CNA Classes in Washington (Top Schools)

The Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) holds jurisdiction over Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC).

For you to become an NAC, you’ll have to meet the following requirements:

• Complete a state-approved nursing assistant training program (NATP)
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam

Taking on a NAC Training Program in Washington State

When it comes to NATPs, it’s the Nursing Commission (NC) that regulates nursing assistant education.

For this reason, you should enroll in an NATP that has the approval of NC.

In this way, you’ll receive an education that follows the state’s mandates and standards.

During the program, you’ll undergo a minimum of 85 hours of training, with 7 hours dedicated to HIV/AIDS training.

In the table below, you’ll find some of the approved NAC training providers that you can check out.

If what you’re looking for isn’t on the list, you can continue your search on NC’s NAC Education Program List webpage.

Evaluating a NAC Candidate

After training completion, you’ll sit for the state’s competency exam, NNAAP, administered by Credentia.

This exam evaluates your knowledge and skills to determine that you can safely perform the duties this job entails.

NAC Candidates Eligible for the NNAAP Exam

WSDOH has listed the candidates allowed to take the state’s NNAAP exam.

Let’s see if you belong to any of these eligibility routes.

New Nursing Assistants

You have completed the state-approved NATP but have never been certified.

Nursing Students/Graduates

You have completed the comprehensive portion of the nursing assistant curriculum in an RN or LPN program.

To be able to take the NNAAP exam, you must first secure an approval to test (ATT) from WSDOH.

You must submit either of the following:

• Official school transcript
• Original letter on the school’s letterhead that you’ve completed the nursing assistant curriculum

Military Nursing Assistants

You have completed either the following programs:

• U.S. Army 91-C Program
• Navy’s Basic Hospital Corps School
• Air Force’s Apprentice (Specialist) Program

For the ATT, you must submit documentation to WSDOH to determine your qualifications.

Out-of-State Nursing Assistants or Nursing Students/Graduates

You have either completed the following:

• Nursing assistant portion of the curriculum
• At least 50 hours of clinical training and 35 hours of classroom instruction

For the ATT, you must submit either:

• Official school transcript
• Original letter on the school’s letterhead that you’ve completed the nursing assistant curriculum

Lapsed Nursing Assistants

You’re an NAC who:

• Hasn’t worked as an NAC with pay in the last 24 months but wants to work in a nursing home
• Hasn’t renewed the NAC certification with WSDOH within three years

And so, you’ll need to retrain in NATP and retest in the NNAAP exam to get recertified.

Alternative “Bridged” Nursing Assistants

You’re a WSDOH-certified Home Care Aide or Medical Assistant who completed the Alternative “Bridge” Program.

Training Prior to February 1, 2015

You have completed NATP before February 1, 2015, and have never taken the NNAAP exam.

For the ATT, you must submit proof of training to WSDOH.

For all candidates needing an ATT:

If WSDOH approves, you’ll receive the ATT via email.

Once you have the ATT, you can proceed with the exam application with Credentia.

The Washington NNAAP Exam

The exam consists of two parts: a written (oral) test and a skills test.

You have to pass both tests to successfully complete the NNAAP exam.

Written (Oral) Test

• It consists of 70 multiple-choice questions to be completed in two hours.
• You can opt to take an online proctored exam or a facility test site exam.
• An oral test is available in English or Spanish upon request.
• The oral test has two parts:
  • Part I – 60 knowledge questions
  • Part II – 10 reading comprehension questions
• In the oral test, questions are read aloud twice for Part I and thrice for Part II.

Skills Test

• You have to perform five nursing assistant skills correctly in 30 minutes.
• The five skills will consist of the following:
  • Skill 1 – Handwashing
  • Skill 2 – Includes a measurement skill
  • Skills 3 to 5 – Randomly selected from the NNAAP Skill List
• Each skill represents a task that’s broken into a series of steps, which includes critical steps.
• All critical steps must be correctly performed to pass the skill.
• The test will occur at a test center, simulating an actual caregiving situation, and evaluated by a Nurse Aide Evaluator.

Exam Results

Shortly after your tests, you will receive the official score report on your CNA365 account.

If you pass both tests, then you’ll be listed in the Nursing Assistant Registry (NAR).

Also, you have to contact WSDOH to apply and receive your NAC certificate.

But if you don’t pass one or both tests, you have to retake the ones you failed.

You can refer to your score report for the retesting instructions.

Do note that you only have four attempts on each test to successfully complete the NNAAP exam.

If you max that out, then you have to retrain in NATP to retake the exam.

Fortunately, WSDOH doesn’t set a time limit on your eligibility period, so you have a bit of freedom as to when you’ll use your test attempts.

Exam Fees

You or the nursing home you’re working at will pay the following fees:

• Written test – $44
• English/Spanish oral test – $44
• Skills test – $80

Do note that for the initial exam, you’ll pay for both written/oral and skills tests.

Also, you’ll pay the same amount in the event that you’ll retake a test/s.

NAC Certification by Endorsement

If you’re an out-of-state CNA, you can apply for endorsement if you hold active status in another state’s NAR.

To apply, you must submit the following to WSDOH:

• Duly accomplished NAC Endorsement Application Form
• Nonrefundable application fee of $85
• Caregiver employment history from the state you’re endorsing from
  • Place N/A if not applicable; never leave it blank
• Verification of CNA certification from another state’s NAR

WSDOH will review your application, and if they approve, they’ll add you to NAR.

Potential Salary

A NAC enjoys a competitive salary in Washington State.

But of course, how much you earn depends on several factors, such as:

• Education
• Skill level
• Working experience
• Workplace location

Right now, you can receive an average annual salary of around $33,000.

The table below shows the salary information across the state.

CNA Schools by City

• Seattle4 Schools
• Spokane3 Schools
• Tacoma2 Schools
• Vancouver2 Schools