CNA Requirements in Texas
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Texas CNA Training ProgramsTexas CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
16
Training Hours
75 hours minimum
Time to Certification
4–8 weeks from program start to registry listing
Exam Vendor
Credentia (formerly Pearson VUE)
Becoming a CNA in Texas
Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Texas is one of the fastest healthcare credentials to obtain — a motivated candidate can go from no training to working in 6 to 8 weeks. The pathway is regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), which approves Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs), contracts with Credentia to administer the competency exam, and maintains the Texas Nurse Aide Registry that every employer must check before hiring. Texas requires the federal minimum of 75 training hours rather than the higher state-specific totals seen in California (160), New York (100), or Virginia (120).
Texas does not require a high school diploma or GED to enter training, which makes the CNA credential one of the most accessible entry points into healthcare in the state. The minimum age is 16, and there is no upper age limit. Many nursing facilities sponsor CNA training in exchange for a work commitment (often 3 to 12 months), and community colleges across Texas offer affordable NATCEPs typically priced between $400 and $1,200. Once you complete an approved program you have 24 months to pass the Credentia competency exam before your training credit expires.
After you pass both the knowledge and skills portions of the exam, Credentia transmits your scores to HHSC and your name is added to the Texas Nurse Aide Registry, usually within 2 to 4 weeks. From that point you are legally authorized to work as a CNA in any Texas nursing facility, hospital, home health agency, or hospice. Texas certification must be renewed every 24 months by performing at least 8 hours of paid nursing services — but the becoming-a-CNA process ends when you are listed on the registry, and renewal concerns can wait until your second year.
Detailed Texas CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
Minimum Age
You must be at least 16 years old to begin CNA training in Texas.
Education Requirement
No formal high school diploma or GED required to enter training; some programs and employers prefer it
Training Hours
75 hours minimum required.
At least 16 of the 75 hours must be supervised clinical training
Background Check
Criminal background check through DPS; certain convictions disqualify under HHSC employee misconduct rules
Competency Exam
Administered by Credentia (formerly Pearson VUE). Two-part exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test plus a hands-on skills evaluation of 5 randomly selected skills
Cost: $118 total ($35 knowledge test + $83 skills test, with retake pricing the same per part)
Application Fee
$25 non-refundable HHSC application fee
Total Cost Estimate
$0–$1,500 depending on whether training is employer-paid, community college, or private
Where You Can Work
Nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice, and other long-term care facilities licensed by HHSC
What's Different About Texas
Texas meets the federal minimum of 75 hours rather than exceeding it; many nursing facilities pay for training in exchange for a work commitment
How to Become a CNA in Texas: Step by Step
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions, and physically able to perform basic patient-care tasks. A high school diploma or GED is not strictly required by HHSC but is preferred by many programs and employers.
Enroll in an HHSC-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP)
Find a training program approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Many community colleges, nursing facilities, and the American Red Cross run NATCEPs in Texas. The program must include at least 75 hours total, with at least 16 hours of supervised clinical work in a nursing facility.
Complete training and obtain the program completion documentation
Pass all classroom modules, demonstrate the required skills competencies, and obtain your CNA101 program completion form from your training program. This form is your authorization to test through Credentia.
Apply to test through Credentia and pay testing fees
Create a CNA365 account at credentia.com/texas, submit your application, and pay the $35 knowledge fee and $83 skills fee. Schedule both portions of your exam (most candidates test both on the same day).
Pass both portions of the state competency exam
The knowledge test has 60 multiple-choice questions you must complete within 90 minutes; passing is around 80%. The skills test asks you to perform 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills under observation; you must demonstrate them correctly using the printed checklist criteria.
Apply for certification and registry listing with HHSC
Once you have passed both portions, your scores are sent automatically from Credentia to HHSC. Pay the $25 HHSC application fee and submit any additional documentation. Your name typically appears on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry within 2–4 weeks.
Start applying for CNA positions
You may begin working immediately under Texas's 'pending certification' rule if you have completed training and are awaiting registry listing — but most facilities require you to be on the active registry before your first shift. Verify your status anytime at the HHSC NAR search page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in Texas?
Texas requires that you be at least 16 years old, have completed an HHSC-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) of at least 75 hours (including 16 clinical hours), and pass the two-part Credentia competency exam. A criminal background check is also required and certain convictions disqualify under HHSC employee misconduct rules. A high school diploma is not required by HHSC, though some training programs and employers prefer it.
Do I need a high school diploma or GED to become a CNA in Texas?
No. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission does not require a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a NATCEP or to be certified. However, some individual training programs and employers may require one. If you are still in high school, you can complete a CNA program through dual-credit programs offered at many Texas community colleges as early as age 16.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Texas?
Most candidates complete the entire process — training, exam, and registry listing — in 6 to 8 weeks. Accelerated training programs can be as short as 4 weeks, while part-time evening or weekend programs may run 8 to 12 weeks. After passing the exam, registry listing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. You may begin applying for jobs while you wait but most facilities require active registry status before your first shift.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Texas?
Total costs typically range from $0 (employer-sponsored training) to $1,500. Community college NATCEPs run $400–$1,200, the Credentia exam costs $118 ($35 knowledge + $83 skills), the HHSC application fee is $25, and you should budget another $25–$75 for background check fees, fingerprinting if requested, and required uniforms or scrubs. Many nursing facilities cover all training and exam costs in exchange for a work commitment.
What disqualifies you from becoming a CNA in Texas?
Texas HHSC will deny certification if you have substantiated findings of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property on any state's nurse aide registry. Certain felony convictions — particularly those involving violence, theft, fraud, or sexual offenses — disqualify under the HHSC employee misconduct registry rules. Recent convictions for offenses that are not automatically disqualifying are reviewed case-by-case. A pending criminal charge can also delay your application.
Can I work as a CNA in Texas before I pass the exam?
Yes, in a limited way. Once you have completed an approved NATCEP, you may work as a nurse aide for up to four months under federal OBRA rules while you complete the competency exam and registry process. Most Texas employers will hire trainees with a clear pathway to becoming registered, but you must pass the Credentia exam and appear on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry within those four months to continue working.
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