How to Get Your NAC Certification in Washington (WA): 2026 Guide

In Washington, the credential is a Nursing Assistant-Certified (NAC), not CNA. Washington switched to Credentia (NNAAP) in October 2023 to administer the state competency exam. This guide explains the NAC pathway end-to-end: training programs, the Credentia exam, itemized costs, where to test, scheduling, renewal, the pitfalls that trip up Washington candidates, and answers to the questions we hear most.

Washington NAC at a glance

Testing vendor: Credentia (NNAAP), administered through the CNA365 portal
Training hours: 85 total (35 classroom + 50 clinical)
Exam format: 70-question written or oral + 5-skill hands-on
Registry: Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
Renewal: annual, on your birthday

Who oversees NAC certification in Washington

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issues the NAC credential and maintains the public registry. DOH sets the curriculum standards, approves training programs, and decides who qualifies for the exam. The actual test is delivered by Credentia under contract with the state; since October 2023, all Washington NNAAP exam registrations, scheduling, and score reporting flow through Credentia's CNA365 platform. Before you enroll in any program, confirm it appears on DOH's approved training-program list. Graduating from an unapproved program almost always means you cannot sit for the exam.

Training programs in Washington

Washington requires an 85-hour state-approved program, split into 35 classroom hours and 50 supervised clinical hours in a nursing home or similar long-term care setting. Most candidates complete training through one of these program types:

Community and technical colleges — Usually the most affordable option. Classes follow a semester or quarter schedule, so you may wait weeks for the next start date, but you get academic support and well-established clinical placements.
Private nurse aide academies and vocational schools — Tend to offer shorter, more intensive cohorts with frequent start dates. Tuition is generally higher than community college but the timeline is faster.
Long-term care facility-based programs — Some nursing homes run their own training and pair it with a direct path to employment. These can be a strong option if you already know where you want to work.
High school career and technical education (CTE) programs — Let students begin NAC training before graduation. The hours and curriculum still have to meet DOH standards.
Hybrid and evening programs — Classroom lectures may be online, but Washington still requires in-person clinical hours. Expect scheduled lab and facility time on top of any online work.

Typical schedules

Full-time daytime: roughly 3–4 weeks, Monday through Friday.
Part-time day: 6–10 weeks, a few mornings or afternoons per week.
Evening or weekend: 8–14 weeks, designed for students who work during the day or have childcare during business hours.

Typical costs

Tuition ranges from $800 to $1,800, plus supplies, a background check, uniform, and exam fees. Ask each program for an itemized estimate before you enroll — registration fees, textbook costs, lab fees, and CPR certification are sometimes billed separately. Several Washington community colleges publish their NAC program costs publicly, so you can compare before committing.

The Washington NAC exam: Credentia details

The NNAAP exam has two parts, and you must pass both to be listed on the DOH registry.

Written or Oral Exam — 70 multiple-choice questions. You can usually choose the English written exam or an oral version if reading English is a barrier. The oral exam includes the same content plus audio prompts, and it requires the ability to understand spoken English.
Skills Evaluation — 5 randomly assigned skills performed in front of a Credentia evaluator. You must complete each skill within the time limit and follow the specific steps the evaluator is watching for.

What the written/oral exam covers

Expect questions on the same content taught during your 85 hours of training:

Safety and emergency procedures — falls, fire response, choking, and accident prevention.
Infection control — hand hygiene, PPE, standard precautions, and transmission-based precautions.
Communication and resident rights — confidentiality, dignity, abuse reporting, and cultural sensitivity.
Basic nursing skills — bathing, grooming, feeding, positioning, transferring, and range-of-motion.
Mental health and social needs — dementia care, behavior management, and family interaction.
Legal and ethical issues — scope of practice, professional boundaries, and the NAC's role on the care team.

What the skills exam covers

The skills test draws from Credentia's published Washington skills list. One task is typically a measurement skill (counting respirations, taking a blood pressure, or measuring and recording weight). The other tasks come from the broader list: hand hygiene, bed making, dressing, toileting, oral care, feeding, transfer assistance, and similar bedside skills. Practice the exact order your training program taught — evaluators score on step-by-step accuracy.

How to register for the exam

Complete a DOH-approved training program and obtain your certificate of completion.
Apply to the Washington State Department of Health for NAC examination eligibility. Most programs walk you through this step.
Schedule both exam parts through Credentia's CNA365 portal once you receive testing authorization.
Pay the exam fee at scheduling or per Credentia's instructions. If you are employed by a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing home, federal law requires your employer to pay the NNAAP fees — coordinate payment through the facility when you schedule.
Confirm your appointment and note the testing location, date, and required arrival time.

How much does the Washington NAC exam cost?

Training program tuition — $800 – $1,800
Books, supplies, and materials — $100 – $300
Background check and any required health screenings — $50 – $150
NNAAP exam — both written and skills — check Credentia's current fee schedule
NNAAP exam — oral option (in place of written) — check Credentia's current fee schedule
Uniform/scrubs and closed-toe shoes — $30 – $80
Optional practice tests or prep apps — $0 – $50

Total upfront investment usually falls between $1,100 and $2,500, depending on the program and what supplies you already own. If you are hired by a Medicare/Medicaid skilled nursing facility within 12 months of certification, your employer is generally required to reimburse training and exam costs under federal law — submit the receipts promptly and keep proof of payment.

Where to take the test in Washington

Credentia runs Washington NNAAP sites across the state. Availability changes, so check CNA365 for current dates and book early — popular seats in Seattle and Spokane fill 2–4 weeks ahead.

Seattle — The largest testing volume in the state, with frequent dates and multiple sites across King County. Book early because seats fill quickly.
Spokane — Regular sessions covering Eastern Washington and northern Idaho commuters. Solid availability throughout the year.
Tacoma — Periodic testing convenient for Pierce County residents. Sessions are usually scheduled rather than daily.
Vancouver — Serves Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area just across the Columbia. Scheduled through programs and through CNA365; dates are limited, so plan ahead.
Yakima — Limited dates that cover Central Washington. Candidates from the Tri-Cities, Wenatchee, and the Yakima Valley often book the first available appointment and travel in.

Check Credentia's CNA365 portal for the most current locations, dates, and capacity. Rural candidates may need to travel to the nearest city; factor that into your scheduling timeline.

Scheduling and what to bring on test day

Schedule promptly after training. The longer you wait, the more skills and content you forget. Many candidates book both exam parts within 1–2 weeks of finishing their program.
Bring a government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your registration exactly. Name mismatches can forfeit your appointment.
Bring your test confirmation — either printed or on your phone, depending on the site's rules.
Wear scrubs and clean, closed-toe shoes suitable for a clinical skills demonstration. Many Washington sites require scrubs; street clothes are usually not accepted.
Arrive 15–30 minutes early. Late arrivals are routinely turned away and forfeit the exam fee.
Leave personal items such as phones, bags, water bottles, and study notes in your car or the designated storage area. Testing rooms rarely allow them.
Reschedule in advance if something comes up. Credentia charges a reschedule fee and the window is narrow; missing without rescheduling means paying again.

After you pass: Washington certification and renewal

DOH lists you on the NAC registry after both exam parts are passed. Your listing is what employers verify, so confirm that your name and contact information are correct as soon as it appears.

Washington renews annually on your birthday — not every two years like most states. To renew in active status you typically need to show qualifying paid work as a NAC (or in a substantially equivalent role) within the certification period, plus any continuing education DOH requires at the time of renewal. Keep documentation of your employer, hours worked, and supervisor contact in case DOH audits your renewal. Set a recurring calendar reminder 60–75 days before your birthday so you have time to gather paperwork and submit before your credential lapses.

If your NAC expires, you cannot work in that role until you reactivate. Reactivation may require additional continuing education, supervised practice hours, or — in some cases — retraining and retesting. Catching a lapse early is far cheaper than reinstating after the credential has been expired for months.

Common pitfalls specific to Washington

Use "NAC," not "CNA." Washington explicitly calls the credential a Nursing Assistant-Certified. Employers, the DOH registry, and your badge will all say NAC — listing "CNA" on an application can cause processing delays.
Annual birthday renewal is easy to miss. Most states renew every 24 months, so candidates moving into Washington often assume the same. Set an annual reminder; forgetting means you cannot legally work as an NAC.
Reciprocity is restricted. Out-of-state CNAs generally must re-test through Credentia in Washington rather than simply transferring their existing credential. Some candidates qualify for waiver pathways, but DOH decides case by case.
Both exam parts must be passed to be listed. Passing the written but not the skills (or vice versa) does not put you on the registry. You must complete both before DOH activates your NAC.
Schedule before skills fade. Washington candidates sometimes wait weeks between finishing training and sitting for the exam. Hand hygiene, measurement skills, and transfer steps decay quickly — practice daily in the days before your test date.
Name and ID must match exactly. A driver's license that says "Jonathan" but a registration under "Jon" is enough to get you turned away at the door. Double-check before you leave home.

FAQ

How long does it take to become an NAC in Washington? Most candidates finish the 85-hour training in 4–8 weeks, then schedule and pass the NNAAP exam within 1–3 additional weeks. From first class to DOH registry listing, many candidates complete the process in 2–3 months.

Can I take the Washington NAC exam without attending a training program? Generally no. Washington requires completion of a DOH-approved 85-hour program unless you qualify for a specific exception such as reciprocity from another state or military training. Check DOH's current waiver criteria before assuming you can skip training.

What happens if I fail one part of the exam? You must pass both the written or oral exam and the skills exam to be certified. If you fail one part, you typically retake only that part and pay the corresponding retest fee. Most candidates use the score report to focus study on the weakest content areas before retaking.

How do I transfer my CNA certification to Washington from another state? Washington may grant reciprocity if your out-of-state credential is active and in good standing, but DOH often requires candidates to re-test through Credentia in Washington rather than just transferring. Submit verification of training, exam results, and work history to DOH and let them decide which pathway applies.

How much does the Washington NAC exam cost? Total investment — including training, supplies, background check, uniform, and exam fees — typically runs between $1,100 and $2,500. The exam itself is set by Credentia; confirm the current schedule on their site before you pay. If a Medicare/Medicaid nursing home employs you within 12 months of certification, federal law generally requires the employer to pay the NNAAP fees.

Practice for the Washington NAC exam at /exam and /skills.