident
  14. Position the Resident on Their Side in Bed
  15. Range of Motion for the Resident's Hip and Knee
  16. Range of Motion for the Resident's Shoulder
  17. Vital Signs: Count and Record Radial Pulse and Respirations, then Pivot-Transfer a Weight-Bearing, Non-Ambulatory Resident from Bed to Wheelchair Using a Gait Belt
  18. Vital Signs: Count and Record Radial Pulse and Respirations, then Pivot-Transfer a Weight-Bearing, Non-Ambulatory Resident from Wheelchair to Bed Using a Gait Belt
  19. Vital Signs: Taking and Recording the Resident's Manual Blood Pressure

One skill in full: Catheter Care for a Female Resident, Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Output with Hand Washing

  1. Greet the resident by name.
  2. Clean hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface of both hands and rub until fully dry.
  3. Introduce yourself by name.
  4. Explain the procedure to the resident/manikin.
  5. Provide privacy by pulling the privacy curtain.
  6. Put on gloves.
  7. Lift the gown to expose the catheter area.
  8. Check that urine can flow freely into the drainage bag (it helps to say out loud that you are checking for kinks).
  9. With a washcloth, soap and water, carefully wash around the catheter where it leaves the urethra.
  10. Hold the catheter with one hand where it leaves the urethra. (critical)
  11. While holding it there, clean 3-4 inches down the catheter tube.
  12. Clean only with stroke(s) away from the urethra. (critical)
  13. Use a clean part of the washcloth for every stroke.
  14. Rinse only with stroke(s) away from the urethra.
  15. Rinse using a clean part of the washcloth for every stroke.
  16. Pat dry.
  17. Never let the tubing be pulled.
  18. Put the top cover back over the resident (manikin).
  19. Leave the resident comfortable.
  20. Put a barrier on the floor under the drainage bag.
  21. Set the graduate on the barrier.
  22. Open the drain and let urine run into the graduate.
  23. Empty the drainage bag completely.
  24. Do not let any part of the tubing touch the graduate.
  25. Close the drain.
  26. Wipe the drain with an alcohol wipe AFTER emptying the bag.
  27. Put the drain back in its holder.
  28. Set the graduate on a flat, level surface.
  29. Read the output with the graduate at eye level.
  30. Empty, rinse and dry the equipment (with a clean, dry paper towel) and put it away.
  31. Record the output on the recording form you signed earlier.
  32. Your output reading must be within 30 mL of the RN Test Observer's reading. (critical)
  33. Take off gloves inside out and throw them in the designated container (trash can).
  34. Wash hands: start by wetting your hands.
  35. Put soap on your hands.
  36. Rub your soapy hands together with friction.
  37. Rub your hands together with soap for at least 20 seconds.
  38. Interlace your fingers, pointing down, with soap.
  39. Lather every surface of your hands with soap.
  40. Lather your wrists with soap.
  41. Rinse your hands well under running water, fingers pointing down.
  42. Dry your hands with clean paper towel(s).
  43. Turn the faucet off with a clean, dry paper towel.
  44. Throw the paper towels in the trash.
  45. Do not recontaminate your hands by touching the faucet or sink during or after hand washing.
  46. Leave the call light or signal device and water where the resident can easily reach them.
  47. Stay respectful and polite with the resident the whole time.

Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (Arizona Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective 2-1-2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the Arizona exam

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