You will find that a career as a certified nursing assistant can be a very rewarding one. It is not always the most glamorous but work as a CNA provides you with the opportunity to provide basic care services for individuals in healthcare settings. Depending on where you live, you can make $11-$15 an hour (sometimes more) as a certified nursing assistant.
Required Training and Hours
The state of Texas approves a variety of training programs for certified nursing assistants. These programs will prepare you to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam. Training programs will prepare you well for a career as a CNA. Nursing assistant programs in the state of Texas must be at least 75 hours.
You will find that some training programs encompass even more hours. You must spend at least 51 hours of nursing assistant training in the classroom when training to become a certified nursing aide in Texas. Programs are approved by the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities.
Transfer Your CNA Certification to Texas Through Reciprocity
It is sometimes possible to transfer a nursing assistant certification from one state to another through a process called reciprocity. If your application for reciprocity is approved by your new state, some or all of the training requirements for CNAs specific to that state will be waived. Texas offers you the opportunity to apply for reciprocity if you are a certified nursing assistant in another state.
You will need to complete an application for reciprocity. Complete the form in its entirety and submit any other documents and forms requested. The state of Texas will verify that you are a nursing assistant listed as active and in good standing in your former state. If you are interested in applying for nursing assistant certification reciprocity, you will need to contact the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS).
Steps to follow:
- Obtain an application for reciprocity from: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/forms/5505-NAR
- Make certain your CNA certification in your former state is still active and listed in good standing.
- Obtain a criminal background check to submit to the Texas Nurse Aide Registry. You will obtain your background check from the Department of Public Safety in Texas.
- Answer all questions completely and honestly in Section 1 of the reciprocity application. Do not forget to sign Section 1 of the form. You will then need to send the application to your former state where you have an active nursing assistant certification. Your former nurse aide registry will complete section 2 and return the application to you.
- Make a photocopy of your picture identification. It must clearly show the spelling of your name as well as your birth date.
- Send your application forms and criminal background check results along with your Identification to: Texas Nurse Aide Registry- Mail Code E-414- P.O. Box 149030-Austin, Texas78714-9030.
- Wait about two to three weeks to hear if your certification has been successfully transferred to Texas.
Nursing Assistant License Renewal in Texas
It is necessary to renew your nursing assistant certification every twenty-four months in order to continue working as a CNA in the state of Texas. You will receive the forms for recertification awhile before your current certification is due to be expired. It is important to carefully read and complete the forms.
It is necessary to have worked for pay as a certified nursing assistant or providing nursing related duties within the past two-years. You also must complete a total of 24 hours of in-service within the 2 year certification period. Once you have completed the form in its entirety you need to submit it along with any requested documents to the address list on the bottom of the form.
Helpful Resource: Free CNA training in Texas and Accredited CNA classes in Texas
I am moving to texas in 3 weeks. I currently work as a CNA, how can I continue to work as a CNA in texas ? Please let me know what the steps for transfer are.
I need to transfer my Ok CNA license to Tx.
To get started, fill out the form at http://www.dads.state.tx.us/forms/5505-nar/index.htm making sure to enclose all relevant documentation.
i need to transfer my CNA certificiation from wisconsin to texas… what do i need to have it switch it. i had it since 2002 and doesn’t expire until 2012.
i also have my medication assisant certification , will i lose it too or do i also need to take a separated tested for medication assisant, any help will be helpful…. thanks
I first received my license in Arkansas 1997 I’ve worked as a CNA in places in Texas. I have my certification card but its expired. I just moved from San Antonio and was working at an assisted living facility I thought maybe I could use those hrs towards helping me recertify. I now live in Mesquite Tx and I want to get my license updated in order to start working. How do I get started?
I want to tranfer my C .N A fron California To Texas
Can I still work if i have a forgery felony charge and im on probation
depending on type of felony it is,and after 5-7 yr you can work for non profit agencies that the state dosent own, in other words not owned by the state.
i have a felony for crimanal mischief and after 5 yrs i can work.
how can i transfer my cna certification and renew my cna license and can i work as a cna without my ged or do i need that as well
I am moving to Tx. In two weeks. I work as CNA in Arkansas . Do i get my criminal récord in Tx or Arkansas?
I am the Career and Technology Director for a public school district in Texas? We have a certified RN teach our students classes from the Health Science Cluster and we are interested in offering a CNA certification program to our students. Where can I find guidance of how to implement this in our district? I need guidance on how much class time, clinical time and test certification times, etc.
Thank you!
what does certification authority mean?
How much those it cost to transfer your CNA Certification from Louisiana
to Houston Texas
I have tried to transfer my CNA license from Hawaii to Texas. I mailed in all the information necessary at the end of March. It’s been two months and when I check my status, it says “no results.” I haven’t gotten an email or phone call regarding any issues of the transfer either. I am not sure what to do at this point. Any tips are highly appreciated.