What order do you take off PPE?

For a gown and gloves, gloves come off first, then the gown, then hand hygiene. Some facilities remove gown and gloves together; follow your handbook for the test.

Which part of the gown is contaminated?

The front and sleeves are considered contaminated. The ties and the inside are treated as clean while removing it.

Donning and doffing PPE (gown and gloves): CNA skills test steps

Updated November 12, 2026 · Reviewed against official sources

Put on the gown first and gloves last, with the gloves pulled over the gown cuffs. Remove the gloves first without touching the outside with bare skin, then untie and remove the gown by rolling it inside-out, and perform hand hygiene. The goal is that the contaminated outside surfaces never touch your skin or clothing.

Your state's nurse aide candidate handbook is the authority on exam format, skills lists and scoring. This page explains the general picture and links the official sources.

Steps

KEYmarks 6 steps that candidate handbooks commonly treat as critical. Missing a critical step usually fails the skill.

1Key step: Perform hand hygiene before putting on PPE.
2Unfold the gown with the opening toward the back, and put your arms through the sleeves.
3Fasten the gown at the neck, then overlap it to cover your clothing in back and tie the waist ties.
4Key step: Put on gloves and pull the cuffs of the gloves over the cuffs of the gown.
5Key step: To remove, grasp the outside of one glove at the palm with the other gloved hand and peel it off inside-out.
6Key step: Hold the removed glove in the gloved hand; slide the fingers of your bare hand under the cuff of the remaining glove and peel it off over the first glove.
7Discard the gloves without touching the outside surfaces with bare hands.
8Untie the neck and waist ties, touching only the ties and the inside of the gown.
9Key step: Pull the gown away from the neck and shoulders, turning it inside-out as you remove it, and roll it into a bundle.
10Discard the gown in the proper container.
11Key step: Perform hand hygiene immediately after removing PPE.

Common mistakes

Leaving the gown open in back so clothing is exposed.
Gloves under the gown cuffs instead of over them.
Touching the outside of a used glove with a bare hand.
Shaking the gown or letting the outside touch your uniform when removing it.
Forgetting hand hygiene after removal.

Quick answers

What order do you take off PPE?: For a gown and gloves, gloves come off first, then the gown, then hand hygiene. Some facilities remove gown and gloves together; follow your handbook for the test.
Which part of the gown is contaminated?: The front and sleeves are considered contaminated. The ties and the inside are treated as clean while removing it.

What to do next

Skills and the written test are scored separately, and you must pass both. Check your written readiness in about 15 minutes.

Take the free 20-question test

Sources

Checked: November 12, 2026. Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.