(April 24, 2026) – CMS Issues Clarification on NATCEP/CEP Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a clarification regarding Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program and Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program requirements as part of its broader Nursing Home Staffing Campaign, which aims to increase the number of nurses working in nursing homes.
CMS released the guidance in response to questions from stakeholders about NATCEP/CEP requirements, including fees for nurse aides, instructor qualifications, general supervision, settings for training sites, competency evaluation procedures, and the use of remote technology as a means of direct observation for training and evaluation.
The purpose of this guidance is to clarify NATCEP/CEP requirements, assist states in streamlining NATCEP/CEP program approvals and expand the capacity for nurse aide trainees by improving access and flexibility for training and testing requirements.
More detailed information can be found in this CMS memo.