How soon can I retake the CNA test after failing?
Updated · Reviewed against official sources
There is no single national waiting period: your state and its testing provider set how soon you can reschedule, and the rule is in your candidate handbook. Federal law guarantees you at least three opportunities to pass, and you usually only retake the part you failed (written/oral or skills).
| Question | Who decides | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| How many attempts do I get? | Your state (federal minimum: at least 3) | 42 CFR 483.154(f) and your state handbook |
| How long must I wait to retest? | Your state / testing provider | Candidate handbook, retake section |
| Do I retake both parts? | Your state | Your score report and handbook |
| What is the retake fee? | Your state / testing provider | Testing provider's official fee page |
| Do I need to retrain after failing? | Your state | State nurse aide registry or board page |
What federal law guarantees
Under 42 CFR 483.154(f), if you do not pass, you must be told which areas you did not pass and that you have at least three opportunities to take the evaluation. A state may set a maximum number of attempts, but that maximum cannot be less than three.
The same rule says you pass only when you pass both the written or oral examination and the skills demonstration, so most states let you retake only the failed part. Confirm this on your score report.
How to find your exact retake date
- Read the failure notice or score report: it lists the part you failed and often the retake steps.
- Open your state's candidate handbook and find the retake or re-examination section.
- Log in to your testing provider's candidate portal to see the next open dates.
- If you trained in a program, ask your instructor: programs often know local scheduling patterns.
Use the wait well
Your score report tells you the areas you missed. Spend the waiting time on exactly those: drill the written topics you missed and run the failed skill start to finish, out loud, several times. A timed full-length simulation in the final week shows whether you are ready.
Find your state
Each of our state guides links the official nurse aide registry or testing page where the retake rules are published.
Quick answers
- How soon can I retake the CNA test after failing?
- It depends on your state and testing provider; the waiting period and scheduling rules are in your candidate handbook. Federal law only guarantees at least three attempts.
- How many attempts do you get to pass the CNA exam?
- At least three under federal rules (42 CFR 483.154). Your state may allow more but cannot cap attempts below three.
- Best way to study for a CNA retake after failing twice?
- Start from your score report: drill only the failed areas, practice the failed skill out loud start to finish, and take a timed full-length practice exam before rebooking.
- Do I have to retake both parts?
- Usually only the part you failed, because federal rules treat the written/oral exam and the skills demonstration as two parts that must both be passed. Confirm with your score report and handbook.
What to do next
Rebuild your weak topics before you rebook: our timed 60-question exam shows a score by topic and every question you missed.
Start the timed full examRelated guides
- What happens if you fail the CNA exam 3 times?
- I failed my CNA written exam by 2 points. What should I do?
- Is there a CNA practice test that shows my weak areas?
- How do you pass the CNA skills test?
- What do most people fail on the CNA exam?
- Is the CNA exam on computer or paper?
- Can I request the oral version of the CNA test or extra time?
- How long should I study for the CNA exam?
Sources
- 42 CFR 483.154 Nurse aide competency evaluation (Cornell LII)
- eCFR: 42 CFR Part 483 Subpart D (nurse aide training and competency evaluation)
Checked: . Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.