CNA Certification in Texas 2026
CNA certification in Texas is managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Candidates must complete a state-approved 100-hour training program, then pass a written and skills exam administered by Prometric. Passing both parts places you on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry, which authorizes you to work as a CNA in the state.
Sponsored School(s)
Texas uses a single certification pathway for nurse aides: the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). Once you complete a state-approved NATCEP and pass both parts of the exam, HHSC places your name on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry. Employers are required to verify registry status before hiring, so certification isn’t optional. It’s the prerequisite for employment in any licensed nursing facility.
Use the links below to jump to eligibility requirements, training options, exam details, and the application process.
- Who qualifies for CNA training in Texas
- NATCEP training requirements
- Examination requirements
- How to apply through TULIP
- Transferring certification from another state
- CNA renewal requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Before enrolling in a NATCEP, applicants must meet basic eligibility criteria. HHSC does not set a minimum age for CNA training at the state level, though many nursing facilities require employees to be at least 18. Some programs accept students at 16 or 17, so check directly with your chosen NATCEP. Candidates must be in good enough physical health to work with patients. Most programs require proof of current immunizations and a negative TB test before starting the clinical portion.
HHSC conducts a criminal history background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety for all CNA applicants. Certain convictions listed in Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 250.006 disqualify candidates from working in licensed nursing facilities. HHSC also checks the Employee Misconduct Registry. Applicants with findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property in any state’s registry are ineligible to enroll in a training program.
Texas doesn’t require a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a NATCEP, though individual programs may set their own admission requirements. Individuals who hold or have previously held a Texas nursing license are not eligible for certification through the NATCEP route. See the nursing license requirements in Texas if that applies to you.
NATCEP Training Requirements
State-approved NATCEP programs are 100 hours total: 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training. The classroom hours cover topics including patient rights, infection control, communication, anatomy basics, and emergency procedures. Clinical hours must be completed in person at an approved facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
HHSC offers a free Computer-Based Training (CBT) course that covers all 60 required classroom hours online. The course is self-paced and available at no cost through the HHSC NATCEP page. Candidates who complete the CBT still need to find a state-approved NATCEP to complete the 40 clinical hours in person. Any program advertising a fully online CNA certification isn’t recognized by HHSC for registry purposes.
Candidates who completed nurse aide training in another state may qualify for examination eligibility if the out-of-state program was at least 100 hours. Military personnel may qualify based on 100 hours of healthcare training equivalent to civilian nurse aide training. Nursing students who have completed basic coursework or are graduates of LPN or RN programs may also be eligible to test. Individuals who hold or have had a Texas nursing license are not eligible through this route.
Examination Requirements
Texas administers the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) through Prometric. The exam has two separate parts: a written test and a skills evaluation. Both must be passed to be placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.
The written test contains 60 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have 90 minutes to complete it. The test is offered in English. Candidates who prefer an oral format may request an oral exam in English or Spanish, which includes additional reading comprehension questions and a longer time allowance.
The skills evaluation requires candidates to perform five tasks selected at random from the NNAAP skills list. Candidates must demonstrate hand hygiene and are always tested on at least one skill involving a measurement. Both parts of the exam are administered on the same day.
Candidates have up to 24 months from program completion to pass both parts of the exam. Those employed in a nursing facility have a shorter window. Facilities can only employ uncertified nurse aides for up to four months while they’re working toward certification. Candidates may attempt the exam up to three times. Anyone who fails all three attempts must re-enroll in a NATCEP before testing again. Passing one part carries over within an exam cycle, so you won’t need to retake a section you’ve already passed.
Application Process
As of July 5, 2023, all CNA applications in Texas are submitted through the Texas Unified License Information Portal (TULIP). This web-based system handles applications, exam scheduling, and registry functions for nurse aides.
For graduates of Texas-approved NATCEPs, the process works like this: the training program director uploads your completion information to TULIP. Once HHSC approves your application, Prometric sends login credentials for the TX Nurse Aide exam portal, where you schedule your testing appointment and pay the exam fee by credit or debit card.
Candidates applying through an alternative pathway (including out-of-state training, military training, or nursing student status) must submit supporting documentation through TULIP before HHSC can approve exam eligibility. Required documents vary by pathway but typically include notarized copies of training certificates, a DPS criminal history check, and any applicable program director verification.
After passing both parts of the exam, Prometric sends results directly to HHSC. HHSC then adds the candidate’s name to the Texas Nurse Aide Registry and sends a confirmation email through TULIP. Certificates can be printed directly from the TULIP portal.
To verify registry status, use the Employability Status Check Search on the HHSC website. This tool checks the Nurse Aide Registry and other HHSC systems simultaneously and satisfies all applicable federal verification requirements.
Out-of-State CNAs
CNAs who hold an active certification in another state can transfer their certification to Texas without retesting, provided the issuing state’s standards meet federal requirements. The application is submitted through TULIP.
Required uploads include a criminal history check from the Texas DPS, a valid government-issued photo ID, a social security card, and the nurse aide certificate from the other state. If the other state’s certificate doesn’t include an expiration date, candidates must also complete HHSC Form 5506-NAR. HHSC staff review the application and check the Employee Misconduct Registry before issuing a Texas certificate.
Military spouses who hold an active nurse aide certificate in another state qualify for a Texas certificate valid for three years, provided they maintain active status in the other state. This provision was updated in Texas House Bill 5629 from the 89th Legislative Session (2025). The application requires proof of Texas residency, the spouse’s military orders, and military ID in addition to the standard transfer documents.
CNA Renewal
Texas CNA certification doesn’t carry a printed expiration date, but it must be renewed every two years. To stay active, nurse aides must complete 24 hours of in-service education during each two-year period and verify qualifying employment of at least eight hours of paid nursing services. Renewal is handled through TULIP.
Twelve of the 24 in-service hours must be completed at a facility licensed or certified by HHSC, the Texas Department of State Health Services, or the Texas Board of Nursing. The remaining 12 hours can be completed at any healthcare facility. HHSC offers six free in-service courses worth two hours each through its website.
CNAs who let their certification lapse can reinstate active status by passing the written and skills exams again. Certification is permanently revoked if findings of abuse or misappropriation of resident property are entered on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.
Many CNAs use the credential as a foundation for advancing to LPN or RN licensure. See our guide to CNA to RN programs for bridge program options and requirements.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who oversees CNA certification in Texas?
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) manages CNA certification through its Nurse Aide Registry program. HHSC contracts with Prometric to administer the competency examination. Applications and registry functions are handled through the TULIP online portal.
How long does CNA training take in Texas?
Most NATCEP programs can be completed in four to eight weeks. The state requires a minimum of 100 hours: 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical training. HHSC’s free online CBT covers the classroom portion and lets candidates work at their own pace, but in-person clinical hours are always required.
What happens if I fail the CNA exam in Texas?
Candidates can attempt the exam up to three times within a 24-month window. If you pass one part but not the other, you only need to retake the part you didn’t pass. Anyone who fails all three attempts must re-enroll in a state-approved NATCEP before testing again.
Does Texas require continuing education for CNA renewal?
Yes. Texas CNAs must complete 24 hours of in-service education every two years as part of the renewal process. Twelve of those hours must be completed at an HHSC-licensed or certified facility. CNAs must also verify qualifying employment of at least eight hours of paid nursing services during the renewal period.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Texas?
Yes, if your current certification is active and the state that issued it meets federal requirements. Texas doesn’t require retesting for eligible transfers. The application is submitted through TULIP and requires a Texas DPS criminal history check, government-issued ID, and your out-of-state certificate.
Key Takeaways
- HHSC manages certification — The Texas Health and Human Services Commission oversees the Nurse Aide Registry. DADS, which formerly held this role, was reorganized into HHSC in 2017.
- 100-hour NATCEP is required — Programs include 60 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of clinical practice. HHSC offers the classroom portion free online through its CBT program.
- Prometric administers the exam — The NNAAP has a written section (60 questions, 90 minutes) and a skills evaluation (5 randomly selected tasks). Both must be passed to join the registry.
- Applications go through TULIP — Since July 2023, all CNA applications, exam scheduling, and registry functions in Texas have been handled through HHSC’s online portal.
- Renewal is every two years — Active status requires 24 hours of in-service education and proof of at least eight hours of paid nursing work during the renewal period.
Search for state-approved NATCEP programs in Texas to compare locations, schedules, and program costs before you apply.