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Becoming a CNA in Washington

If you’re considering a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Washington, there are several steps you’ll need to follow to get certified and begin working. Becoming a CNA is a rewarding choice that allows you to work directly with patients in a variety of healthcare settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. This guide will walk you through the key steps to becoming a CNA in Washington, from meeting basic requirements to registering and maintaining your certification.

 

Steps to Become a CNA in Washington

  • Meet Basic Requirements: Ensure that you meet the age, health, and background check requirements for CNA school admission and state certification.

  • Attend a School: Enroll in and complete a state-approved CNA training program, considering factors like cost, location, and program duration.

  • Pass the CNA Exam: Prepare for and pass the Washington CNA exam, which includes both a written and skills evaluation.

  • Certification Registration and Upkeep: Learn how to register with the state and maintain your active CNA certification.



. Meet Basic Requirements

 

Before enrolling in a CNA program, you’ll need to make sure you meet the minimum requirements set by the state of Washington:

 

  • Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

  • Health: You must be in good physical health with up-to-date immunization records, which is important as you’ll be working in direct contact with patients.

  • Background Check: All CNA candidates must pass a criminal background check. Certain criminal convictions may disqualify you from working as a CNA in the state.

  • Education Requirements: Washington does not have a minimum education requirement for CNAs, meaning you do not need a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a CNA training program. However, some employers may prefer or require candidates to have a high school education.

 

Meeting these basic requirements ensures that you’re eligible to begin training and work as a CNA in Washington.

 

 

2. Attend a School

 

Once you’ve verified that you meet the basic requirements, the next step is to enroll in a state-approved CNA training program. Washington mandates that all CNA candidates complete a training program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.

 

CNA Training Program Requirements:

 

  • Total Training Hours: You must complete at least 85 hours of training, which includes 35 hours of classroom instruction and 50 hours of clinical training. Of those clinical hours, at least 40 hours must be spent in a real healthcare setting, such as a nursing home or hospital.

  • Additional Training: Washington also requires CNAs to complete 7 hours of HIV/AIDS training, which is typically included in the CNA curriculum.

  • Program Duration: Most CNA programs in Washington take between 6 and 15 weeks to complete. Some accelerated programs may allow you to finish in as little as 4 weeks.

 

Considerations for Choosing a CNA Program:

 

  • Accreditation: Make sure the program you choose is state-approved. You can find a list of approved programs through the Washington Department of Health website.

  • Cost: CNA program costs in Washington typically range from $300 to $1,200, depending on the school and length of the program. Some programs offer financial aid, scholarships, or payment plans to help with costs.

  • Location and Schedule: Many community colleges, technical schools, and even healthcare facilities offer CNA programs. Be sure to choose one that fits your schedule, especially if you need evening or weekend classes.

 

Table: Example CNA Training Programs in Washington

 

School Name Location Cost Program Length Contact Information
Seattle Central College Seattle, WA $800 8 weeks (206) 934-3800
Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA $950 12 weeks (253) 566-5000
Spokane Community College Spokane, WA $1,000 10 weeks (509) 533-7000

 

Before choosing a program, review all your options, and make sure you pick a program that fits your schedule, budget, and location preferences.

Featured CNA Programs in Washington

Crystal Point CNA

Crystal Point CNA offers small class sizes, personalized instruction, and job referral services, ensuring students gain practical skills quickly and are supported in finding employment after graduation. Read more…
$905
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Online

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline’s program offers flexible online and in-person training paths, dual-instructor support in the I-BEST track, and Washington State Nursing Commission approval, preparing students for real-world success. Read more…
$691
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Kin On

Kin On’s CNA program uniquely focuses on culturally sensitive care for the Asian community, offering flexible schedules, hands-on training, and potential job placement within their healthcare network. Read more…
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Online

DT&T CNA Training School

This program offers a flexible hybrid format, free CNA programs for eligible students, and strong job placement services with local healthcare partners, ensuring graduates are workforce-ready. Read more…
$900
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Online

Seattle Central College Health Education Center

Seattle Central College’s hybrid program combines online theory with hands-on lab and clinical experience, offering flexibility and real-world training in just one quarter for full-time students. Read more…
$1,480
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Kline Galland Home

Kline Galland Academy offers a free, 4.5-week Nursing Assistant program with flexible class schedules and hands-on training, making it an accessible and comprehensive path to a healthcare career. Read more…
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3. Pass the CNA Exam

After completing your training program, the next step is to pass the state’s CNA certification exam. Washington uses the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), administered by Pearson VUE, to assess candidates’ knowledge and skills.

Structure of the CNA Exam:

The Washington CNA exam consists of two parts:

  • Written (or Oral) Exam:

  • The written exam includes 70 multiple-choice questions, which cover a variety of topics such as basic nursing care, infection control, patient rights, and safety procedures.

  • You will have 2 hours to complete the exam.

  • If English is not your first language, you can opt to take the exam orally. The oral exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 reading comprehension questions.

  • Skills Test:

  • During the skills test, you will be asked to demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills from a list of 34 possible skills, such as handwashing, assisting with feeding, or transferring a patient. You must correctly perform 4 out of 5 skills to pass.

  • You’ll have 30 minutes to complete the skills portion of the exam.

 

CNA Exam Fees:

 

Exam Type Cost
Written & Skills Evaluation $124
Oral (English/Spanish) & Skills Evaluation $124
Written Exam Only $44
Oral (English/Spanish) Exam Only $44
Skills Exam Only $80

You can schedule your exam through Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Services (NACES) by calling 1-800-444-5178 or by visiting the Washington Board of Nursing page. If you don’t pass the exam on your first attempt, you can retake the exam up to three times. After three failed attempts, you’ll need to retrain before taking the test again.

On Exam Day: What to Bring

  • Valid Photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state-issued ID)

  • Social Security Card

  • Non-skid, closed-toe shoes for the skills evaluation

  • Three No. 2 pencils and an eraser

  • A watch with a second hand

Call-to-Action:

Prepare for your test with our CNA Practice Test to improve your chances of passing the exam on the first try.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you’ve successfully passed the CNA exam, you’ll need to apply for certification through the Washington State Department of Health.

How to Register as a CNA:

  • After passing the exam, you must submit an application to the Washington Department of Health to be placed on the Washington Nurse Aide Registry. This registry allows you to work legally as a CNA in the state.

  • There is a $65 fee to obtain your certification. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your CNA license number and certification by mail.

Renewing Your Certification:

  • In Washington, CNA certifications must be renewed annually. Your renewal date is based on your birthday, and it’s your responsibility to renew before the expiration date.

  • To renew your CNA certification, you must submit a renewal application and pay a $70 renewal fee.

  • Work Requirement: You must have worked as a CNA for at least 8 paid hours in the previous two years to be eligible for renewal. If you fail to meet this requirement, your certification will become inactive, and you’ll need to retake the CNA exam.

Recertification for Out-of-State CNAs:

  • If you are certified in another state and wish to transfer your certification to Washington, you can apply for reciprocity. This process typically requires proof of your out-of-state certification, passing the Washington CNA exam, and paying the necessary fees.

CNA Exam Preparation Tips

  • Study Materials: Use the NNAAP Candidate Handbook to study for the written and skills portions of the exam. The handbook provides valuable study guides and practice questions.

  • Practice Tests: Take our CNA Practice Tests to simulate the exam and get comfortable with the types of questions and tasks you’ll be tested on.

  • Review Skills: Focus on practicing key skills like hand hygiene, patient transfers, and recording vital signs. These are commonly tested skills during the exam.

  • Prepare Early: Make sure to start preparing early to ensure you have plenty of time to study and practice for both the written and skills portions of the exam.

By thoroughly preparing for both parts of the exam, you’ll increase your chances of passing on your first attempt.

Other Local CNA Programs

id Name Image Website Street Address City State Zip Code Map Link plus_code Phone latitude longitude latlong Category Reviews Rating 5star 4star 3star 2star 1star description Monday Hours Tuesday Hours Wednesday Hours Thursday Hours Friday Hours Saturday Hours Sunday Hours Details
2,059 Canterbury House AF1QipPcbHwCl6RisrWb1ZYgn1A1ubxi4vbRmj028e8J=w408-h306-k-no https://www.empres.com/location/canterbury-house/ 502 29th St SE Auburn WA 98002 7QJH+P9 Auburn, Washington (253) 939-0090 47.28 -122.22 47.2818585-122.22154 Nursing home 59 2.9 26 1 2 3 27 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
2,060 Cascades Job Corps AF1QipMwCIBfwm27amWDV4ThRq4bOtXxKPGheXFDX4tl=w408-h243-k-no https://www.jobcorps.gov/ 2060 Powerhouse Dr Sedro-Woolley WA 98284 GQJQ+JJ Sedro-Woolley, Washington (360) 854-3400 48.53 -122.21 48.53162-122.2109885 Education center 60 3.4 31 2 6 3 18 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
2,061 Christian Health Care Center AF1QipNVgFwudpR8jVpY_xAtnybbK6BMD_f9sE33COas=w427-h240-k-no https://chcclynden.org/ 855 Aaron Dr Lynden WA 98264 XH76+5W Lynden, Washington (360) 354-4434 48.96 -122.44 48.9629228-122.4377284 Nursing home 12 4.4 9 1 1 0 1 8AM to 9PM 8AM to 9PM 8AM to 9PM 8AM to 9PM 8AM to 9PM 8AM to 9PM 8AM to 9PM More details
2,062 Columbia Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center AF1QipO2QmtSet1dtwKpbhFA-tUt8KUbPBHmPUX7y1FI=w408-h273-k-no https://columbiabasin.jobcorps.gov/ 6739 24th Ave NE Moses Lake WA 98837 5MPJ+4C Moses Lake, Washington (509) 793-1629 47.19 -119.32 47.1853039-119.318973 Vocational school 33 3.1 13 3 2 5 10 8AM to 4PM 8AM to 4PM 8AM to 4PM 8AM to 4PM 8AM to 4PM Closed Closed More details
2,063 Frontier Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center AF1QipOSJe65m-iCSCfeiC9Rzo1tB-JbvpmN3Xz7OC9D=w408-h306-k-no https://www.empres.com/location/frontier-rehab-care-center/ 1500 3rd Ave Longview WA 98632 43PH+RH Longview, Washington (360) 423-8800 46.14 -122.92 46.1370273-122.9210664 Nursing home 72 3.6 43 4 1 2 22 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
2,064 Josephine Caring Community thumbnail?panoid=XakWadDVMaQAfMSKHtcihw&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=330.69086&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://www.josephinecc.com/ 9901 272nd Pl NW Stanwood WA 98292 6JVM+Q3 Stanwood, Washington (360) 629-2126 48.24 -122.37 48.24441-122.367296 Nursing home 26 3.9 16 3 1 0 6 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM More details
2,065 Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands AF1QipMxcCGjy6lWe2m77rf-tSRJ_vuEnTVBuqhbNVq3=w408-h270-k-no https://lcca.com/ 660 Spring St Friday Harbor WA 98250 GXJG+QX Friday Harbor, Washington (360) 378-2117 48.53 -123.02 48.5319757-123.0225764 1 5.0 1 0 0 0 0 More details
2,066 Cottesmore of Life Care AF1QipNwc9QHQey4mDtTsxAPeZ6IYoipZhnDBjMIyB8D=w408-h270-k-no https://lcca.com/locations/wa/cottesmore/ 2909 14th Ave NW Gig Harbor WA 98335 7CMV+XF Gig Harbor, Washington (253) 851-5433 47.28 -122.56 47.284942-122.556283 Nursing home 250 4.7 215 22 2 0 11 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
2,067 Blossom Valley by Cogir AF1QipNzO9vKYJ-qDkE2r8J_FKHQYkjkogBJ-UpEu5kG=w408-h272-k-no https://cogirusa.com/communities/blossom-valley/ 1701 Orchard Ave Wenatchee WA 98801 CMG4+88 Wenatchee, Washington (509) 667-0990 47.43 -120.34 47.4258689-120.3442153 Assisted living facility 37 4.8 33 2 1 0 1 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
2,068 Lower Columbia College AF1QipMBxKqOkIr22BQC630tHk3lfhRrhM1RPP_fPzqo=w408-h273-k-no https://lowercolumbia.edu/ 1600 Maple St Longview WA 98632 43V7+4C Longview, Washington (360) 442-2322 46.14 -122.94 46.1428243-122.9364315 College 91 4.3 57 19 5 2 8 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed Closed More details