How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 88,680 certified nursing assistants earning a median $37,500 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Becoming a certified nursing assistant here means training through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Texas Board of Nursing credentialing requirements.
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Compare Certified Nursing Assistant Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amarillo College | 67.4 | Contact school for pricing | $50,015 | 31% | Yes* | In-state |
| 2 | Alvin Community College | 60.8 | Contact school for pricing | $66,597 | 24% | Yes* | In-state |
| 3 | Dallas College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | Yes* | In-state |
| 4 | Kilgore College | 58.0 | Contact school for pricing | $46,347 | Not reported | Yes* | In-state |
| 5 | Arlington Career Institute | 57.5 | Contact school for pricing | $36,508 | 75% | Yes* | In-state |
| 6 | Northeast Texas Community College | 56.8 | Contact school for pricing | $43,940 | 46% | Yes* | In-state |
| 7 | Trinity Valley Community College | 55.8 | Contact school for pricing | $44,266 | 26% | Yes* | In-state |
| 8 | Galveston College | 55.2 | Contact school for pricing | $66,991 | 33% | Yes* | In-state |
| 9 | Howard College | 45.0 | Contact school for pricing | $50,818 | 35% | — | In-state |
| 10 | Lamar State College-Port Arthur | 42.9 | Contact school for pricing | $46,272 | Not reported | — | In-state |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Texas employs approximately 88,680 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,500 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 23,420 | $38,530 | $40,700 | $35,850 | $49,090 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 19,230 | $37,970 | $40,430 | $32,610 | $47,350 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 7,080 | $36,800 | $38,460 | $30,800 | $46,110 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,600 | $38,550 | $41,300 | $35,740 | $48,100 |
| El Paso | 2,310 | $35,170 | $35,490 | $29,070 | $42,970 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 2,140 | $33,990 | $34,390 | $28,250 | $42,380 |
| Tyler | 1,610 | $35,300 | $35,560 | $29,990 | $43,070 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,550 | $35,300 | $35,590 | $30,670 | $42,520 |
| Lubbock | 1,490 | $34,300 | $34,170 | $28,500 | $41,900 |
| Killeen-Temple | 1,480 | $36,120 | $39,070 | $30,900 | $46,450 |
| Waco | 1,480 | $37,290 | $38,790 | $30,310 | $46,540 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 1,200 | $35,110 | $35,570 | $30,320 | $42,920 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 1,070 | $32,110 | $33,330 | $28,240 | $40,850 |
| Longview | 1,050 | $34,510 | $34,490 | $29,780 | $39,930 |
| Amarillo | 1,000 | $36,700 | $38,210 | $31,050 | $48,360 |
| Wichita Falls | 950 | $37,870 | $39,540 | $30,310 | $47,760 |
| College Station-Bryan | 940 | $35,610 | $35,960 | $30,940 | $43,300 |
| Texarkana | 820 | $32,880 | $32,650 | $24,620 | $40,970 |
| Abilene | 800 | $37,460 | $36,310 | $28,870 | $43,050 |
| San Angelo | 610 | $35,390 | $35,950 | $30,160 | $44,490 |
| Sherman-Denison | 610 | $35,970 | $36,230 | $30,720 | $43,000 |
| Midland | 580 | $35,970 | $38,520 | $35,970 | $46,080 |
| Laredo | 510 | $35,120 | $33,610 | $27,760 | $42,470 |
| Victoria | 470 | $33,980 | $33,560 | $28,840 | $38,870 |
| Odessa | 410 | $36,250 | $37,610 | $31,160 | $46,080 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Texas Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Texas): $37,500 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Texas? Texas requires credentials such as NURSE, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED (APRN), NURSE, REGISTERED (RN), NURSE, LICENSED VOCATIONAL (LVN). The licensing authority is the Texas Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Texas Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Texas? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Texas is $37,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,620 and experienced professionals can earn $47,500 or more 1.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 23,420 | $38,530 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 19,230 | $37,970 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 7,080 | $36,800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,600 | $38,550 |
| El Paso | 2,310 | $35,170 |
How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Texas Board of Nursing, pass the required examination, and obtain the certified nursing assistant credential before working unsupervised in Texas.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Texas
The Texas Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Texas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| NURSE, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED (APRN) | Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) acquire an additional level of knowledge and education beyond that required of Registered Nurses allowing them to play a larger role in patient care. |
| NURSE, REGISTERED (RN) | Registered nurses assess and manage patient/client responses to actual and potential health care problems. |
| NURSE, LICENSED VOCATIONAL (LVN) | Licensed vocational nurses are trained in a Board-approved education program to function as members of the health care team with a directed scope of practice under appropriate supervision. |
| NURSING FACILITY ADMINISTRATOR | Coordination of the various functions and activities necessary for day-to-day operation of a nursing facility. |
| Educational Aide II | |
| Educational Aide III | |
| Educational Aide I |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 88,680 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Texas Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Texas is $37,500, which is $2,030 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Texas Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.bon.texas.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |