Texas Nurse Aide Registry (CNA)
Understanding the testing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does Texas’s Nurse Aide Certification (CNA) testing process work?
- What kind of exam do we have to take?
- How may chances do we have to pass the exam?
- What happens if we fail the exam three times?
- What is TULIP?
- What is TULIP used for?
- Do we have to pay for our TULIP application?
- How do we set up our TULIP account?
- Which TULIP application do I need?
- After TULIP what is the next step in this process?
- Who is SMT Prometric?
- How do we schedule our test?
- What do we do when we get our email from SMT Prometric?
- What do we do if we did not get the email from SMT Prometric?
- Why is Emerald Nursing School not showing up as an available testing option?
- What do we need for a license renewal?
- Where do we go to get our CEU’s?
How does Texas’s Nurse Aide Certification (CNA) testing process work?
Texas’s Nurse Aide Certification Process starts with the account creation process through the Texas Uniformed Licensure Information Portal (TULIP) website.
(TULIP) Texas Uniformed Licensure Information Portal
Once you have completed the account creation process you can then access your account to submit an application requesting to take the Texas state exam.
After you receive Texas’s approval to take the exam you are then prompted through email to register for and pay for your exam through SMT Prometric.
Lastly once you have taken and passed your exams SMT Prometric then informs TULIP and your account is updated to show your new license.
What Kind of exam do we have to take?
Texas requires all of its CNA candidates to take and pass both a knowledge based written exam and a skills based clinicals exam in order to attain certification.
Written exams are administered in either a lab setting via computer while supervised by an examiner or in a home setting via computer while supervised remotely by an examiner.
The clinical exam is done on site at a Texas approved state exam facility and is completed with a partner and a mannequin.
How many chances do we have to pass the exam?
Candidates have three (3) attempts to pass the written and three (3) attempts to pass the skills.
What happens if we fail the exam three (3) times?
You must re-take the course at an approved Nurse Aide Training Center.
What is TULIP?
TULIP, also known as, Texas Uniform Licensure Information Portal is Texas’s new licensure management system through which candidates are responsible for requesting, maintaining and updating their license digitally.
Your TULIP account is truly your one stop shop for dealing with your Texas Nurse Aide Certification.
What is TULIP used for?
- Name change application submissions.
- Personal information updates.
- Submitting testing requests.
- License printing.
- License renewal application submission.
- Expired license renewal through re-test application submission
For more in depth information on the above noted processes please see the following resource guide provided by TxHHSC TULIP
Please remember TULIP is your go to for any and all licensing processes going forward regarding your Texas Nurse Aide Certification (CNA). Please remember the website and your password.
Do we have to pay for our TULIP application?
No payment is required for your initial application creation or submission with TULIP.
Payment is currently not required until final scheduling and date selection of your exam through SMT Prometrics exam scheduling portal.
How do we set up our TULIP account?
Please refer to the following resource material provided by TxHHSC TULIP
Which TULIP application do I need?
- New Nurse Aide Candidates
- Renewal of a currently active certification
- Renewal of an expired certification
Please refer to the following resource material provided by TxHHSC TULIP
“For individuals seeking to renew an expired license through re-testing we do recommend taking the course again to revisit the material if it has been more than 4 years since you last used your license.”
After TULIP what is the next step in this process?
After completing the submission of your TULIP application you then wait for a response from SMT Prometric
Who is SMT Prometric?
SMT Prometric is the company who does the testing for Texas
How do we schedule our test?
When your testing application is approved by TULIP you will receive an email from SMT to invite you to schedule your exam.
What do we do when we get our email from SMT Prometric?
Click on the email and schedule your exam
What do we do if we did not get an email from SMT Prometric?
Search your email for SMT if you did not receive it then contact SMT to inquire
Why is Emerald Nursing School not showing up as an available testing option?
Please check your zip code setting and set it to 79924 to see us as a testing option. If this does not work then all of our available testing days may be full.
What do we need for license renewal?
Employment hours
CEUS
Where do we go to get our CEU’s?
Texas Health and Human Services- NA CEU’s
Please Note, Emerald Nursing School is in no way responsible for your experience with the testing process nor any of the entities involved.
For any issues, comments or concerns please contact the following.
Contact Texas Nurse Aide Registry for questions regarding licensing
Texas Nurse Aide Registry- Texas health and Human Services
(512) 438-2050
Contact TULIP Tech Support for questions regarding issues when operating the TULIP web portal
Texas Nurse Aide Registry- Texas Uniformed Licensure Information Portal- Tech Support
(512) 438-2584
Contact SMT Prometric for questions regarding your state exam scheduling or results
(800) 488-5787