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How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington

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(found 156 schools, updated in August 2017)

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a valuable member of a healthcare team, providing essential care to patients in medical facilities and residents in long-term care facilities. In Washington, the development and administration of nursing assistant programs and credentialing is the responsibility of the Washington Department of Social Services and Health’s Department of Health (DOH). CNAs are in high demand because they provide critical quality-of-life services to patients and residents.

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  • 6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Washington
  • How to Keep CNA Certification Active
  • Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Washington
  • Get Certified in Nearby or Bordering States

6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Washington

In Washington, certification is voluntary for nursing assistants who work in healthcare facilities that are not nursing homes. This meets federal requirements. However, only people who are certified are legally allowed to use the title of Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C). Certification is achieved by completing an approved training program or completing alternative training as allowed by the DOH, and passing the competency evaluation examination.

Alternative training refers to a person who has completed training in other ways besides attending a Washington State CNA training program or can prove the completion of equivalent training that meets state requirements. Following is a summary of the various paths to an OBRA Nursing Assistant Registry listing and the steps to getting certified as a Nursing Assistant Certified. OBRA refers to a federal law governing nursing assistants who work in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Step 1: Review the Various Routes to Registry Listing

One of the differences in Washington compared to other states is that there are two designations. Federal law allows students in training to work in nursing homes for up to four months (120 days) before getting certified. If a student chooses this training route, Washington requires the students to apply to the Department of Health for Nursing Assistant-Registered (NA-R) status. Getting approval for NA-R status requires:

  • Submitting an application to the DOH
  • Passing a fingerprint-based background check
  • Providing demographic information and other personal data information
  • Showing proof of completing at least seven hours of AIDS training

Students who want to meet certification requirements will complete state-approved training and pass the competency exam, or meet other training and/or examination requirements, to be recognized as Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C). Once certified, the nursing assistant can work in a nursing home. There are several routes to achieving this status which Washington also calls licensing.

New Nursing Student

This route requires completing a Washington state-approved CNA training program.

Nursing Students and Graduate Nurses

RN and LPN nursing students, and students who graduated from RN or LPN programs, can show proof of having completed the comprehensive portion of a nursing assistant curriculum while enrolled in RN or LPN programs can request permission to take the competency examination without additional training.

Military Nursing Assistant

Anyone who completed certain training programs while in the military can request to take the competency exam without additional training. Recognized programs include the Navy’s Basic Hospital Corps School, the U.S. Army 91-C Program and the Air Force’s Apprenticeship Program. Application is made to the DOH.

Out of State CNAs or Out of State Student or Graduate Nurses

Washington state does recognize reciprocity. The nursing assistant or student/graduate nurse must submit proof of completing the nursing assistant curriculum or show proof of having completed a minimum of 35 hours of classroom training and 50 hours of clinical training. If approved by the DOH, the applicant can take the CNA exam without additional training.

Alternative “Bridge” Nursing Assistant

In Washington, a DOH certified Home Care Aide or Medical Assistant who successfully completed a state approved Alternative “Bridge” Program can take the competency examination. The Bridge Program requires an additional 24 hours of training in addition to the 75 hours the Home Health Care Aid already completed.

Training Completed Before February 1, 2015

If a nursing assistant completed training before February 1, 2015, but has not taken the CNA exam or applied to take the exam, the person can apply to DOH for approval to take the test by submitting training documentation.

Step 2: Review and Select a Training Program

A student who must complete training can complete CNA classes in Washington in a short period of time which is one of the advantages of choosing to become a nursing assistant. CNA programs in Washington are offered all over the state in a variety of facilities. The facilities include nursing homes, colleges, high schools, private academies, public academies, technical schools, institutes and medical facilities. Check the listing of DOH state-approved facilities to find a CNA school near you.

Best Local CNA Classes in Washington

There are 156 CNA training programs in the state of Washington. The list is updated in August 2017.

SHOW ME SCHOOLS

CityCountyProgram ProviderPhoneFacility Type
AberdeenGrays HarborGrays Harbor College
www.ghc.edu
(360) 538-4244College
AberdeenGrays HarborTwin Harbors Branch Skills Center
website
(360) 538-2038High School
AuburnKingGreen River Community College
www.greenriver.edu
(253) 833-9111College
Bainbridge IslandKingMessenger House Care Center
www.messengerhousecare.com
(206) 842-2654Nursing Home
Bainbridge IslandKitsapBainbridge Island Health and Rehabilitation
bainbridgerehab.com
(206) 842-4765Nursing Home
BellevueKingBellevue College
www.bellevuecollege.edu
(425) 564-5604College
BellevueKingSammamish High School
www.bsd405.org/sammamish
(425) 456-7617High School
BellevueKingEvergreen Nursing School (425) 449-8229Private
BellinghamWhatcomBellingham Technical College
www.btc.edu
(360) 752-8423College
BellinghamWhatcomWhatcom Community College(360) 383-3550College
BellinghamWhatcomAlderwood Park Convalescent Center
alderwoodpark.com
(360) 733-2322Nursing Home
BlaineWhatcomStafholt Good Samaritan Center
www.good-sam.com
(360) 332-8733Nursing Home
BremertonKitsapOlympic College
www.olympic.edu
(360) 475-7764College
BremertonKitsapWest Sound Vocational Skills Center
website
(360) 473-0550High School
BrewsterOkanoganHarmony House Health Care Center(509) 689-2546Nursing Home
BurienKingPuget Sound Skills Center
www.highlineschools.org/pssc
(206) 631-7326High School
BurienKingDT&T NA Training School
www.dttcnat.com
(206) 439-6715Private
CentraliaLewisCentralia College(360) 753-3433College
ChehalisLewisCareer in Caregiving
www.careerincaregivingllc.com
(360) 748-3112Private
ChewelahStevensProvidence St. Joseph’s Hospital(509) 935-8211Hospital
ColfaxWhitmanWhitman Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Assistant Training Program
whitmanhealthandrehab.com
(509) 397-4603Nursing Home
ColvilleStevensBuena Vista Healthcare
buenavistahealthcare.com
(509) 684-4539Nursing Home
ColvilleStevensPinewood Terrace Nursing Center(509) 684-2573Nursing Home
ColvilleStevensAging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
www.altcew.org
(509) 458-2509Private
Des MoinesKingHighline Community College
www.highline.edu
(206) 870-3785College
Des MoinesKingExcel Health Careers Training
www.goexcelcna.com
(206) 271-1946Private
EllensburgKittitasPrestige Post-Acute and Rehabilitation Center
www.prestigecare.com
(509) 834-9379Nursing Home
EverettSnohomishEverett Community College
www.everettcc.edu
(425) 388-9468College
EverettSnohomishSno-Isle TECH Skills Center
snoisletech.com
(425) 348-2227High School
EverettSnohomishBethany at Pacific
website
(425) 259-5508Nursing Home
EverettSnohomishMEDPREP Vocational Training Center
medprep.com
(425) 257-9888Private
EverettSnohomishNAC Essential Prep
www.naceprep.com
(425) 252-3239Private
EverettSnohomishSunrise Services
sunrisecommunityliving.com
(425) 212-4210Private
Federal WayKingCrystal Point CNA Training School(253) 874-0516Private
Federal WayKingDivine CNA Training (253) 874-0174Private
Federal WayKingFirst Choice CNA Program, LLC
firstchoicecna.com
(206) 592-2093Private
Federal WayKingHealth Professionals Institute
website
(253) 252-3956Private
ForksClallamForks Community Hospital District No. 1
www.forkshospital.org
(360) 374-6271Hospital
Gig HarborPierceCottesmore of Life Care
cottesmoreoflifecare.com
(253) 851-5433Nursing Home
IssaquahKingIssaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
www.issaquahnursing.com
(425) 392-1271Nursing Home
KennewickBentonTri-Tech Skills Center
tritech.ksd.org
(509) 222-7300High School
KennewickBentonRegency Canyon Lakes(509) 582-5900Nursing Home
KennewickBentonColumbia Safety Training Center(509) 820-3883Private
KennewickBentonLegacy Training Services(509) 783-4680Private
KentKingRenton Technical College at Kentlake - Kentlake High School
www.kent.k12.wa.us/KL
(425) 235-5728High School
KentKingBlossom Nursing Assistant Training Program
www.blossomcna.com
(253) 945-8232Private
KirklandKingLake Washington Institute of Technology
www.lwtech.edu
(425) 739-8344College
KirklandKingWashington Network for Innovative Careers(425) 739-8400High School
LakewoodPierceClover Park Technical College
www.cptc.edu
(253) 589-6013College
LakewoodPierceClover Park High School
website
(253) 589-6013High School
LakewoodPierceNorthwest Career & Technical High School
www.cptc.edu/nwcths
(253) 589-6013High School
LakewoodPierceBlossom Nursing Assistant Training
blossomcna.com
(206) 228-9990Private
LakewoodPierceProCare Academy of Washington
procareacademy.org
(253) 302-4967Private
LongviewCowlitzLower Columbia College
lowercolumbia.edu
(360) 442-2865College
LongviewCowlitzKelso School District(360) 414-2848High School
LongviewCowlitzFrontier Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center
frontierhealthandrehab.com
(360) 423-8800Nursing Home
LongviewCowlitzCare Careers Academy(360) 636-1000Private
LongviewCowlitzCNA School of Longview Health Education Center
www.cnalongview.com
(360) 747-7716Private
LyndenWhatcomChristian Health Care Center
chcclynden.org
(360) 354-4434Nursing Home
LynnwoodSnohomishEdmonds Community College
www.edcc.edu
(425) 640-1691College
LynnwoodSnohomishEdmonds Community College - Innovations in Creating Access to Careers in Healthcare
www.edcc.edu
(425) 640-1990College
MonroeSnohomishRegency Care Center at Monroe(360) 794-4011Nursing Home
Moses LakeGrantBig Bend Community College
www.bigbend.edu
(509) 793-2130College
Moses LakeGrantColumbia Basin Technical Skills Center(509) 542-4559High School
Moses LakeGrantColumbia Basin Job Corps
columbiabasin.jobcorps.gov
(509) 762-2341Job Corps
Moses LakeGrantColumbia Crest Care and Rehabilitation
www.genesishcc.com
(509) 765-6788Nursing Home
Moses LakeGrantLake Ridge Solana Alzheimer's Care Center
www.genesishcc.com
(509) 765-7835Nursing Home
Mount VernonSkagitSkagit Valley College
www.skagit.edu
(360) 333-8802College
Mount VernonSkagitSkagit Valley College Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training
www.skagit.edu
(360) 416-7600College
Mount VernonSkagitNorthwest Career & Technical Academy
www.nwtech.k12.wa.us
(360) 848-0706High School
Mount VernonSkagitSunrise Services
sunrisecommunityliving.com
(360) 755-3801Private
Mountlake TerraceSnohomishEdmonds-Mountlake Terrace High School(425) 431-7120High School
NewportPend OreilleRiver Mountain Training Center(509) 447-9469Private
Oak HarborIslandSkagit Valley College Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training
www.skagit.edu
(360) 679-5323College
Oak HarborIslandSkagit Valley College
www.skagit.edu
(360) 679-5323College
OdessaLincolnOdessa Memorial Hospital
www.omhc.org
(509) 982-2611Hospital
OlympiaThurstonSouth Puget Sound Community College
spscc.edu
(360) 596-5285College
OlympiaThurstonProCare Academy of Washington
procareacademy.org
(360) 584-9778Private
OlympiaThurstonSimmons & Holliday, Inc.
www.simmonsandholliday.com
(360) 350-0037Private
OmakOkanoganWenatchee Valley College
www.wvc.edu
(509) 442-7952College
OthelloAdamsAvalon Care Center - Othello LLC(509) 488-9609Nursing Home
PascoFranklinColumbia Basin College
www.columbiabasin.edu
(509) 544-8300College
PascoFranklinAvalon Pasco Nursing Assistant Training Program(509) 547-8811Nursing Home
PomeroyGarfieldGarfield County Hospital District
pomeroymd.com
(509) 843-1591Hospital
Port AngelesClallamPeninsula College
www.pencol.edu
(360) 301-3231College
Port AngelesClallamNorth Olympic Peninsula Skill Center
nopsc.org
(360) 565-1566High School
Port OrchardKitsapStafford Healthcare at Ridgemont
www.staffordhealthcare.com
(360) 876-4461Nursing Home
Port OrchardKitsapCare Plus Home Health, Inc
www.careplustraining.com
(360) 373-8016Private
Port TownsendJeffersonLife Care Center of Port Townsend
website
(360) 385-3555Nursing Home
PoulsboKitsapMartha & Mary Health and Rehab
www.marthaandmary.org
(360) 394-3292Nursing Home
ProsserSpokaneAging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
www.altcew.org
(509) 458-2509Other
PuyallupPiercePierce College
www.pierce.ctc.edu
(253) 840-8400College
PuyallupPiercePierce College Integrated Basic Education Skills Training
www.pierce.ctc.edu
(253) 840-8400College
PuyallupPiercePierce County Skills Center
website
(253) 589-6013High School
PuyallupPierceLife Care Center of Puyallup
lifecarecenterofpuyallup.com
(253) 845-7566Nursing Home
PuyallupPierceLinden Grove Health Care Center
www.genesishcc.com
(253) 840-4400Nursing Home
RedmondKingRedmond Care & Rehabilitation Center
redmondcareandrehab.com
(425) 885-0808Nursing Home
RentonKingRenton Technical College
www.rtc.edu
(425) 235-5728College
RepublicFerryFerry County Memorial Hospital
www.fcphd.org
(509) 775-3333Hospital
RichlandBentonHealth Resource Connection(509) 302-8700Private
SeattleKingNorth Seattle Community College
www.northseattle.edu
(206) 934-6067College
SeattleKingSeattle Central College
seattlecentral.edu
(206) 934-4347College
SeattleKingSouth Seattle Community College
www.southseattle.edu
(206) 934-5310College
SeattleKingSeattle Skills Center Medical Careers(206) 252-8912High School
SeattleKingAvamere Queen Anne Healthcare(206) 284-7012Nursing Home
SeattleKingAmerican Healthcare CNA School
www.nurseassistwa.com
(206) 838-4094Private
SelahYakimaYakima Valley School(509) 698-1245Nursing Home
SequimClallamSequim Health & Rehabilitation
www.sequimskillednursing.com
(360) 582-2400Nursing Home
SheltonMasonFir Lane Health and Rehabilitation Center
www.firlaneskillednursing.com
(360) 426-1651Nursing Home
SheltonMasonShelton Health and Rehabilitation Center
sheltonhealthandrehab.com
(360) 427-2575Nursing Home
ShorelineKingShoreline Community College
www.shoreline.edu
(206) 546-4101College
ShorelineKingNursing Assistant Training Institute
natraining.net
(206) 546-1120Private
SnohomishSnohomishDelta Rehabilitation
www.deltafoundation.com
(360) 568-2168Nursing Home
SpokaneAdamsRockwood Retirement Communities
rockwoodretirement.org
(509) 536-6650Nursing Home
SpokaneSpokaneSpokane Community College
www.scc.spokane.edu
(509) 533-7120College
SpokaneSpokaneNEWTECH Skill Center
newtechskillscenter.com
(509) 354-7418High School
SpokaneSpokaneAvalon Care Center at Northpointe
www.avalonhealthcare.com
(509) 468-7000Nursing Home
SpokaneSpokaneFranklin Hills Skilled Nursing(208) 610-1661Nursing Home
SpokaneSpokaneNorth Central Care Center
www.hyattfamilyfacilities.com
(509) 328-6030Nursing Home
SpokaneSpokanePrestige Care Brighton Court Assisted Living Center
www.prestigecare.com
(509) 834-9379Nursing Home
SpokaneSpokaneAging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (Opportunities for Industrialization Center)
www.altcew.org
(509) 458-2509Other
SpokaneSpokaneAging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
www.altcew.org
(509) 458-2509Private
SpokaneSpokaneHealth Care Training Center
website
(509) 893-1776Private
SpokaneSpokaneNew Chapters in Healthcare Education
www.cnatrainingspokanewa.com
(509) 847-5202Private
StanwoodSnohomishJosephine Sunset Home
www.josephinecc.com
(360) 629-2126Nursing Home
SunnysideYakimaYakima Valley Technical Skills Center
www.yvtech.us
(509) 930-2708High School
SunnysideYakimaYakima Valley Technical Skills Center Evening Program
www.yvtech.us
(509) 837-2466High School
TacomaPierceBates Technical College
www.bates.ctc.edu
(253) 680-7328College
TacomaPierceAvamere Heritage Rehabilitation of Tacoma (253) 474-8456Nursing Home
TacomaPierceOrchard Park Care Center
www.genesishcc.com
(253) 475-4611Nursing Home
TacomaPiercePrestige Tacoma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
www.prestigecare.com
(509) 834-9379Nursing Home
TacomaPierceExcel Health Care Careers Training(253) 426-5000Private
TonasketOkanoganNorth Valley Hospital Nursing Home
www.nvhospital.org
(509) 486-2151Nursing Home
TukwilaKingNursing Assistant Training School
natschool.org
(206) 575-2010Private
TukwilaKingRoyal College of Medical Training(206) 575-7961Private
TumwaterThurstonNew Market Vocational Skills Center(360) 570-4500High School
VancouverClarkClark College
www.clark.edu
(360) 992-6116College
VancouverClarkClark County Skills Center
cascadiatechnicalacademy.org
(360) 604-1050High School
VancouverClarkHenrietta Lacks Health and Bioscience High School(360) 604-6340High School
VancouverClarkClark County Career Development Center
clarkcountycna.com
(360) 574-1535Private
VancouverClarkMaryAnn's CNA Training School of Nursing
maryannscnatraining.com
(360) 546-0098Private
VancouverClarkNorthwest NAC Training
www.nwnactraining.com
(360) 882-0101Private
Walla WallaWalla WallaWalla Walla Community College
www.wwcc.edu
(509) 527-4462College
Walla WallaWalla WallaSEATech Skills Center
www.myseatech.org
(509) 526-2000High School
Walla WallaWalla WallaPark Manor Rehabilitation Center
parkmanorrehabilitation.com
(509) 529-4218Nursing Home
Walla WallaWalla WallaWashington Odd Fellows Home
oddfellows.com
(509) 525-6463Nursing Home
WenatcheeChelanWenatchee Valley College
www.wvc.edu
(509) 682-6662College
WenatcheeChelanWenatchee Valley College Fast Track
www.wvc.edu
(509) 682-6662College
WenatcheeChelanWenatchee High School
website
(509) 663-8117High School
WoodinvilleKingNorth Shore School District Health Occupations Program
www.nsd.org
(425) 408-7400High School
YakimaYakimaYakima Valley Community College
www.yvcc.edu
(509) 574-4902College
YakimaYakimaYakima Valley Technical Skills Center
www.yvtech.us
(509) 573-5522High School
YakimaYakimaCrescent Health Care
crescentnursingrehab.com
(509) 248-4446Nursing Home
YakimaYakimaLandmark Care Center
www.hyattfamilyfacilities.com
(509) 248-4102Nursing Home
YakimaYakimaWillow Springs Care
www.hyattfamilyfacilities.com
(509) 966-4500Nursing Home
YakimaYakimaHillcrest at Summitview
www.livingcarecenters.com
(509) 853-1830Other

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Training Length

Training programs are structured in different ways, but if state approved, it will meet federal and state curriculum requirements. For example, the Green River Community College in Auburn Nurse Assistant Certificate Program leads to earning 12 credits and a college certificate. It takes approximately three months or one quarter to complete classroom and clinical training. Excel Health Careers Training in Des Moines offers NA-C classes. It is a private training facility that is state-approved. Each class takes approximately three weeks to complete. The facility offers a range of times that include daytime, evening and weekend classes.

Training Costs & Financial Aid

The costs of nursing assistant programs vary in Washington. Some costs that are listed online only include tuition, fees, and textbooks. Others will include those three expense items plus some of the other required training items, like uniforms and supplies. The typical supplies a student needs include textbooks (If not included in tuition and fees), uniforms and shoes, a watch with second hand, stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. Students are also required to purchase medical and liability insurance.

The Green River Community College charges students a per credit rate for tuition and fees, and students must purchase their own uniforms and supplies. Washington State sets tuition and fees for all state funded educational facilities, so every community college will have an identical tuition and fees schedule. Current tuition and fees are set at $173.17 per credit, meaning the cost of a 12-credit program for CNA training is $2,078.04 for tuition and fees only. The state can change the rates at any time, so always verify current tuition and fees. Since this is a credit program, it may be eligible for financial aid. The college also offers reduced or free tuition to qualified students.

Excel Health Careers Training charges an all-inclusive rate of $600. Though the program will not qualify for federal financial aid, students can apply for Workforce Training funds at a local state training center. Additional information is found on the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website. The wide range of costs means it pays to research several programs to find the one that can best meet student time and financial needs.

It is important to talk to program staff about all financial aid options. The staff often know of sources that the student may not be aware of.

Free Training

The best way to get free training is to work and train at a nursing home or long-term care facility. Federal and state law requires these facilities approved for CNA training to pay all the training costs. Also, if a person is a NA-C and accepts employment at a nursing home or long-term care facility within twelve months of getting certified, the employer will reimburse the employee for training costs.

Step 3: Meet the Training Program Prerequisits

Every CNA training program in Washington has prerequisites. They typically include the following:

  • Minimum of 18 years old
  • Fingerprint-based background check
  • Minimum eight grade reading level
  • Proof of Hepatitis 8 series plus titer
  • Proof of current tuberculosis test
  • Proof of Varicella series
  • Proof of MMR series
  • Proof of current flu vaccination
  • Proof of Tdap within the previous ten years

Step 4: Complete a CNA Training Program

Washington requires CNA training programs to consist of at least 85 training hours. The 85 hours includes a minimum of 35 hours of classroom time, and seven hours of the 35 hours is dedicated to AIDS training. The remaining 50 hours of clinical training is required to have at least 40 hours of training in an actual practice setting like a nursing home or long-term care facility.

What to Learn

The training program will cover a variety of topics and skills that include assisting patients and residents with:

  • Activities of daily living – hygiene, grooming, nutrition, elimination, etc.
  • Infection control
  • Restorative skills – self-care and independence
  • Taking and recording vital signs and other data
  • Meeting emotional and mental health needs

Training also covers topics like:

  • Protecting client rights
  • Maintaining legal and ethical behavior
  • Working with other healthcare professionals
  • Communication with people under their care and with the healthcare team members
  • Personal safety

This is just a brief sample of the typical subjects a nursing assistant training program covers.

Step 5: Successfully Pass the Certification Exam

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) contracted Pearson VUE to develop, score, and report the results of the competency examination. Credentia schedules and administers testing. The exam that is administered is the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) Examination which ensures applicants have met minimum federal and state knowledge and competency requirements to work as a CNA in nursing homes.

The CNA exam in Washington consists of two parts.

Written Examination

There are 70 multiple-choice questions. The questions are drawn from the nurse aide training curriculum. It is highly recommended that exam applicants take a practice exam which Pearson VUE offers or can be found online with a simple Google search.

Skills Evaluation

This is a hands-on test in which the applicant is asked to perform five nursing assistant skills. Handwashing is one of the skills. One of the other four skills are randomly selected, but one will involve measurement, like taking and recording respiration, weight, respiration, etc.

Applicants can take each part of the exam four times. There is no time limit. If unable to pass each of the parts within four attempts, it is necessary to retrain and retest. The applicant must pass all five skills.

Step 6: Get Listed on the Registry

After passing the Written Examination and Skills Evaluation, Pearson VUE will submit the person’s name to the OBRA Nursing Assistant Registry. Once the name is on the Registry in Washington, the nursing assistant can and should apply to the DOH for the Nursing Assistant Certificate. This certificate is renewed every year and serves as a license.

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How to Keep CNA Certification Active

To maintain a name in the Nursing Assistant Registry in Washington, the nursing assistant must work for compensation during the 24-month certification period in order to renew CNA certification. The employer provides verification. The Registry period begins on the date the nursing assistant passed both parts of the exam. Otherwise, registration lapses, and the person can no longer work in a nursing home. In Washington State, compensation includes being paid money or receiving in-kind services or goods.

If certification lapses, he or she will have to retrain and retest. If the nursing assistant does not renew certification within three years, that person must also retrain and retest.

The Nursing Assistant Certification must be renewed with the DOH annually before the date of birth.

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Salary and Job Outlook for CNAs in Washington

Once a person receives CNA certification in Washington, he or she can work in any medical facility, including nursing homes, adult family homes, nursing rehabilitation centers, and hospitals and clinics. The NA-C can also work for private clients. Registry status must be active and Certification must be current at all times. The Nursing Assistant-Registered can work in the nursing home for up to 120 days without certification. If not certified by the end of four months, the person can no longer perform nursing assistant duties. | See Job Openings

Washington law does not require certification for nursing assistants working in health care facilities that are not nursing homes.

The average annual CNA salary per the Department of Labor is $30,150 or $10.77 per hour. This is 9 percent higher than the national average CNA salary which is $27,650 or $9.64 per hour. The long-term projection for CNA jobs for the period 2014-2024 shows a 17.3 percent increase, compared to 17.6 percent for the U.S. | See Job Openings

CNA Salaries in Washington

WA CNA SalariesEmpl.Hourly mean wageAnnual mean wageWage percent relative std. errorHourly 10th % wageHourly median wageHourly 90th % wageAnnual 10th % wageAnnual median wageAnnual 90th % wage
National144315013.29276500.29.6412.7818.22200402659037900
Washington2653014.50301501.010.7714.0618.80223902924039110
Bellingham, WA90015.25317106.410.8914.3721.65226602988045040
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA122014.11293404.310.4313.6918.50217002848038470
Central Washington nonmetropolitan area20016.42341503.312.4415.6522.69258803255047190
East Washington nonmetropolitan area75013.17274002.410.2412.9317.08213002689035520
Kennewick-Richland, WA68014.17294703.910.8314.0218.21225302916037870
Longview, WA60013.07271804.610.2612.3617.38213502571036160
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA45014.04292102.610.8713.9017.96226102892037360
Northwest Washington nonmetropolitan area44013.82287502.610.4613.3018.42217602766038320
Olympia-Tumwater, WA88012.89268103.310.2012.0217.38212102500036150
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division1051015.59324301.512.3715.0419.43257303129040410
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA1344015.31318401.212.0514.7919.21250603076039950
Southwest Washington nonmetropolitan area57014.69305606.010.3713.9420.62215802899042880
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA248013.78286602.610.4513.4218.13217402792037720
Tacoma-Lakewood, WA Metropolitan Division293014.30297402.810.8813.9118.40226202894038280
Walla Walla, WA69012.20253803.710.0011.4516.05207902382033380
Wenatchee, WA46013.98290703.410.8013.7218.08224602854037600
Yakima, WA87012.85267303.510.2612.3316.24213402565033780

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Comments

  1. Andrew says

    July 16, 2019 at 8:04 AM

    Hey , Thank you so much for sharing such a amazing content.

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