Texas Nursing Assistant / Nurse Aide Guide

Is a License or Certification needed:: To get certified and work as a nursing assistant or nurse aide in Texas, you need to complete a nursing assistant training and certification program (NATCEP) and pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam.

Who Grants Certification: The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), Regulatory Services Division, Licensing, Credentialing and Enforcement Section grants certification to Texas nursing assistants and nurse aides.

The Qualifications to become Certified: The qualifications necessary to receive a nursing assistant or nurse aide license in Texas include:

• Complete a state-approved NATCEP program successfully; and
• Complete the competency evaluation program examination successfully (administered by Prometric); or
• Qualify by waiver or reciprocity, to be placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.

How to Apply for Certification and to take the Exam: In order to apply for nursing assistant/nurse aide licensure in Texas, you will need to:

• complete a 100-hour state-approved nurse aide training program (that includes 40 hours of clinical practice) successfully; and
• apply to take the Texas NNAAP examination with the Texas State Certified Nurse Aide Exam application link.
• Texas test sites can be found here.

Test Content: The NNAAP exam has two parts, a Skills Evaluation and a Written (or oral) part. Both parts must be passed to be listed on the Texas State Nurse Aide Registry. The written section is 70 questions in length, 60 are multiple-choice and 10 are reading comprehension questions. Take two pencils with you. You will have two full hours to complete the exam. (The oral exam if given in place of the written exam is 160 questions in length.) The Skills Evaluation will be a 25 minute time period given to complete 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills. Content topics include:

• Activities of Daily Living – Hygiene, Dressing and Grooming, Nutrition and Hydration, Elimination, Rest/Comfort/Sleep
• Basic Nursing Skills - Infection Control, Safety/Emergency, Therapeutic/Technical Procedures, Data Collection and Reporting
• Restorative Skills – Prevention, Self-care/Independence
• Psychosocial Care Skills – Emotional and Mental Health Needs
• Spiritual and Cultural Needs
• Communication
• Client Rights
• Legal and Ethical Behavior
• Member of the Health Care Team

You can find more specific details in the Texas State curriculum for nurse aides.

Certification Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements: You must contact the Nurse Aide Registry and verify your employment at least every two years to remain in active status.

You can renew your license with the Texas State Nurse Aide Registry here.

Contact

TX Nurse Aide Registry
TX Department of Aging & Disability Services
Mail E-414
PO Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030
Phone: 512-438-2050
Fax: 512- 438-2052
Verification: 800-452-3934

To prepare for your nursing assistant or nurse aide exam, use Tests.com’s Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Practice Test Kit with 300 multiple choice questions, written by nursing experts and educators.

For more information on licensing and exam prep, go to Tests.com's CNA Test Guide.

And take Tests.com's free CNA Practice Test.

For nursing assistant and nurse aide exam preparation products and services, such as study guides, practice tests, flashcards and courses, go to Tests.com's CNA listings.