May 2, 2026
Free Ohio STNA Practice Test 2026 — 79-Question HDmaster Exam
Ohio STNA exam facts for 2026: 75-hour training requirement, HDmaster vendor, a 79-question/90-minute written exam (not the standard 70/2hr), fees, retake rules, and free practice questions.
Ohio STNA Exam — Key Facts (2026)
Here is what every Ohio STNA candidate needs to know before sitting for the exam — note that Ohio'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 Ohio Department of Health (ODH)
• Written exam: 79 questions, 90 minutes — longer than the 70-question/2-hour format most states use
• Audio version available: same 79 questions read aloud, $10 extra
• Skills exam: 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills from a list of 25, evaluated at an HDmaster skills facility
• Exam fee: Knowledge exam $26 ($36 audio) + Skills test $78 — paid as separate line items
• Retake limit: up to 3 attempts at each portion, within 2 years of completing your training program
• Registry: Ohio Nurse Aide Registry (ONAR), maintained by ODH
• 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" practice test, recalibrate — Ohio's real exam is 79 questions in 90 minutes, a noticeably faster pace per question.
Ohio CNA Certification Overview
To become a State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) in Ohio, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass the Ohio Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by HDmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) on behalf of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
Note: Ohio uses the title "State Tested Nurse Aide" (STNA) rather than CNA, though the role is equivalent and recognized nationally as a CNA credential.
Ohio requires a minimum of 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice.
The exam has two parts:
• A written (or audio) knowledge test: 79 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes
• A clinical skills evaluation: demonstration of 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills
You must pass both parts to be listed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry (ONAR). The passing score is 70%.
Ohio STNA Written Exam — What Is Tested
Ohio doesn't use the national NNAAP content outline — HDmaster uses its own 12-category Ohio-specific test plan. The 79 questions break down as:
• Basic Nursing Skills (9 questions)
• Personal Care (9 questions)
• Safety (8 questions)
• Infection Control (7 questions)
• Mental Health (7 questions)
• Role and Responsibility (7 questions)
• Care Impaired (6 questions)
• Communication (6 questions)
• Data Collection (5 questions)
• Disease Process (5 questions)
• Older Adult Growth and Development (5 questions)
• Resident Rights (5 questions)
There's no single dominant 45% category like the national NNAAP format — Basic Nursing Skills and Personal Care are the two largest, but coverage is spread fairly evenly across all twelve areas. Broad preparation across every category matters more here than concentrating on one topic.
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Ohio HDmaster Testing Locations
The Ohio STNA written exam is administered by HDmaster at testing centers across the state:
• Columbus (multiple locations)
• Cleveland
• Cincinnati
• Toledo
• Akron
• Dayton
• Youngstown
• Canton
• Lorain
To find testing centers and available dates, visit hdmaster.com and search for Ohio nurse aide. Your training program will issue your authorization to test after you complete the required 75 hours. Columbus and Cleveland centers often have limited availability — register quickly once authorized.
Ohio STNA Skills Test — What to Expect
The clinical skills evaluation is held at an HDmaster skills testing facility. You will demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills while a trained evaluator scores each against a required steps checklist.
Handwashing is tested within every skill — perform it correctly at the start and end of each skill demonstration. In Ohio, missing handwashing steps is one of the most common reasons candidates fail the skills test.
Commonly tested Ohio skills include:
• Handwashing
• Measuring and recording radial pulse
• Providing catheter care for a female resident
• Assisting a resident with a bed-to-wheelchair transfer using a gait belt
• Positioning a resident in the lateral position
• Providing passive range of motion for the shoulder and elbow
• Providing mouth care
The Ohio STNA Candidate Handbook (available on the HDmaster website) contains the full list of 25 possible skills and all required steps.
How to Prepare for the Ohio STNA Exam
Ohio's first-attempt written exam pass rate is approximately 70–75%. Consistent practice test preparation is the most reliable way to achieve a first-attempt pass.
Recommended study plan:
1. Take a full 79-question diagnostic test before you begin studying. Review your topic scores across all twelve Ohio content areas — don't assume one category dominates.
2. Prioritize Basic Nursing Skills, Personal Care, and Safety — the three largest categories — but budget real study time for the rest, since Ohio's spread is far more even than most states.
3. Know the PPE donning and doffing order and the RACE fire protocol cold — Infection Control is a meaningful chunk of the exam on its own.
4. Take timed practice tests. Aim for 80% before your real exam date. 90 minutes for 79 questions means a little over a minute per question — faster pacing than most states, so practice under real time pressure.
5. For the skills test, practice handwashing separately until it is automatic. Then practice each full skill from start to finish.
CertPrepAcademy.com provides a free NNAAP-style practice test with 500+ questions — no signup needed.
After You Pass — Ohio Nurse Aide Registry
After passing both parts of the Ohio exam, your name is added to the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry (ONAR) maintained by the ODH. Ohio employers are required to verify ONAR status before hiring any nurse aide.
Your Ohio STNA certification is valid for 24 months. To maintain your listing, you must work as a nurse aide for pay for at least 8 hours during each renewal period.
If your certification lapses due to no employment, you must retake the competency exam. You can look up your registry status or another nurse aide's status through the ODH online ONAR search tool.
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