CNA Requirements in Washington
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington: the training, exam, background check, and timeline you need to plan for.
Find Washington CNA Training ProgramsWashington CNA Requirements at a Glance
Minimum Age
18
Training Hours
85 hours minimum (most programs run 108+ hours)
(Federal minimum: 75)
Time to Certification
5–10 weeks for entry-level NA-R; full NA-C requires up to 4 additional months under federal OBRA rules
Exam Vendor
Credentia
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.
Washington's NA-C training requirement is 85 hours minimum, though most state-approved programs run 108 hours or more, with content typically split as 35 hours of classroom theory, 33 hours of skills lab, and at least 40 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Programs are run by Washington's community and technical college system (Bates Technical, Seattle Central, Bellingham Technical, Spokane Community College, and others), the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Both NA-R and NA-C application fees are $85 paid to DOH, plus a $155 Credentia exam fee for the NNAAP, plus $95 annual renewal — significantly higher annual costs than most states because Washington uses an annual rather than biennial renewal cycle.
Two Washington-specific points often confuse candidates. First, NA-C is different from the Home Care Aide (HCA) credential, which is regulated by DOH but is a separate 75-hour pathway primarily for in-home care work — an HCA cannot work in a nursing home as a CNA without obtaining the NA-C credential. Second, Washington has no continuing education requirement for renewal, but federal OBRA rules still require 8 hours of paid nursing-related services every 24 months to remain active on the federal Nurse Aide Registry. The minimum age for NA-C and NA-R is 18, and there is no formal high school diploma requirement from DOH.
Detailed Washington CNA Requirements
Regulatory Body
Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
Minimum Age
You must be at least 18 years old to begin CNA training in Washington.
Education Requirement
No high school diploma or GED required by the Washington DOH, though most training programs require basic English literacy
Training Hours
85 hours minimum (most programs run 108+ hours) required.
Minimum 85 hours for state-approved Nursing Assistant Certified (NA-C) training, with many programs running 108+ hours: typically 35 hours classroom theory, 33 hours skills lab, and at least 40 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility
Background Check
Washington State Patrol criminal background check plus federal FBI fingerprint clearance
Competency Exam
Administered by Credentia. 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
Cost: $155 total ($55 written/oral + $100 skills)
Application Fee
$85 DOH application fee for both NA-R (entry-level) and NA-C (full credential) credentials
Total Cost Estimate
$240 (employer-sponsored, paying only application + exam fees) to $2,000 (private training program)
Where You Can Work
Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice programs, and other DOH-licensed healthcare settings. NA-R is limited to nursing-home work; NA-C expands to all settings.
What's Different About Washington
Washington operates a unique two-tier system: Nursing Assistant-Registered (NA-R) is an entry-level credential that lets you start paid work in a nursing home immediately while completing your training, and Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) is the full credential earned after passing the NNAAP exam. Both are separate from the Home Care Aide (HCA) credential.
How to Become a CNA in Washington: Step by Step
Confirm you meet the prerequisites
You must be at least 18, free of disqualifying convictions under Washington DOH rules, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from DOH, though most training programs require basic English literacy.
Decide between NA-R-first or NA-C-direct pathways
Washington offers two entry points. The NA-R-first pathway lets you apply for the entry-level Nursing Assistant-Registered 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. The NA-C-direct pathway has you complete the full 85+ hour training program before working at all. Most no-experience candidates use the NA-R-first pathway to begin earning a wage 4 to 6 weeks earlier.
Apply for the NA-R credential (entry-level)
Submit your NA-R application to DOH along with the $85 application fee, work-history attestations, and HIV/AIDS training documentation. Complete fingerprints for both Washington State Patrol and federal FBI background checks. NA-R status authorizes you to begin paid work in a nursing home for up to four months while you complete NA-C training.
Find a DOH-approved Nursing Assistant Certified (NA-C) training program
Look for a state-approved program meeting the 85-hour minimum (many run 108+ hours). Approved programs are run by Washington's community and technical college system (including Bates Technical, Seattle Central, Bellingham Technical, Spokane Community College), the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools.
Complete the NA-C training program
Pass all required hours (typically 85 to 108+ depending on program), including at least 40 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Most full-time programs can be completed in 4 to 6 weeks; part-time programs run 8 to 12 weeks.
Schedule and pass the Credentia NNAAP exam
Apply through Credentia's Washington portal at credentia.com/test-takers/wa/. The total exam fee is $155 ($55 written/oral + $100 skills). DOH must issue an Authorization to Test before you can register with Credentia. Both portions must be passed to upgrade from NA-R to NA-C.
Convert to NA-C status with DOH
Once you pass both exam portions, Credentia transmits your results to the Washington DOH and your NA-R credential is replaced by NA-C (Nursing Assistant Certified). You can verify your status at fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/. NA-C authorizes you to work in any DOH-licensed healthcare setting, not just nursing homes. Both NA-R and NA-C require annual renewal on or before your birthday for $95.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NA-R, NA-C, and HCA in Washington?
Three different DOH-issued credentials. Nursing Assistant-Registered (NA-R) is an entry-level registration that lets you start paid work in a nursing home before completing CNA training; you must convert to NA-C within four months under federal OBRA rules. Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) is the full CNA credential, earned after completing 85+ hours of training and passing the NNAAP exam — it authorizes work in any DOH-licensed healthcare setting. Home Care Aide (HCA) is a separate 75-hour credential for in-home care work only; an HCA cannot work in a nursing home as a CNA. Holding an active NA-C exempts you from also needing an HCA.
How does the NA-R-first pathway work?
Federal OBRA rules let you start working as a paid nurse aide in a nursing home for up to four months while you complete approved training and pass the competency exam. Washington formalizes this with the NA-R credential — you submit the same $85 DOH application as a full NA-C applicant, complete fingerprints and background checks, and once approved you can begin paid nursing-home work immediately. You then have four months to complete 85+ hours of NA-C training and pass the NNAAP exam to convert your status from NA-R to NA-C. Most candidates use NA-R-first to begin earning a wage 4 to 6 weeks earlier than they otherwise could.
How long does it take to become a CNA in Washington?
If you use the NA-R-first pathway, you can start earning a wage in 2 to 4 weeks (the time for DOH application and background checks to clear) and convert to full NA-C within 4 months. If you complete training first, expect 4 to 6 weeks of training plus 2 to 4 weeks for the Credentia NNAAP exam and DOH conversion — typically 5 to 10 weeks from program start to NA-C status. Both pathways are valid; the NA-R-first approach is the faster way to a paycheck.
How much does it cost to become a CNA in Washington?
Washington has some of the highest CNA-related fees in the country. The DOH application fee is $85 (for both NA-R and NA-C). The Credentia NNAAP exam is $155 ($55 + $100). Annual renewal is $95 — meaningfully more than most states' biennial renewal fees. Training program costs vary from free (employer-sponsored) to $1,200 to $2,000 at private schools, with community and technical college programs typically $500 to $1,500. Total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $240 (employer-sponsored training, paying only application and exam fees) to about $2,500.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in Washington?
Not from DOH — the Washington Department of Health does not require a high school diploma or GED for NA-R or NA-C credentials. However, the minimum age is 18 (not 16, as in most states), and most individual training programs require either a diploma, GED, or current high school enrollment. Several Washington community and technical colleges offer NA-C training as part of their healthcare career pathway.
Is there a continuing education requirement for Washington CNAs?
Washington has no continuing education requirement for NA-C or NA-R renewal — you simply pay the $95 annual renewal fee on or before your birthday each year. However, to remain active on the federal Nurse Aide Registry (which is separate from Washington's state credentialing), federal OBRA rules require you to perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related services within any 24-month period. Failing to meet that federal work requirement makes you ineligible for OBRA-covered nursing-home work even if your Washington NA-C remains technically active.
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