Texas Nurse Aide Registry (CNA)
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?
Understanding the testing process.
How does Texas’s Nurse Aide Certification (CNA) testing process work?
Texas’s Nurse Aide Certification Process begins with account creation through Texas’s Uniformed Licensure Information Portal (TULIP).
(TULIP) Texas Uniformed Licensure Information Portal
Once you have completed the account creation process you can then use your account to submit an application requesting the Texas state exam.
This process is done through the Applications tab found under the NA/MA/NFA menu section of the website.
This same tab can be used to submit many different applications for your Texas Nurse Aide registry account.
For further information on these applications please see the following links:
- NA Examination Application (PDF)
- Waiver of NA Training and Competency Evaluation (PDF)
- Certificate for Military Spouse stationed in Texas Application (PDF)
- Request for Entry into the Texas NA Registry Through Reciprocity (PDF)
- NA Request to Retest (PDF)
- NA Renewal Application (PDF)
- NA Renewal Military Extension for In-Service Education (PDF)
Once you have submitted your Request to Test through TULIP please allow 4 to 5 business days for them to process your request.
When TULIP approves your request you will receive an email from SMT Prometric, upon receipt of this email you can login to your SMT Prometric account and schedule your exam.
If you deleted the Prometric email and need to find the website please see the following link:
SMT Prometric – Exam Scheduling Portal
The exam scheduling process prompts you to update and verify your basic information first and then it will ask you to select a preferred exam type and language.
The system will then prompt you to schedule for your Clinical Skills exam first. After completing your Clinical Skills exam registration you will need to log back into your account and schedule your Written/Oral exam.
Please be sure to read all of the materials & instructions provided!!! Also be sure to print your exam letter and bring it with you during the day of your exam, as it contains important information that is necessary for you to complete your testing process.
Once you have completed and passed your exams, SMT Prometric will notify you through email.
Please give SMT & TULIP 4 to 5 business days to update their systems and prepare your final license.
To retrieve a copy of your Texas State Certification you will once again need to log in to your account through TULIP.
You will find your license printout in PDF format available for download under the Licenses tab of your TULIP dashboard.
Your dashboard once again can be found under the MA/NA/NFA menu tab.
(TULIP) Texas Uniformed Licensure Information Portal
What Kind of exam do we have to take?
Texas requires Nurse Aides to pass both a knowledge based Written/Oral exam and a Clinical Skills exam in order to attain their certification.
Written exams are administered in either a lab setting via computer while supervised by a state appointed examiner or in a home setting via computer while supervised remotely.
Should you choose to use the Remote Proctor option for your exam we do recommend that you read and understand Prometric’s requirements prior to scheduling.
SMT Prometric – Candidate Information Page
Prometric practice tests are available.
SMT Prometric – Texas Nurse Aide Practice Exam
The Clinical Skills exam can be completed on site at any Texas approved state testing facility.
This test is comprised of multiple skills to be tested, randomly chosen by the State Examiner and performed on either a partner or 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 digital licensure management system through which candidates are responsible for maintaining their Nurse Aide license.
What processes can be completed through TULIP?
- Name Change Application Submissions/Nurse Aide Registry Information Corrections
- Personal Information Updates.
- Submitting Testing Requests.
- License Printing.
- License Renewal Application Submission.
- Expired License Renewal through Re-test
For more in depth information on the above noted processes please see the following resource guides provided by TULIP
Do we have to pay for our TULIP application?
At this current time their is no payment required for application submission through TULIP. Payment becomes a necessity when scheduling your Texas State Exam through SMT Prometric.
How do we set up our TULIP account?
Please refer to the following resource material provided by 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 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?
- Valid State or Federal Identification
- Texas Department of Public Safety Named Based Criminal History Search
- Proof of Employment as a CNA
- CEU’s
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 its entities!
For any issues, comments or concerns please refer to the following.
Contact Information
Contact Texas Nurse Aide Registry
for any questions regarding licensing.
Texas Nurse Aide Registry- Texas health and Human Services
(512) 438-2050
Contact TULIP Tech Support
for questions regarding issues with TULIP’s website.
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.
SMT Prometric: Texas Nurse Aide Candidate Information
(800) 488-5787