Vermont CNA (LNA) exam-day guide
Vermont CNA (LNA) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired ID with your name matching your exam registration. Confirm acceptable ID forms with your exam provider before test day.
Exam appointment confirmation or admission document
Bring any confirmation letter, admission ticket, or authorization your provider sends. If you must print it, print it ahead of time; do not rely on a phone.
Training program completion documentation
Bring any certificate or program paperwork your provider instructs you to bring. Confirm with your training program or exam provider whether it is required at check-in.
Comfortable, professional clothing
Wear clothing that allows you to move, bend, and demonstrate caregiving skills safely. Avoid restrictive sleeves or clothing that interferes with hand hygiene.
Closed-toe, non-slip shoes
Wear safe, comfortable shoes for the skills portion. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, or high heels.
Watch with a second hand
Some skills require counting pulse or respirations. Confirm with your provider whether a watch is allowed or required in the testing room.
Glasses, hearing aids, or other daily assistive devices
Bring and use any device you normally need to read instructions or hear the examiner.
Water and a light snack
Bring water or a snack for before or after the exam if permitted. Confirm the provider's policy on food, drinks, and breaks.
Directions, parking information, and emergency contact
Know the test site location, parking rules, and arrival entrance. Keep a phone number for the test site or provider accessible.
Leave valuables and study materials at home
Do not bring notes, skill sheets, or unauthorized study materials into the testing area. Secure personal items as directed.
Face mask or other current health-rule items
Check the test site's current health and masking rules before you go. Bring any required item, but confirm current requirements with the provider.
Review the candidate handbook and skill checklist
Read the provider's candidate handbook and your training program's skills checklist before test day so you know what to expect.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment time, test site address, and check-in instructions with your exam provider. Review the candidate handbook, practice each skill aloud using your training program's checklist, and prepare your clothing and ID.
Practice infection control and safety habits every time: hand hygiene, glove use, privacy, bed height and brakes, call light placement, and clear communication. These habits matter during skills testing.
Pack your ID, confirmation document, watch if allowed, glasses or hearing aids, and any permitted items. Confirm your route and leave time. Avoid last-minute cramming; get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, drink water, and arrive early enough to park, use the restroom, and check in without rushing. Leave valuables at home unless the provider requires them.
Follow the proctor's instructions, present your ID and required documents, and store personal items where directed. Ask the proctor only questions you are permitted to ask; do not ask about exam content.
Read each question carefully, answer every item, and use the allowed time. If you do not know an answer, choose the safest, most person-centered option based on your training and move on.
Listen to the examiner's directions, perform each skill in the order your training program taught, and verbalize steps if instructed. Do not rush; safety and infection control come first.
Return any materials as directed, collect your belongings, and leave the testing area. Do not discuss exam content with other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired identification and make sure your name matches your registration. If you have questions about name changes or acceptable ID, confirm with the provider before test day.
Arrive at the test site at the time instructed. Late-arrival and rescheduling policies vary, so confirm the provider's rules in advance and allow extra travel time.
Do not use phones, smart watches, recording devices, or unauthorized notes in the testing area unless the proctor explicitly permits an item. Follow all secure-storage instructions.
Breaks are usually limited to designated times. Ask the proctor before leaving the testing area, and confirm the provider's break policy if you have a medical or accessibility need.
You must generally pass both the knowledge/written portion and the skills portion to be listed on the Vermont LNA registry. Confirm passing standards, retake rules, and score reporting with your provider.
A critical safety error or failure to follow infection control can fail a skill even if other steps were completed. Follow your training program's checklist and the examiner's directions exactly.
Follow the proctor's and examiner's instructions at all times. If a direction is unclear during the exam, ask only in the manner the provider allows.
Do not discuss, copy, or share exam questions or scenarios. Treat all exam content as confidential.