North Carolina CNA exam-day guide
North Carolina CNA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with signature
Driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The name must match your registration exactly. If your name changed (marriage, divorce, legal name change), contact the testing provider before test day to fix the record, because a mismatch can keep you from testing.
Printed admission letter or authorization-to-test confirmation
Bring a paper copy, not just the email on your phone, since phones are usually not allowed in the testing area. Confirm with the provider which document they require and whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Test site address, arrival time, parking notes, and a backup phone number
Reconfirm the site and start time 72 hours out; testing locations and schedules change. Map the route and note parking costs. Save the provider's phone number in case of a delay or emergency.
Payment for any outstanding test fee, if a balance is due
Many candidates pay at registration, but some sites collect a fee on test day. Confirm the amount and accepted payment methods (card, money order, cash) with the provider before you go.
Comfortable uniform or scrubs with short sleeves and closed-toe, non-slip shoes
Short sleeves let you perform hand hygiene and blood pressure skills properly. Avoid tight cuffs, dangling jewelry, and open-back shoes. Dress in layers in case the room is cold.
Short, clean natural nails with no polish or artificial tips, hair tied back
Long, polished, or artificial nails can cost you points on hand hygiene and can be grounds for being sent home. Keep jewelry minimal: a plain band ring and small stud earrings. Confirm the specific jewelry and nail policy with the provider.
Two pens or pencils and, if permitted, a simple watch
Bring your own writing tools for the written portion. Ask in advance whether scratch paper is supplied and whether a wristwatch is allowed in the testing room, since some sites prohibit anything on the wrist.
Water and a light snack for before or after the test
Eating and drinking inside the testing room is usually prohibited, but many sites let you keep items in a waiting area or locker. Confirm the food and drink policy with the provider.
Your skills checklist or study notes to review in the waiting room only
Use them to review handwashing and your weakest skills before you are called back. Ask whether study materials may be used in the waiting area, then put them away before entering the testing room.
A ride home and a plan for your phone
Leave your phone turned off in the car or in a locker if one is provided. Do not carry it into the testing area, even in a pocket. Arrange transportation so you are not rushed or distracted after the test.
A full timed rehearsal of the skills you will be tested on
Practice out loud with a partner playing the client, using a bed or table at the correct height. Time yourself, narrate every step, and have your partner check you against the critical elements. Confirm the current skill list and how many skills are performed on test day with your program or the testing provider.
Plan the day
Reconfirm your test date, start time, and location with the provider, and confirm exactly which ID and documents they require. Do at least two full, timed skills rehearsals with a partner, focusing on handwashing and the skills you are least confident about. Lay out your uniform and shoes, check your nails and hair against the policy, and start moving your sleep schedule toward an early night.
Pack your bag: ID, printed confirmation, pens, payment if needed, snack, and water. Put the clothes you will wear in one place. Do one calm review of the skill steps and critical elements, then stop studying new material. Confirm your ride, set two alarms, and aim for seven to eight hours of sleep. Do not trim or paint your nails tonight, because a rushed job can leave edges that fail the nail check.
Eat a normal breakfast and limit caffeine if you are already nervous. Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled time; confirm the exact early-arrival window with the provider. Turn your phone off and leave it in the car or a locker. Use the restroom before check-in. In the waiting area, review handwashing and your two weakest skills, then put your notes away and take slow breaths.
Read each question completely before answering, and watch for words like first, best, and except. Answer every question. If you are unsure, mark it, choose your best answer, and return to it only if you have time. Follow the proctor's instructions about breaks and materials exactly.
Listen to the scenario and the evaluator's instructions, and ask one clarifying question before you begin only if something is genuinely unclear; asking for coaching mid-skill is not allowed. Perform hand hygiene first, gather supplies, and verbalize each step as you do it. Say your safety checks aloud: identify the client, explain the procedure, provide privacy, lock the bed wheels, and lower the bed to a safe working height. Do not rush; complete each step fully and tell the evaluator when you are finished.
Rules to check
Carry a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. If your ID name differs from your registration, resolve it with the provider before test day, or you may be turned away.
Arrive early. Candidates who arrive after the scheduled start time may be refused entry and may forfeit their fee. Confirm the exact cutoff time with the testing provider, because lateness policies vary.
No phones, smartwatches, notes, or recording devices in the testing area. Unauthorized items can result in your test being voided, so leave them secured outside the room.
No observers, family members, or coaches are allowed in the testing room. Silence and follow the evaluator's directions; the evaluator may clarify instructions but will not coach you through a skill.
Skills are scored against critical elements, so missing a critical element, such as failing hand hygiene or taking an unsafe action, can fail that skill or the entire skills test regardless of how well other steps were performed.
Ask the provider in advance about breaks. Short breaks are commonly allowed during the written portion, and breaks during the skills portion are typically not allowed.
Results and registry reporting are handled by the testing provider. Ask how and when results are reported, how a failed section can be retaken, and what fees and waiting periods apply. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.
Do not discuss or share specific test content with other candidates. Test materials are confidential, and sharing them can invalidate your results.