CNA exam
What Happens If You Fail the CNA Exam?
Failing one part is common, and it isn’t the end. Here is how retakes work, what they cost, and how to pass the next time.
By the CaregiverCert team · Updated October 24, 2026 · 6 min read
Plenty of people fail one part of the CNA exam on the first try, most often the skills test, and go on to pass and work for years. Federal rules guarantee you more chances. Here is what happens next and how to get ready.
First, you only retake the part you failed
The CNA exam has two parts: a written test (or an oral test, if you choose) and a skills test where you perform nursing assistant tasks in front of an evaluator. In most states, the two parts are scored separately. If you pass one and fail the other, you only retake the one you failed.
Federal rules require the state to tell you which areas you didn’t pass, so your score report is your study guide. Read it closely.
You get at least three tries
Under federal law, a state may limit how many times you can take the exam, but the limit can’t be lower than three (42 CFR 483.154(f)(2)). Many states also set a time limit, often 24 months from the end of your training, to pass both parts. If you run out of tries or time, you usually have to take a new training program before testing again.
Check your state’s deadline now. The clock usually starts when you finish training, not when you first test.
What a retake costs
You usually pay again, but only for the part you retake. A few examples from official state testing handbooks:
| State | Written retake | Skills retake |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $30 | $90 |
| North Carolina | $40 | $100 |
| Pennsylvania | $50 | $85 |
| Delaware | $40 | $75 |
| Oregon | $25 | $45 |
From each state’s testing handbook, checked October 2026. North Carolina’s written retest rises to $45 on January 1, 2027.
If a nursing home employs you, it can’t charge you for testing, so ask your employer before you pay. See how much CNA training costs for every state’s exam fee.
Why people fail the skills test
The skills test is where most people slip, and usually not because they don’t know the skill. Common reasons:
- Missing a critical step. Some steps, like washing your hands, locking the bed wheels, or checking the client’s identity, are often marked critical. Missing one can fail the whole skill.
- Forgetting to talk to the client. Explaining what you are about to do and protecting privacy are scored steps.
- Nerves and rushing. Most tests give enough time. Slowing down prevents skipped steps.
- Measurement errors. Readings like blood pressure or a radial pulse usually have to fall within a small range of the evaluator’s reading.
How to pass next time
- Get your state’s official skills checklist from the testing company’s candidate handbook, and practice each skill out loud, step by step.
- Practice on a real person. A family member or classmate works. Practice the steps you missed until they’re automatic.
- For the written test, take practice questions and review the topics on your score report. Our CNA exam guide has a free 50-question practice test.
- Ask your training program for help. Some offer extra skills practice for their graduates.
- Schedule your retake soon, while the material is fresh, but give yourself enough practice time.
Need a refresher on the skills? See our CNA skills test guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I retake only the skills part of the CNA exam?
Yes, in most states. The written and skills parts are scored separately, and you only retake the part you failed.
How many times can you fail the CNA exam?
Federal rules give you at least three attempts. After that, most states require you to retrain before testing again.
How soon can I retake the CNA exam?
It depends on your state’s testing company. In many states you can schedule as soon as a new test date opens, but some require a waiting period. Check your candidate handbook.
Can I take the written CNA test orally?
Yes. Federal rules require states to let you choose between a written and an oral exam.