Tests are required by the federal government and the State of Iowa if you plan to work in a certified long-term care facility as a nurse aide. The tests are given in two parts: the Nurse Aide Written Test and the Nurse Aide Skills Competency testing. You have had three separate changes to take each test. When both tests are passed, your name will be placed on the Direct Care Worker Registry. After three no-passing scores, on either test, you must take a nurse aide training program and retake both tests.