What clinical skills are tested on the New York CNA exam?
Updated · Reviewed against official sources
New York's clinical skills test asks you to perform 5 skills chosen from the official list in the New York Nurse Aide Candidate Information Bulletin from Prometric, the testing vendor named on the NY State Department of Health's nurse aide registry page. Use that bulletin's skills list and checklists as your study guide; the skills below are the ones most commonly found on state lists, not New York's official list.
| Category | Skills to prepare | Checklist |
|---|---|---|
| Infection control | Hand hygiene; putting on and removing PPE | Hand hygiene, PPE |
| Measurements | Blood pressure, radial pulse, respirations, weight, urinary output | Blood pressure, pulse |
| Mobility | Transfer bed to wheelchair, ambulation with gait belt, positioning on side, range of motion | Transfer, ROM |
| Personal care | Mouth care, denture care, perineal care, catheter care, dressing, feeding, bed bath, foot and nail care | Perineal care, feeding |
| Elimination | Bedpan, measuring output | Bedpan |
Where to find the official New York list
Start at the New York State Department of Health nurse aide page, which links to the nurse aide registry and the competency examination information. The candidate information bulletin from the state's testing vendor contains the skills list, the step-by-step checklists and the scoring rules. Our New York page collects the official links.
How to prepare for New York's skills test
Work from the bulletin's checklists, not memory or videos. Practice every listed skill — you won't know which ones you'll get. Focus on critical steps and on accurate measurements, which are compared with the evaluator's.
The written (or oral) part
New York's competency exam also includes a written test — the current bulletin lists 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes — and federal rules give candidates the option of an oral version. Check the bulletin for the latest format, then practice with our free 20-question test.
Quick answers
- What are the NY CNA clinical skills they test?
- The official list is in the current New York Nurse Aide Candidate Information Bulletin (Prometric). You perform 5 skills chosen from that list on test day.
- Is the New York CNA exam harder than other states?
- All states must meet the same federal minimums. Difficulty depends more on your preparation than the state; the format details are in the NY bulletin.
- How does the NY CNA oral exam option work?
- Federal rules require that candidates can choose an oral exam instead of a written one. The NY bulletin explains how to request it. See oral exam and accommodations.
- NY CNA written exam: how many questions?
- The current NY bulletin lists 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes for the written exam. See how many questions are on the CNA exam.
What to do next
Practice each commonly tested skill, then check your written readiness.
Open the skills checklistsRelated guides
- New York CNA exam guide
- How many skills do you get on the CNA skills test?
- How do you pass the CNA skills test?
- Where can I get a Prometric CNA practice test?
- CNA skills exam critical steps everyone misses
- How do you read a graduated cylinder for the CNA skills test?
- How accurate does manual blood pressure have to be on the CNA skills test?
- How can I practice CNA skills at home without a mannequin?
Sources
- New York State Department of Health — Nurse aide information
- Example handbook: New York Nurse Aide Candidate Information Bulletin (Prometric, PDF)
- 42 CFR 483.154 — Nurse aide competency evaluation (Cornell LII)
Checked: . Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.