CNA Exam and Certification New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Nursing Assistant Registry contains a list of individuals who have successfully completed the training and competency evaluation according to the State’s standards. To apply for the competency evaluation exam, you must clearly demonstrate completion of a state-approved nurse assistant training program or comparable education. You must pass the exam within 24 months of completing the approved training. The American Red Cross, Pearson Vue, and Excel Testing are approved by the Board to administer the exam and submit the names of successful candidates to the Registry. The Registry will include your full name, date of certification, and other identifying information as well as any findings of abuse or misappropriation of property.

CNA Classes in NH:

How to Apply for the NNAAP Exam New Hampshire

Anyone with a nursing educational experience may apply for licensure as a nursing assistant. One way to qualify is to “challenge” LNA Education Program completion by submitting documentation of comparable or greater nursing experience, which you must submit to the Board for approval.

The American Red Cross, Pearson Vue, and Excel Testing have the Board’s approval to administer the exam in New Hampshire. To apply for the exam, you can download the application form from Pearson Vue’s website, call the American Red Cross or Excel Testing to receive one via mail, or obtain one from your nursing assistant training provider. When submitting the completed application to the testing service, you will need to include proof of your eligibility to take the exam, such as a certificate of completing the nursing assistant training program or an approval letter from the Board.

If you need special arrangements for the test due to a disability, you should complete the ADA accommodation packet and submit with your application. Remember that the packet won’t be complete without a letter from your physician or specialist who diagnosed your condition. Include a description of the type of accommodation needed.

A confirmation letter from the testing service will confirm the date, time, and location of the test. Contact ARC, Excel testing, or Pearson Vue to determine their policies for rescheduling a new date.

Exam Costs

You may be eligible for reimbursement of your testing and training cost if you provide all related receipts indicating the testing facility’s name and address, the amount paid, and the payment method. You must also begin working at a nursing facility that is licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services no later than 12 months after completing the training/testing to qualify for reimbursement.

The fees for the exam are as follows:

  • Written Exam and Skills Evaluation – $105
  • Oral Exam and Skills Evaluation– $120
  • Written Exam Retest – $40
  • Oral Exam Retest – $55
  • Skills Evaluation retest – $65

NNAAP Exam Overview New Hampshire

Both the written exam and the skills evaluation of the NNAAP exam will the administered on the same day. Your first line of preparation for the exam should be to study your class notes as the curriculum is designed to prep students for success on the exam. Video libraries demonstrating the steps for the NNAAP’s skills are also helpful to reinforce the actions. Online practice tests that simulate the written exam with answers and feedback include are gaining popularity as students rely on them to improve their performance on the timed exam. You must pass both the written exam and the skills evaluation to qualify for placement on the New Hampshire Nurse Aide Registry.

The Written Exam

Sample questions in the Candidate Handbook provide some insight on the type of questions included on the 2-hour Written Exam. There are 70 multiple-choice questions in total. However, 10 questions are non-scored items used for statistical purposes. Candidates will not be able to identify the questions that are non-scored. Beginning January 1, 2016, the NNAAP will employ a new content outline. This new outline divides the questions into three primary categories: Physical Care Skills, Psychosocial Care Skills, and Role of the Nurse Aide. Each category is subdivided into related sections with an assigned percentage. For the breakdown of percentages assigned to each category, check out the Candidate Handbook.

The Oral Exam

If you score less than 17 on the Reading Assessment found in the Candidate Handbook, you should probably apply for the Oral exam. The practical assessment contains a few multiple-choice questions and answers that you should use to tally your score. The booklet recommends the oral exam if you score below 17. However, you can opt to take the Oral option if you have a known reading disability or speak English as a second language. Instead of reading the questions in a test booklet, you’ll hear the questions through headphones attached to an MP3 player. The equipment will be provided at the test center, but you must request the Oral exam on the application – you cannot request it on the same day of the exam. The exam has two parts that you must pass in order to pass the Oral Examination. The first part has 60 multiple-choice questions that will be read twice. You’ll have to choose the correct answer and mark it on the answer sheet. The second part tests your reading comprehension with 10 multiple-choice questions. Each question will be read three times. You’ll have to find a match and mark your response on the answer sheet. The oral exam is a two-hour exam.

The Skills Exam

The 30-minute Skills Evaluation is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to perform your duties as a nurse assistant. The set-up for the evaluation is similar to your work environment as a nurse assistant. The Nurse Aide Evaluator overseeing the exam will point out all the equipment, review guidelines, and invite you to draw an instruction card that will list the five skills you’ll have to perform. One of the five skills will always be handwashing. The other four skills will be selected at random from the NNAAP Skills List. At least one of the remaining four skills will involve “Recording a Measurement,” such as recording blood pressure, respiration, or radial pulse. Another candidate will play the role of the client – the NAE will provide instructions for the candidate to follow in his/her role as a weakened elderly person. You’ll be required to play the role of a resident for another candidate’s evaluation, so it is important that you dress appropriately in loose fitting uniform or scrubs and flat, non-skid shoes with enclosed toes. You must pass all five skills to pass the Skills Evaluation. Although you don’t have to perform the skill perfectly, you must perform the Critical Element Steps for each skill correctly. The Critical Element Steps for each skill is highlighted in bold type in the Candidate Handbook. If you forget a step while performing a skill, you should inform the NAE and wait for a prompt to redo the step. You cannot make corrections after you’ve moved on to another skill.

What To Bring To The Exam

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time for the Written exam and the Skill exams if you’re taking them on the same day. If you arrive late for either exam, you will not be permitted to enter the exam room. The proctor will need to verify your two forms of identification before admitting you to the exam room. Your IDs should be official IDs; one must have your photo. Both IDs should have your signature and expiry date. Examples of acceptable forms of ID are a passport, driver’s license, alien registration card, signature-bearing social security card, or photo credit card. The name on the identification must exactly match the name used to register for the exam. If your name changes, you must provide documented proof of your name change. You will not be allowed to take the test if you do not present proper, valid identification.

Apart from proper identification, you must have a watch with a second hand, eraser, and three no. 2 pencils for the exam. The testing center may not have sufficient room for storage, so it is best to leave large handbags, briefcases, books, and other resource materials at home as they’re not allowed in the exam room.

Receiving Your Scores

Pearson Vue will mail your examination results in approximately ten days after receiving your test sheets for scoring. The score report will indicate whether you passed or failed the exam. If you failed the Written exam or the Skills Evaluation, the report would provide instructions for reapplying for the test you failed. It will also highlight the content areas where you need to improve for success on your next attempt.

According to State and Federal regulations, you’ll have up to three attempts to pass both the Skills Evaluation and the Written Exam. If you fail either or both parts more than three times, you’ll have to successfully complete another Board-approved training program and retake both parts of the exam.

Crystal G

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.