Washington CNA Registry
Verify your certification status, check expiration dates, and find renewal information through the official Washington State Department of Health - Nursing Assistant Program.
Visit Official RegistryAnnual (on or before the credential holder's birthday)
Renewal Period
8 hours of paid nursing-related services within any 24-month period (federal OBRA rule)
Work Requirement
Yes
Accepts Reciprocity
Free
Online Lookup
How to Look Up Your Washington CNA License
Open the DOH Provider Credential Search
Go to the Washington State Department of Health's official Provider Credential Search tool, which is the public-facing source of truth for every NA-C, NA-R, HCA, and other DOH-issued health credential. It is updated daily from the DOH licensing database.
Open Provider Credential SearchChoose your search method
You can search by credential number, individual name (last name plus first name), or business name. For nursing assistants, searching by last name and first name is usually easiest; you can also filter by credential type to narrow results to Nursing Assistant-Certified or Nursing Assistant-Registered.
Enter the credential holder's information
Type the name or credential number exactly as it appears on the certificate. Partial names are accepted but may return many results. If you know it, selecting the credential type (Nursing Assistant-Certified or Nursing Assistant-Registered) will reduce the result list. Click Search to submit.
Review credential status and any actions
Open the matching record to see the credential number, issue and expiration dates, status (active, expired, suspended, etc.), and any disciplinary actions or legal orders on file. A current NA-C or NA-R will show an Active status with a future expiration date tied to the holder's birthday. For pre-1998 actions or questions, contact the DOH Customer Service Center at 360-236-4700.
About the Washington State Department of Health - Nursing Assistant Program
Washington is unusual among U.S. states because it operates a two-tier nursing assistant system overseen by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Entry-level workers first apply for the Nursing Assistant-Registered (NA-R) credential, which lets them begin paid work in a nursing home while they finish their training. They then have up to four months from date of hire under federal OBRA rules to complete a state-approved Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) program and pass the NNAAP competency exam, after which the NA-C certification replaces the NA-R registration.
Both credentials are issued and disciplined by the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (the Washington State Board of Nursing) within DOH, which approves training curricula, sets the $85 application fee and $95 annual renewal fee, maintains the public Provider Credential Search, and enforces the federal Nurse Aide Registry standards under OBRA. All NA-C and NA-R credentials must be renewed on or before the holder's birthday each year, and Washington requires no continuing education for renewal.
Washington also licenses Home Care Aides (HCA), which are a separate credential from NA-C and a frequent source of confusion. HCAs complete 75 hours of training and work primarily in in-home and community-based settings for clients receiving long-term care services, while NA-Cs complete the longer nursing-assistant curriculum and may work in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and other licensed health-care settings. Holding an NA-C exempts a worker from the separate HCA certification requirement, but an HCA credential alone does not authorize work as a CNA in a nursing home.
Contact Information
Official Website
https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/nursing-assistantPhone Number
360-236-4703Mailing Address
Washington State Department of Health Health Systems Quality Assurance / Credentialing PO Box 47877 Olympia, WA 98504-7877
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (customer service counter 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Washington CNA Testing Information
Testing Vendor
Washington uses Credentia (NNAAP) to administer the nurse aide competency evaluation. The exam consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills demonstration.
Visit Credentia (NNAAP)Training Requirements
Washington requires Minimum 85 hours for state-approved NA-C training (many programs run 108+ hours): typically 35 classroom + 33 skills lab + at least 40 supervised clinical in a long-term care facility. Training programs must be approved by the state.
Find Washington CNA ClassesWashington CNA Renewal Requirements
Renewal Period
Washington CNA certification is valid for Annual (on or before the credential holder's birthday) from the date of initial certification or last renewal.
Work Requirement
You must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related services within any 24-month period (federal OBRA rule) during your certification period to be eligible for renewal.
Employer Verification
Your employer verifies your work hours directly through the registry system. Keep your contact information current with your employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NA-C and NA-R in Washington?
Nursing Assistant-Registered (NA-R) is an entry-level registration that lets you begin paid work in a Washington nursing home before you have finished your CNA training. Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) is the full credential (Washington's equivalent of CNA) and requires completion of a state-approved training program plus passing the NNAAP exam. Federal OBRA rules give NA-Rs working in a nursing home up to four months from date of hire to convert to NA-C status. Both credentials are issued by DOH, both cost $85 to apply for and $95 to renew annually, and the NA-C certification replaces the NA-R registration once issued.
What is the difference between an NA-C and a Home Care Aide (HCA) in Washington?
HCA and NA-C are two different DOH-issued credentials. HCAs complete 75 hours of training (5 hours orientation/safety, 40 hours core basic training, 30 hours population-specific) and primarily provide personal care to clients in their homes or community settings. NA-Cs complete a longer state-approved nursing-assistant program (typically 85-108+ hours including 40 hours of clinical) and pass the NNAAP exam, which qualifies them to work in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. Holding an active NA-C exempts you from needing an HCA certification, but an HCA cannot work as a CNA in a nursing home without obtaining the NA-C.
How much does it cost to get and renew a Washington NA-C credential?
The initial NA-C (and NA-R) application fee is $85, paid to the Washington State Department of Health. Annual renewal is $95. Late renewal adds a $50 penalty, an expired credential reissue is $52, and a duplicate certificate is $10. The NNAAP exam through Credentia costs $155 total ($55 for the written or oral knowledge test and $100 for the skills evaluation). All DOH fees are non-refundable under WAC 246-12-340.
Who administers the Washington CNA / NA-C competency exam?
Washington contracts with Credentia to deliver the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). The exam has two parts: a 70-question multiple-choice written (or oral) knowledge test and an in-person skills evaluation, both of which must be passed to be listed on the Washington Nurse Aide Registry. You must first submit a complete application to DOH and receive an Authorization to Test before you can register with Credentia for the exam.
How often do I renew, and is there a continuing education requirement?
Washington NA-C and NA-R credentials must be renewed every year, on or before your birthday, by paying the $95 renewal fee through the DOH online renewal system. Washington has no continuing education requirement for renewal. However, to remain active on the federal Nurse Aide Registry you must have performed at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related services within the prior 24 months.
Does Washington offer reciprocity / endorsement for out-of-state CNAs?
Yes. If you are currently certified and in good standing on another state's OBRA Nurse Aide Registry, you can apply for an NA-C in Washington by endorsement. You must submit the DOH Nursing Assistant Certified application, the $85 fee, work-history verification, and a verification of your placement on the other state's OBRA registry, along with the standard personal-data and HIV/AIDS training attestations. DOH staff verify your out-of-state registry status before issuing the Washington credential.
Becoming a CNA in Washington?
See the step-by-step requirements to become a CNA in Washington, find approved training programs, or access free study materials.