Bates Technical College
1101 S. Yakima Avenue
Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) Training
- Duration:
- 5 weeks
- Phone:
- (253) 680-7002
CNA Classes in Tacoma, WA
7 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs in Tacoma. Tuition ranges from Free to $1,590. Washington requires 85 hours minimum (most programs run 108+ hours) of training and uses Credentia for the competency exam.
Programs in Tacoma
7
Tuition Range
Free to $1,590
State Required Hours
85 hours minimum (most programs run 108+ hours)
Exam Vendor
Credentia
All CNA Programs in Tacoma
Bates Technical College
1101 South Yakima Avenue
Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C)
- Duration:
- 5 weeks (10 credits)
- Phone:
- (253) 680-7327
Tacoma Community College
6501 South 19th Street
Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C)
- Duration:
- 5 weeks (10 credits)
- Cost:
- $1,590.70 per quarter (WA resident)
- Phone:
- (253) 566-5085
Supreme Nursing Academy of Givers
6430 Tacoma Mall Boulevard, Suite 101
Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C)
- Cost:
- $955 (CNA) / $550 (HCA-to-CNA bridge)
- Phone:
- (253) 398-5395
Park Rose Care Center
3919 South 19th Street
Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C)
- Phone:
- (253) 752-5677
Avamere at Pacific Ridge
3625 East B Street
Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C)
- Cost:
- Free (tuition and testing fees covered)
- Phone:
- (253) 475-2507
St. Patrick CNA Training
3901 South 56th Street
Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C)
- Phone:
- (253) 267-1476
Becoming a CNA in Washington
Becoming a CNA in Washington — formally called a Nursing Assistant-Certified or NA-C — follows a uniquely flexible two-tier pathway that no other state quite matches. You can either apply for the full NA-C credential after completing training, or apply first for the entry-level Nursing Assistant-Registered (NA-R) credential, start working in a nursing home for pay, and then complete the full NA-C training and exam within four months under federal OBRA rules. Most no-experience candidates choose the NA-R-first pathway because it lets them start earning a CNA wage 4 to 6 weeks earlier than the traditional training-then-test sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Tacoma
How many CNA training programs are available in Tacoma, WA?
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Our directory lists 7 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs in Tacoma, WA. All programs must meet Washington's minimum of 85 hours minimum (most programs run 108+ hours) and prepare graduates to sit for the Credentia competency exam.
How much does CNA training cost in Tacoma?
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Published tuition for CNA programs in Tacoma ranges from Free to $1,590. Avamere at Pacific Ridge lists the lowest tuition at Free (tuition and testing fees covered). 1 program in Tacoma offers no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based). Total out-of-pocket cost also includes the state exam fee ($155 total ($55 written/oral + $100 skills)), background check, and uniforms.
What is the fastest CNA program in Tacoma?
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Bates Technical College offers the shortest published program in Tacoma at 5 weeks. Washington requires 85 hours minimum (most programs run 108+ hours) of state-approved training, so any accelerated program must compress the required hours into a shorter calendar window through full-time scheduling. Call (253) 680-7002 for current cohort start dates.
How do I become a CNA in Tacoma, WA?
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To work as a CNA in Tacoma, you must meet a Washington-approved training program of at least 85 hours minimum (most programs run 108+ hours), pass the Credentia competency exam (Two-part National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam: a 70-question multiple-choice written (or oral) knowledge test plus an in-person skills evaluation), and clear a Washington State Patrol criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Most candidates complete the full process in 5–10 weeks for entry-level NA-R; full NA-C requires up to 4 additional months under federal OBRA rules.
Are there free CNA classes in Tacoma?
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Yes. 1 Tacoma program on this directory offers no-cost CNA training: Avamere at Pacific Ridge. Free training is typically employer-paid (nursing facilities sponsoring trainees in exchange for a work commitment), federally funded (Job Corps), or scholarship-based.