Free CNA Practice Test Pennsylvania 2026 — NNAAP Exam Prep Guide

Everything Pennsylvania CNA candidates need to know — exam format, Credentia testing locations, training requirements, and free NNAAP practice tests to help you pass on your first try.

Pennsylvania CNA Certification Overview

To become a Certified Nurse Aide in Pennsylvania, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by Credentia on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). Pennsylvania requires a minimum of 80 hours of CNA training, with 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: 70 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours • A clinical skills evaluation: demonstration of 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills You must pass both parts to be listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. The passing score for the written test is 70%.

Pennsylvania CNA Written Exam — What Is Tested

The Pennsylvania written exam follows the NNAAP format. All 70 questions come from six content areas: • Physical Care Skills (45%) — bathing, grooming, feeding, transfers, positioning, catheter care, elimination • Safety & Emergency Procedures (14%) — fall prevention, RACE protocol, choking response, seizure care • Infection Control (14%) — hand hygiene, PPE use and order, isolation precautions, standard precautions • Resident Rights (11%) — OBRA regulations, right to refuse, privacy, dignity, abuse reporting • Psychosocial Care Skills (8%) — communication, dementia care, grief and end-of-life support • Role of the Nurse Aide (8%) — scope of practice, documentation, reporting responsibilities Physical Care Skills is the dominant category. Pennsylvania candidates who master this section — particularly transfers, catheter care, and positioning — have the strongest foundation for passing.

Pennsylvania Credentia Testing Locations

The Pennsylvania CNA written exam is administered at Credentia testing centers throughout the state: • Philadelphia (multiple locations) • Pittsburgh • Allentown and Bethlehem • Harrisburg • Scranton and Wilkes-Barre • Erie • Reading • Lancaster • York To find testing centers and available dates near you, visit credentia.com and search for Pennsylvania nurse aide. Your training program will provide your authorization to test after you complete the required coursework. Philadelphia testing slots fill up fast — schedule your exam promptly once you receive authorization.

Get weekly CNA study tips

Practice questions + study tips, once a week. No spam.

Pennsylvania CNA Skills Test — What to Expect

The clinical skills evaluation is conducted at a Credentia skills testing facility. You will demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills in front of a trained evaluator. Handwashing must be performed correctly at the beginning and end of each skill. Pennsylvania evaluators pay close attention to hand hygiene, gait belt use, and catheter care technique. Commonly tested Pennsylvania skills include: • Handwashing • Measuring and recording blood pressure • Transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair using a gait belt • Providing mouth care • Catheter care for a female resident • Passive range of motion for the hip and knee • Providing a partial bed bath The Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook published by Credentia contains the complete skills list and the required steps for each skill.

How to Prepare for the Pennsylvania CNA Exam

Pennsylvania's first-attempt written exam pass rate is approximately 70–75%. Candidates who use practice tests consistently perform better than those relying only on classroom notes. Recommended study approach: 1. Begin with a full 70-question diagnostic practice test before studying. Use your topic score breakdown to identify weaknesses. 2. Prioritize Physical Care Skills — nearly half the exam. Focus on transfer steps (lock wheelchair, gait belt placement, pivot toward stronger side), bathing sequence, and catheter care direction. 3. Study Infection Control thoroughly — know the PPE donning and doffing order without hesitation, and understand the difference between airborne, droplet, and contact isolation precautions. 4. Practice timed tests. Aim for 80% on practice exams before scheduling your actual test. 5. For the skills test, practice each skill end-to-end including handwashing. Ask someone to time you and watch your technique. CertPrepAcademy.com offers a free 70-question NNAAP practice test with 501 questions across all six topics — no account needed.

After You Pass — Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry

After passing both parts of the exam, you are listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry maintained by the Department of Human Services. Pennsylvania employers must verify registry status before hiring any nurse aide. Your Pennsylvania CNA certification is valid for 24 months. To maintain active status, you must work as a nurse aide for pay for at least 8 hours during each renewal period. If your certification lapses, you must retake both the written and skills portions of the exam to be re-listed on the registry. You can verify your Pennsylvania nurse aide status through the DHS online registry.

Practice All 25 Clinical Skills

→

Put this knowledge to the test

Free practice tests, study guides, and flashcards — all six NNAAP topics.

Take a Free Practice Test →

More State Guides

Free CNA Practice Test Missouri 2026 — NNAAP Exam Prep Guide

Everything Missouri CNA candidates need to know — exam format, HDmaster testing …

California CNA Practice Test 2026 — Free NNAAP Prep (160-Hour Program)

California CNA exam facts for 2026: 160-hour training requirement (highest in th…

Free CNA Practice Test Texas 2026 — NNAAP Exam Prep Guide

Everything Texas CNA candidates need to know — exam format, Prometric testing lo…

Free CNA Practice Test Florida 2026 — NNAAP Exam Prep Guide

Everything Florida CNA candidates need to know — exam format, Prometric testing …

New York CNA Practice Test 2026 — Free NNAAP Prep (Prometric)

New York CNA exam facts for 2026: 100-hour training, Prometric vendor, passing s…

Free CNA Practice Test Ohio 2026 — NNAAP Exam Prep Guide

Everything Ohio CNA candidates need to know — exam format, HDmaster testing loca…

Illinois CNA Practice Test 2026 — Free NNAAP Prep (nurseaidetesting.com)

Illinois CNA exam facts for 2026: 120-hour training requirement, nurseaidetestin…

North Carolina CNA Practice Test 2026 — Free NNAAP Prep (Credentia)

North Carolina CNA exam facts for 2026: 75-hour training, Credentia vendor, pass…

View all state guides →