NAR Credentialing FAQs

To become a nurse aide and be eligible to work in a Texas nursing home, you must:

• successfully complete a state-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, and
• successfully complete the competency evaluation program examination; or
• qualify to be placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry by waiver or reciprocity.

Neither the federal regulation nor state rule imposes a minimum education requirement for nurse aides.

You may request to be exempt from training and take only the exam, if:

1. After July 1, 1989, you successfully completed the training portion of an approved NATCEP in any state and have not completed the CEP test or been placed on the registry in another state. Register here: TULIP Online Licensure Application System. Then, complete a New Nurse Aide by Exam and under Eligibility Route tab select Out-of State Training. 
2. After July 1, 1989, you successfully completed military training of 100 hours or more that's equivalent to civilian nurse aide training. Register here: TULIP Online Licensure Application System. Then, complete a New Nurse Aide by Exam and under Eligibility Route tab select Nurse Aide With Equivalent Military Training. 
3. After July 1, 1989, you successfully completed a state-accredited registered nurse (RN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) school but were not licensed as an RN or LVN in Texas or have not held a license that's been revoked. Register here: TULIP Online Licensure Application System. Then, complete a New Nurse Aide by Exam and under Eligibility Route tab select RN/LVN Graduate. 
4. You're currently enrolled in a state-accredited school of nursing in any state and have demonstrated competency in providing basic nursing skills in accordance with the school's curriculum. Register here: TULIP Online Licensure Application System. Then, complete a New Nurse Aide by Exam and under Eligibility Route tab select RN/LVN Student.

Students who have completed a training program are required to submit a New Nurse Aide by Examination in TULIP.  Log into TULIP account to create applicant registration, login and reset password. Testing and scheduling is handled by Prometric by phone: 800.488.5787 or email: TXCNA@prometric.com.

The program director of the training program where you received the training is required to approve your training in TULIP. Once that is complete, you will receive an email from SMT Notice that will provide a link to register for the exam.

Yes. People who fail either the skills or the written/oral examination may re-test twice. People who don't pass after three attempts must go through the training again before being allowed to take the test again.

You can qualify if you are currently on the nurse aide registry in another state that is in compliance with applicable federal laws, and you complete the necessary HHSC-required documentation.

People who currently are enrolled in a NATCEP may work up to four months in a nursing facility. The facility must terminate anyone who is not on the registry within that time.

A searchable directory is available on our list of training providers page.

Certain convictions bar employment in facilities and agencies regulated by HHSC. A list of these offenses can be found at Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 250.006.

Once you have passed the exam, it takes around a week for the exam information to be updated in TULIP.  You can then log into TULIP and print your certificate.

Verify license here.

You must contact the Nurse Aide Registry and verify your employment at least every two years to remain in active status.

Normally employers will require that you present your certificate so that they may make a copy for their files. However, your employability depends upon the current status of your certification. If you are not in "Active" status on the Nurse Aide Registry, you are not employable, even if you have a copy of your certificate.

Note: Nurse Aide Registry and Training Forms/Applications are available on the Forms page. Email questions to: credential@hhsc.state.tx.us.

HHSC reviews and investigates allegations of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of resident property by a nurse aide employed in a facility. Before entry of the finding on the Nurse Aide Registry, HHSC will provide the nurse aide an opportunity to demonstrate compliance with the law through an informal reconsideration and a formal hearing.

If the allegation is upheld, the finding of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of resident property will be entered to the Nurse Aide Registry and the nurse aide will be unemployable in facilities and agencies regulated by the department.

HHSC will provide notice to the nurse aide of the facts or conduct alleged to warrant the proposed finding and the nurse aide's right to an informal reconsideration. The nurse aide must submit a written request to the address provided in the notice letter within 10 days of receipt of the notice letter.

A notice of adverse action and right to a formal hearing is sent to the nurse aide. The nurse aide must submit a written request to the address provided in the notice letter within 30 days of receipt of the notice letter.

No, according to federal regulation at 42 Code of Federal Regulation, §483.156, findings of abuse, neglect and misappropriation of resident property must remain on the registry permanently.

Exception: In the case of a finding of neglect only, a nurse aide may petition the state to remove the finding after the finding has been entered on the registry for one full year.

If you need information regarding renewing, transferring, retesting, requesting a duplicate certificate, or a change of name or address, please call 512-438-2050.

If you need information regarding a referral that has been made against your nurse aide certificate, or if your nurse aide certificate has been revoked, you may contact us at:

Mailing Address:
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Professional Credentialing Enforcement
Nurse Aide Enforcement Unit
Mail Code E-302,
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030

Phone: 512-438-5495
Fax: 512-438-4285