Kentucky CNA (SRNA) exam-day guide
Kentucky CNA (SRNA) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID with signature
Driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. The name must match your registration exactly. Name-change documents may be required if names differ - confirm with your provider before test day.
Test authorization / admission document
Bring whatever confirmation your training program or testing provider sent (printed or electronic). Requirements vary by provider and site - confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Candidate ID or scheduling number
Have your registration/candidate number accessible in case the site asks for it at check-in. Confirm the exact format with the provider.
Comfortable scrubs or clinical-style clothing
Short sleeves allow easy hand washing and donning of gloves. Avoid loose jewelry, long nails, and artificial nails, which can interfere with hand-hygiene technique.
Closed-toe, non-skid shoes
You will be standing and moving around a skills lab for an extended period. Safety and comfort matter more than style.
Plain analog watch with a second hand
Some skills (pulse, respirations) require timing. Smart watches and phones are typically not allowed in the testing room - confirm with the provider what timepieces are permitted.
Hair tie or clip
Long hair should be secured so it does not fall forward during hand hygiene or skills performance.
Small pocket notebook plan (leave it in the car)
Most testing rooms prohibit personal notes, phones, and study materials at the skills station. Plan to leave them outside the room - confirm the site's storage policy.
Transportation and arrival plan
Map the route in advance, know the building and room, and plan to arrive well ahead of your report time. Late arrival can result in forfeiture of your appointment - confirm the provider's grace period.
Review of the skills checklist before you leave
Do a final read-through of the skills list you were given in training, focusing on the critical (automatic-fail) steps, such as hand hygiene and resident identification.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook from your testing provider and your training program's skills checklist. Confirm your appointment date, report time, and exact location, and verify what ID and documents are required.
Practice the full skills sequence out loud on a partner or a manikin, including hand hygiene, introducing yourself, identifying the resident, explaining the procedure, and closing steps. Talk through every step - evaluators score what they see and hear.
Confirm your transportation, arrange childcare or work coverage, and plan to arrive early. Verify whether the site has parking or check-in procedures you need to follow.
Pack your bag: ID, authorization document, scrubs, closed-toe shoes, watch, hair tie. Put everything by the door.
Do a light review only - hand hygiene, measuring vital signs, positioning, and transfer techniques. Do not try to learn new material the night before. Get a full night's sleep.
Charge your phone, set two alarms, and confirm the morning route and traffic buffer.
Eat a normal meal and stay hydrated. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are already nervous.
Dress in scrubs with short sleeves, secure your hair, remove jewelry, and trim nails. Recheck that your ID and documents are in your bag.
Arrive early - aim for 30 minutes before your report time unless the provider specifies otherwise. Silence your phone and store it as instructed.
Listen carefully to instructions and read each question or skill prompt fully. For skills, verbalize your steps clearly, perform hand hygiene at the required points, and identify the resident before starting.
Work at a steady pace rather than rushing. If a step slips your mind, pause, breathe, and continue - a single missed non-critical step does not necessarily end your attempt, but critical steps do.
Ask the evaluator to repeat an instruction if you truly did not hear it. Do not ask whether your performance was correct - evaluators cannot coach you.
Rules to check
Bring the identification your provider requires. If the name on your ID does not match your registration, you may be turned away - resolve discrepancies before test day by contacting the provider.
Arrive at or before your report time. Late arrivals may lose their appointment and their fee; confirm the provider's specific late-arrival policy in advance.
Phones, smart watches, and study materials are typically not permitted in the testing area. Follow the site's instructions for storing personal items.
Dress in clean, professional clinical attire with closed-toe shoes. Artificial nails, long nails, and dangling jewelry can interfere with required hand hygiene and may be prohibited - confirm the dress code with the provider.
The skills evaluation is scored against a checklist that includes critical steps. Certain errors - such as failing to perform hand hygiene or failing to identify the resident - may result in automatic failure of that skill. Your training program should give you the exact checklist used by your provider.
You generally must pass both the written (or oral) portion and the skills portion to be listed as an SRNA. Confirm with your provider how scores are combined and what your retake options and fees are.
Do not discuss, record, or reproduce exam content. Test security rules apply and violations can invalidate your results.
Break and restroom policies vary by site and by the length of your session. Ask the proctor before the exam begins rather than leaving the room unannounced.