Free Michigan CNA Practice Test 2026 — 65-Question HDmaster Exam

Here is what every Michigan CNA candidate needs to know before sitting for the exam — note that Michigan's written exam format is genuinely different from most other states: • Training required: 75 hours (at least 16 hours supervised clinical) • Exam vendor: HDmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies), on behalf of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) • Written exam: 65 questions, 60 minutes — shorter than the 70-question/2-hour format most states use • Skills exam: 3 to 4 randomly selected nurse aide skills from a pool of 17 (not the usual 5-of-25) • Passing score: 74% — higher than the 70% most states require • Exam fee: $175 for the first attempt (both knowledge and skills); retakes are $175 per section • Retake limit: up to 3 attempts at each portion, within 24 months of completing your training program • Registry: Michigan Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by LARA • Registry validity: 24 months; must work at least 8 paid hours as a nurse aide per renewal period If you've studied using a generic "70 questions in 2 hours, 70% to pass" practice test, recalibrate — Michigan's real exam is 65 questions in 60 minutes with a 74% passing bar, both faster-paced and higher-stakes per question than most states.

To become a Certified Nurse Aide in Michigan, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by HDmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) on behalf of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Michigan requires a minimum of 75 hours of CNA training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice in a long-term care setting. The exam has two parts: • A written (or oral) knowledge test: 65 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes • A clinical skills evaluation: demonstration of 3 to 4 randomly selected nurse aide skills from a pool of 17 You must pass both parts to be listed on the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry. The passing score for the written exam is 74% — noticeably higher than the 70% most other states require.

Michigan doesn't use the national NNAAP content outline — HDmaster, the vendor, uses its own 12-category Michigan-specific test plan. The 65 questions break down as: • Basic Nursing Skills (10 questions) • Infection Control (7 questions) • Role and Responsibility (7 questions) • Safety (7 questions) • Communication (6 questions) • Resident Rights (6 questions) • Personal Care (5 questions) • Aging Process and Restorative Care (4 questions) • Mental Health (4 questions) • Care Impaired (3 questions) • Data Collection (3 questions) • Disease Process (3 questions) There's no single dominant category like the 45% Physical Care Skills weighting most states use — Basic Nursing Skills is the largest at roughly 15% of the exam, but coverage is far more spread out across all twelve areas. Broad, even preparation matters more here than concentrating on one topic.

The Michigan CNA written exam is administered by HDmaster at testing centers throughout the state: • Detroit and metro area (multiple locations) • Grand Rapids • Lansing • Flint • Ann Arbor • Kalamazoo • Saginaw • Traverse City • Marquette (Upper Peninsula) To find the nearest testing center and available exam dates, visit hdmaster.com and search for Michigan nurse aide. Your training program will provide your authorization to test upon completing the required 75 hours. Detroit-area testing slots fill quickly — register as soon as your authorization is issued.

The clinical skills evaluation is conducted at an HDmaster skills testing facility. You will demonstrate 3 to 4 randomly selected nurse aide skills — fewer than the 5 most states require — drawn from a published pool of 17 tasks. A trained evaluator scores each skill against a checklist of required steps. Handwashing is evaluated within every skill — perform proper hand hygiene at the start and end of every skill demonstration. Michigan evaluators pay close attention to handwashing technique, gait belt positioning, and catheter care direction. Commonly tested Michigan skills include: • Handwashing • Measuring and recording radial pulse and respirations • Providing catheter care for a female resident • Assisting with a bed-to-wheelchair transfer using a gait belt • Passive range of motion for the shoulder and elbow • Positioning a resident in Fowler's position • Making an occupied bed The Michigan Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook published by HDmaster contains the complete list of 17 possible skills and required steps.

Michigan's first-attempt written exam pass rate is approximately 70–75%, despite a 74% passing bar that's higher than most states. Candidates who study with structured practice tests consistently outperform those using classroom notes alone. Recommended study plan: 1. Start with a full 65-question diagnostic practice test. Review your topic scores across all twelve Michigan content areas to identify your weakest spots — don't assume one category dominates. 2. Prioritize Basic Nursing Skills, Infection Control, Role and Responsibility, and Safety — the four largest categories — but budget real study time for the smaller ones too, since Michigan's spread is far more even than most states. 3. Know PPE donning/doffing order and the RACE fire response protocol cold — Infection Control and Safety together are a meaningful chunk of the exam. 4. Take at least two full timed practice tests before exam day, timed to 60 minutes. Aim for 85% or higher on practice exams — that's a real buffer above Michigan's 74% passing bar, not the 70% most generic advice assumes. 5. For the skills test, practice each skill from start (handwashing) to finish (handwashing) multiple times. Do not skip steps — evaluators check each one. CertPrepAcademy.com offers a free NNAAP-style practice test with 500+ questions — no account needed.

After passing both parts of the Michigan exam, your name is added to the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry maintained by LARA. Michigan employers are required to verify registry status before hiring any nurse aide. Your Michigan 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. If your certification lapses, you must retake both the written and skills portions of the exam. You can verify your Michigan nurse aide registry status through the LARA online registry portal.