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

This guide is for Minnesota nurse aide candidates preparing for the Headmaster / D&S Diversified skills test. Minnesota is not Credentia NNAAP and not Prometric. For the state overview and official resource cards, start at Minnesota CNA. For a vendor-agnostic skills rehearsal method, use CNA skills test.

Confirm live task lists, timing, fees, and attempt rules in the current Minnesota Candidate Handbook PDF linked from the Headmaster Minnesota CNA home. Schedule through the correct TMU portal: MN State TMU or In-Facility TMU. Registry context: MDH nursing assistant overview and NAR search.

What is the Minnesota CNA skills test?

The skills test is the hands-on half of Minnesota competency evaluation. An RN Test Observer scores you against the Minnesota handbook skill tasks. You must pass skills in addition to the knowledge exam (typically 70 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours; pass typically 74% or better / 52 of 70 per the handbook).

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

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

Pro Tip: Handbook versions change. Always download the PDF currently linked from the Headmaster Minnesota page before you rehearse. Do not mix attempt history between MN State and In-Facility TMU servers.

Where do Minnesota candidates get the official checklist?

1. Open Headmaster Minnesota CNA home
2. Download the current Candidate Handbook
3. Complete demographics and payment in the correct TMU portal (mn.tmutest.com or mr.tmutest.com)
4. Rehearse only the skill tasks printed in that handbook
5. After you pass both parts, confirm listing steps via MDH nursing assistant pages and verify status in the NAR search

For knowledge-exam subject counts, use the handbook subject table and the mapping on Minnesota CNA.

How should you rehearse Minnesota 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 critical/key steps fail the task if missed. Drill those until automatic.
3. Timed mocks: run the number of tasks your handbook assigns for skills day, graded only against Minnesota 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 Minnesota CNA the same as NNAAP / Credentia?

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

What happens after I exhaust my attempts?

Minnesota handbook rules commonly allow four knowledge attempts and three skills attempts within 24 months. After that you typically must complete another MDH-approved training program before testing again. Confirm live attempt and retrain wording in the Candidate Handbook and TMU.

Can MedCertPrep replace the Minnesota handbook?

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

Next step for Minnesota skills week

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

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