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Michigan CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Michigan’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
17
Critical steps marked
37

How it is scored: On every task: perform all critical (bold) steps and at least 80% of the non-key steps.

Hand hygiene: Every task includes scored hand hygiene. The first task is always one of four mandatory tasks ending with full soap-and-water hand washing (scrub at least 20 seconds and no re-contamination are critical); other tasks start and end with hand-sanitizer hand hygiene.

The 17 skills on the list

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

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

  1. Knock on the door.
  2. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface of both hands and rub until completely dry.
  3. Explain the procedure to the resident.
  4. Pull the privacy curtain.
  5. Put on gloves.
  6. Place the resident on the bedpan safely and correctly (right side up, centered).
  7. Raise the head of the bed to a comfortable height.
  8. Leave tissue within the resident's reach.
  9. Leave the call light or signal device within the resident's reach.
  10. Step behind the privacy curtain to give the resident privacy.
  11. Come back when the RN Test Observer signals.
  12. Lower the head of the bed.
  13. Remove the bedpan gently.
  14. Hold the bedpan while the RN Test Observer pours in an unknown amount of liquid.
  15. Set the graduate on a level, flat surface.
  16. Pour the bedpan contents into the graduate.
  17. Read the output with the graduate at eye level.
  18. Empty the equipment into the designated toilet/commode.
  19. Rinse the equipment and empty the rinse water into the toilet/commode.
  20. Put the equipment away.
  21. Wash the resident's hands with soap and water, or help the resident do it.
  22. Dry the resident's hands, or help the resident do it.
  23. Put soiled linen in the designated laundry hamper.
  24. Remove gloves inside out and throw them in the trash.
  25. Write the output in mL on the recording form you signed earlier.
  26. Your recorded measurement must be within 25 mL of the RN Test Observer's reading. (critical)
  27. Place the call light or signal device within easy reach of the resident.
  28. Maintain respectful, courteous interaction with the resident throughout.
  29. Turn the water on.
  30. Wet your hands and wrists well.
  31. Put soap on your hands.
  32. Rub your hands together with friction and soap.
  33. Scrub your hands together with soap for at least 20 seconds. (critical)
  34. Scrub with fingers interlaced and pointing down, with soap.
  35. Wash every surface of your hands with soap.
  36. Wash your wrists with soap.
  37. Clean your fingernails by rubbing your fingertips against the opposite palm.
  38. Rinse fingers, hands, and wrists well under running water, fingers pointing down.
  39. Dry fingers, hands, and wrists with clean paper towel(s), starting at the fingertips.
  40. Throw away paper towels in the trash as you use them.
  41. Turn off the faucet with a clean, dry paper towel, then throw it away.
  42. Never re-contaminate your hands during hand washing (for example touching the sink, crumpling the faucet towel with both hands before throwing it away, or using a wet towel on the faucet). (critical)

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

Also for the Michigan exam

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