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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $145–$160
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
100 hrs
Training Hours
Prometric
Exam Provider
$145–$160
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours
Must have documented paid nursing or nursing-related work within the last 2 years
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
800-488-5787
Program Approval Body
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
100
Total Hours
60
Classroom
40
Clinical
Not separately specified
Skills Lab
Program Approval Body
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Prometric
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
90 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass both parts within 24 months of training completion; 3 attempts allowed. Must retrain if not passed.
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
60 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Prometric
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $120Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; HHSC offers free computer-based 60-hour online classroom option; employers in LTC facilities must cover training costs under OBRA | $625–$1,400 |
Competency Exam Fee Written exam $31 + Skills exam $89; oral exam $41 instead of written $31. Paid to Prometric. | $120 |
State Registration Fee No separate registration fee; certification issued through TULIP system upon passing exam | $0 |
Background Check Fee Criminal history check through Texas Department of Public Safety; fee per name searched | $25–$40 |
Total Initial Fees Total of exam fee ($120) and background check ($25-40); excludes training program tuition | $145–$160 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LVN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
Must have documented paid nursing or nursing-related work within the last 2 years
Work Requirement
24
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
No renewal fee; processed through TULIP system
Late Renewal Fee
N/A
If expired, must retrain (60+40 hours) or retest depending on circumstances
Inactive Reinstatement
If expired without documented work: Option 3 requires retraining (60 hours classroom + 40 hours clinical) and retesting; Option 4 allows retesting only after criminal history check
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Must apply through TULIP system, provide verification of active certification from previous state, and pass a criminal history check
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Texas with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Texas uses Prometric for testing (not Pearson VUE). HHSC offers free 60-hour online classroom training. All applications through TULIP portal. No renewal fee. Requires 24 hours of in-service education (double federal minimum) including mandatory geriatrics/dementia content. Multiple eligibility routes including military spouse expedited processing.
Texas requires 100 training hours, which exceeds the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
The competency exam is administered by Prometric, not Pearson VUE
HHSC offers a free 60-hour computer-based training (CBT) online classroom option
24 hours of in-service education required per renewal, including geriatrics and dementia care (Alzheimer's)
All applications processed through TULIP online system (tulip.hhs.texas.gov)
No renewal fee; renewal is free through TULIP
10 different eligibility routes available, including military spouse expedited processing
Texas uses LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) instead of LPN
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
HHSC offers a free 60-hour CBT online classroom option
CNA requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Texas
See how Texas compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Texas.
CNA Schools in Texas
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Texas? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Texas →
Transfer your CNA license from Texas to: Arkansas → | Louisiana → | New Mexico → | Oklahoma →
Texas requires 100 hours of training and passage of the Prometric competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.