In NY State, BP is not a required skill on the state testing and is not a part of the practical or written exam. In fact, you are not even required to take BP working in a Nursing Home in NYS. You can do it if the nursing staff allows you to, but technically, it is the LPN's responsibility to get it and an Aide can turn it down doing it if they so choose to.
But, our instructor who was an RN did teach us how do do manual BP and we spent a very short time on it. It's very easy to do. Most of the CNA's at work bring in their own BP electronic cuffs vs. using the manual ones though.
But, as I mentioned, even though we were taught it, it was not a requirement by our state to know it in order to receive certification. Pulse and Respirations yes. BP..no.