Free Iowa CNA Practice Test Online

Correct answer: A. The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL)

Correct. Iowa's nurse aide registry function, formerly under the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), now sits with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), which administers CNA registry requirements under Iowa Administrative Code 441-81.13.

• B: Incorrect. The Iowa Board of Nursing licenses RNs and LPNs; the nurse aide (CNA) registry is a separate DIAL function, not a Board of Nursing license.
• C: Incorrect. The Department of Education is not the agency responsible for the direct care worker registry, though community colleges under its umbrella serve as CNA training and testing sites.
• D: Incorrect. The Iowa Insurance Division regulates insurance licensees, not nurse aide registry status.

Correct answer: A. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)

Correct. OBRA-87 established the federal floor for nurse aide training, competency evaluation, and registry requirements that Iowa's program, administered under 441-81.13, must meet or exceed.

• B: Incorrect. The ACA addresses health insurance coverage and reform; it is not the source of federal nurse aide training and competency standards.
• C: Incorrect. HIPAA governs health information privacy and portability of coverage, not nurse aide training minimums.
• D: Incorrect. The ADA addresses disability-based discrimination broadly; it is not the statute establishing nurse aide training and registry requirements.

Correct answer: A. 75 hours

Correct. Iowa-approved nurse aide training programs must consist of at least 75 total hours, consistent with the OBRA federal minimum and DIAL's program requirements under 441-81.13.

• B: Incorrect. 40 hours falls short of Iowa's required 75-hour minimum for an approved nurse aide program.
• C: Incorrect. 120 hours exceeds Iowa's stated minimum; the required floor is 75 hours, not 120.
• D: Incorrect. 20 hours is far below the required minimum of 75 hours for an approved Iowa nurse aide training program.

Correct answer: A. At least 30 hours of clinical work

Correct. Iowa's approved nurse aide programs require at least 30 hours of clinical (hands-on, supervised) training within the overall 75-hour program.

• B: Incorrect. Iowa does require a hands-on clinical component; the program is not permitted to be all classroom lecture.
• C: Incorrect. 60 hours overstates the required clinical minimum; Iowa's requirement is at least 30 clinical hours.
• D: Incorrect. Five hours understates the required clinical component, which must be at least 30 hours.

Correct answer: A. D&S Diversified Technologies, also known as Headmaster LLP / TMU

Correct. As of February 2, 2026, Iowa's community colleges began working with D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster LLP, also referenced as TMU/TestMaster Universe) to administer the state knowledge exam, with community colleges serving only as testing sites and proctors going forward.

• B: Incorrect. Pearson VUE administers Iowa's insurance adjuster exams, not the current Iowa nurse aide competency exam vendor.
• C: Incorrect. Prometric is a different national testing vendor; Iowa's current nurse aide exam vendor as of 2026 is D&S Diversified Technologies/Headmaster.
• D: Incorrect. The American Red Cross is a nurse aide training curriculum publisher in some states but is not Iowa's current state exam administration vendor.