CNA Clinical Skills List | All 22 Skills for the Florida Exam

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The Florida CNA clinical skills exam tests your ability to perform nursing assistant skills in front of two nurses at a Prometric test center. You will be scored on 5 skills total: 3 randomly assigned skills from the clinical skills checklist, plus handwashing and indirect care, which are always evaluated. You must pass all 5 skills to pass the clinical portion of the exam.

We put together detailed step-by-step guides for each skill below, covering the procedure, equipment needed, common mistakes, and test day tips. These guides are based on the same content we cover in our online CNA course.

Skills Scored on Every Test

Skill	Description
Handwashing	Proper hand hygiene technique; evaluated each time you wash your hands during the test
Indirect Care	Infection control, safety, communication, and resident rights; evaluated throughout all skills

The 20 Skills in the Random Draw

The Clinical Skills Test covers 22 skills in total: handwashing and indirect care above, plus the 20 skills below. Three of the 20 are randomly assigned to you by computer when you register, and you find out which three at the test, so you must be ready for all of them. Click any skill below for a detailed guide with step-by-step instructions and test tips.

#	Skill Name	Difficulty
1	Mouth Care (Brushing Teeth)	Intermediate
2	Hand and Nail Care	Basic
3	Denture Care	Intermediate
4	Feeding a Resident	Intermediate
5	Taking a Pulse	Basic
6	Measuring Respirations	Basic
7	Changing an Occupied Bed	Advanced
8	Dressing with One-Sided Weakness	Intermediate
9	Female Catheter Care	Advanced
10	Bedpan Assistance	Intermediate
11	Emptying Urinary Drainage Bag	Basic
12	Female Perineal Care	Advanced
13	Range of Motion. Lower Body	Intermediate
14	Range of Motion. Elbow and Wrist	Intermediate
15	Range of Motion. Shoulder	Intermediate
16	Partial Bed Bath	Intermediate
17	Change of Position	Intermediate
18	Wheelchair Transfer	Advanced
19	Foot Care	Basic
20	Ambulation with Gait Belt	Advanced

Taught in the Course but Not in the Exam Draw

Our course also covers skills that are useful on the job but are no longer part of the state exam. Reading Weight is one of them; the state removed it from the clinical skills test, so it cannot be one of your three assigned skills, but employers still expect you to know how to weigh a resident and record the measurement accurately.

How the Clinical Skills Test Works

Before the Test

• You'll receive instructions for which skills you need to perform when you arrive at the test center
• You'll be shown the testing room setup so you can see where equipment and supplies are located
• The room is set up like a resident's room with a bed, bedside table, and supply cabinet

During the Test

• Two nurses observe your performance and score you on specific checkpoints
• You must actually perform each skill: you cannot just describe what you would do
• The evaluator cannot answer questions about how to perform the skills
• If you need to make a correction during a skill, you can: the evaluator notes both the error and the correction

Scoring

• Each skill has specific checkpoints the evaluator marks as completed or not completed
• Indirect care checkpoints are evaluated throughout every skill you perform
• You receive your results on the day of testing in most cases

Study Strategy for the Skills Test

In our experience helping students prepare for Florida's CNA state exam since 2008, we recommend this approach:

1. Learn the common steps first: steps like greeting the resident, explaining the procedure, providing privacy, washing hands, and checking ID appear in almost every skill
2. Practice the unique steps: focus on what makes each skill different, which is the specific procedure in the middle
3. Watch video demonstrations: reading steps helps, but seeing them performed correctly builds muscle memory
4. Practice with a partner: have someone play the resident role so you can practice the full procedure
5. Time yourself: while the time allowed ranges from 31 to 40 minutes depending on the skills assigned, practicing efficiency helps reduce test anxiety

Frequently Asked Questions

How many skills do I need to perform on the CNA test?

You will be scored on 5 skills total: 3 randomly assigned skills from the clinical skills checklist, plus handwashing and indirect care, which are always evaluated. You won't know which 3 skills you'll be assigned until test day.

What happens if I fail the clinical skills test?

If you fail, you can retake just the clinical portion (you don't need to redo the written test if you passed it). On the E3 Challenger pathway, you have up to 3 attempts within a 2-year period. If you fail 3 times within that period, you must complete a state-approved 120-hour training program before testing again, and you would need to retake both the written and clinical tests.

Can I use notes during the clinical skills test?

No. You cannot bring any notes, books, or reference materials into the testing room. You must perform the skills from memory, which is why practice is so important.

What supplies are provided at the test center?

The test center provides all equipment and supplies needed for each skill, including gloves, linens, basins, and personal care items. The testing room is set up similar to a resident's room.

Ready to Master All 22 Skills?

Our online CNA course includes HD video demonstrations of every clinical skill performed exactly as Prometric expects, plus detailed written guides, practice exams, and instructor tips. Start with a free preview to see the quality of our instruction.