An official State of Texas website.
To address a critical health care workforce shortage, HHSC has launched a free, virtual classroom course that is expected to increase the number of nurse aides providing direct care to residents in Texas nursing facilities.
Under this initiative by the HHSC Long-Term Care Regulation (LTCR) team, aspiring nurse aides will be able to take their required 60 hours of classroom training entirely online and at no cost, making it accessible and convenient.
Part of the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), the course is delivered through the LTCR Learning Management System and eliminates a financial hurdle for those seeking to enter this rewarding field.
“The online NATCEP program is a critical achievement,” said LTCR Associate Commissioner Michelle Dionne-Vahalik. “This cross-team effort took more than a year to develop and involved collaboration across multiple HHSC departments to ensure a successful launch in March.”
Participants are already completing the course, demonstrating the program’s potential to quickly bring new, qualified nurse aides into the workforce.
New NATCEP Rules
As of March 17, 2024, all NATCEPs in Texas must accept certificates issued by this new online program. After completing the free online course, participants can sign up with a traditional NATCEP to fulfill the remaining 40 hours of required hands-on training in a nursing facility setting.