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North Dakota CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

North Dakota’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
24
Critical steps marked
40

How it is scored: Every key (bold) step correct and at least 80% of the non-key steps on each task. Steps must be demonstrated; saying them does not count (except where a step says to verbalize).

Hand hygiene: The first task is always one of 3 mandatory tasks that end with full soap-and-water hand washing. Other tasks start and end with hand-sanitizer hand hygiene, except Abdominal Thrust, which has no hand hygiene step.

The 24 skills on the list

  1. Assist a Resident with a Bedpan, Measure and Record Output with Hand Washing
  2. Don an Isolation Gown and Gloves, Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Output, Doff Gown and Gloves with Hand Washing
  3. Perineal Care for a Female Resident with Hand Washing
  4. Abdominal Thrust
  5. Ambulation with a Gait Belt
  6. Ambulation with a Walker
  7. Apply an Anti-Embolic Stocking to One Leg
  8. Partial Bed Bath: Whole Face and One Arm, Hand and Underarm
  9. Denture Care
  10. Dress a Bedridden Resident
  11. Feed a Dependent Resident
  12. Fluid Intake
  13. Make an Occupied Bed
  14. Mouth Care - Brush a Resident's Teeth
  15. Nail Care - One Hand
  16. Passing Fresh Water
  17. Position a Resident on Their Side in Bed
  18. Range of Motion for a Resident's Hip and Knee
  19. Range of Motion for a Resident's Shoulder
  20. Stand and Pivot Transfer from Bed to Wheelchair Using a Gait Belt
  21. Stand and Pivot Transfer from Wheelchair to Bed Using a Gait Belt
  22. Vital Signs: Count and Record Pulse and Respirations
  23. Vital Signs: Take and Record a Manual Blood Pressure
  24. Weigh an Ambulatory Resident

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

  1. Knock on the door.
  2. Introduce yourself to the resident.
  3. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer: cover every surface and rub until completely dry.
  4. Tell the resident what you are going to do.
  5. Give privacy by pulling the curtain.
  6. Put on gloves.
  7. Raise the bed.
  8. Place the resident on the bedpan or fracture pan the right way (not upside down, centered).
  9. Use correct body mechanics while placing the resident on the pan.
  10. Raise the head of the bed to a comfortable level.
  11. Put tissues within easy reach of the resident.
  12. Leave the call light or signal device within easy reach of the resident.
  13. Step away from the resident to another part of the room.
  14. Come back when the RN Test Observer signals.
  15. Wash, or help the resident wash, their hands (wet washcloth or disposable wipe).
  16. Put soiled linen in the laundry hamper, or throw away the wipes.
  17. Lower the head of the bed.
  18. Gently remove the bedpan or fracture pan.
  19. Hold the pan while the RN Test Observer pours liquid into it.
  20. Set the graduate on a flat, level surface.
  21. Read the output with the graduate at eye level.
  22. Write the output in mL on the recording form you signed earlier.
  23. Your recorded output is within 25 mL of the RN Test Observer's pre-measured amount. (critical)
  24. Lower the bed.
  25. Empty the equipment into the toilet.
  26. Rinse the equipment and empty the rinse water into the toilet.
  27. Dry the equipment.
  28. Take off your gloves, turning them inside out.
  29. Throw the gloves in the proper container.
  30. Leave the call light or signal device within easy reach of the resident.
  31. Stay respectful and courteous with the resident the whole time.
  32. Hand washing: turn on the water.
  33. Wet your hands first.
  34. Put soap on your hands.
  35. Rub your hands together with friction.
  36. Keep rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
  37. With fingers pointing down, rub your interlaced fingers together with friction.
  38. Wash every surface of your hands with soap.
  39. Wash your wrists with soap.
  40. Rinse your hands well under running water, fingers pointing down.
  41. Dry your hands with clean paper towel(s).
  42. Turn off the faucet with a paper towel.
  43. Throw the paper towel(s) in the trash as you use them.
  44. Do not recontaminate your hands by touching the faucet or sink at any time during or after hand washing. (critical)

Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (North Dakota Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective 4-2025), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the North Dakota exam

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