Do you have to play the patient on the CNA skills test?
Updated · Reviewed against official sources
Often, yes. Florida's Prometric bulletin requires candidates to play the resident for others, and Credentia's Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina pages say a candidate volunteer plays the client. Ohio's D&S test uses live resident actors except for perineal and female catheter care, which are done on a manikin.
| State (vendor) | Resident |
|---|---|
| Florida (Prometric) | Candidates; you may play the resident for more than one person |
| Texas (Prometric) | Someone acting as a resident, or a mannequin |
| NC, VA, GA (Credentia) | Candidate volunteer acting as an elderly client |
| Ohio (D&S) | Live actors; manikin for peri care and female catheter care |
What to wear as the volunteer
- Flat, slip-on, non-skid shoes (NC).
- Loose short-sleeved or tank top and loose pants that roll up (NC).
- You'll wear a gown over your clothes; you won't undress to underwear (NC).
What can be done to you
Florida's list: walking, brushing teeth, bed linen change while in bed, nail care, a small snack, breathing and pulse counts, bed-to-wheelchair transfer, ROM, bedpan with clothes on, turning, and washing one foot. Tell the evaluator at check-in if you can't take part.
Quick answers
- Can the volunteer help me?
- No. Credentia's NC page says the evaluation stops if help is given or received.
- Can we speak Spanish to each other?
- Credentia NC says speaking a language other than English stops the evaluation.
- Is peri care done on a real person?
- No: on a manikin in Ohio. Check your handbook for your state.
What to do next
Practice on a willing family member using the same scenarios.
You must pass the written test too. Take the free 20-question practice test, or unlock the timed 60-question exam simulator, the full question bank and every skill checklist for $29 one-time (or $9/month).
Related guides
- Florida CNA skills checklist: what's on the Prometric skills test?
- North Carolina Nurse Aide I skills test: which skills are on it?
- How does the D&S Headmaster CNA skills test work?
- What is a critical element step on the CNA skills test?
- Can you correct a mistake during the CNA skills test?
- How long is the CNA skills test?
- Is handwashing always on the CNA skills test?
- How close do your measurements have to be on the CNA skills test?
Sources
- Florida CNA Candidate Information Bulletin, Rev. 11012025 (Prometric, PDF)
- Texas Nurse Aide Candidate Information Bulletin (Prometric, PDF)
- Credentia North Carolina handbook — The Skill Evaluation
- Credentia Virginia handbook — The Skill Evaluation
- Credentia Georgia handbook — The Skill Evaluation
- Ohio Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Version 27, December 2025 (D&S Diversified Technologies / Headmaster, PDF)
Checked: . Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.