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

This guide is for North Dakota nurse aide candidates preparing for the Headmaster / D&SDT skills test approved by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). North Dakota is not Credentia NNAAP and not Prometric. For the state overview and official resource cards, start at North Dakota CNA. For a vendor-agnostic skills rehearsal method, use CNA skills test.

Confirm live task lists, timing, fees, and attempt rules in the current North Dakota Candidate Handbook PDF (April 2025, Version 6; confirm any newer PDF linked from the Headmaster North Dakota home) linked from the Headmaster North Dakota CNA home. Schedule through the North Dakota TMU portal. Registry context: DHHS Nurse Aide Registry and TMU public search.

What is the North Dakota CNA skills test?

The skills test is the hands-on half of North Dakota competency evaluation. An RN Test Observer scores you against the North Dakota handbook skill tasks. You must pass skills in addition to the knowledge exam (typically 72 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes; pass typically 75% or better per the handbook).

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

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

Pro Tip: Handbook versions change. Always download the PDF currently linked from the Headmaster North Dakota page before you rehearse. Challenge testing ended July 1, 2024.

Where do North Dakota candidates get the official checklist?

1. Open Headmaster North Dakota CNA home
2. Download the current Candidate Handbook (or the newer PDF if the Headmaster home posts one)
3. Complete demographics and payment in North Dakota TMU
4. Rehearse only the skill tasks printed in that handbook
5. After you pass both parts, confirm registry steps on the DHHS Nurse Aide Registry page and TMU public search

For knowledge-exam subject counts, use the handbook subject table and the mapping on North Dakota CNA. Subject counts from the April 2025 plan (Basic Nursing Skills 11, Care Impaired 5, Communication and Interpersonal Skills 6, Data Collection 3, Disease Process 5, Growth and Development Across the Ages 2, Infection Control 5, Mental Health 4, Personal Care 6, Resident Rights 6, Role and Responsibility 11, Safety 8) must be confirmed in the live PDF.

How should you rehearse North Dakota 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 80% non-key threshold on each task.
3. Timed mocks: run the handbook's assigned tasks within about 30 minutes, graded only against North Dakota 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 North Dakota CNA the same as NNAAP / Credentia?

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

Can I still challenge the North Dakota exam without training?

No. The handbook says the challenge option ended July 1, 2024.

Can MedCertPrep replace the North Dakota handbook?

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

Next step for North Dakota skills week

1. Open North Dakota 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.