Training Programs

Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP)

All training programs must be approved by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH). Healthcare facilities and independent entities may apply to operate a training program. All training programs are approved based on compliance with federal regulations, state rules, and administrative standards. In addition, all programs are expected to utilize the Indiana Nurse Aide Training Curriculum, which establishes the minimum course standards.

Questions regarding the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) applications or approvals may be sent to AideTraining@health.in.gov.

Click for Approved Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training Programs

Program Directors/Delegated Instructors and Train-the-Trainer (TTT)

All NATCEP program directors and delegated instructors must meet all the requirements from NATCEP's Administrative Standard #1, which includes the completion of a Train-the-Trainer (TTT) course.

TTT courses are provided by:

• Indiana University Indianapolis – School of Nursing
• Healthcare Education Consultants
  • Janet Terrill, RN, and Nancy Adams, RN, at 317-696-1610 or NAdams121578@gmail.com
• Ivy Tech Community College
  • Questions related to TTT may be sent to CNA-QMA-Training@ivytech.edu

Please send questions to AideTraining@health.in.gov.

Approval to Conduct a Nurse Aide Training (NAT) Program

IDOH must approve all programs before nurse aide training (NAT) is conducted. The initial approval process requires the submission of an application and supplemental documentation. IDOH reviews this information and approval must be granted before any training can take place.

Entities that may apply:

• long-term care facilities;
• vocational, career, or academic institutes; or
• independent/corporate companies.

Requirements

Please submit the following to AideTraining@health.in.gov to be considered for approval.

• Completed Application to Operate a Nurse Aide Training Program (State Form 629)
• Additional requirements:
  • Photos of the classroom and clinical lab (two to three of each) to verify layout, space, and equipment conducive to learning.
  • A sample clinical agreement that outlines expectations between the training program and clinical site; clinical site eligibility is verified based on facility licensure.
  • Classroom and clinical time records showing dates, timeframes, topics covered, and spaces for instructor and student signatures.
  • A certificate of completion template.
    • The certificate of completion must state that student’s name “has successfully completed the Indiana Department of Health's (minimum of) 75-hour Nurse Aide Training Program,” and must have an area for the signature and date of the program director and must have the name and address of the training entity.
  • A list of items maintained in each student’s file, reviewed during TTT sessions.
  • A comprehensive final exam covering all lessons and aligned with NAT scope.
  • Supply list.
  • Classroom lesson plan with day, timeframes, and content to be completed, including core curriculum lessons, resident care procedures (RCPs), videos, YouTube, textbooks, handouts, and any other resources.
  • Student pre-admission math/English reading/writing assessment.
  • Copies of TTT certificates and nursing licenses for each instructor, confirming current licensure and relevant experience.

Nurse Aide Training (NAT) Program Curriculum

IDOH is responsible for providing oversight for all NATCEP applications and approvals.

Each NAT program must consist of a minimum of 75 hours; this format includes a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 45 hours of clinical instruction. Of the 45 clinical hours, up to 21 may be completed in a laboratory setting and at least 24 hours must be completed in a licensed comprehensive long-term care (LTC) facility.

Previous guidelines allowed up to 20 hours of clinical instruction to be completed in an approved licensed assisted living (AL) facility; however, this option is no longer available due to the reduced total number of clinical hours. It is important to note that these requirements reflect the minimum number of hours. Training entities are always permitted to exceed these standards to best support student learning and competency.

Forms

Laws and Regulations

Last Updated: Mar. 11, 2026