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Washington CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step

Washington’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
35 minutes
Skills on the list
22
Critical steps marked
26

How it is scored: All 5 skills must be completed successfully within 35 minutes. Bolded steps are critical and must be included and done correctly, and you must also correctly perform enough steps to meet the passing standard for each skill (the standard is not published as a number).

The 22 skills on the list

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

One skill in full: Handwashing

  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 (Nursing Assistant Handbook, 2024 edition), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.

Also for the Washington exam

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