CNA Study Guide
Kentucky CNA Skills Test: KCTCS SRNA Tasks, Critical Steps, and How to Prep
Kentucky SRNA skills test with KCTCS / Headmaster TMU: study-guide scoring (70% of steps + 100% critical), ky.tmutest.com scheduling, KBN registry notes, and a rehearsal method that does not replace the official Kentucky skill list.
By MedCertPrep Team · Updated September 21, 2026
This guide is for Kentucky State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) candidates preparing for the KCTCS skills demonstration administered on the Headmaster TMU platform. Kentucky is not Credentia NNAAP and not Prometric. For the state overview and official resource cards, start at Kentucky CNA. For a vendor-agnostic skills rehearsal method, use CNA skills test.
Confirm live task lists, timing, fees, and attempt rules in the current Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide study guide (PDF) (July 2026 revision; confirm any newer PDF linked from the Headmaster Kentucky home or nurseaide.kctcs.edu) linked from the Headmaster Kentucky CNA home. Schedule through the Kentucky TMU portal. Registry context: Kentucky Board of Nursing.
What is the Kentucky CNA / SRNA skills test?
The skills test is the hands-on half of Kentucky competency evaluation. An examiner scores you against the Kentucky study-guide skill tasks. You must pass skills in addition to the knowledge exam (typically 75 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours; pass typically 70% or better per the study guide).
Per the KCTCS / Headmaster study guide (verify the latest PDF before exam day):
| Detail | Typical Kentucky SRNA rule |
|---|---|
| Vendor | KCTCS competency evaluation on Headmaster TMU |
| Knowledge exam | About 75 questions, 2 hours, pass typically 70%+ |
| Skills day | 5 randomly selected skills (vital signs always included) |
| Skills scoring | About 70% of steps plus 100% of bold critical steps |
| Also required | Hand Hygiene |
| Attempt window | Commonly 3 attempts (employed LTC: within initial 4 months; not employed: within 1 year of training) |
| Scheduling | Kentucky TMU after your instructor enters your record |
| Registry | Results forwarded to KBN SRNA registry after both parts |
| Official steps | Current study-guide skill list (do not use another state's Headmaster checklist) |
This page does not reprint the Kentucky skill checklist. Memorize steps from the live study guide only.
Pro Tip: Kentucky scoring is not the usual Headmaster "80% of non-key steps" formula used in some other Headmaster states. Drill bold critical steps to 100%, then protect the 70% overall step threshold.
Where do Kentucky candidates get the official checklist?
- Open Headmaster Kentucky CNA home or nurseaide.kctcs.edu
- Download the current Medicaid Nurse Aide study guide (or the newer PDF if either home posts one)
- Complete your account and payment in Kentucky TMU
- Rehearse only the skill tasks printed in that study guide
- After you pass both parts, confirm SRNA registry listing with the Kentucky Board of Nursing (often within about 10 days, and possibly up to about 30 days)
For knowledge-exam subject counts, use the study-guide blueprint and the mapping on Kentucky CNA. Subject counts from the July 2026 plan (Safety 7, Communication 6, Infection Control 6, Client Rights 9, Data Collection 4, Basic Nursing Skills 10, Role/Responsibility 9, Disease Process 9, Mental Health 4, Personal Care 4, Care Impaired 5, Aging Process and Restorative Care 2) must be confirmed in the live PDF.
How should you rehearse Kentucky skills?
- Shell habits: introduce yourself, explain, protect privacy, keep the call light in reach, and protect safety before every transfer. Details: CNA skills test.
- Critical steps first: bold critical steps fail the skill if missed. Drill those until automatic, then protect the 70% overall step threshold.
- Five-skill mocks: include vital signs every time, plus Hand Hygiene, graded only against Kentucky study-guide wording.
Support overlapping knowledge themes:
- Physical Care
- Psychosocial Care
- Role of the Nurse Aide
- Free diagnostic: Try CNA
How this guide connects to MedCertPrep
| Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Kentucky state landing | Kentucky CNA |
| National skills method | CNA skills test |
| Free diagnostic | Try CNA |
| Headmaster Kentucky home | hdmaster.com Kentucky CNA |
| TMU portal | ky.tmutest.com |
| KCTCS Nurse Aide resources | nurseaide.kctcs.edu |
| Kentucky Board of Nursing | kbn.ky.gov |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kentucky CNA the same as NNAAP / Credentia?
No. Kentucky uses KCTCS study-guide subject areas and a Kentucky-specific skills list on Headmaster TMU. MedCertPrep national practice overlaps on themes but is not a KCTCS clone bank.
Is Kentucky scored like Montana or Wyoming Headmaster skills?
No. Those states commonly use all key steps plus 80% of non-key steps. Kentucky study-guide materials use about 70% of steps plus 100% of bold critical steps.
Can MedCertPrep replace the Kentucky study guide?
No. MedCertPrep provides supplemental written practice and a rehearsal method. Scored skills steps come only from the current KCTCS / Headmaster Kentucky study guide.
Next step for Kentucky skills week
- Open Kentucky CNA and download the latest study guide PDF.
- Complete TMU account setup and confirm your schedule.
- Drill bold critical steps, then run five-skill mocks that always include vital signs and Hand Hygiene.
- Support weak knowledge themes with Physical Care while you keep the study-guide blueprint nearby.
Practice what you just read
Use blueprint-aligned questions and timed mocks for CNA to turn this guide into exam-day readiness.