CNA Study Guide
South Dakota CNA Skills Evaluation: SDBON Checklists and How to Prep
South Dakota CNA skills evaluation with SDBON: 22-form pool, four randomly assigned skills, RN Skills Evaluator path, Headmaster knowledge notes, and a rehearsal method that does not replace Board checklist forms.
By MedCertPrep Team · Updated September 21, 2026
This guide is for South Dakota nurse aide candidates preparing for the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON) skills evaluation. Headmaster administers the knowledge exam only. South Dakota is not Credentia NNAAP and not Prometric. For the state overview and official resource cards, start at South Dakota CNA. For a vendor-agnostic skills rehearsal method, use CNA skills test.
Confirm live skills rules on the SDBON Skills Evaluation page and initial registration steps on SDBON CNA initial requirements. For knowledge-exam subject counts, fees, and TMU scheduling, use the current South Dakota Candidate Handbook (PDF) linked from the Headmaster South Dakota CNA home and the South Dakota TMU portal.
What is the South Dakota CNA skills evaluation?
The skills evaluation is the hands-on half of South Dakota competency evaluation. It is Board-run, not a Headmaster TMU skills day. You must complete skills evaluation and pass the Headmaster knowledge exam (typically 80 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes; pass typically 75% or better) before applying for registry listing.
Per SDBON Skills Evaluation materials (verify live Board pages before exam day):
| Detail | Typical South Dakota rule |
|---|---|
| Knowledge vendor | D&SDT-Headmaster on TMU |
| Skills vendor | SDBON RN Skills Evaluator path |
| Knowledge exam | About 80 questions, 90 minutes, pass typically 75%+ |
| Skills assignment | 4 skills randomly assigned from a pool of 22 checklist forms |
| Who holds forms | Board-approved Program Director only (not public TMU download) |
| When evaluated | During NATP skills lab or at the end of the 75-hour program |
| Registry | Apply to SDBON after knowledge + skills are complete |
| Official steps | Current SDBON Skills Checklist Forms (do not use another state's Headmaster skills list) |
This page does not reprint Board checklist steps. Memorize steps only from the forms your program director provides.
Pro Tip: Do not rehearse another state's Headmaster skills packet for South Dakota. Your scored steps come from SDBON forms. Use Headmaster materials for the knowledge exam only.
Where do South Dakota candidates get the official checklist?
- Complete a Board-approved 75-hour nurse aide training program
- Ask your Program Director for access to the SDBON Skills Evaluation Checklist portal (directors request access from the Board; candidates do not download forms from Headmaster)
- Rehearse the four skills assigned to you against those Board forms
- Separately, create your South Dakota TMU account and schedule the Headmaster knowledge exam using the current Candidate Handbook
- After both parts, follow SDBON initial requirements for registration
For knowledge-exam subject counts, use the handbook blueprint and the mapping on South Dakota CNA. Subject counts from the handbook plan (Aging Process 5; Basic Nursing Skills, Data Collection, and Personal Care 24; Basic Rights 6; Communication and Interpersonal Skills 6; Infection Control 7; Mental Health and Illness 7; Physical Health and Illness 10; Role and Responsibility 8; Safety 7) must be confirmed in the live PDF.
How should you rehearse South Dakota skills?
- Shell habits: introduce yourself, explain, protect privacy, keep the call light in reach, and protect safety before every transfer. Details: CNA skills test.
- Board forms only: drill the four assigned SDBON checklist skills with a partner until every required step is automatic.
- Keep knowledge separate: run Headmaster knowledge mocks against the 80-question subject map while skills week stays on Board forms.
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 |
|---|---|
| South Dakota state landing | South Dakota CNA |
| National skills method | CNA skills test |
| Free diagnostic | Try CNA |
| Headmaster South Dakota home | hdmaster.com South Dakota CNA |
| TMU portal | sd.tmutest.com |
| SDBON Skills Evaluation | sdbon.org/SkillsEvaluation.asp |
| South Dakota Board of Nursing | sdbon.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Dakota CNA the same as NNAAP / Credentia?
No. South Dakota uses Headmaster subject areas for knowledge and SDBON checklist forms for skills. MedCertPrep national practice overlaps on themes but is not a Headmaster or Board clone bank.
Does Headmaster score South Dakota skills?
No. Headmaster runs the knowledge exam on TMU. Skills evaluation is Board-approved through program directors and RN skills evaluators.
Can MedCertPrep replace SDBON checklist forms?
No. MedCertPrep provides supplemental written practice and a rehearsal method. Scored skills steps come only from current SDBON Skills Checklist Forms provided through your program.
Next step for South Dakota skills week
- Open South Dakota CNA and confirm Board skills + Headmaster knowledge links.
- Get your four assigned SDBON forms from your Program Director and drill those only.
- Complete TMU account setup and schedule the knowledge exam.
- Support weak knowledge themes with Physical Care while you keep the handbook blueprint nearby.
Practice what you just read
Use blueprint-aligned questions and timed mocks for CNA to turn this guide into exam-day readiness.