Nurse Aide Registry

Texas Health and Human Services maintains a registry of all nurse aides who are certified to provide services in nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities licensed by the agency.

CMS has Created a New CMS CNA Recruitment and Career Pathways Website

The Certified Nursing Assistant website provides information on how to become a CNA for free, becoming a CNA in a nursing home, how nursing home CNAs have the opportunity for growth and positions you can advance to if you work as an CNA in a nursing home.

Announcement: Nurse Aide Online System

HHSC published Provider Letter 2023-14 Web-based Licensure System for Nurse Aides and Medication Aides (PDF).

As of July 5, 2023, nurse aides and applicants for nurse aide certification will apply via Texas Unified License Information Portal (TULIP), a web-based licensure system designed specifically for licensed long-term care providers and licensees. TULIP will allow Nurse Aides to complete all certification and application functions online. For assistance with using TULIP, see user guide link on the TULIP landing page.

Log into TULIP account to create applicant registration, login and reset password.

TULIP Credentialing Transition Grace Period Ending Nov. 30

The grace period that allowed nurse aides, medication aides, nursing facility administrators and Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Programs to continue with an expired status is ending on Nov. 30. This will be the last extension, and everyone must submit a renewal application before the grace period ends. An expired status after Nov. 30 will no longer be considered active.

If you are experiencing a technical issue with TULIP, HHSC IT has a new web form to report issues 24/7. TULIP users can access the form from the TULIP homepage.

  • If you have not logged into TULIP and you need help with password reset or registration, you can report the issue at TULIP Support Request.
  • If you can log into TULIP and still need additional help, look for the Support option in the menu.

HHSC IT also has deployed a new TULIP Support Helpdesk Call Center with a team ready to assist you. To access phone support, call 512-438-2584.

  • Hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central, Monday to Friday, excluding state and federal holidays- please note, that due to the new implementation of this call center, TULIP Support may be experiencing a high volume of calls and wait times may be long.

Definitions

The following are the definitions of the statuses used in the system:

  • Active – The nurse aide's registration is active. The nurse aide is currently employable as a nurse aide in a licensed nursing facility in the state of Texas.
  • Expired – The nurse aide's registration is expired. To renew registry status, the nurse aide must provide verification of qualifying employment. If the person is unable to verify employment, he or she will have to re-train and/or re-test. The nurse aide is currently not employable as a nurse aide in a licensed nursing facility in the state of Texas.
  • Prospective – applicant for nurse aide certificate.
  • Revoked – The nurse aide's registration is revoked. Because substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property have been entered on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry, this individual is not employable as a nurse aide in a licensed nursing facility in the state of Texas.
  • Suspended – The nurse aide's registration is suspended. Because the nurse aide is listed as unemployable in the EMR, this individual is not employable in a HHS regulated facility or agency.

Providers can verify nurse aide employability using the Employability Status Check Search. This website consolidates checks of the Nurse Aide Registry and other systems. Verifying a nurse aide's status through the Employability Status Check Search is the equivalent of using the NAR and is considered in compliance with all applicable federal regulations and state licensure laws.

Allegations of Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation

HHS also reviews and investigates allegations of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of resident property by nurse aides. If there's a finding of an alleged act of abuse, neglect or misappropriation, the nurse aide may request both an informal reconsideration and a formal hearing before the finding is placed on the registry.

Veterans, Military Members and Spouses

The state of Texas recognizes the contributions of our military service members and their spouses and veterans.

Military service members or veterans may have met some licensing requirements as a result of their military service or other training, knowledge and experience. Military spouses of current active duty military service members also may have met some licensing requirements related to this status. Modifications to renewal requirements may also be available for some military service members on active duty.

For more information regarding special licensure provisions, military service members, military veterans or military spouses may qualify for, please read Senate Bill 422, 88th Regular Legislative Session, 2023.

Military personnel and their spouses and veterans who are interested in the nurse aide occupation and would like additional information regarding requirements may call 512-438-2050.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to military service members, veterans, and their families for their dedicated service to the United States of America and to the state of Texas.

About Regulatory Services

Credentialing and Registry Enforcement

Nurse aide enforcement activities are conducted by the Credentialing and Registry Enforcement unit and include:

  • Coordinating due process related to referrals of misconduct by a nurse aide that occur in nursing facilities
  • Entering findings of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property, as appropriate

Call 512-438-5495 for more information.

Credentialing Branch

Nurse aide registration (certification) activities are conducted by the Credentialing Branch and include:

  • Approving and monitoring nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs
  • Issuing and continuing nurse aide registrations, including oversight of nurse aide testing development and administration

Nurse Aide - Joint Training Opportunities.