Nurse Aide Registry
How to Start a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP)

1. Fill out the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) Provisional Application Form (PDF).
2. An approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program must be at least 75 clock-hours in length. Training includes 16 hours of supervised practical training with a live person in a laboratory or other setting and curriculum instruction/skills totaling 75 hours. Location of or method of curriculum instruction and supervised practical training should be identified in your application. A list of suggested equipment is available here: Nurse Aide Training Equipment (PDF)
3. Select a curriculum from the list of Minnesota-Approved Training Curricula.
4. Federal and state regulations and program requirements are included in the Federal Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program Resource (PDF). Nurse aide training program applicants commit in initial application to read and implement Federal NATCEP requirements.
5. See Frequently Asked Questions about NATCEPs.
6. Qualifications for staff submitted with application for approval.
7. For information and questions, email: Health.nar.coord@state.mn.us

Instructor qualifications:

1. Minnesota RN with a minimum of two years of licensed nursing experience in the US as evidenced by screenshot from Minnesota Board of Nursing website.
2. At least one year in the provision of long-term care facility services in the US as evidenced by licensed nursing experience resume. Examples of long-term care facility services are employment in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Home health experience providing care in private homes only is not included.
3. Total licensed nursing experience can be as a LPN but must currently be a RN. Licensed nursing experience does not include nurse aide experience.
4. Train the Trainer certificate if required by chosen curriculum as identified in Minnesota-Approved Training Curricula.
5. Train the Trainer certificates are specific to a given curriculum; they are not interchangeable.

NATCEPs operated by a nursing home cannot have had an extended or partial extended survey, operated with a waiver of the 8 hour-per-day registered nurse requirement, been assessed a civil money penalty, or had a denial of payment enforced within past two (2) years. A Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) Waiver Request (PDF). may be an option. Email Health.nar.coord@state.mn.us for more information.

Federal law allows up to 90 days for approval of a completed application.