Exhibit 32 (i)

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

        In connection with the Form 10-Q of National Bankshares, Inc. for the
quarter ended March 31, 2006, I, James G. Rakes, President and Chief Executive
Officer of National Bankshares, Inc. (Principal Executive Officer), hereby
certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that:

(1) such Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, fully complies with the
requirements of section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
and

        (2) the information contained in such Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2006, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of National Bankshares, Inc.



/s/ JAMES G. RAKES
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James G. Rakes
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)