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California CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

California approves more than one testing company. Use the list for the company you test with. Below: the test format, every skill on the list, and one skill in full.

One payment, every covered state, yours to keep.

If you test with Credentia (NNAAP)

Tested by
Credentia (NNAAP)
Skills on the test
5
Time allowed
30 minutes
Skills on the list
22
Critical steps marked
26

How it is scored: Pass = Satisfactory on all 5 of 5 skills. A skill is failed if any Critical Element Step (bold in the handbook) is left out or done incorrectly. Getting only the critical steps right does not pass a skill: you must also perform enough of the other steps to meet that skill's passing standard (cut score). The handbook does not publish the cut score as a number or percentage.

The 22 skills on the list

  1. Hand Hygiene (Hand Washing)
  2. Applies One Knee-High Elastic Stocking
  3. Assists to Ambulate Using Transfer Belt
  4. Assists With Use of Bedpan
  5. Cleans Upper or Lower Denture
  6. Counts and Records Radial Pulse
  7. Counts and Records Respirations
  8. Donning and Removing PPE (Gown and Gloves)
  9. Dresses Client with Affected (Weak) Right Arm
  10. Feeds Client Who Cannot Feed Self
  11. Gives Modified Bed Bath (Face and One Arm, Hand and Underarm)
  12. Measures and Records Urinary Output
  13. Measures and Records Weight of Ambulatory Client
  14. Performs Modified Passive Range of Motion (PROM) for One Knee and One Ankle
  15. Performs Modified Passive Range of Motion (PROM) for One Shoulder
  16. Positions on Side
  17. Provides Catheter Care for Female
  18. Provides Foot Care on One Foot
  19. Provides Mouth Care
  20. Provides Perineal Care (Peri-Care) for Female
  21. Transfers from Bed to Wheelchair Using Transfer Belt
  22. Measures and Records Manual Blood Pressure

One skill in full: Hand Hygiene (Hand Washing)

  1. Greet the client by name and introduce yourself by name.
  2. Turn on the water at the sink.
  3. Wet hands and wrists thoroughly.
  4. Put soap on your hands.
  5. Lather every surface of wrists, hands and fingers, creating friction, for at least 20 seconds, holding hands lower than the elbows with fingertips pointing down. (critical)
  6. Clean the fingernails by rubbing the fingertips against the palm of the other hand.
  7. Rinse every surface of wrists, hands and fingers, keeping hands lower than the elbows with fingertips pointing down. (critical)
  8. Dry all surfaces of fingers, hands and wrists with clean, dry paper towel(s), starting at the fingertips, then drop the towel(s) in the waste container.
  9. Turn off the faucet with a clean, dry paper towel and drop it in the waste container, or use a knee or foot control.
  10. Do not touch the inside of the sink at any point.

Steps are written in our words from Credentia (NNAAP)’s candidate handbook (online candidate handbook, checked September 2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. State page: California testing information. The handbook is the final word.

If you test with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)

Tested by
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)
Skills on the test
3-4 tasks
Time allowed
30 minutes
Skills on the list
18
Critical steps marked
38

How it is scored: On every task: perform all critical (bold) steps and at least 80% of the other steps. Only demonstrated steps count; verbalized or simulated steps do not.

Hand hygiene: The first task is always one of 4 mandatory tasks that end with a full soap-and-water hand wash (scored; key steps: 20-second scrub and no recontamination). All other tasks start and end with hand-sanitizer hand hygiene as scored steps.

The 18 skills on the list

  1. Apply a Knee-High Anti-Embolic (Elastic) Stocking
  2. Assist a Dependent Resident with a Meal in Bed
  3. Assist a Resident to Ambulate Using a Gait Belt
  4. Assist a Resident with a Bedpan, Measure and Record Urine Output, with Hand Washing
  5. Catheter Care for a Female Resident, with Hand Washing
  6. Denture Care: Clean an Upper or Lower Denture
  7. Put On Gown and Gloves, Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Output, Remove Gown and Gloves, with Hand Washing
  8. Dress a Resident with an Affected (Weak) Side in Bed
  9. Foot Care: One Foot
  10. Modified Bed Bath: Face and One Arm, Hand and Underarm
  11. Mouth Care: Brush a Resident's Teeth
  12. Passive Range of Motion: Hip and Knee
  13. Passive Range of Motion: Shoulder
  14. Perineal Care for a Female Resident, with Hand Washing
  15. Position a Resident in Bed on Their Side
  16. Transfer a Resident from Bed to Wheelchair Using a Gait Belt
  17. Vital Signs: Count and Record Radial Pulse and Respirations
  18. Vital Signs: Take and Record a Manual Blood Pressure

One skill in full: Apply a Knee-High Anti-Embolic (Elastic) Stocking

  1. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface and rub until fully dry.
  2. Explain the procedure to the resident.
  3. Raise the bed.
  4. Give the resident privacy.
  5. Keep privacy by exposing only one leg.
  6. Roll, gather or turn the stocking inside out down to at least the heel.
  7. Place the foot of the stocking over the toes, foot and heel.
  8. Roll or pull the stocking top over the foot and heel and up the leg.
  9. Check the toes for pressure from the stocking.
  10. Adjust the stocking as needed.
  11. Leave the stocking smooth, with no wrinkles. (critical)
  12. Lower the bed.
  13. Put the call light or signal device within easy reach.
  14. Stay respectful and courteous throughout.
  15. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface and rub until fully dry.

Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (California Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Version 9.0, March 2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the California exam

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