The nursing assistant framework applicable in 2026 is based on the decree of June 10, 2021, but several recent texts modify its practical scope. The decree of February 26, 2025, regulates the updating of skills for professionals already certified, while the decree of April 29, 2026, revises the selection conditions for entry into IFAS.
Understanding what has changed, and especially what has not changed, requires cross-referencing these texts with the reality of the competency blocks and the new authorized acts.
Decree of June 10, 2021, and amending texts: timeline of regulatory changes
The most common confusion is to refer to a “new 2026 framework” as if it were a single text. In reality, the foundation remains the decree of June 10, 2021, which restructured training into competency blocks and expanded the scope of authorized acts for nursing assistants.
| Regulatory Text | Date | Main Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Decree of June 10, 2021 | June 2021 | New training framework, 5 competency blocks, expansion of care acts |
| Decree of February 26, 2025 | February 2025 | Framework for updating skills for nursing assistants certified before 2021 |
| Decree of April 29, 2026 | April 2026 | Modification of admission conditions to IFAS (selection based on application and interview) |
| Decree No. 2026-832 | August 2026 | Reduction of public support for apprenticeship in healthcare sectors |
This table clarifies a point that many candidates and professionals in the field are unaware of: the training framework has not been rewritten in 2026. The recent modifications pertain to access to training and funding, not to the educational content itself.
To better understand the differences between the expected competencies before and after the reform, the nursing assistant framework 2026 after the reform details a comparison block by block.
New nursing assistant acts: what the 2021 framework has actually added
The expansion of care acts represents the most concrete change for practicing nursing assistants. Before 2021, their scope was limited to hygiene and comfort care. The framework introduced acts related to clinical assessment and monitoring in collaboration with the nurse.
Among the acts now authorized are the measurement of vital parameters (oxygen saturation, capillary blood glucose), nasopharyngeal suctioning, and certain acute care tasks under the responsibility of the nurse. These acts are not optional: they are an integral part of the competency blocks assessed for obtaining the state diploma.
Skills updating: who is concerned?
All nursing assistants certified before the 2021 reform are potentially subject to an upgrade. The decree of February 26, 2025, formalizes this process. Employers in the healthcare and social sectors offer these trainings through certified Qualiopi organizations.
- Nursing assistants employed before 2021: updating training on new acts and clinical reasoning
- Professionals in retraining via VAE: the RNCP 40692 framework now serves as the basis for validating acquired skills, with a jury evaluating competencies block by block
- Civil nursing assistants of the Ministry of Defense: a specific decree of August 11, 2026, sets distinct career and advancement rules, including access to updating training
Selection in IFAS after the decree of April 29, 2026: application and interview
The decree of April 29, 2026, modifies the admission conditions initially defined by the decree of April 7, 2020. Selection is based on an application followed by a 15 to 20-minute interview. The entrance exam has been eliminated for several years, but this latest revision specifies the criteria for evaluating the application.
However, the content of the training once admitted does not change compared to the 2021 framework. The five competency blocks remain the same, as do the duration and organization of clinical placements.
Funding for apprenticeships: a point of concern in 2026
Decree No. 2026-832 of August 29, 2026, has caused concern in the sector. This text establishes a reduction in public support for apprenticeships in healthcare sectors, with nursing assistants explicitly mentioned. A written question in the Senate echoed this concern in September 2026.
For candidates who were counting on an apprenticeship contract to finance their training, this reduction in support may alter the economic calculation. IFAS have not yet all communicated the concrete repercussions, but the issue deserves close attention during enrollment.
Nursing assistant framework and nursing reform: related developments
The ongoing discussion about the nursing diploma reform has indirect implications for the nursing assistant profession. As nursing competencies evolve, the collaboration between nurses and nursing assistants is redefined. The acts delegated to nursing assistants could still be expanded in the coming years, which would strengthen the role of clinical reasoning in nursing assistant training.
The nursing assistant framework in effect in 2026 is therefore not a document that has been frozen since 2021. The texts from 2025 and 2026 modify access, funding, and upgrading procedures without touching the core of the five competency blocks. For professionals in the field as well as future candidates, cross-reading these decrees remains the most reliable way to distinguish what is truly changing from what is merely a matter of announcements.
