High School Diploma or GED for CNA Training: Rules and Alternatives

Washington State does not require a high school diploma or GED to become a Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C). The DOH credential application asks for proof of approved training, passing scores on the two-part exam, and a background check, and the training rule in WAC 246-841A-440 leaves entry requirements to each program's "student selection process." The diploma question is therefore decided by the school, and most Washington programs, including Huduma CNA Programs in Federal Way, require a high school diploma or GED for admission to the 108-hour course. If you do not have one, you have two realistic paths: find a program whose admission test replaces the diploma, or earn a GED first, which in Washington can take a few weeks to a few months depending on your starting point.

Where the diploma rule actually comes from

Two reasons drive program policies. First, the 35 hours of classroom theory and the Credentia knowledge test require reading at roughly a high school level, and programs use the diploma as evidence of that. Second, many employers ask for a diploma at hire, so a program that admitted students without one would graduate people who struggle to get placed. The policy is a screening tool, not a legal rule, which is why it varies.

Alternatives that some programs accept

If a program does not strictly require the diploma, it typically substitutes one of the following. Ask each school which, if any, it accepts:

• A reading and math placement test. Community colleges often use their own placement assessment; some private programs use a short entrance exam. A passing score shows the reading level needed for theory.
• Completed college credits. Transcripts showing college coursework establish that the student has already worked at a post-secondary level, which makes the diploma question moot.
• A foreign secondary school credential. Diplomas from other countries generally count, and some programs ask for a credential evaluation or a certified translation. Applicants educated abroad should read foreign-trained nurses and the CNA route in Washington because many already exceed the requirement.
• Enrollment in high school. Students still in high school can complete CNA training through career and technical education or Running Start arrangements without a diploma in hand; the details are in high school and Running Start CNA options in Washington.
• Concurrent GED enrollment. A few programs admit students who are actively enrolled in GED preparation and require the credential before the Certificate of Completion is issued.

Huduma CNA Programs requires the diploma or GED for both the CNA Traditional program and the HCA-CNA bridge, so applicants without one should plan on earning a GED first.

Earning a GED in Washington

Washington recognizes the GED as its high school equivalency credential. The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges oversees adult basic education, and community colleges across the state offer preparation classes, often at low or no cost for eligible residents. The test itself has four subjects: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies. You can take the subjects one at a time, and you keep passed subjects while you retest the others.

A practical sequence:

1. Take the free practice test for each subject through the official GED site to see where you stand. Many adults pass one or two subjects with little preparation.
2. Enroll in a preparation class at a community college or library-based program for the subjects you did not pass. Highline College and Green River College serve the Federal Way and Kent areas.
3. Schedule the official tests at an approved testing center; fees are set by the testing service and the state, so check the current amount rather than relying on older figures.
4. Request your transcript and diploma once all four are passed, then submit them with your CNA application.

Typical timelines, labeled as such: an adult who reads comfortably and needs a math refresher often finishes in 4 to 8 weeks; someone starting from a lower reading level may need several months. Either way, the GED is a permanent credential that also satisfies most employer and nursing-school requirements later.

Timing the GED against CNA class start dates

Because Huduma CNA Programs runs new cohorts on a rolling basis, you rarely lose more than a few weeks by finishing the GED first. Use the class schedule to pick a start date that follows your expected test date, and register once the transcript is in hand. If you want to work in health care immediately while you study, the Home Care Aide (HCA) route is worth comparing: DSHS-approved HCA training is 75 hours, and an active HCA credential later qualifies you for the 40-hour bridge to NA-C, which Huduma also runs. Check the HCA training provider's own admission rules, since diploma policies differ there too.

What if you have the diploma but not the paper

Lost diplomas are a paperwork problem, not an eligibility problem. Request an official transcript from the school district or, for closed schools, from the district office or state archive; a transcript showing graduation is accepted everywhere a diploma is. Graduates of schools outside the United States should request a transcript or certificate from the ministry of education or the school itself and, if the document is not in English, obtain a certified translation. Allow two to six weeks for these requests when you plan your enrollment. The complete list of paperwork is in documents you need to enroll in a Washington CNA program.

Diploma versus reading level: what the course actually demands

The Washington curriculum splits into 35 theory, 33 skills-lab, and 40 clinical hours. The theory portion uses a textbook and workbook, expects written care documentation, and includes quizzes, and the state knowledge test is a multiple-choice exam given in English through Credentia for $55, with an oral option that reads questions aloud. Students without a diploma who read confidently can succeed; students with a diploma who read slowly may still need the oral test format. The honest self-check is whether you can read a page of a health textbook and summarize it. If not, a GED preparation class doubles as CNA preparation, because it builds exactly the reading and math skills the theory hours use.

Employers and the diploma after certification

Once certified, the NA-C credential itself opens the door, but hiring managers at hospitals such as those in the MultiCare and Virginia Mason Franciscan systems often list "high school diploma or equivalent" as a job requirement. Long-term care facilities and adult family homes are more likely to accept the credential alone. If you are certified without a diploma, target long-term care first and complete the GED while working; the credential renews annually with no continuing education, so the GED is the only additional paperwork between you and acute-care applications.

Frequently asked questions

Can I become a CNA in Washington without a high school diploma? Legally, yes; the DOH does not require one for the NA-C credential. Practically, most training programs require a diploma or GED for admission, so you may need a GED first.

Does Huduma CNA Programs require a diploma or GED? Yes, for both the CNA Traditional program and the HCA-CNA bridge, along with the other admission items.

Does a diploma from another country count? Generally yes. Bring the diploma or transcript and, if it is not in English, a certified translation; some programs also ask for a credential evaluation.

How long does it take to get a GED in Washington? A typical range is 4 to 8 weeks for someone who needs only a refresher, and several months for someone building reading skills from a lower level.

Can high school students take CNA training without a diploma? Yes, through school-based CTE programs and Running Start partnerships, because they are enrolled students rather than graduates.

Will a GED limit my CNA job options? No. Employers treat a GED as equivalent to a diploma, and the NA-C credential is what appears in the DOH Provider Credential Search.

For the full set of state rules, read Washington state CNA requirements in 2026, and compare the two entry routes at Huduma in the CNA Traditional program and the HCA-CNA bridge pages.