Arkansas CNA exam-day guide
Arkansas CNA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a current driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. The name should match the name on your registry/testing paperwork. Ask the testing provider which forms of ID it accepts and whether an expired ID is rejected.
Test authorization or scheduling confirmation
Bring the notice the testing provider sent you (email printout or letter). Confirm with the provider whether a paper copy is required or a digital copy on your phone is accepted.
Social Security card or number
The registry and testing vendor may need your SSN for identification. Pack the card only if the provider tells you it is required, and keep it out of sight in a wallet.
Flat, closed-toe, non-skid shoes
You will stand and move around a practice area during the skills test. Avoid heels, sandals, open toes, or slick soles.
Clean scrubs or uniform
Wear neat, comfortable clothing you can move and bend in. Confirm the provider's dress code before test day, since specific colors or uniform requirements vary by site.
Watch with a second hand or digital seconds
You may need to count a pulse or respirations. Ask the provider in advance whether a timing device is supplied at the site or whether you must bring your own.
Short, clean, natural fingernails
Trim nails short and remove polish and artificial or gel nails. Long or artificial nails can cost you points on hand hygiene and infection-control steps and may be flagged at check-in.
Hair secured and jewelry minimized
Pull long hair back. Plan to remove dangling jewelry and rings other than a plain band. Confirm the site's jewelry policy, since enforcement varies by location.
Two black or blue pens
Useful for the written or oral portion and any sign-in paperwork. The provider may supply pencils; do not assume it.
Transportation and arrival plan
Confirm the exact address, parking, and entrance at least three days ahead, and plan to arrive well before your scheduled time so a traffic delay does not cost you your slot.
Comfort items for waiting
Bring water and a light snack to have before check-in or after the test. Food and drinks are usually not allowed in the testing room, so confirm the site's rules.
Plan the day
Call or check the provider's website to confirm your test date, time, address, and what to bring. Report any name change or ID mismatch now, not at the door.
Read your skills list one more time and practice aloud, step by step, focusing on the critical steps that cause automatic failure (hand hygiene, safety, privacy, and proper body mechanics).
Do a dress rehearsal in the clothes and shoes you will wear, including gloves if you are practicing with them, so nothing feels awkward on test day.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation notice, pens, watch, and a snack. Lay out your clothes and shoes. Trim nails, remove polish, and pull together something to tie your hair back.
Confirm your ride or driving route and set two alarms. Get a full night's sleep rather than cramming skills you already know.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and use the restroom before check-in. Leave your phone and smartwatch in the car or in a locker if the site requires it.
Present your ID and paperwork, follow the proctor's sign-in steps, and ask any clarifying questions about the schedule before testing begins.
Read each question fully, answer the ones you know first, and use the full time allowed. If you are taking the oral version, confirm with the proctor how to request a repeat of a question.
Listen to the full instruction before you start, state your hand hygiene and privacy steps out loud, and work at a steady pace. Time limits per skill are usually generous; rushing causes more failures than slowness.
After each skill, tell the evaluator you are finished and follow their direction on cleanup and resetting the area before the next skill.
Rules to check
Bring the ID the provider requires. If your name on the ID does not match your registry or testing record, you may be turned away, so resolve mismatches before test day - confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Arrive at the scheduled time or earlier. Many sites will not admit a candidate who is late, and a missed appointment may count as a failed attempt and require a new fee. Ask the provider about its late-arrival rule in advance.
Do not bring notes, textbooks, phones, smartwatches, or recording devices into the testing room. Ask the proctor where to store personal items before you sit down.
Keep test content confidential. Do not copy, photograph, or discuss specific questions or skill scenarios with other candidates, and do not accept help from anyone during the test.
Tell the proctor before testing if you are ill, injured, or need an accommodation. Accommodation requests are usually handled before the test date, so contact the provider early rather than raising it on arrival.
Breaks are generally limited and must be approved by the proctor. Use the restroom before check-in and ask permission rather than leaving the area on your own.
Scoring is usually pass/fail per skill, based on a defined list of critical steps, plus a passing score on the written or oral portion. Ask the provider for its scoring and retake policy in writing so you know exactly what happens if you do not pass one portion.
Follow the evaluator's directions exactly. If an instruction is unclear, ask for it to be repeated before you begin the skill rather than guessing mid-demonstration.