StateLicensed

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Washington

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
108 hrs
Upfront cost
$140
Exam
NAC Knowledge Test (written or oral), NAC Skills Exam
Renewal cycle
Every 1 year
Issuing board
Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) / Department of Health — Nursing Assistant Credentialing

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. Background checks are completed by the Department of Health as part of final application review ('We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees'), and each applicant must answer personal-data questions with documentation for any positive answers. No minimum age for NAC certification is published in RCW 18.88A, WAC 246-841A, or on the WABON/DOH pages reviewed, so minAge is null rather than guessed. On 2026-07-01 the Washington State Board of Nursing assumed regulatory authority for certified nursing assistants from the Department of Health, and the DOH licensing-information page cited previously was retired; citations now point to the Board's own NA-C page. [3]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 108 hours of training (including 40 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. Per WAC 246-841A-440(4), approved nursing assistant training programs must include a minimum of 108 training hours total: at least 35 hours of classroom theory, 33 hours of skills lab, and 40 hours of clinical training (facility orientation does not count toward clinical hours). Shorter alternative 'bridge' programs exist for certified Home Care Aides and Medical Assistants. On July 1, 2026 the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) assumed regulatory authority for nursing assistants from the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission structure; DOH continues credential processing. [1]

  3. 3

    NAC Knowledge Test (written or oral)

    Pass the NAC Knowledge Test (written or oral) (fee: $55). Online written (or oral) knowledge test; can usually be scheduled within 48 hours of registration with results from Credentia within 24 hours. The NAC credential application must be filed (and the pending NAC number issued) before registering for the written exam. Nursing homes are required by state and federal regulation to reimburse exam costs, including retakes, for their nursing assistant employees. [2]

  4. 4

    NAC Skills Exam

    Pass the NAC Skills Exam. In-person demonstration of five randomized skills learned in the training program. Fee is null because the skills test cost is set by each training program rather than published as a single statewide figure ('Skills Test: Determined by Training Program' per the WABON candidate handbook). [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) / Department of Health — Nursing Assistant Credentialing with the $85 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) / Department of Health — Nursing Assistant Credentialing issues your Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) for Washington.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $85
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $95
NAC Knowledge Test (written or oral) [2] $55
NAC Skills Exam [2] None specified
Knowledge test (Credentia) [3] $55
Late renewal penalty [3] $50
Expired certificate reissue [3] $52
Reissue if NAC credential expired more than a year [3] $197
Duplicate certification [3] $10

Application for certification $85; certification renewal $95 (annual); late renewal penalty $50; expired certificate reissue $52; if the NAC credential has been expired more than one year the fee is $197 per the WABON candidate handbook. Fees are non-refundable per WAC 246-12-340. There is no separate initial certificate issuance fee beyond the application, so license is null. DOH licensing-information page verified via archive snapshot [2025-03-24]. On 2026-07-01 the Washington State Board of Nursing assumed regulatory authority for certified nursing assistants from the Department of Health, and the DOH licensing-information page cited previously was retired; citations now point to the Board's own NA-C page.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 1 year.

NACs renew ANNUALLY on or before their birthday ($95, via the HELMS online portal). There are no continuing-education requirements for NAC renewal, so ceHours is null (long-term-care facility regulations separately require 12 hours of annual in-service for aides working in those settings — an employment rule, not a certification-renewal requirement). Separately, OBRA Registry status (required to work in skilled nursing facilities/nursing homes, operated by DSHS) expires after a break of more than 24 months in paid nursing assistant work and then requires retesting or retraining+retesting to reactivate. On 2026-07-01 the Washington State Board of Nursing assumed regulatory authority for certified nursing assistants from the Department of Health, and the DOH licensing-information page cited previously was retired; citations now point to the Board's own NA-C page.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

No interstate compact covers nursing assistants (the Nurse Licensure Compact applies to RN/LPN only). Out-of-state CNAs apply for NAC certification by interstate endorsement: work history (professional training and experience) is required, verification of placement on the other state's OBRA registry is required, the applicant must list every state where they hold or held credentials, and each such jurisdiction must send a completed verification form directly to the Department of Health. Background check applies as with initial applicants. On 2026-07-01 the Washington State Board of Nursing assumed regulatory authority for certified nursing assistants from the Department of Health, and the DOH licensing-information page cited previously was retired; citations now point to the Board's own NA-C page.

Cost calculator

  • $85
  • $55
Total$140

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Washington require for NAC certification?

A minimum of 108 hours in a state-approved program: at least 35 hours of classroom theory, 33 hours of skills lab, and 40 hours of clinical training (WAC 246-841A-440).

What does Washington NAC certification cost?

The certification application is $85, the online knowledge test through Credentia is $55, and the skills test cost is set by your training program. Renewal is $95 per year.

How often do I renew my NAC credential?

Every year, on or before your birthday. There are no continuing-education requirements for renewal, though long-term-care employers separately require 12 hours of annual in-service.

What is the OBRA Registry and why does it matter?

The DSHS-operated OBRA Registry lists individuals eligible to work in skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes. Your registry status expires if you go more than 24 months without paid nursing assistant work, after which you must retest (or retrain and retest) to reactivate.

Can I transfer my out-of-state CNA credential to Washington?

Yes, by interstate endorsement — you need verification of your credentials from every state where you held them, proof of placement on a state OBRA registry, work history, and a Washington background check.

Sources

  1. [1] app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nursing.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/Nursing-Assistant-Certified-Candidate-Handbook_0.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] nursing.wa.gov/education/nursing-assistant-training/na-program-student-info/nursing-assistant-certification-nac-information — accessed 2026-07-27