Certified Nursing Assistant in District of Columbia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$46,860

trending_up +18.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, District of Columbia.

engineering

2,550

Jobs (DC)

monitoring Stable

+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments

$165

Licensing fees

schedule

4 weeks - 5 months

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in District of Columbia

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the District of Columbia, individuals must complete a 125-hour state-approved training program, which includes classroom, lab, and clinical hours, or have equivalent nursing education. After training, candidates must pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam administered by Credentia. A criminal background check is required for certification and renewal. The District of Columbia offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states, provided they meet specific criteria and undergo a background check.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,120

25th percentile $43,120

50th (median) $46,860

75th percentile $50,360

90th (experienced) $56,160

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for District of Columbia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist District of Columbia requirements

Licensing body	District of Columbia Board of Nursing
State license	Required
Education	125-hour state-approved training program (65 classroom, 20 lab, 40 clinical) or equivalent nursing education
Experience	8.0 hours
Exam	National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia ($165)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. A criminal background check is required for initial certification and renewal. Renewal also requires proof of at least 8 hours of compensated nursing-related service within the past 24 months. 2 of the 24 CE hours must be in cultural competency or specialized clinical training focusing on LGBTQ+ patients, and 10% must be in public health priorities.

Source: District of Columbia Board of Nursing

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+2.3%

Average

Annual openings

204,100

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,441,500

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleDistrict of Columbia license required — clearer credential signal to employers

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a certified nursing assistant in District of Columbia? expand_more

District of Columbia requires certified nursing assistants to complete the required education (125-hour state-approved training program (65 classroom, 20 lab, 40 clinical) or equivalent nursing education), gain 8.0 hours of supervised experience, and pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia.

Is a certified nursing assistant license required in District of Columbia? expand_more

You cannot practice as a certified nursing assistant in District of Columbia without a state license from District of Columbia Board of Nursing. The required exam is the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia.

How much does a certified nursing assistant make in District of Columbia? expand_more

certified nursing assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $46,860 annually. That's 19% above the national median of $39,530. New certified nursing assistants start around $39,120; seasoned professionals can reach $56,160.

How expensive is certified nursing assistant licensing in District of Columbia? expand_more

Between exam fee ($165), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How long does it take to become a certified nursing assistant in District of Columbia? expand_more

The typical timeline in District of Columbia is 4 weeks - 5 months. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does District of Columbia require continuing education for certified nursing assistants? expand_more

Yes — certified nursing assistants in District of Columbia must complete 24.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.