CNA License in Washington

Have you been thinking about enrolling in a nursing assistant program in Washington, but would like some information pertaining to the career? If you would, you are at the right place! There is currently an increasing need for qualified nursing assistants in the state of Washington, and those who choose this field enjoy many benefits, including comfortable salaries, ample employment opportunities, flexible work schedules, and short training courses.

Certification Requirements in Washington

Nursing assistants in Washington are known as certified nursing assistants (CNAs). There are also registered nursing assistants (RNAs) in the state. RNAs, who do not require formal training, employed in a nursing home have four months to complete an approved training program and testing for certification. To become eligible for certification, you must attend a training course that offers no less than 85 hours of instruction. Upon finishing your course, you are required to complete the nursing assistant's competency exam to be certified.

How to Get Your CNA Certification in Washington

After completing the state-approved nursing assistant course, you will be eligible to apply for a CNA certification, and if your application is approved, you will be able to sit and pass the state's certification exam. You can apply online. Simply go to the Washington State Department of Health website and navigate as follows: Licenses/Permits and Certificates, “Professions: New, renew or update,” “N” (under Professions A to Z), Nursing Assistant, Apply for a license, Nursing Assistant Certified Apply Online, Online application instructions are on our website. Follow the instructions there (you will need to create a Secure Access Washington account if you don’t already have one).

How to Verify Your CNA Certification in Washington

At times during your career as a CNA in Washington, you may need to verify your nursing assistant certification. In such a situation, click on Verify your license (Provider Credential Search) on the Nursing Assistant page of the Department’s website. On the page that shows up, you can verify the current status of your certification.

How to Renew Your CNA Certification in Washington

The state of Washington requires all CNAs to renew their certifications every two years. You can do this online by going to the Nursing Assistant page of the Washington State Department of Health’s website and clicking on “Renew your license.”

How to Reinstate Your CNA Certification in Washington

If your certification has expired, you will need to reinstate your status. Currently, to reinstate a nursing assistant license in Washington, you will need to retake the nursing assistant license exam.

How to Transfer Your RNA Certification from Washington to Another State

If you wish to transfer your RNA license from Washington to another state, you must abide by the transfer requirements of your new state. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing can help you locate the new state’s proper agency for you to contact and learn about the transfer requirements. Although transfer criteria often varies from state to state, common requirements include license verification, a small transfer fee, continuing education classes, and/or competency testing.

Washington Nurse Aide Registry

If you have additional questions, contact the Washington Nurse Aide Registry at:

Washington State Department of Social & Health Services
Residential Care Services

PO Box 45600
Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: (360) 725-3571
Fax: (360) 493-2581
Registry Search

State-Approved CNA Programs in Washington

Do you need help finding a CNA school in Washington? If so, here are some of the state-approved schools that offer top quality nursing assistant courses.

1. American Healthcare CNA Training School

   6951 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118

2. Avalon Care Center

   495 N 13th Ave #1215, Othello, WA 99344

3. Bates Technical College

   1101 S Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405

4. Bellevue College

   3000 Landerholm Cir SE, Bellevue, WA 98007

5. Bellingham Technical College

   3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

6. Big Bend Community College

   7662 Chanute St NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837

7. Blossom Health Care, LLC

   24437 Russell Rd #108, Kent, WA 98032

8. Blossom Nursing Assistant Training School

   8730 S Tacoma Way #102, Lakewood, WA 98499

9. Care Plus Home Health, Inc.

   1950 Pottery Ave, Port Orchard, WA 98366

10. Career In Caregiving, LLC

    305 Linhart Ave NE, Napavine, WA 98532

11. Centralia College

    600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia, WA 98531

12. Clark College

    1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98661

13. Clark County CNA Training Center

    9120 NE Vancouver Mall Loop #266, Vancouver, WA 98662

14. Clover Park Technical College

    4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499

15. CNA School of Longview - Health Education Center

    5612 Ocean Beach Hwy #112, Longview, WA 98632

16. Columbia Basin College

    2600 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301

17. Columbia Basin Job Corps

    6739 24th Ave NE Bldg 2402, Moses Lake, WA 98837

18. Columbia Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center

    6739 24th Ave NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837

19. Columbia Safety, LLC

    418 N Kellogg St Suite D, Kennewick, WA 99336

20. Crystal Point CNA Training School

    32105 1st Ave S b2, Federal Way, WA 98003

21. Divine CNA

    1707 S 341st Pl, Federal Way, WA 98003

22. DT&T Nursing Assistant Training School

    148 SW 153rd St #201, Burien, WA 98166

23. Edmonds Community College

    20000 68th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036

24. Everett Community College

    2000 Tower St, Everett, WA 98201

25. Grays Harbor College

    1620 Edward P Smith Dr, Aberdeen, WA 98520

26. Green River College

    12401 SE 320th St, Auburn, WA 98092

27. Highline College

    2400 S 240th St, Des Moines, WA 98198

28. Lake Washington Institute of Technology

    11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034

29. Legacy Training Services

    404 N Conway St, Kennewick, WA 99336

30. Lower Columbia College

    1600 Maple St, Longview, WA 98632

31. Med Prep

    1830 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201

32. Med Smart Academy, LLC

    1410 7th St C2, Marysville, WA 98270

33. New Chapters in Healthcare Education

    320 W Spofford Ave, Spokane, WA 99205

34. North Seattle College

    9600 College Way N, Seattle, WA 98103

35. Northwest NAC Training

    11606 NE 66th St #101, Vancouver, WA 98662

36. Nursing Assistant Training

    699 Strander Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188

37. Nursing Assistant Training Institute

    18336 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

38. Olympic College

    937 Alpine Way, Shelton, WA 98584

39. Peninsula College

    1502 E Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, WA 98362

40. ProCare Academy of Washington

    9116 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Tacoma, WA 98499

41. ProCare Academy of Washington

    3773A Martin Way E #102, Olympia, WA 98506

42. Renton Technical College

    3000 NE 4th St, Renton, WA 98056

43. Seattle Central College

    1701 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122

44. Shoreline Community College

    16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

45. Simmons & Holliday, Inc.

    2625 Martin Way E, Olympia, WA 98506

46. Skagit Valley College

    2405 E College Way, Mt Vernon, WA 98273

47. South Puget Sound Community College

    2011 Mottman Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98512

48. South Seattle College

    6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106

49. Sparrow Healthcare Education

    11703 E Sprague Ave C2, Spokane Valley, WA 99206

50. Spokane Community College

    1810 N Greene St, Spokane, WA 99217

51. Tacoma Community College

    6501 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA 98466

52. Walla Walla Community College

    500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla, WA 99362

53. Wenatchee Valley College

    1300 Fifth St, Wenatchee, WA 98801

54. Wesley Homes Montessori

    1122 S 216th St, Des Moines, WA 98198

55. Whatcom Community College

    237 W Kellogg Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226

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