Washington State CNA Requirements in 2026: Training, Exam, and Registry

Washington State requires four things before you can work as a certified nursing assistant: completion of an approved nursing assistant training program of at least 108 clock hours (or an approved alternative pathway), a passing result on both parts of the state competency exam, an approved application to the Department of Health with a background check, and an annual renewal once the credential is issued. Washington calls the credential Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C or NAC) rather than "CNA," but employers, job boards, and other states treat the two names as the same thing.

This guide walks through each requirement as it stands in 2026, with the numbers that matter: hours, fees, timelines, and the rules that trip people up.

Who regulates CNAs in Washington

Two agencies share responsibility. The Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), formerly the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC), sets training standards, approves programs, and oversees the competency exam. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) processes credential applications, runs background checks, issues the certificate, and handles renewals. When you read older guides that mention "NCQAC," they are describing the same board under its previous name.

The training rules live in Chapter 246-841A of the Washington Administrative Code. That chapter is the reason every legitimate Washington program teaches at least 108 hours, and it is worth knowing about when you compare schools.

Requirement 1: Approved training (the 108-hour rule)

Washington sets one of the higher training minimums in the country. Under WAC 246-841A-440, an approved nursing assistant training program must provide at least:

Many states require only 75 hours (the federal floor), so a Washington program is longer than what you may see advertised elsewhere. The upside is that Washington graduates are well prepared for the skills test, which is administered by the training program itself.

The CNA Traditional program at Huduma CNA Programs follows exactly this structure: 35 theory hours, 33 skills-lab hours, and 40 in-facility clinical hours across four weeks, with day and weekend patterns published on the class schedule page.

Alternative training pathways

Not everyone needs the full 108 hours. Washington recognizes two abbreviated routes:

• Home Care Aide (HCA) bridge. If you hold an active Washington HCA credential, you can complete a much shorter bridge program instead of the traditional course. The DOH describes this as a 24-hour bridge pathway, and programs may add mock-testing and review time on top of that minimum. Huduma's HCA–CNA Bridge Program runs 40 clock hours (36 instructional plus 4 mock-testing hours).
• Medical Assistant (MA) bridge. Credentialed medical assistants have a similar shortened route.

Nursing students who have completed fundamentals coursework, out-of-state CNAs, and military medics have their own eligibility routes and may not need Washington training at all. The board publishes these as eligibility routes E1 through E9.

Requirement 2: Pass the two-part NAC exam

Since October 1, 2023, Washington's exam has two separately scheduled parts, and they must be taken in order.

Part 1: In-person skills test. Your training program schedules and administers this test (programs that do not offer testing route students through the board's online scheduling). You demonstrate a set of care skills in front of an evaluator. The fee paid to the test site is $100. Under WAC 246-841A-430, programs must allow students up to four attempts to pass the skills competency exam.

Part 2: Online knowledge test. After you pass the skills test, you register with Credentia, the state's testing vendor, for the written (or oral) knowledge test. The fee is $55. An oral version is available for candidates who qualify.

The order matters. You cannot sit for the knowledge test until your skills result has been recorded. Our Washington NAC exam guide covers both parts in detail, including what happens if you fail a section.

Requirement 3: Apply to the Department of Health

Passing the exam does not make you certified. You must submit an application to the DOH, which includes:

1. Personal identification and demographic information.
2. Proof of training completion (your program reports this) or documentation for your eligibility route.
3. Exam results (transmitted electronically).
4. The application fee, which is set by the DOH fee schedule and changes periodically. Check the current amount on the DOH nursing assistant fees page before you apply.
5. A background check. The DOH runs a name-based check through Washington's statewide system. Applicants who have lived out of state recently may be asked for a fingerprint-based check.

Processing times vary with volume. Most applicants with clean, complete files receive the credential within a few weeks; missing documents are the most common cause of delay.

Nursing Assistant-Registered (NAR) while you wait

Washington also issues a Nursing Assistant-Registered (NAR) credential. It lets a facility hire you before you finish training and testing, as long as you are enrolled and working toward certification. A NAR who is hired by a nursing home has four months from the date of hire to complete training and pass the exam. If you are already employed by a facility, ask whether it wants you to hold the NAR during training.

Requirement 4: Background check and character questions

Washington asks every applicant about criminal history and prior disciplinary actions. A conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but certain offenses (particularly those involving abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults) are treated very seriously because CNAs work with people who cannot protect themselves. If you have a record, answer truthfully; failing to disclose is often a bigger problem than the underlying offense. Training programs also require a background check before clinical placement, so the issue surfaces early.

Requirement 5: Renew every year

A Washington NAC credential expires on your birthday every year. Renewal is done through the DOH online portal and requires a renewal fee. Unlike many states, Washington has no continuing education requirement for a standard NAC. The exception is the optional medication assistant endorsement, which requires eight hours of medication-specific continuing education and 250 documented hours of employment as a medication assistant per renewal cycle.

If you let the credential lapse, you can reactivate it with a late fee. If it has been expired for more than three years, you will generally need to retrain and retest.

Costs at a glance

Add a TB test, immunization records, scrubs, and a CPR card if your clinical site requires one. Employer-sponsored programs and workforce funding can cover part or all of tuition; see our guide to free and funded CNA training in Washington.

How long the whole process takes

From the first day of class to a credential in hand, a realistic timeline is:

• 4 weeks for a traditional program (or about one week for the HCA bridge).
• 1 to 3 weeks to complete the skills test and then the knowledge test, depending on scheduling.
• 2 to 6 weeks for the DOH to process a complete application.

Most students who start a four-week program are working as certified nursing assistants within two to three months.

Frequently asked questions

Is a CNA the same as a NAC in Washington? Yes. Washington uses the title Nursing Assistant-Certified. Employers and other states recognize it as the equivalent of a CNA.

Can I take the exam without going to school? Only if you qualify for an alternative eligibility route, such as being a nursing student who has completed fundamentals, a military medic, or an out-of-state CNA. Most people need an approved program.

Do I need a high school diploma? The state does not set an education requirement for the credential, but most programs, including Huduma, require a high school diploma or GED for admission.

How many times can I retake the exam? Programs must allow at least four attempts at the skills test. Knowledge test retakes are scheduled through Credentia. Candidates reactivating an OBRA-era credential are limited to a single attempt.

Does Washington accept online CNA training? Theory hours may be delivered in a hybrid format by some programs, but the 33 skills-lab hours and 40 clinical hours must be completed in person.

Next steps

If you are starting from scratch, compare the CNA Traditional program with the HCA–CNA Bridge to see which pathway matches your background, then check current class dates. Our companion guide, How to Become a CNA in Washington, turns these requirements into a week-by-week plan.