Wisconsin CNA exam-day guide
Wisconsin CNA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the photo ID you registered with; the name on it must match your registration exactly. Many sites also ask for a second form of ID, so bring two if you have them - needs_review: confirm the exact ID requirements with your testing provider before test day.
Test authorization / registration confirmation
Bring any admission letter, scheduling confirmation, or authorization your training program or testing vendor issued. If you never received one, call the vendor before test day rather than arriving without it.
Report time, address, and parking plan
Write down the exact check-in time and site address the day you schedule, and do a route check (or drive-by) beforehand. Aim to be in the building well before your report time, since late arrivals may be turned away.
Scrubs or clean professional clothing plus closed-toe, non-skid shoes
Dress as you would for clinical. Avoid loose sleeves, dangling jewelry, and anything that interferes with gloves or body mechanics. Shoes should be closed-toe and non-slip for safety and lifting tasks.
Short, clean nails with no polish, gel, or artificial nails
Nails must be short and natural so you can perform hand hygiene and don gloves correctly during skills. Trim them a few days ahead so any irritation from cutting has settled.
Hair secured and jewelry minimized
Pull long hair back and remove rings, bracelets, watches with dangling parts, and necklaces that could interfere with glove use or skills. Small stud earrings are typically fine - confirm with your program if unsure.
A plain analog watch with a second hand
Useful for counting pulse and respirations. Needs_review: some testing sites supply timers or clocks and prohibit personal watches, so confirm with your provider whether to bring one.
Pen or pencil (only if permitted)
Needs_review: many sites provide all writing materials and some restrict what you may bring into the testing room. Confirm before packing; do not assume.
Your training program's skills checklist, studied ahead of time
You will not be allowed to use notes at the test, but reviewing the exact steps your program taught - especially hand hygiene and measurement skills - is the highest-yield prep. Practice performing each skill out loud in order.
Leave the phone and smart devices behind or plan to store them
Cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronics generally must be off and stored, not on your person. Using one during testing can end your exam. Plan for a locker, your car, or leaving it at home.
Water and a light snack for before/after
Eat a normal meal beforehand so you are steady for lifting and transfers. Keep food and drink out of the testing room unless the site tells you otherwise.
A backup plan for transportation and a contact number
Have a ride confirmed and the testing vendor's phone number saved in case of emergency. If something goes wrong, call ahead rather than arriving late without notice.
Plan the day
Reconfirm your appointment time, site address, and check-in instructions. Re-read your program's skills checklist and practice the full sequence of each skill aloud, including hand hygiene at the start and between skills. Practice the skills you find hardest at least twice.
Assemble your ID, authorization letter, and clothing in one place. Trim nails, remove polish or artificial nails, and check that your shoes are closed-toe and non-slip. Confirm your ride and route.
Do one light review pass - no cramming. Lay out clothes and ID by the door, set two alarms, charge nothing you'll need to bring (leave electronics home), and get a full night's sleep. Avoid alcohol.
Eat breakfast, hydrate, dress per the rules, and leave with enough buffer to arrive early. Use the restroom before check-in. Store your phone before entering the testing area.
Present your ID and any required paperwork, listen to the proctor's instructions, and ask where to store personal items. Confirm the order of the knowledge and skills portions if it isn't stated.
Read each question fully before answering, answer every question, and use any permitted review/flag feature rather than leaving blanks. Don't rush to finish first.
Listen carefully as the evaluator reads each skill and its steps. Perform hand hygiene as taught, narrate only if your program instructed you to, and stop immediately if the evaluator tells you to stop. Say clearly when you have finished a skill.
Ask the proctor when and how results are released and what the retest process is if you don't pass. Write down anything you were unsure of while it's fresh.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID with a name matching your registration. If the name differs (marriage, legal name change), resolve it with the vendor before test day - this is a common reason candidates are turned away.
Cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be off and stored out of reach. Using or even handling one during testing can result in dismissal.
If the evaluator says 'stop,' stop immediately. Continuing a skill after being stopped, or arguing with the evaluator, can be treated as a testing violation.
Infection control and safety steps are typically critical: skipping hand hygiene, failing to ensure safety during a transfer, or breaching privacy can fail that skill even if the rest was correct. Confirm your program's list of critical steps.
Each skill is generally scored pass/fail, and you must pass every skill you are assigned to pass the clinical portion. Confirm with your provider whether a failed skill can be repeated the same day.
Breaks, restroom use, and leaving the room are usually at the proctor's discretion - raise your hand and ask rather than walking out.
Do not discuss, record, or share test content with other candidates. This is a standard condition of testing and can void your results.
Scoring, retest eligibility, and fees are set by the state and the testing vendor and vary over time. Confirm the current pass thresholds, retest waiting periods, and costs directly with your testing provider and training program rather than relying on what other candidates tell you.