Georgia CNA exam-day guide
Georgia CNA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID with signature
Driver's license, state ID card, or passport are the usual choices. The name must match your registration. Confirm the exact list of accepted IDs with your testing provider before test day; if your ID is expired or your name differs from your registration, call the provider in advance rather than at check-in.
Admission or authorization notice for the exam
Bring the confirmation you received when you scheduled (printed or on paper as directed). Some sites check it at the door. Confirm whether a printed copy is required, since phone use is often restricted in the testing area.
Comfortable, professional clothing
Clean scrubs or a plain shirt and pants you can move and bend in. You will be performing resident-care skills on a practice dummy or partner, so avoid tight or revealing clothing. Confirm any dress code with the provider.
Closed-toe, non-skid shoes
You will stand for most of the skills evaluation. Non-skid soles reduce slipping, especially around the hand-washing station.
A watch with a second hand or digital seconds
Some skills, such as counting respirations or pulse, require timing. Many sites now supply a timing device or clock, and some prohibit personal watches. Confirm with the provider whether you may bring and wear your own watch.
Short, clean nails with no polish, wraps, or artificial nails
Infection-control skills are scored on hand hygiene, and long or artificial nails are commonly disqualifying. Trim nails short the night before and remove polish.
Hair tied back, no dangling jewelry, little or no fragrance
Loose hair and dangling jewelry interfere with skills and with infection control. Strong perfume or cologne can bother others in a small testing room.
Two pens or pencils
Useful for the written portion and for any paperwork at check-in. Confirm whether writing materials are supplied and whether your own are permitted.
Water and a light snack for after the test
Testing sessions can run long. Many sites require bags, phones, and food to stay in a locker or with a companion. Confirm the site's policy on personal items.
Skills checklist or notes for last-minute review
Review in the car or waiting room only if the site allows it. Study materials are typically not allowed inside the testing room. Confirm the waiting-area policy.
Accommodation approval, if you requested one
If you were approved for extra time, a separate room, an oral rather than written version, or another accommodation, bring the approval letter and arrive early enough to set it up.
A confirmed transportation and arrival plan
Know the exact address, building entrance, and parking situation, and plan to arrive well before your scheduled time. Confirm the check-in window and what happens if you are late, since late arrivals may be turned away.
Plan the day
Reconfirm the date, time, and address with your testing provider, and ask about ID requirements, personal items, and check-in timing. Re-read the skills checklist for the tasks you will be tested on and practice each one aloud, in order, with a partner. Practice saying the steps out loud, since verbalizing key steps helps evaluators see what you are doing. Set out your clothes and shoes. Protect your sleep starting now rather than the night before.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation notice, watch if allowed, pens, clothes, shoes, snack, and any accommodation letter. Lay out the outfit. Do a light review of the skills, focusing on the steps you tend to forget, such as the order of hand hygiene, locking the bed, or checking the water temperature. Stop studying early. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Confirm your ride or route and set two alarms.
Eat breakfast and drink water. Dress in your planned clothes with hair back, nails bare, and no dangling jewelry. Leave earlier than the map suggests to allow for traffic and parking. Arrive at the site with time to spare, and follow the provider's check-in process: present your ID and confirmation, store personal items where directed, and use the restroom before the session begins.
Listen carefully to the proctor's instructions and read any written directions. Ask for clarification if something is unclear before the test begins. Be honest about your identity. Do not discuss exam content or skills with other candidates in the waiting area.
Read each question fully before answering, and watch your time so you don't leave questions blank unless the rules penalize guessing. If you are taking the oral version, use the headset as instructed and ask the proctor to repeat a question if you missed it. Flag items you are unsure of and return to them if the format allows.
Listen to the task instructions and confirm which skills you are being asked to perform. Before each skill, take a breath and think through the steps in order. Announce key actions as you do them, such as checking the water temperature or locking the bed wheels. Perform hand hygiene at the correct points. Never skip a safety step to save time. If you realize you made an error, correct it clearly rather than pretending it didn't happen. Work at a steady pace.
Follow the provider's instructions for returning materials and leaving the testing area. Ask when and how results will be reported and how to schedule a retake if needed. Write down anything you want to improve before your next attempt.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo identification and be prepared to sign in. If your ID is missing, expired, or the name doesn't match your registration, you may be turned away and lose your fee. Confirm the accepted ID list with the provider in advance.
Follow the site's policy on personal items. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are commonly required to be stored away or left with a companion for the entire session. Confirm the specifics with the provider rather than assuming.
Maintain exam confidentiality. Do not copy, photograph, record, or share exam questions or skill scenarios. Candidates are typically dismissed for sharing content or for any form of cheating.
Treat evaluators, proctors, and other candidates with courtesy. Arguing with an evaluator's judgment or disruptive behavior can result in dismissal. If you believe there was a procedural problem, ask afterward how to file a concern.
Dress and grooming expectations apply during the skills portion. Long or artificial nails, dangling jewelry, and loose hair can cost you points on infection-control steps. Comply with any additional site rules announced at orientation.
Ask before you assume on breaks. Some sessions run straight through with no break, while others allow one. Use the restroom before the session starts, and confirm break rules with the proctor at orientation.
Scoring generally requires passing both the written or oral knowledge test and the skills evaluation; check your provider's current passing standard and retake policy before test day, as these details change and are not something to guess at.
If you need to reschedule or you become ill, contact the provider as early as possible. Late cancellations and no-shows often forfeit the fee. Confirm the cancellation window and any documentation required for an excused absence.