Washington CNA Exam Cost Breakdown: $100 Skills Fee and $55 Knowledge Fee

The Washington CNA exam costs $155 if you pass both parts on the first attempt: $100 for the in-person skills test, paid to the test site that administers it, and $55 for the knowledge test, paid to Credentia when you register. Those two fees are fixed statewide. What varies is everything around them: retake fees if you do not pass, the Nursing Assistant-Certified application fee set by the Department of Health fee schedule, and the cost of the training that makes you eligible to test. This breakdown separates the fixed exam fees from the variable costs so you can budget the whole path.

The two exam fees

Since October 1, 2023, these fees have been split between two administrators because Washington moved skills testing to training programs and kept Credentia for the knowledge test. The combined amount did not change with that restructuring; the payee did.

What the $100 skills fee covers

The $100 pays for an evaluator's time, the testing space, the equipment, and the recording of your result with the state. It is charged per attempt, so a candidate who fails once pays it twice. It is paid to whoever administers your test. At Huduma CNA Programs, which tests on site in Federal Way, students pay the fee to the school; at a program that does not test, you pay the site you book through the Washington State Board of Nursing's online scheduling. Ask your test site which payment methods it accepts and whether the fee is due at booking or on the day, because policies differ between sites.

What the $55 knowledge fee covers

The $55 covers one seat at the Credentia knowledge test, whether you take it online with a remote proctor or in person at a Credentia test site, and whether you choose the standard or oral format. It also covers transmission of your passing result to the Department of Health. Like the skills fee, it is charged per attempt. Registration is only possible after your skills pass is on file, so you never pay the $55 before you know you have cleared Part 1.

Costs the exam fees do not include

Candidates who budget $155 and stop there get surprised. These items sit outside the exam fees:

• NA-C application fee. Paid to the DOH when you apply for the credential after passing both parts. The amount is set by the current DOH fee schedule and changes periodically, so check the schedule rather than relying on a figure from a forum post.
• NAR application fee. If you want the provisional Nursing Assistant-Registered credential to work in a facility before certification, that is a separate DOH application with its own fee per the fee schedule. Whether it is worth it is discussed in working as a CNA before certification in Washington.
• Background check. The DOH runs a name-based statewide check as part of your application. A fingerprint-based check may be required for recent out-of-state residents and can carry an additional cost per the fee schedule. Details are in the Washington CNA background check.
• Training tuition and supplies. The largest cost by far, covered below.
• Annual renewal. After certification, the NA-C renews each year on your birthday through the DOH portal for a fee on the fee schedule.
• Incidentals. Government-issued photo ID if you do not already have one, transportation to the test site, and a reliable computer and internet connection if you test online.

What retakes add

Approved programs must allow at least four skills attempts under WAC 246-841A-430, and Credentia allows knowledge retakes with a new registration. There is no additional state penalty for failing; the cost is simply the fee again plus the delay. The retake process is covered in what happens if you fail the Washington CNA skills test.

The full cost from training to credential

The exam is a small share of the total. Two examples using Huduma CNA Programs' published figures, before DOH application fees:

• CNA Traditional (4 weeks, 108 clock hours): $1,100 tuition, about $105 for books and supplies, and $155 in exam fees, for roughly $1,360 before the DOH application fee.
• HCA–CNA Bridge (40 clock hours, for active Home Care Aides): $800 tuition, about $105 for books and supplies, and $155 in exam fees, for roughly $1,060 before the DOH application fee.

Both programs include the skills test on site, so there is no travel to a separate test site. Program details are on the CNA Traditional and HCA–CNA Bridge pages. A broader view that includes renewal and background check costs is in the cost of CNA certification in Washington.

How to keep exam costs at $155

Every dollar above $155 comes from retakes, so the cheapest exam is the one you pass first time.

1. Practice every skill on the state list to the checklist standard, narrating safety steps aloud, rather than only the skills you find hard.
2. Take a mock skills test under exam conditions before the real one. Programs that build mock testing into training do so because it reduces first-attempt failures.
3. Do not book the knowledge test appointment until your practice scores are consistently solid across all content areas; a rushed $55 attempt that fails costs $55 more and several weeks.
4. Choose the test delivery you can control. If your home internet is unreliable, the in-person Credentia option removes a common reason for a disrupted online session.
5. Ask employers about tuition or exam reimbursement. Some Washington facilities reimburse exam fees for new hires who complete certification, particularly those hiring NARs.

Paying the fees: practical notes

The $100 and $55 go to different organizations, and neither is paid to the DOH. Keep receipts for both; some employers require them for reimbursement, and you may need proof of payment if a result is slow to appear. If money is tight, remember that the fees are staggered: the $55 is due only after you pass skills, and the NA-C application fee is due only after you pass both. Plan for roughly $155 plus the DOH application fee in the month after training ends.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the CNA exam in Washington State? $155: $100 for the skills test and $55 for the knowledge test. The NA-C application fee is separate and set by the DOH fee schedule.

Do I pay the exam fee to the DOH? No. The $100 goes to the test site and the $55 goes to Credentia. The DOH collects only the credential application and renewal fees.

Is the exam fee included in tuition? Usually not. At Huduma CNA Programs, tuition is $1,100 for the traditional program and $800 for the bridge, and the $155 in exam fees is paid separately.

How much does it cost to retake the CNA skills test? $100 per attempt, paid to the test site. Programs must allow at least four attempts.

Does the oral knowledge test cost extra? No. The oral format is the same $55.

Can I get the exam fee refunded if I cancel? Refund and rescheduling terms are set by the test site for the skills fee and by Credentia for the knowledge fee. Ask before booking.

For how the two exam parts work and what evaluators score, read the Washington NAC exam guide.