Arkansas CNA Skills Test: Headmaster Tasks, Key Steps, and How to Prep

This guide is for Arkansas nurse aide candidates preparing for the Headmaster / D&SDT skills test approved by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). Arkansas is not Credentia NNAAP and not Prometric. Older Prometric Arkansas CIB materials online are outdated; use Headmaster and TMU only. For the state overview and official resource cards, start at Arkansas CNA. For a vendor-agnostic skills rehearsal method, use CNA skills test.

Confirm live task lists, timing, fees, and attempt rules in the current Arkansas Candidate Handbook PDF (March 2025; confirm any newer PDF linked from the Headmaster Arkansas home) linked from the Headmaster Arkansas CNA home. Schedule through the Arkansas TMU portal. Registry context: Arkansas DHS CNA Training Program and TMU public search.

What is the Arkansas CNA skills test?

The skills test is the hands-on half of Arkansas competency evaluation. An RN Test Observer scores you against the Arkansas handbook skill tasks. You must pass skills in addition to the knowledge exam (typically 75 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes; pass typically 76% or better per the handbook).

Per the Headmaster Arkansas Candidate Handbook (verify the latest PDF before exam day):

This page does not reprint the Arkansas skill checklist. Memorize steps from the live handbook only.

Pro Tip: Handbook versions change. Always download the PDF currently linked from the Headmaster Arkansas page before you rehearse. Ignore older Prometric AR CIBs if you find them in search results.

Where do Arkansas candidates get the official checklist?

1. Open Headmaster Arkansas CNA home
2. Download the current Candidate Handbook (or the newer PDF if the Headmaster home posts one)
3. Complete demographics and payment in Arkansas TMU
4. Rehearse only the skill tasks printed in that handbook
5. After you pass both parts, confirm registry steps via the Arkansas DHS CNA Training Program page, check status on TMU public search, and follow any Headmaster-hosted registry account steps in TMU

For knowledge-exam subject counts, use the handbook subject table and the mapping on Arkansas CNA. Subject counts from the March 2025 plan (Aging Process and Restorative Care 5, Infection Control 9, Basic Nursing Skills 11, Mental Health 4, Care Impaired 3, Personal Care 8, Communication 5, Resident Rights 6, Data Collection 4, Role and Responsibility 7, Disease Process 5, Safety 8) must be confirmed in the live PDF.

How should you rehearse Arkansas skills?

1. Shell habits: introduce yourself, explain, protect privacy, keep the call light in reach, and protect safety before every transfer. Details: CNA skills test.
2. Key steps first: bold key steps fail the task if missed. Drill those until automatic, then protect the handbook rule of 80% of all steps on each task.
3. Timed mocks: run 3 to 4 tasks within about 30 minutes, graded only against Arkansas handbook wording.

Support overlapping knowledge themes:

• Physical Care
• Psychosocial Care
• Role of the Nurse Aide
• Free diagnostic: Try CNA

How this guide connects to MedCertPrep

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arkansas CNA the same as NNAAP / Credentia?

No. Arkansas uses Headmaster subject areas and an Arkansas-specific skills task list. MedCertPrep national practice overlaps on themes but is not a Headmaster clone bank.

Are old Prometric Arkansas materials still valid?

No. Arkansas testing is now Headmaster. Use the Headmaster Arkansas home, the March 2025 (or newer) Candidate Handbook, and ar.tmutest.com.

How do I check Arkansas registry status after I pass?

Use TMU public search for status lookup, Headmaster TMU for account steps, and the Arkansas DHS CNA Training Program page for training and registry inquiry context.

Can MedCertPrep replace the Arkansas handbook?

No. MedCertPrep provides supplemental written practice and a rehearsal method. Scored skills steps come only from the current Headmaster Arkansas Candidate Handbook.

Next step for Arkansas skills week

1. Open Arkansas CNA and download the latest Candidate Handbook PDF.
2. Complete TMU demographics and confirm your schedule.
3. Drill bold key steps, then run timed full-task mocks within about 30 minutes.
4. Support weak knowledge themes with Physical Care while you keep the handbook subject table nearby.

Arkansas skills success is handbook fidelity under time pressure. Rehearse from Headmaster, protect key steps, and use MedCertPrep for study structure around that official core.