West Virginia CNA exam-day guide
West Virginia CNA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID with a signature and photo. Some sites also ask for a second form of ID, so confirm the exact list with your testing provider.
Test authorization or confirmation notice
Bring the printed or emailed notice showing your name, test date, site, and candidate/eligibility number. If you were not given one, confirm with your program coordinator or the testing provider whether it is required.
Short-sleeved, comfortable clothing
You will perform hand hygiene and provide care that involves your arms and wrists. Loose, washable clothing and short sleeves let you scrub to the elbow and keep sleeves out of the way.
Closed-toe, non-skid shoes
Safe footing around a bed and a practice sink matters; avoid open-toe, high heels, or slippery soles.
Minimal jewelry and short, clean nails
Take off rings other than a plain band, dangling earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that could interfere. Keep nails short and free of polish, acrylics, or overlays, since infection control steps are scored.
Hair tie or clip
Long hair should be pulled back so it does not fall into your work area or touch the practice equipment.
Wristwatch with a second hand
Some skills require counting a pulse or respirations. Many sites supply a clock, but a plain watch is cheap insurance; confirm whether smartwatches are prohibited.
Two or three pens or pencils
You may need to complete paperwork or the written/oral knowledge portion. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper or a pencil is supplied.
Written directions, contact number, and parking plan
Save the site address and the provider's phone number, and know where to park and which entrance to use, so a wrong turn does not cost you check-in time.
Light snack and water for afterward
Leave these outside the testing room. Eating lightly before and drinking water helps keep your hands steady during skills.
Completed skills checklist review
Review the official skills list from your program or testing provider the night before - not from a random online source, since steps and critical elements vary.
A calm, paced rehearsal plan
Decide in advance that you will verbalize each step and do hand hygiene between skills. Slow, correct technique scores better than fast, sloppy technique.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment date, time, and site with the testing provider, and check that your eligibility has been entered by your program. Verify what the provider requires you to bring.
Rehearse each skill on the official list out loud, using your program's checklists. Focus on hand hygiene, correct sequencing, safety checks, and the critical elements that cause automatic failure.
Practice the measurement skills (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, height/weight as applicable) until you can do them without prompting.
Do a dry run of your route and travel time, or confirm public transit. Note the check-in window; arriving inside it is your responsibility.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation notice, pens, watch, hair tie, and your clothes and shoes. Set them by the door.
Do one calm review pass of the skills list, then stop. Avoid cramming new material the night before.
Eat a normal dinner, limit caffeine and alcohol, and go to bed early enough to get a full night's sleep.
Eat a light breakfast, dress in your short-sleeved clothes and non-skid shoes, and leave earlier than the map says you need to.
Arrive at the site with time to spare. Silence your phone and put it away before entering the building, and check in with the proctor or evaluator.
Read or listen to every instruction before acting. Ask the evaluator to repeat an instruction if you did not hear it clearly.
Narrate what you are doing, perform hand hygiene at the start and end of every skill and between skills, and announce safety measures such as raising the bed rail or locking the wheels.
If you make a mistake, correct it out loud and keep going. Do not stop, argue, or apologize repeatedly; finish the skill as cleanly as you can.
For the knowledge portion, read each question fully, answer every item, and use the review screen if one is offered before submitting.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo identification. If you cannot prove your identity, you may be turned away and lose your fee - confirm the exact ID requirements with the testing provider in advance.
Arrive within the check-in window on your notice. Late arrivals may be refused entry or rescheduled at the provider's discretion, so confirm the cutoff with the provider.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be off and stowed, and notes, books, or study materials are not allowed in the testing room. Confirm the provider's device policy before you arrive.
Follow the evaluator's instructions exactly. Do not ask the evaluator whether a step was correct during the skill, and do not argue with scoring in the room; use the provider's formal review or appeal process instead.
Every skill is scored against a checklist with critical elements. Missing a critical element, such as hand hygiene or a safety step, can fail that skill regardless of how well the rest was done.
You must pass the skills portion and the knowledge portion to be certified, and you may need to pass every assigned skill. Retake rules, waiting periods, and fees vary - confirm them with the provider.
Breaks are limited and are usually scheduled by the evaluator rather than taken on request. Ask about water and restroom access before the test begins.
Do not discuss, record, or share exam content with anyone. Test materials are confidential and sharing them can invalidate your results.