Okay, so you want to become a Certified Nurse Assistant in Texas, right?
But you aren’t exactly sure how to go about it…
The process is not that clear, because there are a lot of options and considerations.
And they can change from state to state!
But don’t worry!
We are here to give you the simplest but most comprehensive guide on how to become a CNA in Texas.
We’ll give it to you in only 4 steps!
And we’ll address some of the most common or relevant questions connected to this, such as:
- What happens if my CNA license expires?
- Can I work in a nursing facility if I am still training to become a CNA?
- What is the difference between an expired and revoked certificate?
So, come along! Let’s get started!
How to Become a Certified Nurse Assistant in Texas: A Simple 4-Step Guide
Here are the 4 steps on how to become a CNA in Texas:
- Pursue Proper Training to Become a CNA in Texas
- Get Your CNA Certificate from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Find Your First Job as a CNA in Texas
- Keep Your Texas CNA License Active
Let’s look at each step, one by one!
How to Become a CNA in Texas Step #1: Pursue Proper Training to Become a CNA in Texas
Before you can become a Certified Nurse Assistant, you need to be trained with the necessary knowledge and skills.
The most straightforward way to get trained is by enrolling in a state-approved CNA program.
However, there are other ways to get the necessary training in Texas, as long as it is considered equivalent to a CNA training program.
Enroll in a State-Approved CNA Program
Let’s start with the most straightforward path – enrolling in a state-approved or accredited program.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is the one that approves CNA programs in Texas.
They have a list of accredited nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs, also known as NATCEP, on their website. The great thing is that you can even search for accredited programs in your specific region!
The exact content, timeframe, and fees will differ from program to program.
But it should include at least 100 training hours, divided between 60 classroom hours and 40 hands-on training hours at an approved facility.
These training programs are usually offered in community colleges, vocational schools, trade schools, and even the American Red Cross.
Requirements for Enrollment
The requirements for enrollment may differ from institution to institution, but some of the most basic requirements in Texas include:
- At least 18 years of age
- Criminal background check
- Good physical health
- Up-to-date immunization
Texas does not have a minimum educational requirement, such as a high school diploma or a GED, as long as you fulfill the other requirements.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission also gives a list of criminal offenses that would bar anyone from becoming a CNA.
Program Length and Curriculum
The length or duration of CNA programs can range from just a few weeks to a few months, depending on your timeframe and availability.
If you can only dedicate a few hours a week, then it can take up to 6 months
But you can also take some accelerated programs which you can complete in 3-4 weeks!
Some schools even offer some of their courses online to allow more flexibility.
Just make sure to check the curriculum and course offerings of the program you are interested in.
Definitely, though, you will need to complete at least 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of hands-on training.
Some of the common topics that will be covered include:
Communication
Infection control
Patients’ rights
Safety procedures
Ethics
Anatomy
Social Service
Medical Terminology
Cognitive Impairment
Evacuation Procedures
Personal Care & Hygiene
Infection Control
Basic Nursing Care
Restorative Care
Healthcare Laws
Program Cost
Program costs vary but usually range between $500-$2,000.
You may also need to spend on uniforms, textbooks, and other miscellaneous expenses.
But some facilities may offer free CNA training classes.
Here is a website that will help you locate free CNA classes near you!
Get Training Equivalent to a CNA Program
Aside from enrolling in a state-approved program, there are other training paths that are considered equivalent to an approved CNA training program.
Military Training
One path is if you complete military training of 100 hours or more that is equivalent to civilian nurse training.
Here is the form to request to take the CNA exam based on military training as a nurse aide.
Graduate of an RN/LVN Program
If you completed a state-accredited registered nurse (RN) program or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) program in the last 2 years, but are not licensed as an RN or LVN, then your previous training may be counted as equivalent to a CNA program.
To request to take the CNA exam based on completing an RN or LVN program, you can find the form here.
Current RN/LVN Student
If you are currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program to become an RN or LVN and demonstrate competency in basic nursing skills, then your current training may be considered equivalent to a CNA training program.
If you would like to take the CNA exam based on competency in basic nursing skills as a nursing student, you can make a request using this form.
Out-of-State CNA Program Graduate
If you completed a state-approved CNA training program in another state in the past 24 months, and have not yet taken the exam, you are eligible to take the CNA exam in Texas.
To take the CNA exam based on approved out-of-state CNA training, you can find the form here.
How to Become a CNA in Texas Step #2: Get Your CNA Certificate from the California Department of Public Health
Once you have completed an approved CNA training program or its equivalent, you are now ready to seek certification.
There are 3 main ways to obtain your CNA certification in Texas:
- Examination
- Reciprocity
- Waiver
Let’s talk about each one!
Certification through Examination
Texas partners with the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) to certify its nurse aides.
Prometric is the one that administers the exam.
What the CNA Exam is Like
The CNA exam in Texas has two parts: the written/oral exam and the practical exam.
The written exam has 70 items of multiple-choice questions, to be finished in 2 hours.
You can choose to take the written exam in English or Spanish.
If your first language is not English or Spanish, you can also request to have the written exam taken orally instead.
If you take the exam orally, you will have to answer 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 reading comprehension questions.
The practical exam requires you to perform 5 basic nursing skills out of a list of 34 skills.
All those who take the practical exam need to demonstrate the proper handwashing procedure, but the other 4 skills are randomly selected.
You will need to complete the exam in 30 minutes or less, and you will need to pass at least 4 out of the 5 skills.
If you have a disability, you may request special arrangements with the test provider, but you need to do this in advance.
Once you pass the exam, you can expect to receive your certificate by mail 4-6 weeks after.
How to Apply for the CNA Exam in Texas
As mentioned, the CNA exam in Texas is administered by Prometric.
To register for the exam, you can contact them by phone (800.488.5787) or by email at TCNA@prometric.com.
What to Bring to the Exam
Aside from reviewing and taking practice tests, you should also prepare the following items for the exam day:
- Identification card with a photo
- Social Security card
- No.2 pencils and eraser
- A watch with a second hand
- Non-skid, closed-toe shoes (for the practical exam)
What to Do if You Fail the First Time
If you don’t pass the exam, you can try to retake it twice within 2 years.
If you fail your third try, then you will need to retake the whole CNA training program before you can retake the exam.
If you fail only one part of the exam, you can retake the part of the exam that you failed twice within 2 years.
If you fail on the third try, you need to retake the whole CNA training program.
What the Exam Costs Are
Depending on whether you are going to take the whole exam or just one part, and whether or not you are going to take the written or oral test, the exam costs will vary.
Here is a breakdown of costs.
- $104 – Written & Skills Evaluation
- $104 – Oral & Skills Evaluation
- $27 – Written Exam only
- $27 – Oral Exam only
- $77 – Skills Exam only
Certification through Reciprocity
If you have already successfully passed the CNA exam and are currently on the registry of nurse aides in another state, then you don’t need to take the CNA exam in Texas anymore.
Instead, you can apply for reciprocity by completing the necessary HHSC-required documentation and filling out this form.
You will also be expected to do a criminal background check.
Certification through a Waiver
Waiver certification for CNAs is only applicable for those who completed their CNA training before July 1989, which was when the state standards for CNAs changed.
Those who completed their training before July 1989 may apply for waiver certification by filling out this form with other required documents.
How to Become a CNA in Texas Step #3: Find Your First Job as a CNA in Texas
Once you have your certification, you are all set to start looking for and landing your first CNA job in Texas.
And we have great news for you!
The employment opportunities and salaries for CNAs are plentiful and rewarding in Texas!
Job Opportunities for a CNA in Texas
Texas has a very high employment rate, with the 4th highest employment level of nursing assistants among the different states.
You can see this table on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Most of the nurse aides work in nursing care facilities.
Many also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Mean Average Salary of a CNA in Texas
The annual mean wage of CNAs in Texas is $ 30,620.
The top 10% of CNAs in Texas can even earn up to $50,000.
So, put your best foot forward and start looking for your first CNA job!
Consider taking on jobs that will give you lots of hands-on experience and that will put you in the best position to level up if you want to.
How to Become a CNA in Texas Step #4: Keep Your Texas CNA License Active
Just like in other states, you are expected to renew your Texas CNA license every two years.
Your CNA certificate has no expiry date, but you are still responsible to update your employment on the Nurse Aide Registry every two years to remain in active status.
Even if you still have your certificate, but your status on the Nurse Aide Registry is “inactive”, then you will not be considered employable.
Requirements for Keeping Your CNA Certificate Active
For you to keep your CNA status active, you must complete 24 hours of in-service training within 2 years.
You also need proof of CNA employment within those 2 years.
12 out of the 24 in-service training hours must be completed at a licensed or certified facility, while the remaining 12 hours can be completed at any healthcare facility.
Remember to start the renewal process of your certificate 3 months before your license expires.
Failure to do so would mean that your license will expire and you cannot legally continue your employment until your status is reactivated.
You can register and check your CNA certification status in the Credential Management System of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Here is a list of approved in-service education programs, as well.
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a CNA in Texas
Here, we will address some of the common questions:
- What happens if my CNA license expires?
- Can I work in a nursing facility if I am still training to become a CNA?
- What is the difference between an expired and revoked certificate?
What happens if my CNA license expires?
If your license expires, you will need to verify that you have qualifying employment as a CNA.
If you are not able to verify your employment, you will need to retrain and/or retest to become certified again.
Can I work in a nursing facility if I am still training to become a CNA?
If you are currently enrolled in an approved CNA program, you may work in a nursing facility for up to four months.
If you are still not certified after four months, then you can no longer work in the facility.
What is the difference between an expired and revoked certificate?
An expired certificate means that you failed to renew your certificate before the expiration date.
You can still seek to renew your certificate, as long as you fulfill certain requirements.
A revoked certificate means that you can no longer be employed as a nurse aide in a licensed nursing facility in the state of Texas due to abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property.
Conclusion
And that’s it!
We’ve given you a simple but comprehensive guide on how to become a CNA in Texas.
We gave you four simple steps and answered some common questions, too!
We hope you found this helpful, and if you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment.