Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington

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

Median annual salary

$48,260

trending_up +22.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Washington.

engineering

28,080

Jobs (WA)

monitoring Stable

+2.3%

10-yr job growth

payments

$240

Licensing fees

schedule

4-12 weeks for training, plus 2-4 weeks for application processing (total 8-16 weeks average)

Time to complete

route How to become a certified nursing assistant in Washington

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Washington, you must complete a state-approved training program of at least 108 hours, including classroom, skills lab, and clinical components, along with 7 hours of HIV/AIDS training. After training, you need to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam, administered by Credentia, which includes a written and a skills test. Finally, apply for certification through the Washington State Department of Health, which involves an $85 application fee and a criminal background check. Washington offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states, requiring an Out-of-State Credential Verification form and a background check.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,170

25th percentile $44,850

50th (median) $48,260

75th percentile $54,780

90th (experienced) $60,220

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

checklist Washington requirements

Licensing body	Washington State Department of Health
State license	Required
Education	108-hour state-approved training program, including 35 hours of classroom/theory, 33 hours of skills labs, and 40 hours of facility/clinical. Additionally, 7 hours of HIV/AIDS training is required.
Experience	8.0 hours
Exam	National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia ($155)
Application fee	$85
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Renewal is annual (on birthday) and requires proof of working at least 8 hours as a paid CNA within the last 24 months OR completing 12 hours of continuing education annually. A criminal background check is required for all applicants. Minimum age to work as a CNA in Washington is 18 years old, though some training programs may accept 17-year-olds.

Source: Washington State Department of Health

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_circleWashington license required — clearer credential signal to employers

psychology

Wondering if a certified nursing assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a certified nursing assistant in Washington? expand_more

In Washington, becoming a certified nursing assistant requires you to complete the required education (108-hour state-approved training program, including 35 hours of classroom/theory, 33 hours of skills labs, and 40 hours of facility/clinical. Additionally, 7 hours of HIV/AIDS training is required.), gain 8.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia, and submit your application ($85 fee).

Is a certified nursing assistant license required in Washington? expand_more

Washington mandates state licensure for certified nursing assistants. Washington State Department of Health oversees the process, which includes passing the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia.

What do certified nursing assistants earn in Washington? expand_more

The median certified nursing assistant salary in Washington is $48,260 per year. That's 22% above the national median of $39,530. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $40,170, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $60,220.

How expensive is certified nursing assistant licensing in Washington? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($155) and application fee ($85) and required training.

How quickly can I become a certified nursing assistant in Washington? expand_more

Most candidates in Washington complete the process in 4-12 weeks for training, plus 2-4 weeks for application processing (total 8-16 weeks average), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What's required to renew a certified nursing assistant license in Washington? expand_more

License renewal in Washington requires completing 12.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.