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HHSC Issues Updated Guidance on the Certification Process for Nurse Aides Training and Working Under a Waiver (PL 2021-19, revised)

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HHSC has issued Provider Letter 2021-19 (revised) - Certification Process for Nurse Aides Training and Working Under a Waiver.

The PL describes the process a person who has completed nurse aide tasks under the waiver during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) can follow to complete a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and be added to the nurse aide registry.

The updated guidance issued July 17, 2023, reminds nurse aides and nursing facilities that Governor Abbott ended the state PHE on June 15, 2023.

Therefore, nurse aide candidates will have until October 15, 2023, to become certified using the process at 26 TAC §556.100, which allows for temporary nurse aides to use up to 100 hours of accumulated hours of work training and work experience in a nursing facility during the COVID-19 PHE to count toward nurse aide certification.

After October 15, 2023, nurse aide candidates must meet the requirements of formal program training to be eligible to sit for the nurse aid examinations.

Read the details of revised PL 2021-19.