Ohio STNA skills test: which skills are on it?
Updated · Reviewed against official sources
Ohio's STNA manual skill test (D&S Diversified Technologies / Headmaster) gives you three or four tasks in 35 minutes. Your first task is always one of five mandatory tasks with hand washing built in, plus two or three random tasks from a 21-task list. To pass you must perform every bolded key step and at least 80% of the other steps on each task.
| # | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apply an anti-embolic stocking on a resident's leg | |
| 2 | Assist a resident to ambulate using a gait belt | |
| 3 | Assist a resident to ambulate with a walker using a gait belt | |
| 4 | Assist with a bedpan, measure and record output, with hand washing | Mandatory first task option |
| 5 | Partial bed bath: whole face and one arm, hand and underarm | |
| 6 | Change a male resident's brief and provide perineal care, with hand washing | Mandatory option · manikin |
| 7 | Denture care: clean an upper or lower denture | |
| 8 | Don PPE (gown, gloves, goggles or face shield), empty a urinary drainage bag, measure and record output, doff PPE, with hand washing | Mandatory option |
| 9 | Don PPE (gown and gloves), catheter care for a female resident, doff PPE, with hand washing | Mandatory option · manikin |
| 10 | Dress a bedridden resident with an affected (weak) side | |
| 11 | Feed a dependent resident in bed | Food and fluid intake recorded |
| 12 | Hair care | |
| 13 | Make an occupied bed | |
| 14 | Mouth care: brush a resident's teeth | |
| 15 | Nail care | |
| 16 | Perineal care for a female resident, with hand washing | Mandatory option · manikin |
| 17 | Position a resident in bed on their side | |
| 18 | Range of motion: hip and knee | |
| 19 | Range of motion: shoulder | |
| 20 | Stand and pivot transfer from bed to wheelchair using a gait belt | |
| 21 | Vital signs: pulse and respirations | Pulse ±6, respirations ±4 |
Ohio rules that are different from other states
- You can go back. You may repeat or correct any step on any task at any time during your 35 minutes, until you tell the RN Test Observer you're finished — tell the observer, then actually redo the step.
- Steps aren't order dependent unless a step says BEFORE or AFTER.
- Saying isn't doing. Steps that are only verbalized or simulated do not count.
- Time warning: after 20 minutes you're told 15 minutes remain.
- Live actor for most tasks; the three perineal/catheter tasks are done on a manikin.
- Retest: your retest includes a task you previously failed, plus a mandatory first task.
Attempts and attire
- Three attempts at each portion within two years of finishing training.
- Full clinical attire, clinically appropriate closed-toe shoes (no high heels or boots), long hair pulled back, short clean nails. Not following it can mean you're not allowed to test.
- Arrive 20 minutes before your start time.
Quick answers
- Ohio STNA skills test: which skills are on it?
- Three or four tasks: one of five mandatory first tasks with hand washing, plus two or three random tasks from the 21-task list above.
- How long is the Ohio STNA skills test?
- 35 minutes for all your tasks.
- What score do I need on the Ohio skills test?
- All bolded key steps plus 80% of the non-key steps on every task.
- Is the Ohio pulse tolerance the same as other states?
- No. Ohio allows pulse within 6 beats and respirations within 4 breaths of the observer; Credentia's lists use ±4 and ±2.
What to do next
See how D&S Headmaster scoring compares with Credentia and Prometric.
You must pass the written test too. Take the free 20-question practice test, or unlock the timed 60-question exam simulator, the full question bank and every skill checklist for $29 one-time (or $9/month).
Related guides
- How does the D&S Headmaster CNA skills test work?
- Do you have to say the steps out loud on the CNA skills test?
- How close do your measurements have to be on the CNA skills test?
- What happens if you fail one skill on the CNA skills test?
- Texas CNA skills test list 2026: which skills are on the exam?
- Florida CNA skills checklist: what's on the Prometric skills test?
- What skills are tested on the California CNA skills exam?
- PA CNA skills test: is hand washing always on it, and which skills are tested?
Sources
- Ohio Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Version 27, December 2025 (D&S Diversified Technologies / Headmaster, PDF)
- D&S Diversified Technologies — Ohio CNA
- Ohio Department of Health — Nurse Aide Registry
Checked: . Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.