Maryland CNA exam-day guide
Maryland CNA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID with signature
Driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID. It must be unexpired and the name must match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID it accepts before test day.
Appointment confirmation or authorization to test
Bring the confirmation email or letter showing your name, date, time, and test site. Ask the provider whether a printed copy is required or a phone screenshot is acceptable.
Comfortable scrubs or clinical uniform
You will bend, squat, transfer, and demonstrate hands-on care on a manikin or a person acting as a resident. Wear clothing you can move in and do not mind kneeling in.
Closed-toe, flat, non-skid shoes
Safety footwear for the skills portion. Avoid sandals, heels, and anything slippery.
Grooming that meets the provider's dress code
Hair tied back, no dangling jewelry, and short natural nails with no polish or artificial nails are commonly required for infection control. Confirm the exact policy with your provider before test day.
A watch with a second hand (only if permitted)
Some candidates like a watch for counting pulse and respirations, but many testing centers prohibit personal items in the skills room. Ask your provider; if in doubt, leave it at home and use the clock or instructions given.
Payment for parking and a printed map or directions
Know the building, entrance, and room in advance. Arriving flustered is a common cause of avoidable mistakes.
A plan for personal belongings
Most centers provide a locker or secure area but may not allow phones, bags, or notes in the testing room. Leave valuables at home and keep your phone off and stored.
Water and a snack to leave outside the testing room
Testing sessions can run long. Plan to eat and hydrate before you check in rather than during the exam.
A final review of the skills checklist, done at home
Study materials generally cannot be brought into the testing area. Do your last review the night before, then put the notes away.
Arrival time confirmed with the provider
Many sites ask candidates to arrive well before the appointment time for check-in and orientation. Confirm the required arrival window with the provider and build in travel buffer.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment date, time, address, and required arrival time with the provider. Verify your ID name matches your registration and renew or replace anything that is expired.
Do two or three full practice runs of the skills list with a partner, out loud and in order, including hand hygiene at the start and end. Practice the sequence you will actually perform, not just the steps you can recite.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, uniform, shoes, parking money. Lay out clothes. Check the weather and travel time. Go to bed at a normal hour instead of cramming.
Eat a real meal and hydrate. Arrive early enough to park, find the room, and use the restroom before check-in. Keep your phone off and stored.
Present your ID, listen carefully to the proctor's instructions, and ask a clarifying question if anything about the process is unclear. Follow the site's rules about belongings and seating.
Read each question fully, watch for words like 'first,' 'best,' and 'except,' and answer safety- and dignity-focused choices first. Pace yourself; you can generally flag and revisit items -- confirm the navigation rules with the proctor.
Take a breath before each skill and state what you are doing as you do it. Announce hand hygiene, check the scene, identify the resident, explain the procedure, provide privacy, and lock wheels before any transfer. Do not rush -- accuracy and safety outrank speed.
Follow the provider's instructions for when and how results are released, and ask about the retake process now rather than later if you are unsure.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired photo ID. Candidates without acceptable ID are typically turned away, and refund or rescheduling rules vary -- confirm with the provider.
Arrive at the time the provider specifies. Late arrivals may be denied entry; ask the provider in advance what happens if you are delayed.
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and recording devices are generally not allowed in the testing area. Do not photograph, record, or discuss exam content with other candidates.
During the skills portion, follow the proctor's instructions exactly. Do not ask the proctor whether a step was correct mid-skill, and do not accept coaching from anyone in the room.
Safety and infection control are scored heavily. Skipping hand hygiene, failing to lock bed or wheelchair wheels, or leaving a resident unattended can fail a skill even if the rest of your care was correct.
You must pass both the knowledge and the skills portions to be certified. Ask the provider how each portion is scored, what counts as a critical error, and what happens if you fail one part.
Break and restroom policies differ by site. Ask at check-in rather than assuming you can leave the room during the test.
Retake, fee, and waiting-period rules are set by the state and the testing provider. Confirm the specifics with your provider or the Maryland Board of Nursing rather than relying on what other candidates tell you.