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Mississippi CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Mississippi’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
18
Critical steps marked
39

How it is scored: On every task: all key (bold) steps plus 80% of non-key steps. Steps not order-dependent unless BEFORE/AFTER is stated; steps only said or simulated do not count.

Hand hygiene: The first task is always one of 4 mandatory tasks with scored soap-and-water hand washing embedded; every task starts and ends with scored hand-sanitizer hand hygiene (the bedpan task also has sanitizer hand hygiene mid-task).

The 18 skills on the list

  1. Apply a Knee-High Anti-Embolic (Elastic) Stocking to One Leg
  2. Assist a Resident to Ambulate Using a Gait Belt
  3. Assist a Resident with a Bedpan, Measure and Record Urine Output, with Hand Washing
  4. Catheter Care for a Female Resident, with Hand Washing
  5. Denture Care: Clean an Upper or Lower Denture
  6. Put On PPE (Gown and Gloves), Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Urine Output, Remove PPE, with Hand Washing
  7. Dress a Resident with an Affected (Weak) Side in Bed
  8. Feed a Dependent Resident in Bed
  9. Foot Care for 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 for a Resident's Hip and Knee
  13. Passive Range of Motion for a Resident's 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 to One Leg

  1. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface and rub until completely dry.
  2. Tell the resident what you are going to do.
  3. Raise the bed.
  4. Provide privacy.
  5. Uncover 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 and heel and up the leg.
  9. Check the toes for pressure from the stocking.
  10. Adjust the stocking if needed.
  11. Leave the stocking smooth, with no wrinkles. (critical)
  12. Lower the bed.
  13. Leave the call light or signal device where the resident can easily reach it.
  14. Stay respectful and courteous with the resident the whole time.
  15. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface and rub until completely dry.

Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (Mississippi Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Version 3.0, January 2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the Mississippi exam

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