After the CNA course
The Missouri CNA state exam, explained.
Finishing class prepares you for Missouri's separate CNA competency exam (the state exam). You need to pass its knowledge and skills parts to pursue certification and placement on the Nurse Aide Registry.
Two parts
What you will be tested on
The knowledge exam has 75 questions. The skills exam asks you to show hands-on care skills. Missouri requires you to pass both parts before your name is placed on the active Nurse Aide Registry.
Use the current Missouri candidate handbook and testing instructions for test-day rules and preparation details. The testing company updates those materials, so check them when you schedule.
How the course helps
Our 175-hour course gives you classroom and skills practice followed by supervised clinical training. Course completion is preparation for the state exam; it does not grant certification by itself.
See the Course FormatExam cost
First attempts cost $135 in total
The knowledge exam is $32 and the skills exam is $103. These fees are separate from our $1,600 tuition and are paid through the state testing process. Retakes or accommodations can have additional costs.
Under the listed assumptions, tuition plus first exam attempts equals $1,735. That is not a promise of every student's final cost.
See Full CostsHow to schedule
- Complete your CNA course and confirm your training record is in Missouri's TMU testing system.
- Sign in to TMU and choose an available test event.
- Read the current candidate handbook before test day.
Ask our admissions team if you need help understanding the steps after class. For a testing account or test-site question, use the testing company's Missouri resources.
Common questions
What happens after I pass?
Missouri says a person who passes the final exam is placed on the active Nurse Aide Registry. Employers can check that registry. A job still depends on an employer's requirements and available positions.
What if I need another attempt?
Retake rules and fees can change. Check the current candidate handbook and speak with the testing company before booking another exam. We do not include retakes in the first-attempt cost above.
Questions about your class? Call (816) 573-1440.
Sources
Check the current state rules
Facts checked September 29, 2026 against the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services CNA FAQ and Headmaster's Missouri candidate resources. State testing details can change; the linked sources control.