EXHIBIT 32

                   CERTIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                       OF NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005

      The undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the undersigned's best knowledge and
belief, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for National HealthCare Corporation
("Issuer") for the period ending December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"):

          (a)         fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
                      15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

          (b)         the information contained in the Report fairly presents,
                      in all material respects, the financial condition and
                      results of operations of the Issuer.

      This Certification accompanies the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the
Issuer for the annual period ended December 31, 2005.

      This Certification is executed as of March 13, 2006.

                                    /s/ Robert G. Adams
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Robert G. Adams
                                    Chief Executive Officer

                                    /s/ Donald K. Daniel
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Donald K. Daniel
                                    Principal Accounting Officer
                                    (Principal Financial Officer)

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to National HealthCare Corporation and will be retained by National
HealthCare Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission
or its staff upon request