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Pennsylvania CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Pennsylvania’s CNA skills test is given by Credentia (NNAAP). Below: the test format, every skill on the list, and one skill in full.

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The test

Tested by
Credentia (NNAAP)
Skills on the test
5
Time allowed
30 minutes
Skills on the list
21
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 21 skills on the list

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

Also for the Pennsylvania exam

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