CNA Training in Washington: Costs, Hours, and What the 108-Hour Rule Means

CNA training in Washington means an approved nursing assistant program of at least 108 clock hours (35 classroom, 33 skills lab, 40 clinical), typically completed in four to six weeks, at a cost that ranges from free employer-sponsored programs to roughly $1,000 to $2,500 at private schools and community colleges. Washington's minimum is longer than the 75-hour federal floor most states use, which is why programs here cannot legitimately promise a "two-week CNA course."

This guide explains what those hours contain, what you should expect to pay, how schedules are built, and how to verify that a program is approved before you hand over tuition.

The 108-hour rule, hour by hour

Chapter 246-841A of the Washington Administrative Code sets the minimum content and hours for every approved program. Under WAC 246-841A-440, the split is:

What the 35 theory hours cover

Theory is where the "why" lives. Expect units on resident rights and dignity, infection control and standard precautions, body mechanics and safe patient handling, communication with residents and families (including people with dementia or hearing loss), observation and reporting, basic anatomy and physiology, nutrition and hydration, elimination, mental health, end-of-life care, emergency response, and the legal and ethical duties of a nursing assistant, including mandatory reporting of abuse.

What the 33 skills-lab hours cover

Skills lab is rehearsal for both the clinical floor and the state skills test. Programs run through the full checklist of tested skills: hand hygiene, donning and removing PPE, vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure), bed baths, oral care and denture care, perineal and catheter care, feeding, dressing a resident with a weak side, positioning and turning, transfers with a gait belt, ambulation, range-of-motion exercises, applying elastic stockings, and making an occupied bed. Each skill has critical steps that must be performed correctly on the test.

What the 40 clinical hours cover

Clinicals happen inside a nursing home under a licensed nurse instructor. You are assigned residents, provide real care, chart what you did, and are observed performing the skills you practiced in lab. This is also where most students get their first job lead, because facility staff watch how students work.

How long CNA training takes in Washington

Because 108 hours is fixed, program length depends on how many hours per week a school schedules:

• Four-week full-time programs run about 27 hours per week, usually on weekdays, with clinicals concentrated in the final two weeks. Huduma's CNA Traditional follows this model.
• Six- to eight-week part-time or weekend programs spread the same hours across evenings or weekends for students who work.
• Quarter-long community college programs run 10 to 12 weeks alongside other coursework.

Faster is not always better, but a shorter program does get you into the workforce sooner. The four-week format works well for people who can commit to a full-time schedule for one month.

What CNA training costs in Washington

Tuition varies widely with the type of provider.

At Huduma CNA Programs, CNA Traditional tuition is $1,100, plus about $105 for books and supplies. Separate from tuition, every Washington candidate pays $100 for the skills test, $55 for the Credentia knowledge test, and the Department of Health application fee.

Ways to reduce the cost

Workforce funding is available for many Washington residents. WorkSource offices administer WIOA training funds, Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) can cover tuition for SNAP recipients, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation funds training for eligible people with disabilities, and veterans can use GI Bill or VR&E benefits at eligible programs. Many nursing homes reimburse tuition after a period of employment. Ask any program about payment plans before assuming you must pay in full on day one.

What an approved program must have

Washington approval is not a formality. Under WAC 246-841A-430, an approved program must have a licensed nurse program director, instructors with recent direct-care experience and adult-teaching preparation, an affiliation agreement with a licensed clinical facility, an equipped skills lab, a curriculum matching the state content outline, and a policy allowing students at least four attempts at the skills competency exam.

To verify a program, ask for its board approval and check the Washington State Board of Nursing's list of approved nursing assistant programs. Also ask which facility hosts clinicals and whether the program administers the skills test on site. Hours from an unapproved program do not count toward the credential, and refunds are rarely available once you discover the problem.

Admission requirements at most Washington programs

The state does not impose an education minimum for the credential, but programs set their own. Common requirements are a high school diploma or GED, English reading and writing ability, a criminal background check before clinical placement, a TB test and immunization records, and the physical capacity to lift, bend, stand, and use stairs. Some programs require CPR certification before clinicals; others arrange it during the course.

A week in a four-week program

To make the hours concrete, here is how a full-time cohort typically moves:

• Days 1–5: Orientation, resident rights, infection control, safety, communication. Lab: hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, positioning.
• Days 6–10: Anatomy basics, nutrition, elimination, vital signs. Lab: temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, bed bath, oral care, feeding.
• Days 11–15: Clinical orientation and first supervised resident care. Lab: transfers, gait belt, range of motion, catheter care, occupied bed.
• Days 16–20: Clinical days, documentation practice, review of every tested skill, and a mock skills test that mirrors the real exam.

Hybrid and online options

Washington allows some theory to be delivered remotely by programs approved to do so, but the 33 lab hours and 40 clinical hours cannot be done online. Any advertisement for a fully online Washington CNA course is either describing an unapproved program or leaving out the in-person portion. If you need flexibility, look for weekend or evening cohorts rather than online-only claims.

After training: exam and credential

Completing the program earns a Certificate of Completion, not the state credential. Certification requires passing the in-person skills test (administered by your program), passing the Credentia knowledge test, and being approved by the Department of Health after a background check. The full sequence is covered in Washington State CNA Requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Washington's minimum 108 hours instead of 75? The state adopted a higher standard to include more skills-lab and clinical time. It produces graduates who are better prepared for facility work and for the skills exam.

Can I finish CNA training in two weeks? Not in an approved Washington program. 108 hours in two weeks would require 54 hours per week, and clinical facilities do not schedule that way.

Is the HCA bridge considered CNA training? Yes. The HCA–CNA Bridge is an approved alternative pathway with fewer hours because HCA holders have already completed 75 hours of DSHS-approved training. See the HCA–CNA Bridge program.

Do community colleges and private schools teach the same content? They must cover the same state curriculum. Differences are in schedule, class size, cost, and how quickly you can start.

What if I fail a class? Policies vary. Ask about repeat policies, make-up hours, and refunds before enrolling.

To see current Washington cohort dates for the four-week program, visit the class schedule. If you live in South King County, our guide to CNA classes in Federal Way has commute and enrollment details.