Huduma CNA ProgramsWashington CNA exam results arrive in three stages from three different sources. Your skills test result comes from the evaluator on test day, and your training program or test site records the pass with the state. Your knowledge test result comes from Credentia after your appointment and is transmitted to the Department of Health. Your credential itself appears in the DOH Provider Credential Search once your Nursing Assistant-Certified application and background check are complete, typically a few weeks after your second pass. Knowing which stage you are in tells you where to look and whom to ask.
Three results, three sources
| Result | Who tells you | How | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills test (Part 1) | Your evaluator | In person, with checklist feedback | Same day |
| Skills pass recorded with the state | Your program or test site | Confirmed on request; it unlocks Credentia registration | Days after the test, depending on the program |
| Knowledge test (Part 2) | Credentia | Pass or fail in your Credentia account | Shortly after the appointment |
| Knowledge result sent to DOH | Credentia | Automatic transmission | Days |
| NA-C credential issued | Department of Health | Appears in Provider Credential Search | Typically 2–6 weeks after application and background check |
Each row depends on the one above it. The most common source of confusion is looking for a result in the wrong place, for example checking the DOH database for a skills pass that only your program holds.
Skills test results
The skills test is scored live against the Washington checklists. When you finish your assigned set, the evaluator knows whether you passed, and most sites tell you that day, along with the missed steps if you did not pass. At Huduma CNA Programs in Federal Way, students receive their result and feedback from the evaluator on site.
The result you receive in person is not the same as the result being recorded with the state. The program or test site enters your pass into the state's system, and that entry is what Credentia checks before letting you register for the knowledge test. If you try to register and are blocked, the pass has not been recorded yet. Ask your program for confirmation rather than assuming a problem with your account. Questions the program cannot resolve go to the DOH at nac.exam@doh.wa.gov.
If you failed, there is no waiting period imposed by the state before a retake; WAC 246-841A-430 requires programs to allow at least four attempts, and each retake carries the $100 test-site fee.
Knowledge test results
Credentia reports the knowledge test as pass or fail. Results are typically available soon after your appointment in your Credentia account, whether you tested online with a remote proctor or in person. A fail comes with a score report identifying the content areas where you performed weakest, which is your study guide for the $55 retake. A pass is transmitted by Credentia to the Department of Health automatically; you do not mail or upload anything. What the test covers and how the passing standard works is explained in the Credentia knowledge test for Washington CNAs.
How to check each result
- Skills result: ask your evaluator on test day. For confirmation that the pass has been recorded with the state, ask your program's testing coordinator.
- Knowledge result: log in to your Credentia account. If the result is not visible within the timeframe stated in Credentia's Washington candidate handbook, contact Credentia rather than the DOH, because the DOH does not hold a result Credentia has not yet released.
- Credential status: search your name in the DOH Provider Credential Search once you have applied. This public database is Washington's nurse aide registry; employers use the same lookup to verify you. Step-by-step instructions are in how to look up a Washington CNA license, and the background on what the database is and is not is in the Washington CNA registry explained.
If both passes are in hand and nothing appears in Provider Credential Search, the missing piece is almost always the application itself. Passing the exam does not create a credential; applying for one does.
Why a result may be delayed
- Your program has not yet submitted the skills pass. Submission timing is a program process. Ask.
- Name mismatch. The name on your Credentia registration, your DOH application, and your photo ID must match. A middle name on one and not another can stall the link between records.
- You have not applied. The DOH cannot issue a credential without an application and the fee on the current DOH fee schedule.
- The background check is pending. The DOH runs a name-based statewide check; if a fingerprint-based check is required, as it can be for recent out-of-state residents, add time. Details are in the Washington CNA background check.
- Something on the application needs follow-up. The DOH contacts you if information is missing, so check the email address you used.
What to do while you wait
The wait between your second pass and the credential appearing is a good time to secure work. If you applied for the Nursing Assistant-Registered (NAR) credential, you can already be employed in a nursing facility, and a NAR hired by a facility has four months from hire to complete training and pass both exam parts, so passing early leaves plenty of margin. If you did not apply for the NAR, you can still interview and accept a conditional offer that starts once the NA-C appears in the database. Employers in the Federal Way and Tacoma area, including St. Francis Federal Way, MultiCare facilities, and many adult family homes, verify credentials through Provider Credential Search rather than paper certificates. The NAR option is explained in Nursing Assistant-Registered in Washington.
What the DOH does after both passes
The DOH matches the recorded skills pass and the Credentia knowledge pass to your NA-C application, runs the background check, and issues the credential. From that point, your responsibilities shift to keeping it active: the NA-C renews annually on your birthday through the DOH portal, and no continuing education is required for a standard NA-C. Keep your address current with the DOH so renewal notices reach you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get CNA exam results in Washington? Skills results are given on test day. Knowledge results are typically available soon after your Credentia appointment. The credential itself typically appears in Provider Credential Search within a few weeks of your application and background check.
How do I check if I passed the CNA skills test? Your evaluator tells you on test day. To confirm the pass is recorded with the state, ask your training program or test site.
Where do I see my Credentia knowledge test result? In your Credentia account. Credentia also sends passing results to the Department of Health.
Does the DOH send me a certificate? Your credential status is shown in the DOH Provider Credential Search, which employers use for verification. Check with the DOH for what documentation it currently provides.
My results are in but my name is not in the DOH database. Why? Most often because the NA-C application has not been submitted or is still being processed. Confirm your application status with the DOH.
Do I need to send my results to my employer? Employers verify your NA-C or NAR status in Provider Credential Search. Some also ask for your Certificate of Completion from training.
For the full exam process from registration to credential, see how to register for the Washington CNA exam and the Washington NAC exam guide.
Which path may fit you?
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