Navigating the NATCEP - A Guide to the Nurse Aide in Long-Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Skyler

Provides an overview of the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) required for nurse aides working in New Jersey long-term care facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid. Explains the historical regulatory basis, outlines the components of certification including training, practical skills evaluation, written/oral examination, and fingerprint-supported background investigation. Describes how approval and training course offerings are handled for long-term care facilities, private vocational schools, and community colleges, including key application steps, scheduling, and required submissions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Mailing Address

Physical Address

The Approval Process

Training Courses Offered by Long Term Care Facilities

Training Courses Offered by Private Vocational Schools

Training Courses Offered by Private Vocational Schools (continued)

Training Courses Offered by Community Colleges

Navigating the NATCEP A Guide to the Nurse Aide in Long-Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program New Jersey Department of Health Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing P.O. Box 358 Trenton, NJ 08625-0358 Toll-Free 1-866-561-5914 Introduction In 1991, as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987, Medicare and Medicaid regulations were amended to require the certification of nurse aides employed by Medicare and Medicaid participating nursing facilities. The purpose of these provisions were to ensure that nurse aides have the education, practical knowledge, and skills needed to care for residents of facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The regulations regarding nurse aides became effective on April 1, 1992. In New Jersey, the certification process consists of the successful completion of: a ninety-hour state-approved nurse aide in long-term care facilities training course, a practical skills evaluation, a written/oral examination, and a fingerprint-supported criminal background investigation. Programs are conducted in Long-Term Care Facilities, Private Vocational Schools, County Vocational Schools, High Schools, and Community Colleges. This guide is intended to answer questions for those interested in providing the training course. All regulatory references in this handbook are current as of October 31, 2006. It is the responsibility of the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) to ensure that the program is in compliance with all State and Federal rules, statutes, codes, or laws that may have changed since the publication of this handbook. Mailing Address (Use for U.S. Post Office) Department of Health Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing Certification Unit PO Box 358 Trenton, NJ 08675-0358 609-633-9171 609-341-3552 fax [ltc@doh.state.nj.us](ltc@doh.state.nj.us) [www.state.nj.us/health/ltc](www.state.nj.us/health/ltc) Physical Address – Courier Services (Use for DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.) Department of Health Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing Certification Unit 25 S. Stockton Street, 2nd Floor Trenton, NJ 08608-1832 Note: Post Office will NOT deliver to this address The Approval Process The approval process varies depending on the type of program seeking approval. All programs MUST submit lesson plans to the Certification Program for approval to initiate the approval process. Training Courses Offered by Long Term Care Facilities After the lesson plans have been approved, the facility must submit at least three (3) weeks prior to the requested start date, a completed Approval of a Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) application form (for one course only), two (2) copies of the schedule, and a check for $75.00. If there is not a classroom in the facility, the Certification Program will need a letter dedicating space for the classroom lab for the duration of the course. Training Courses Offered by Private Vocational Schools Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Department of Education, "private vocational schools" means a business enterprise operated for either profit or nonprofit which maintains a place of business within the State of New Jersey and which: 1. Solicits pupils from the general public; 2. Charges tuition and/or other fees; 3. Offers instruction to a group or groups of four or more pupils at one time; and, 4. Offers preparatory instruction to pupils for entry-level employment or for upgrading in a specific occupational field. A private vocational institution wishing to offer the NATCEP must receive approval from the Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development as a private vocational school in addition to the Department of Health (Department) granting approval for the NATCEP. For an application to becom

FAQs

What is the purpose of NATCEP for nurse aides in long-term care facilities?

NATCEP ensures nurse aides have the education, practical knowledge, and skills needed to care for residents in facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid. It is built on state and federal certification requirements.

What components are required for nurse aide certification in New Jersey?

Certification requires completion of a ninety-hour state-approved training course, a practical skills evaluation, a written/oral examination, and a fingerprint-supported criminal background investigation.

How does the approval process start for programs seeking approval to offer NATCEP training?

All programs must submit lesson plans to the Certification Program for approval before the approval process begins.

What additional steps are required for private vocational schools after Departments approve the application?

After Education and Labor approve the private school application, a site visit is conducted by the departments to verify equipment, storage, and classroom appropriateness. Then the school must submit the NATCEP application, schedules, a host facility contract, and the required fee before the start date.

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Skyler