Maryland CNA-I Skills Test: Credentia Evaluation, Critical Steps, and How to Prep

This guide is for Maryland CNA-I candidates (formerly GNA) preparing for the Credentia NNAAP Skills Evaluation under the Maryland Board of Nursing. Headmaster is an additional Board-approved testing vendor for capacity; confirm which vendor your training program uses. For the state overview and official resource cards, start at Maryland CNA. For a vendor-agnostic skills rehearsal method, use CNA skills test.

Confirm timing, attempt limits, and exact skill wording on Credentia Maryland test takers, then open:

• Quick Reference
• The Skills Evaluation
• Official Skills Listing
• MBON CNA-I testing updates
• Headmaster Maryland home (if your program uses Headmaster)

What is the Maryland CNA-I skills test?

The Maryland skills evaluation is the hands-on half of NNAAP testing administered through Credentia for many candidates. An RN Nurse Aide Evaluator rates you against the Maryland Skills Listing. You must pass skills in addition to the written or oral exam.

Per the Maryland Credentia Skills Evaluation article (verify live handbook wording before exam day):

This page summarizes the evaluation rules. It does not reprint the full skill checklist. Memorize steps from the official listing only.

Pro Tip: If your program schedules through Headmaster instead of Credentia, rehearse from Headmaster Maryland materials, not a Credentia listing from another state.

Where do Maryland candidates get the official checklist?

1. Complete a Board-approved training program
2. Ask your program whether you register with Credentia or Headmaster
3. For Credentia: open test takers and the Skills Listing
4. Rehearse only the skill tasks printed in your vendor's current listing
5. Confirm CNA vs CNA-I sequencing and registry steps on MBON materials

For written-exam domain weights, use the NNAAP map on Maryland CNA.

How should you rehearse Maryland skills?

1. Shell habits: introduce yourself, explain, protect privacy, keep the call light in reach, and protect safety. Details: CNA skills test.
2. Critical Element Steps first: bold steps fail the skill if missed. Drill those until automatic.
3. Five-skill mocks: include hand hygiene and one measurement skill under a 30-minute clock, graded only against Maryland 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 Maryland still on Credentia only?

Credentia remains a primary NNAAP pathway. MBON also approved Headmaster as an additional vendor to increase testing capacity. Confirm which vendor your training program uses.

Is Maryland CNA-I the same as Georgia Credentia?

Domain themes follow the national 2024 NNAAP written outline. Skills listings always come from Maryland materials. Credential naming (CNA-I / former GNA) is Maryland-specific.

Can MedCertPrep replace the Maryland handbook?

No. MedCertPrep provides supplemental written practice aligned with NNAAP domains. Scored skills steps come only from the current Maryland Credentia or Headmaster skills listing.

Next step for Maryland skills week

1. Open Maryland CNA and confirm your program's vendor (Credentia or Headmaster).
2. Bookmark the Skills Listing if you are on Credentia.
3. Drill Critical Element Steps, then run five-skill mocks under 30 minutes.
4. Support weak knowledge themes with Physical Care while you keep handbook rules nearby.