A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) provides direct care to patients in various medical settings. Certification in Texas is mandatory and requires completing a state-approved training program followed by a competency evaluation examination. Understanding the registration and scheduling steps ensures a smoother transition from student to certified aide. This guide provides a roadmap to achieving CNA certification in Texas.
Establishing Eligibility and Training Requirements
Before registering for the examination, candidates must satisfy prerequisites set by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). All Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs) require a trainee to complete a minimum of 100 hours of instruction. This training program must be state-approved for exam qualification.
The 100 hours are divided into 60 hours of classroom theory and 40 hours of supervised clinical training. Classroom instruction may be in-person, virtual, or completed through HHSC’s computer-based training. The clinical practice involves hands-on patient care and must be provided by the NATCEP with a ratio of at least one instructor for every ten trainees.
Trainees must pass a state-mandated criminal background check prior to registration. Training programs often require additional health requirements, such as immunization records, before a student begins clinical training. Completion of an approved NATCEP and a clear background check are requirements for testing eligibility.
Navigating the Official Examination Vendor
The Texas Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) uses Pearson VUE to administer the competency evaluation examination through the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). The candidate’s NATCEP submits the candidate’s name to the vendor upon successful course completion.
Once the training program confirms completion, the vendor generates login credentials, often via email, allowing access to the application portal. The process is integrated with the Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal (TULIP), the state’s official licensing system. Candidates must create an account and complete the application online.
Examination fees are paid directly to the testing vendor during registration. The cost for the full examination (written/oral and skills portions) is approximately $125, subject to change. Fees for re-taking individual sections are $35 for the written test only or $90 for the clinical skills test only.
Step-by-Step Registration and Scheduling
Registration begins by creating an account in the TULIP system. Candidates must select the “Nurse Aide Application for Examination,” providing personal information and confirming their eligibility route, such as NATCEP completion.
The training program electronically confirms successful program completion after submission. Once approved, the candidate receives an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice, often via email, confirming eligibility and allowing them to schedule the exam.
Candidates use the vendor’s online portal to select a testing site and date. Sites are available across the state, and the system allows searching for locations and time slots. Payment for the exam fee must be submitted using a credit or debit card during scheduling.
The final step is receiving a confirmation email with the date, time, and location. Candidates must bring their official Authorization to Test letter and two forms of current, non-expired identification, including one government-issued photo ID, to the testing center. To reschedule or cancel, candidates must contact the vendor at least 24 hours prior to the appointment to avoid forfeiting the fee.
Understanding the CNA Exam Structure
The Texas CNA competency evaluation examination has two parts that must both be passed for certification. The first part is the knowledge test, available in either a written or an oral format. The standard written exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions completed within 90 minutes.
Candidates may opt for the oral examination, which provides 120 minutes. The oral test includes the same 60 multiple-choice questions plus 10 reading comprehension questions. The exam is scored pass/fail, and a candidate who fails either portion may retake it up to two additional times.
The second part is the clinical skills demonstration test, administered in a simulated patient care environment. Candidates must demonstrate five procedural skills, including the mandatory skill of handwashing. The remaining four skills are selected at random from core competencies.
The skills test must be completed within 30 to 40 minutes. To pass, the candidate must successfully perform four out of the five assigned skills. Failure to complete a designated “critical element step” results in an automatic failure for that skill.
Maintaining Your Certification Status
After passing both components of the examination, the candidate is added to the Texas Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) and becomes a Certified Nurse Aide. Certification must be maintained through a renewal process that occurs every two years.
To qualify for renewal, a CNA must meet two requirements within the 24-month certification period. The first is demonstrating proof of employment: performing paid nursing or nursing-related services for at least one eight-hour shift. This work must be under the supervision of a licensed nurse in an approved facility setting.
The second requirement is completing 24 hours of in-service education every two years. This continuing education must cover topics relevant to nurse aide duties, such as infection control, safety, and resident rights. If a CNA fails to meet both requirements, their certification will lapse, requiring them to re-train and re-test to regain active status.