Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) exam-day guide
Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original (not a photocopy) of a current photo ID whose name matches your registration exactly. A name mismatch or expired ID is the most common reason candidates are turned away. Confirm with your training program or the testing provider which forms of ID they accept.
Test appointment / registration confirmation
Bring your printed or electronic confirmation showing your name, test site, date, and time. Have your candidate or registration number handy in case the site asks for it.
Training program completion paperwork (if instructed)
Some sites ask for proof of program completion or a signed eligibility form at check-in. Ask your instructor whether anything besides your ID is required before test day.
Plain watch with a second hand
You may need to count a pulse or respirations during a skills scenario. A simple, non-smart watch with a sweep second hand is the safe choice; confirm with the provider whether a timing device is supplied in the room.
Clean uniform/scrubs and closed-toe, non-slip shoes
Dress as you would for clinical: neat scrubs, closed-toe shoes with a non-slip sole, hair secured off the face and collar, short clean fingernails, and no nail polish or artificial nails.
Pen and pencil
Bring a couple of basic pens/pencils even if the site supplies them; confirm with the provider whether scratch paper or writing tools are provided.
Your training program's skills checklist
Bring the list of skills and critical steps your instructor gave you so you can do a final review while you wait. Do not bring notes into the testing room itself.
Confirmed arrival time, address, and parking plan
Map the route the day before, note parking and building entrance, and build in buffer time. Arriving late can cost you the appointment and a fee.
Confirm which components you are taking
Know in advance whether you are scheduled for the knowledge (written or oral) test, the skills test, or both, and whether you requested any accommodation in advance.
Plan for retake policy and fees
Ask your program how retakes work, how soon you can reschedule, and what the fee is, so you are not surprised if a component needs to be repeated.
Water and a snack for afterward
Testing sessions can run long. Leave food and drink in the car or a locker, since most testing rooms do not allow them.
Rest plan for the night before
Protect your sleep. A rested candidate performs skills more accurately than one doing a last-minute cram session.
Plan the day
Re-read every skills sheet from your program and practice the ones you are least confident about out loud, including hand hygiene and vital-sign measurement. Confirm your appointment date, time, and site with the provider, and check whether any paperwork besides ID is required.
Do a dress-code dry run: lay out scrubs, closed-toe non-slip shoes, and a plain watch with a second hand. Trim nails and remove polish. Arrange transportation and a backup ride.
Pack your bag (ID, confirmation, pens, watch, skills list) and set it by the door. Reconfirm the address and parking. Do a light review only, then stop studying and go to bed early.
Eat a real breakfast and hydrate. Get dressed to clinical standard. Arrive with buffer time before your scheduled check-in, keeping ID and confirmation in hand.
Follow the proctor's instructions exactly, store personal items where directed, and ask a clarifying question if anything about the process is unclear before testing begins.
Listen for the skill being assigned, then take a breath before starting. Perform hand hygiene at the beginning and whenever the scenario requires it, narrate what you are doing if permitted, count aloud for pulse and respirations, and think 'safety and privacy first' at every step. Keep a steady pace rather than rushing, and finish by leaving your area tidy as instructed.
Rules to check
Carry your own government-issued photo ID; the name must match your registration and the ID must be current. Confirm accepted ID forms with the provider before test day.
Arrive at or before your scheduled check-in time. If you are running late, call the site immediately - late arrival may mean forfeiting your appointment and fee. Confirm the specific late-arrival policy with the provider.
Dress and groom to clinical standards: clean uniform, closed-toe non-slip shoes, hair secured, short unpolished nails with no artificial nails. These are infection-control expectations and may be scored.
Do not bring notes, phones, smartwatches, or study materials into the testing room. Use only the supplies the proctor provides, and ask before using anything you brought.
No food or drink in the testing area. Ask the proctor where you may keep water or a snack, and where restroom breaks are permitted and whether they are timed.
In the skills test, treat every critical step as pass/fail: hand hygiene, privacy, safety, and correct technique matter even if the skill 'looks done.' Follow the order and steps as taught by your training program.
If you must reschedule or you fail a component, do not guess at the process - contact your training program and the testing provider to confirm retake eligibility, waiting periods, and fees.
Ask the proctor, not a fellow candidate, whenever you are unsure about a rule, a step, or scoring. Clarifying instructions before you begin is always allowed.