CNA Training in Washington

The Washington CNA competency examination follows the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program method through Pearson VUE. Some students may be able to test at the same facilities where they trained. Others will need to choose a regional testing center. To test, students must send in an application; the state sends out Authorizations to Test two days after receiving the applications.

As with other states, Washington requires students to pass two different testing sections before receiving their certifications. Those who have difficulty reading English may also take the written examination orally. However, the oral version includes an additional 10 reading comprehension questions. The written section test CNA knowledge and includes 70 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in two hours or less.

During the skills test, students are asked to demonstrate hand washing as well as four other randomly selected CNA tasks in front of a nurse aide evaluator. One of the other four skills will be taking a measurement, such as a radial pulse. The skills must all be completed accurately within 25 minutes or less.

Students will find out if they have passed or failed the same day. Those who have failed will be required to retake the section that they failed. Both sections of the examination must be passed within a year of completing a training program. The fee to take the entire examination is $110. Those retaking the test will be charged $36 for the written or oral section or $74 for the skills section.

CNAs moving to Washington can request to have their certifications transferred into the state via reciprocity. However, Washington determines reciprocity on a case-by-case basis. Some individuals may be required to retrain and retest here to receive a Washington license. To apply, CNAs must be active and in good standing with their prior states and have no accusations of patient abuse or neglect on their records. Those with expired certifications will not be approved for reciprocity. Applicants must send in applications along with employment histories and certification information. They will need to have received the AIDS education that is mandatory in Washington. The Certification Application costs $48. CNAs who are also registered as Medication Assistants will pay an additional reciprocity fee of $25.

Washington CNAs will have to renew their certifications every 24 months to remain active on the state’s Nurse Aide Registry. CNAs must remain in good standing with the state to be eligible for renewal. CNAs here do not have to complete any specific amounts of continuing education; however, they must work at least eight hours for pay as CNAs every 24 months to be eligible for renewal. Renewal occurs every two years before the individual’s birthday. Those who do not renew because they did not work the required eight hours will need to attend another training program and retest. Renewal costs $53. Those who renew late will have to pay an additional $53 fee.

CNA Application Packet

Links
Washington State Department of Health
Washington Nursing Commission
Washington State Nurse Aide Registry
CNA Credential Search

Contacts
Town Center 2
111 Israel Rd SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: 360-236-4700
Fax: 360-236-4818
Email: [email protected]