The Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Service (NACES) was established in April 1989 as a result of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Acts (OBRA) of 1987 and 1989, which require certification of nurse aides.  NACES provides many services which support the quality of care provided in long-term care facilities.

NACES primary function is to coordinate and conduct the testing of nurse aide candidates who work in long-term care facilities. It currently provides nurse aide certification testing in Texas, South Carolina, Washington, Mississippi, Alabama, Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. In addition, NACES trains nurse aide examiners in Rhode Island and performs long-term care-related data collection services for Texas state agencies on a contract basis.

NACES nurse examiners work as independent contractors, choosing when and where they test.  They must have experience with long-term care or treating chronically ill patients.  RNs who are interested in becoming nurse examiners and who qualify (have experience treating chronically ill patients) are encourgaged to contact NACES.

For more information, visit the NACES Web site.