CPR for CNAs in Washington: Which Card Employers Accept

CPR is not a state requirement for becoming a Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) in Washington. Neither the training rule in WAC 246-841A nor the DOH credential application asks for a CPR card, and the two-part exam ($100 skills, $55 knowledge) does not test resuscitation. CPR becomes a requirement at the point of hire: hospitals and most skilled nursing facilities require a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider card, usually from the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross, with a hands-on skills session and a two-year validity period. This article explains which card employers accept, why the cheap online-only certificate is usually rejected, and the best time to take the class during CNA training.

What the state requires versus what employers require

The takeaway is a decision rule: if you plan to work in acute or long-term care, get a BLS Provider card before you finish training, so it is on your resume when you apply.

BLS Provider versus basic CPR: the card employers mean

The AHA describes its BLS course as designed for health care professionals, trained first responders, and people enrolled in a health care training program, which describes CNA students exactly. It covers high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, use of an automated external defibrillator, ventilation with a bag-mask device, and team-based resuscitation, and it ends in a BLS Provider course completion card valid for two years.

Community CPR courses (AHA Heartsaver CPR AED, Red Cross Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED) teach lay-rescuer skills for workplaces, coaches, and child-care providers. They are legitimate certifications but they omit the two-rescuer and bag-mask components that hospital policy expects. Job postings that say "BLS required" mean the health care provider course, and human resources departments generally will not accept a Heartsaver or lay-rescuer card in its place.

Comparing the common options

Course lengths and validity come from the AHA's published course descriptions; prices are set by each training center and vary, so treat any figure as a typical range rather than a fixed fee.

Why online-only cards get rejected

A CPR card proves that an instructor watched you compress a manikin at the right depth and rate and confirmed you could operate an AED. Fully online providers cannot verify that, which is why the AHA and Red Cross both require an in-person or verified skills component for every card they issue. Employers and Washington clinical facilities know this, and many list "hands-on skills session required" in their onboarding checklists. Spending a small amount on an online-only card and then having to pay again for a BLS class is the most common CPR mistake new CNAs make.

The safe test before you pay for any course: the certificate must be issued by the AHA, the American Red Cross, or another provider your target employer names in writing, and it must include a skills session with an instructor.

When to take the class during CNA training

The 4-week CNA Traditional program at Huduma CNA Programs runs 108 clock hours, and a BLS class fits around it in one of three ways:

1. Before day one. Best if your program's clinical facility requires a card before students enter the building. Ask at enrollment; requirements are listed with the health items described in TB tests and immunizations for CNA clinicals in Washington.
2. During the theory and lab weeks. The blended format works well here: complete the online module in an evening, then book a 1 to 2 hour skills session on a day without class. Weekend-pattern students often use a weekday for this.
3. Right after the skills test. If you are waiting for the Credentia knowledge test date, use that gap. The card will be current for two years, which covers your first job and the first renewal of your NA-C.

Do not wait until an employer asks. Facilities that hire Nursing Assistant-Registered (NAR) workers before certification often want the BLS card on the first day of orientation, and the NAR four-month rule already puts a clock on training and testing.

Where to find a class near Federal Way

The AHA and Red Cross both run online class locators that list authorized training centers by zip code. In South King County, classes are commonly offered by hospital education departments, community colleges, fire district training programs, and independent AHA training centers, often on evenings and Saturdays. Check three things before booking: that the course name is "BLS Provider" (or "BLS for Healthcare Providers" for the Red Cross), that the listing includes an in-person skills session, and that the card will be issued as an eCard you can print and forward to employers.

Some CNA programs bundle a BLS class with tuition; Huduma CNA Programs lists its tuition at $1,100 for the traditional program with books and supplies of about $105, and any CPR arrangement is confirmed at enrollment rather than assumed. Ask directly, since a bundled class saves a separate trip but a stand-alone class lets you choose the date.

Keeping the card current

A BLS card expires two years from the issue month. Renewal is a shorter update course for people whose card has not lapsed, while a lapsed card generally means retaking the full course. Set a reminder about 60 days before expiration, because employers can remove staff from the schedule when a card lapses. This is a separate cycle from your NA-C, which renews every year on your birthday through the DOH portal with no continuing education requirement; the two dates will rarely line up, so track them separately. Renewal details for the credential itself are in Washington CNA renewal.

CPR and scope of practice

Holding a BLS card does not expand what a nursing assistant may do. Washington's scope rules for NA-Cs cover delegated care tasks under nurse supervision, and starting CPR in an emergency is expected of any trained responder rather than a delegated nursing task. What the card does change is how quickly a hospital or nursing facility can put you on the floor, since orientation checklists cannot be signed off without it. Scope questions are covered in Washington CNA scope of practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is CPR required to get a CNA license in Washington? No. The NA-C credential requires approved training, the two-part exam, and a background check. CPR is an employer requirement, not a DOH requirement.

Which CPR card do hospitals in Washington accept? A BLS Provider card from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross with a hands-on skills session. Lay-rescuer CPR cards are usually not accepted in hospitals.

Is an online CPR certification enough? Almost never for health care employment. Both major providers require an instructor-verified skills session, and employers check for it.

How long is a BLS card good for? Two years, per the AHA's course description. Renew before it lapses to qualify for the shorter update course.

Should I take BLS before or after CNA class? Before, if your clinical facility requires it; otherwise during the theory weeks using a blended course, so the card is ready when you apply for jobs.

Does my CNA program teach CPR? Some do and some do not. The 108 state-required hours cover nursing assistant skills, and CPR is separate; confirm at enrollment.

For the rest of the hiring checklist, read CNA jobs in Washington and Washington state CNA requirements in 2026, and see upcoming class dates on the Huduma CNA Programs schedule.