- CNA study and shift apps side by side
- Ten CNA apps for students and certified aides
- Which app for which nursing assistant
- The two parts of the state certification exam
- Where phones help and where they don't
- Picking a practice test app for the written section
- My plain advice on CNA apps
- Frequently asked questions
A CNA app is usually a practice test app that prepares nursing assistant students for the written part of the state certification exam, though some certified aides use shift apps to find work. Some are free, some focus on one state and one helps you book shifts. Ten apps follow, in no particular order.
Search for a CNA app and you'll find two very different things: apps that help you pass the certification exam, and apps that help certified aides pick up work. This list is mostly the first kind, with one shift app for when you've passed.
The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the app's own App Store listing, read this week. If you're thinking further ahead, my guide to work-from-home jobs for nurses and healthcare workers shows where a healthcare career can go.
CNA study and shift apps side by side
I checked the free plan column on each app's own App Store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the listing names a free app, a free version, a free tier or free content. Trial only means a time-limited trial or preview. Not stated means the listing I read named neither, even where there's a download button, so check the app's own page before you subscribe.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA Exam Practice Tests | Adaptive CNA study app | Adaptive learning plans | Not stated |
| CNA Exam Prep 2026: PrepLab | Focused CNA exam prep | Knowing what to study with limited time | Trial only |
| CNA FL Nurse Aide Exam Prep | Florida nurse aide exam prep | Candidates sitting the exam in Florida | Not stated |
| CNA Practice Exam Genie | State certification exam prep | Passing the state certification exam | Not stated |
| CNA Practice Exam Prep | CNA questions, flashcards and practice exams | Lots of practice exams and flashcards | Yes |
| CNA Practice Test & Prep 2026 | Free, ad-free CNA practice | Studying with no ads at all | Yes |
| CNA Practice Test 2026 Prep | Realistic CNA practice questions | Starting a healthcare career | Trial only |
| CNA Prep Guide 2026: CNA Focus | CNA study guide with modules | Reading up on patient care and safety | Not stated |
| ShiftMed | Shift-picking app for nurses and aides | Finding CNA shifts once certified | Not stated |
| Ultraprep CNA Practice Test | Large CNA question and flashcard bank | Real-life care scenarios | Not stated |
Ten CNA apps for students and certified aides
CNA Exam Practice Tests
Best for: Anyone who wants an adaptive plan that shifts with their results, plus a CNA study guide in the same app.
CNA Exam Prep 2026: PrepLab
Best for: Students juggling work and training who want help deciding what to study next when there's a lot to remember and little time.
CNA FL Nurse Aide Exam Prep
Best for: Florida candidates who'd like prep aimed at the Florida nurse aide exam rather than a one-size-fits-all question bank.
CNA Practice Exam Genie
Best for: Students who know the state exam is the step that matters, with practice built around passing that certification first time.
CNA Practice Exam Prep
Best for: Learners who like volume, with more than a dozen practice exams, flashcards and features the listing says you can try for free.
CNA Practice Test & Prep 2026
Best for: Learners on a tight income who want a CNA study app described on its listing as completely free and ad-free.
CNA Practice Test 2026 Prep
Best for: Career changers starting out in healthcare who want realistic practice questions to build confidence before the exam.
CNA Prep Guide 2026: CNA Focus
Best for: Readers who prefer study modules on patient care and safety to endless multiple-choice questions.
ShiftMed
Best for: Certified aides who've passed and now want to pick up local CNA shifts and per diem work on a schedule that suits them.
Ultraprep CNA Practice Test
Best for: Hands-on learners who want real-life scenarios alongside a big bank of exam-like questions and flashcards.
Which app for which nursing assistant
- You want a free app with no ads: CNA Practice Test & Prep 2026.
- You're sitting the exam in Florida: CNA FL Nurse Aide Exam Prep.
- You prefer reading to quizzing: CNA Prep Guide 2026: CNA Focus.
- You've passed and want shifts: ShiftMed.
- You learn from real situations: Ultraprep CNA Practice Test.
The two parts of the state certification exam
The American Red Cross says that to become a CNA you'll normally complete a state-approved training course and pass a state certification exam with two parts: a written section and a hands-on competency skills section. Once you pass, you're placed on your state's nurse aide registry.
It also says classes can last 4 to 12 weeks at minimum, with some programs running up to 6 months, depending on your state. The details vary, so check with the agency that regulates nurse aide training where you live.
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Aiming higher in nursing later? Take a look at NCLEX prep apps.
Where phones help and where they don't
Practice test apps are good for the written section. They help you remember infection control, patient rights, communication and safety, and they get you used to the question style.
They can't teach the hands-on skills section. You'll still need to practise skills like handwashing, transfers and measuring vital signs in class and in your clinical hours, because that part of the exam is about doing, not knowing.
Thinking about pharmacy work? Read about PTCB apps.
Picking a practice test app for the written section
- Make sure the app covers the written exam your state uses.
- Look for clear explanations, not only right and wrong answers.
- Check whether it includes real-life care scenarios.
- Read the free plan wording on the listing before you start a trial.
- Keep practising your skills in person alongside the app.
Do you make CNA, nursing assistant or healthcare exam apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on CNA apps
Pick one practice test app for the written section and use it every day in short bursts during your course. If money's tight, start with one of the apps that says it's free, and only move to a subscription if you need more practice tests.
Then give the skills section just as much time in person, because no phone can check your technique. For free study material beyond apps, my guide to finding free exam study materials has more ideas.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best CNA app?
For the exam, a practice test app that covers your state's written section is the most useful. For work, certified aides often use shift apps.
Is there a free CNA practice test app?
Some apps here say they're free, including one described on its listing as completely free and ad-free.
What is on the CNA exam?
The American Red Cross says the state certification exam has a written section and a hands-on competency skills section.
How long does CNA training take?
The American Red Cross says classes can last 4 to 12 weeks at minimum, and some programs run up to 6 months, depending on the state.
Can I find CNA shifts through an app?
Yes. Some shift apps let certified aides pick up local CNA shifts and per diem work.
Can an app teach CNA skills?
Apps help with the written section, but you'll need to practise hands-on skills in class and clinical hours.
