CNA Classes Near Covington, WA: Programs, Costs, and Commute to Federal Way

Covington residents have three Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) training options within about 30 minutes. The closest to a fixed-price fast track is the 4-week, 108-clock-hour CNA Traditional program at Huduma CNA Programs in Federal Way, $1,100 tuition plus about $105 for books and supplies, roughly 14 miles west on SR 18. Green River College in Auburn lists a 3-month, 15-credit nursing assistant certificate starting each quarter at approximately $2,909.51 for tuition and supplies on its program page. Renton Technical College describes a 5-week certified nursing assistant program with fall, winter, spring, and summer entry points at its campus on NE 4th Street in Renton. All three meet the 108-hour minimum in WAC 246-841A-440 and lead to the same $155 two-part exam.

Three programs, one table

Covington is unusual in having three approved options at similar drive times. The choice comes down to calendar, price, weekend availability, and whether you already hold an HCA credential.

Green River College and Renton Technical College in more detail

Green River College's nursing assistant page lists five courses (HEALTH 104, HEALTH 102, NRS A 103, NRS A 104, and the NRS A 105 clinical with four required dates late in the quarter), 15 credits, a 3-month length, and quarterly starts, with Workforce Education Services able to assist eligible students with tuition, books, fees, and tools. Its fall listing spreads classes over Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, including a Tuesday or Thursday evening block.

Renton Technical College's program page describes a 5-week certified nursing assistant program at 3000 NE 4th Street in Renton with entry each quarter and sends applicants to its Canvas course for program details and cost. It does not list a weekend option or an HCA bridge on that page.

Both are Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) approved. The tradeoffs are the same as anywhere: college credit and financial aid eligibility versus a fixed date and a fixed price.

The Federal Way course and the 14-mile drive

The CNA Traditional program delivers 35 theory, 33 lab, and 40 clinical hours in 20 weekday class days or in a weekend series, taught by licensed nurses, with a background check before the clinical placement in a licensed nursing facility and the $100 skills test administered on site. A high school diploma or GED is required; instruction is in English.

From Covington by car, take SR 18 southwest from the SR 516 (Kent-Kangley Road) interchange through Auburn to the highway's end at I-5 in Federal Way, then a short hop to the school beside Federal Way Downtown Station. Distance calculators put Covington to Federal Way at about 14 miles; plan 20 minutes off-peak and 30 in the afternoon peak through Auburn. The station garage, about 1,500 stalls, is next to the school.

By bus from Covington

King County Metro's South Link Connections page, reflecting the March and August 2026 service changes, gives Covington a two-bus path:

1. Route 168, which runs between Maple Valley and Kent Station through Covington and Kent East Hill, seven days a week, with improved weekday peak service.
2. Route 183, Kent Station to Federal Way Downtown Station via Star Lake Station, now with Sunday service.

Allow about 75 to 90 minutes each way with the Kent Station transfer. For a weekend cohort, check the 183's Sunday span. The walk from Federal Way Downtown Station to the school is short; details are in getting to CNA class in Federal Way.

Full cost for a Covington student

The exam fees and the DOH fee are identical for Green River and Renton Technical graduates. A Covington resident receiving Basic Food or enrolled with WorkSource may qualify for training funds; how those programs work is in WorkSource, WIOA, and Basic Food Employment and Training.

Employers a Covington graduate can reach

MultiCare Covington Medical Center at 17700 SE 272nd Street, per the MultiCare location page, is the city's hospital, with a 24/7 emergency department, a Joint Commission certified hip and knee replacement program, and a certified primary stroke center. Vineyard Park of Covington offers independent living, assisted living, and secure memory care, per its community page. Skilled nursing facilities are in Kent (Benson Heights Rehabilitation Center) and Auburn (North Auburn Rehab and Health Center), both listed by senior care directories, and MultiCare Auburn and St. Francis Federal Way are 15 to 20 minutes away. Indeed's August 2026 data does not report Covington; Washington averages about $23.62 per hour, approximate. Settings, pay bands, and the order to apply are in CNA jobs in Covington, WA.

A student who lines up a NAR position at a Kent or Auburn nursing facility during week three of training can start work while the exam and DOH application finish, with 4 months from hire to certify.

The decision for Covington residents

• Quarter calendar is fine, and you want credit and aid: Green River College.
• Five weeks in Renton suits your commute: Renton Technical College.
• Certified within a month, fixed price, testing on site: Federal Way day cohort.
• Weekdays are taken: Federal Way weekend cohort, the only weekend pattern among the three.
• Active Washington HCA credential: the 40-hour HCA to CNA bridge at $800, covered in HCA to CNA bridge near Covington, WA.

Cohort dates for both Federal Way programs are on the schedules page.

Frequently asked questions

Are there CNA classes in Covington? No approved nursing assistant program is located in Covington itself. Green River College in Auburn, Renton Technical College, and the Federal Way course are each about 20 to 30 minutes away.

How far is Federal Way from Covington? About 14 miles, roughly 20 minutes via SR 18 off-peak.

Which option is the fastest? The Federal Way course at 4 weeks, followed by Renton Technical College at 5 weeks and Green River College at 3 months, per each program's page.

Which option costs the least? The Federal Way course at $1,100 plus about $105. Green River lists about $2,909.51 for tuition and supplies; Renton Technical College's cost is on its program portal.

Do all three programs give the same certification? Yes. Each is WABON-approved and each graduate takes the same $100 skills test and $55 Credentia knowledge test before the DOH issues the NA-C.

Can I take the exam without finishing a program? Not through the standard route. Eligibility route E1 requires completion of an approved Washington program; the exceptions are for nurses, nursing students, military, and out-of-state candidates.

The full path from enrollment to registry is in how to become a CNA in Washington State.