State terminology: Nursing assistant-certified (NAC). Nursing assistant-registered (NAR) is a separate credential. Washington Board of Nursing credential comparison ↗ · RCW 18.88A.040 ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Washington at a glance
| Agency and any testing or registry providers | Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON); DOH HELMS application system |
|---|---|
| Official state hub | Open the official state page ↗ |
| Training guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Transfer guidance | Standard route reviewed · checked November 4, 2026 |
| Renewal guidance | See Washington CNA renewal requirements |
Training sources checked November 4, 2026. Standard route reviewed.
How do you become a CNA in Washington?
Washington-approved nursing assistant programs must include at least 108 hours: at least 35 hours of classroom theory, 33 hours of skills lab and 40 hours of clinical training. Facility orientation is required but doesn't count toward the 40 clinical hours (WAC 246-841A-440, effective July 1, 2026).[1] Completing training alone does not give you a state credential. Before enrolling, check the state’s testing requirements and what it takes to get the credential or be listed on the registry.
What else should you know about training?
- Students in a Washington-approved program take the skills competency exam as the final part of the program. The knowledge exam is the NNAAP test administered through Credentia.[2]
- Apply for certification while enrolled; the program provides the skills test and the candidate registers for the knowledge exam after passing it.[2]
- WABON publishes the approved-program list with full or conditional approval status.[3]
Where can you find training programs?
WABON approved nursing assistant training programs ↗[3] Before you enroll, confirm with the state that the exact program and training site are currently approved. Check the total hours, clinical placement and costs as well.
What are the steps?
Choose a WABON-approved program
Check the program’s current approval status and whether it provides the skills exam.[3]
Complete at least 108 hours
Confirm the classroom theory, skills lab and 40 clinical hours.[1]
Pass the skills and knowledge exams
Complete the program’s skills exam and register for the NNAAP knowledge exam through Credentia.[2]
What should you confirm with the state?
- Program costs, admission and approval vary. Confirm them directly with the school.
- The current WAC rule took effect July 1, 2026; programs may still be transitioning, so confirm the current curriculum hours with the program.
Where did this information come from?
- WAC 246-841A-440 Common curriculum in approved nursing assistant training programs ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Minimum 108 training hours total: 35 classroom theory, 33 skills lab, 40 clinical; orientation excluded
- Washington Nursing Assistant Handbook, 2026 ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Training, skills exam within the program, knowledge exam through Credentia, certification application
- WABON approved nursing assistant training programs ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Searchable list of approved programs with approval status
- WABON Nursing Assistant license ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · NAC certification requirements and application route
See reviewed CNA training programs →
How do you transfer an out-of-state nurse aide credential to Washington?
Agency and any providers named in the sources: Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON); DOH HELMS application system. Sources checked November 4, 2026. This summary does not decide individual eligibility.
Which pathway applies to you?
NAC endorsement — Currently active out-of-state CNA certification
Key requirement: Provide caregiver employment history from current certification state; education information may be requested.
What are the first steps for NAC endorsement?
Arrange interstate verification
Complete applicant portion and send to every nursing-assistant jurisdiction held.
Apply through HELMS
Select NAC, pay, upload pathway and affirmative-history records; retain emailed pending credential number.
What exceptions apply?
- Out-of-state training without certification — Different education-review/testing path; submit transcripts/completion certificate and current CPR card, then await test authorization.
What should you confirm?
- The reviewed route does not publish an endorsement work-hour threshold or total processing time. Confirm with the Board.
- Confirm with WABON how to handle a state that refuses verification forms.
What will the Washington planner ask?
- Is your current nurse aide credential active? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
- Have you previously held a Washington nursing assistant-certified (NAC) credential? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
How do you renew or maintain your nurse aide credential in Washington?
The state sets the renewal cycle and any requirements for work hours and continuing education. This section summarizes the sources we reviewed. Follow the official instructions if they differ.
| Renewal cycle | Every year, by your birthday. |
|---|---|
| Paid work requirement | WABON's NAC renewal instructions ask you to renew by your birthday and pay the fee; they don't list a work-hour requirement. |
| CE or in-service | WABON says there are no continuing-education requirements for NACs. |
| Renewal window | Renew online through the HELMS portal starting 85 to 90 days before your license expires. You can renew late for up to one year after it expires. |
| If the credential lapses | Expired more than one year: submit a reactivation application with the fee in HELMS. Expired more than three years, with no active license in another U.S. state: complete a new nursing assistant training program and retest. |
Washington NAC licenses renew every year by your birthday through the HELMS online portal, starting 85 to 90 days before expiration. WABON says there are no continuing-education requirements for NACs, and its renewal instructions don't list a work-hour requirement. You can renew late for up to a year. After that, you'll need to reactivate, and if it's been more than three years with no active license in another state, you must retrain and retest.
Source: Renew or Reactivate a License ↗ Nursing Assistant License ↗
Open the official Washington registry or agency page ↗ · Compare CNA renewal requirements by state