May 12, 2026
Free Arizona CNA Practice Test 2026 — 75-Question HDmaster Exam
Arizona CNA exam facts for 2026: 120-hour training, HDmaster vendor, a 75-question/60-minute exam (not the standard 70/2hr), a 12-category test plan, $130 fee, and free practice questions.
Arizona CNA Exam — Key Facts (2026)
Here is what every Arizona CNA candidate needs to know before sitting for the exam — note that Arizona's written exam format is genuinely different from most other states:
• Training required: 120 hours (40 classroom + 20 lab + 40 clinical + 20 flexible/program-determined; at least 20 of the clinical hours must be in long-term care) — well above the 75-hour federal minimum
• Exam vendor: HDmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies), on behalf of the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN)
• Written exam: 75 questions, 60 minutes — not the 70-question/2-hour format most states use
• Skills exam: 3 to 4 randomly selected nurse aide skills (not the usual flat 5)
• Passing score: 75% — higher than the 70% most states require
• Exam fee: $130 for the first attempt (knowledge $35 + skills $95); an audio knowledge exam adds $10
• Registry: Arizona Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by AZBN
If you've studied using a generic "70 questions in 2 hours, 70% to pass" practice test, recalibrate — Arizona's real exam is 75 questions in 60 minutes with a 75% passing bar.
Arizona CNA Certification Overview
To become a Certified Nurse Aide in Arizona, you must complete a state-approved CNA training program and pass the Arizona Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by HDmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) on behalf of the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN).
Arizona requires a minimum of 120 hours of CNA training — well above the 75-hour federal minimum — including 40 hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of lab/skills practice, 40 hours of supervised clinical practice (at least 20 of which must be in a long-term care setting), and 20 additional flexible/program-determined hours.
The exam has two parts:
• A written (or audio) knowledge test: 75 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes
• A clinical skills evaluation: demonstration of 3 to 4 randomly selected nurse aide skills
You must pass both parts to be listed on the Arizona Nurse Aide Registry. The passing score for the written exam is 75%.
Arizona CNA Written Exam — What Is Tested
Arizona doesn't use the national NNAAP content outline — HDmaster, the vendor, uses its own 12-category Arizona-specific test plan approved by AZBN. The 75 questions break down as:
• Basic Nursing Skills (9 questions)
• Personal Care (9 questions)
• Infection Control (8 questions)
• Communication (7 questions)
• Role and Responsibility (7 questions)
• Safety (7 questions)
• Data Collection (6 questions)
• Resident's Rights (6 questions)
• Care Impaired (4 questions)
• Disease Process (4 questions)
• Mental Health (4 questions)
• Older Adult Growth & Development (4 questions)
There's no single dominant category like the 45% Physical Care Skills weighting most states use — Basic Nursing Skills and Personal Care tie for the largest share at 12% each, but coverage is spread fairly evenly across all twelve areas.
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Arizona HDmaster Testing Locations
The Arizona CNA written exam is administered by HDmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) at testing centers throughout the state:
• Phoenix (multiple locations)
• Tucson
• Mesa
• Chandler
• Scottsdale
• Glendale
• Gilbert
• Tempe
• Peoria
• Yuma
To find the nearest testing center and available dates, visit hdmaster.com and search for Arizona nurse aide. Your training program issues your authorization to test upon program completion. Phoenix and Tucson testing slots fill quickly — register as soon as you receive your authorization.
Arizona CNA Skills Test — What to Expect
The clinical skills evaluation is held at an HDmaster skills testing site. You will demonstrate 3 to 4 randomly selected skills — fewer than the 5 most states require — in front of a trained RN evaluator who uses a standardized checklist. You get 35 minutes to complete your assigned tasks and must score 80% or better on each one, without missing any key steps.
Handwashing is evaluated with every skill — perform it correctly at the start and end of each demonstration. In Arizona, evaluators pay close attention to hand hygiene and perineal care technique, as these are common failure points.
The Arizona Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook on the HDmaster website lists all possible skill tasks and required steps.
How to Prepare for the Arizona CNA Exam
Arizona's first-attempt written exam pass rate is approximately 70–75%, despite a 75% passing bar that's higher than most states. Structured practice testing is the most reliable preparation strategy.
Recommended study plan:
1. Take a full 75-question diagnostic practice test before opening any study materials. Review your scores across all twelve Arizona content areas — don't assume one category dominates.
2. Prioritize Basic Nursing Skills, Personal Care, and Infection Control — the three largest categories — but budget real study time for the smaller ones too, since Arizona's spread is far more even than most states.
3. Practice under timed conditions — 60 minutes for 75 questions. Pacing matters more here than in the slower 70-question/2-hour format.
4. Aim for 85% on practice tests before your real exam date — a real buffer above Arizona's 75% passing bar.
CertPrepAcademy.com offers a free NNAAP-style practice test with 500+ questions — no account required.
After You Pass — Arizona Nurse Aide Registry
After passing both exam parts, your name is added to the Arizona Nurse Aide Registry maintained by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN). Arizona employers must verify registry status before hiring nurse aides in licensed facilities.
Your Arizona CNA certification is valid for 24 months. To maintain active status, you must work as a nurse aide for at least 8 hours for pay during each renewal period. Inactive certifications require retaking the full competency exam.
You can verify your Arizona nurse aide registry status through the AZBN website.
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