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Minnesota CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Minnesota’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
32

How it is scored: Perform every key (bold) step and score 80% or higher on the non-key steps of each task. 3 attempts to pass the skill test.

Hand hygiene: Every task starts and ends with scored hand hygiene (hand sanitizer on all surfaces, rubbed until dry). The first task is always one of 4 mandatory tasks that ends with full soap-and-water hand washing (20-second scrub and no recontamination are key steps).

The 17 skills on the list

  1. Apply an Anti-Embolic Stocking to One Leg
  2. Assist the Resident to Ambulate Using a Gait Belt
  3. Assist a Resident with the Use of a Bedpan, Measure and Record Urine Output, and Hand Washing
  4. Catheter Care for a Female Resident and Hand Washing
  5. Denture Care: Clean an Upper or Lower Denture
  6. Don PPE (Gown and Gloves), Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Urine Output, Doff PPE, and Hand Washing
  7. Dress a Resident with an Affected (Weak) Side
  8. Feed a Dependent Resident
  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. Perineal Care for a Female Resident and Hand Washing
  13. Position a Resident on Their Side in Bed
  14. Range of Motion for One Knee and One Ankle
  15. Range of Motion for One Shoulder
  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: Apply an Anti-Embolic Stocking to One Leg

  1. Clean hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface of both hands and rub until fully dry.
  2. Tell the resident what you are going to do, speaking clearly and face to face when you can.
  3. Raise the bed.
  4. Provide privacy.
  5. Keep the resident covered, exposing only one leg.
  6. Roll, gather or turn the stocking inside out down to at least the heel.
  7. Fit the foot of the stocking over the toes, foot and heel.
  8. Roll OR pull the top of the stocking over the foot, heel and up the leg.
  9. Move the foot and leg gently and naturally; do not force or overextend joints.
  10. Check the toes for pressure from the stocking.
  11. Adjust the stocking if needed.
  12. Leave the stocking smooth, with no wrinkles. (critical)
  13. Lower the bed.
  14. Leave the call light or signal device where the resident can easily reach it.
  15. Stay respectful and polite with the resident the whole time.
  16. Clean hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface of both hands and rub until fully dry.

Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (Minnesota Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, updated June 12, 2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the Minnesota exam

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