- The written exam has 60 questions: 50 scored, 10 unscored pretest, in a 90-minute window.
- Basic Nursing Care (26%) and Promotion of Function and Health (24%) together make up half the exam.
- Starting August 1, 2026, written-only or oral-only testing costs $48; full written plus clinical skills is $125.
- Connecticut allows unlimited retake attempts within 24 months of finishing your training program.
Quick Facts Snapshot
This cheat sheet condenses everything you need for the Prometric Connecticut Nurse Aide Written (Knowledge) Examination onto one scrollable page. Bookmark it, print it, or keep it open on a second screen while you drill practice questions on our main practice test platform. Every number below comes straight from the current Connecticut Candidate Information Bulletin and the state's official CNA program pages - no borrowed figures from other credentials that happen to share the same acronym.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing body | Connecticut Department of Public Health |
| Exam developer/administrator | Prometric |
| Total questions | 60 (50 scored + 10 unscored pretest) |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Format | Computer-delivered, closed-book, English, proctored site |
| Written or oral only fee | $48 (effective August 1, 2026) |
| Written/oral plus clinical skills fee | $125 |
| Clinical-skills-only fee | $77 |
| Eligibility window | 24 months after training completion, unlimited attempts |
The Five Domains at a Glance
The written exam's content basis comes from the currently linked Connecticut Candidate Information Bulletin, with domain weights unchanged since the August 21, 2019 cover revision. Five domains, uneven weighting - memorize the order below because it tells you where to invest study hours.
Domain 4: Basic Nursing Care Provided by the Nurse Aide - 26%
The single largest domain. Covers hands-on tasks: bathing, feeding, positioning, vital signs, elimination care, and comfort measures.
- Highest point value on the exam - prioritize this first
Domain 3: Promotion of Function and Health of Residents - 24%
Focuses on maintaining independence, mobility, range of motion, and psychosocial well-being.
- Second-largest domain; nearly ties Domain 4 for exam impact
Domain 1: Role of the Nurse Aide - 18%
Scope of practice, communication, ethical and legal responsibilities within the care team.
- Foundational but tested throughout, not just in isolated questions
Domain 2: Promotion of Safety - 18%
Infection control, fall prevention, emergency response, and body mechanics.
- Overlaps heavily with skills-test content, so double-duty studying pays off
Domain 5: Providing Specialized Care for Residents with Changes in Health - 14%
The smallest domain, covering residents with cognitive, sensory, or acute condition changes.
- Lowest weight, but don't skip it - every point counts toward the equated passing standard
For a deep, question-by-question breakdown of what each domain actually asks, read the PROMETRIC-NA Exam Domains 2026 guide. If you're still gauging how tough this exam feels relative to your training, the difficulty guide walks through common trouble spots by domain.
Key Takeaway
Basic Nursing Care and Promotion of Function and Health together account for half the written exam. Weight your review time accordingly rather than studying all five domains equally.
Question Format & Timing
The written knowledge exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions total: 50 are scored, and 10 are unscored pretest items mixed in without identification. You get 90 minutes to complete all 60. Because scored and pretest questions look identical, there's no strategic value in trying to guess which is which - treat every question as if it counts.
- All questions are multiple-choice, single best answer
- Delivered by computer at an approved proctored testing site
- Closed-book - no notes, reference sheets, translation dictionaries, or translators permitted
- Administered in English, with an oral option available on request during application
2026 Fee Structure
Fee mechanics changed effective August 1, 2026, and this is one of the most searched details for Connecticut candidates, so get it exactly right.
| Testing Option | Fee (effective Aug 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Written plus clinical skills | $125 |
| Oral plus clinical skills | $125 |
| Written-only or oral-only | $48 |
| Clinical-skills-only | $77 |
Note that $48 covers only the knowledge component - it is not the full initial certification cost. Initial CNA certification in Connecticut requires passing both the knowledge exam and the clinical skills exam, so first-time candidates should budget for the combined $125 fee unless they're scheduling each component separately (for example, after a retake). For a complete cost breakdown including retake scenarios, see the PROMETRIC-NA Certification Cost 2026 guide.
Passing Standard & Eligibility Window
Connecticut and Prometric use a state-adopted, equated passing standard. This means the raw number of correct answers needed to pass can differ slightly between test forms - there isn't one fixed "you need X out of 50" number that applies to every version of the exam. Instead, scores are statistically equated so that different forms of the exam maintain a consistent difficulty standard. For a fuller explanation of how equated scoring works and what it means for your prep, read the PROMETRIC-NA Passing Score 2026 breakdown.
Standard Route 1 applicants complete a Connecticut DPH-approved training program with at least 100 combined classroom and clinical hours before testing. If you haven't started training yet, review the PROMETRIC-NA Requirements 2026 guide for the full eligibility checklist, or check PROMETRIC-NA Training details before enrolling.
ID, Language & Testing Day Rules
Testing day logistics trip up more candidates than the content itself. Keep this list handy:
- Bring two matching-name identification documents, including one government-issued photo ID
- Testing is in English only; translation dictionaries and translators are prohibited
- An oral option is available - but you must request it during the application process, not on test day
- Approved disability accommodations exist - request these in advance as well
- Arrive at an approved proctored testing site; the exam is closed-book and computer-delivered
Key Takeaway
If you need the oral format or a disability accommodation, request it when you apply - not when you show up to test. Late requests can cost you a testing cycle.
Scheduling logistics, testing windows, and how far in advance to register are covered in detail in the PROMETRIC-NA Exam Dates 2026 guide.
Registry & Renewal Cheat Sheet
Passing both exam components gets you onto the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry - but staying on it requires ongoing action.
- Registry renewal itself is free
- You must have an employer verify at least one eight-hour paid shift providing nursing or nursing-related services before your certificate expires
- Recertification lasts two years from your last verified employment date
- No paid qualifying shift on record before expiration generally means retesting to regain active status
Example: if your last verified eight-hour paid shift was documented on March 1, 2026, your recertification period runs through March 1, 2028. Mark that date and set a reminder well before it arrives. New CNAs looking for that first qualifying shift can browse PROMETRIC-NA Jobs for facilities that regularly hire certified nurse aides.
One-Week Review Plan
If your test date is close, don't try to relearn everything - target the domains by weight. This isn't a generic study calendar; it's built around Connecticut's actual five-domain outline.
Basic Nursing Care (26%) + Promotion of Function and Health (24%)
- Drill ADLs, vitals, mobility, and independence-promotion scenarios - half your score sits here
Role of the Nurse Aide (18%) + Promotion of Safety (18%)
- Review scope of practice, infection control, and emergency response together since they overlap with clinical skills prep
Providing Specialized Care for Residents with Changes in Health (14%)
- Cover cognitive and sensory change scenarios - lowest weight but still scoreable points
Full-Length Timed Practice
- Simulate the real 60-question, 90-minute format on our practice test platform and review every miss by domain
This condensed schedule works best as a final review layer on top of full training - not a substitute for it. For a longer-term plan, see the PROMETRIC-NA Study Guide 2026.
FAQ
60 total: 50 scored questions plus 10 unscored pretest questions, all multiple-choice, within a 90-minute limit.
Effective August 1, 2026, written-only or oral-only testing costs $48. Written plus clinical skills together costs $125, and clinical-skills-only testing costs $77.
Basic Nursing Care Provided by the Nurse Aide, weighted at 26%, is the largest domain, followed closely by Promotion of Function and Health of Residents at 24%.
Connecticut permits unlimited attempts, as long as both the written and clinical skills components are passed within 24 months of completing your training program.
Renewal is free, but you need employer verification of at least one eight-hour paid nursing-related shift before expiration. Recertification then lasts two years from that verified employment date.