The CNA exam: format, results and how long it takes
The CNA exam always has a knowledge part and a skills part, but the details depend on your state’s test vendor. In Virginia, the written exam has 70 questions in two hours and the skills test asks for five skills in 30 minutes. In Florida, the written test has 60 questions in 90 minutes and the skills test takes 31 to 40 minutes. In both, you must pass all five skills.
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CNA exam format in Virginia (NNAAP, Credentia)
Virginia uses the NNAAP. The written exam has 70 multiple-choice questions in English, 10 of them unscored pretest items, and you have two hours. If reading English is difficult, you can choose the oral exam instead: 60 multiple-choice questions plus 10 reading comprehension or word recognition questions.
In the skills evaluation you perform five randomly selected nurse aide skills and have 30 minutes for all five. You must pass both the written or oral exam and the skills evaluation under the same application.
Source: Credentia — Virginia Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (January 2024). Checked 18 October 2026.
CNA exam format in Florida (Prometric)
Florida’s written test has 60 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute limit, in English or Spanish. An audio version reads the questions aloud; you must choose it on the application, not on test day.
The clinical skills test scores five skills. Handwashing and indirect care are observed throughout, and the time allowed ranges from 31 to 40 minutes depending on the skills assigned.
Source: Prometric — Florida Certified Nursing Assistant Candidate Information Bulletin (Rev. 11012025). Checked 18 October 2026.
Taking the written CNA exam online
Some states let you take the knowledge part remotely. In Virginia, the written or oral exam can be taken from home or work with a live online proctor. You need a desktop, laptop or Chromebook with one monitor, a private room, a phone or tablet for a room scan, and two forms of official ID. The skills evaluation is a hands-on demonstration in front of an evaluator.
Source: Credentia Virginia — Exam Day Online. Checked 18 October 2026.
Scoring and results
Each skill is marked satisfactory or unsatisfactory. In Virginia, a failed skill on your score report comes with numbers that identify the steps you missed, so you can practise exactly those steps before a retake, and you only repeat the part you failed. Score reports are usually available within a few hours after the testing day; online proctored results come right after you finish.
Neither Credentia (Virginia) nor Prometric (Florida) publishes a numeric passing score for the written test on the pages checked; Florida’s score report shows pass or fail. For computer-based Prometric exams, results are available to view and print within 24 hours.
Source: Credentia Virginia — Exam Results. Checked 18 October 2026.
How long does it take to get a CNA license?
No official source gives a single number of weeks, because the answer depends on how your program schedules its hours and when you can book the exam. How long does it take to get your CNA license is better answered as a sum of the published parts:
- Training: at least 75 clock hours under federal rules; 140 hours in Virginia.
- Application: in Florida, initial applications must be reviewed within 30 days, and fingerprinting must be complete first.
- Exam and results: results within hours in Virginia, within 24 hours for computer-based Prometric exams.
- Registry listing: federal rules require it within 30 days of passing; Prometric lists candidates in Florida and several other states 48 business hours after the exam date.
Source: Prometric — Nurse Aide Frequently Asked Questions. Checked 18 October 2026.
Preparing for the CNA exam
Prepare the two parts differently. For the skills test, rehearse every step of your state’s official skill list until you can do it without prompts. For the written part, practise exam-style scenarios by content area. Certsqill’s CNA practice questions are expert-developed, with an explanation for every answer option and a readiness score per content area.
CNA exam: questions people ask
How many questions are on the CNA written exam?
Virginia (NNAAP): 70, of which 10 are unscored. Florida (Prometric): 60. Source: Credentia Virginia handbook and Prometric Florida bulletin, checked 18 October 2026.
How long is the CNA skills test?
30 minutes for five skills in Virginia; 31 to 40 minutes in Florida, depending on the skills assigned. Source: Credentia and Prometric, checked 18 October 2026.
What score do I need to pass the CNA exam?
For skills, all five must be passed in Virginia and Florida. A numeric written passing score is not published by Credentia (Virginia) or Prometric (Florida) on the pages checked, 18 October 2026.
How long does it take to get a CNA license?
It depends on your program schedule and exam date. The published parts: at least 75 training hours (140 in Virginia), and a registry listing within 30 days of passing under federal rules.
Can I take the CNA exam online?
The knowledge part, in some states: Virginia offers the written or oral exam with live online proctoring. The skills test is hands-on. Source: Credentia Virginia, checked 18 October 2026.
When will I be on the registry after passing?
Federal rules require the entry within 30 days. Prometric lists candidates in Florida 48 business hours after the exam date. Source: 42 CFR 483.154 and Prometric FAQ, checked 18 October 2026.
