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Utah CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Utah’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
5
Time allowed
45 minutes
Skills on the list
20
Critical steps marked
4

How it is scored: At least 80% on each of the 5 skills, including 100% of key steps, and all testing finished within 45 minutes. Every step must be demonstrated; verbalizing alone does not count.

Hand hygiene: Every skill except Handwashing opens and closes with scored hand hygiene, and hand sanitizer is to be used whenever hand hygiene is required. Soap-and-water hand washing is its own skill (Handwashing, Miscellaneous category) rather than embedded in other tasks.

The 20 skills on the list

  1. Vital Sign: Blood Pressure
  2. Vital Sign: Pulse/Respirations
  3. Denture Care
  4. Mouth Care: Conscious, Brushing Teeth
  5. Mouth Care: Unconscious
  6. Feeding Resident: While in Bed
  7. Pivot Transfer: Bed to Wheelchair Using Gait Belt
  8. Ambulate Using Gait Belt
  9. Ambulate with Walker Using Gait Belt
  10. Position: Lateral
  11. Assist with Bedpan and Peri Care: Female
  12. Brief Change with Peri/Anal Care: Female
  13. Brief Change with Peri/Anal Care: Male
  14. Indwelling Catheter Care with Enhanced Barrier Precautions: Female
  15. Indwelling Catheter Care with Enhanced Barrier Precautions: Male
  16. Handwashing
  17. Anti-Embolism Stocking (One Leg)
  18. Dressing Resident: Affected Arm
  19. Empty Down Drain Bag and Record Urine Output
  20. Occupied Draw Sheet Change

One skill in full: Handwashing

  1. Wet hands well with water.
  2. Put soap on your hands.
  3. Rub hands together with soap, washing all surfaces of hands and fingers.
  4. Wash wrists with soap.
  5. Clean fingernails by rubbing them in the palm of the other hand.
  6. Wash with soap for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.
  7. Rinse hands and wrists with fingers pointing down.
  8. Dry hands and wrists with clean paper towel(s).
  9. Turn off the faucet with a paper towel.
  10. Do not touch clean hands to the sink or faucet.
  11. Throw the paper towel in the trash right away without touching the other hand.

Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (Utah Nursing Assistant State Certification Handbook, 3rd Edition V4, April 2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the Utah exam

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