Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 24, 2025
Washington provides Certified Nursing Assistant training which enables compassionate people to start their healthcare careers rapidly while immediately benefiting patient health outcomes. Nursing Assistants-Certified perform basic patient care activities including bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility support so nurses along with clinicians can focus on treating complex cases.
Port Angeles, WA - Public 4-Year - pencol.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Peninsula College's Nursing Assistant Certificate offers an intensive, comprehensive pathway into healthcare, strategically designed to transform students into skilled care professionals. Through a meticulously structured 6-8 week program, students immerse themselves in 54 academic and 48 clinical training hours, gaining essential competencies under registered nurse supervision. The curriculum's rigorous approach ensures graduates are fully prepared for the Washington State Certificate Exam, positioning them competitively for employment across diverse healthcare settings like hospitals, nursing facilities, and assisted living centers. With no prerequisite courses required and flexible scheduling including evening and daytime options, the program provides an accessible entry point into nursing assistance.
Tacoma, WA - Public 4-Year - tacomacc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Tacoma Community College's CNA Certificate transforms aspiring healthcare professionals through immersive, hands-on training that bridges classroom learning with practical patient care skills. Students dive deep into critical medical procedures, patient interaction techniques, and professional healthcare protocols. The compact program strategically prepares participants for immediate employment across diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and medical clinics. By emphasizing both technical competence and compassionate care, graduates emerge ready to make meaningful contributions in entry-level nursing assistant roles, with a curriculum designed to quickly launch careers in the dynamic healthcare industry.
Lynnwood, WA - Public 4-Year - edmonds.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Edmonds College's Nurse Assistant Certificate transforms aspiring healthcare professionals through an intensive 8-credit program designed for comprehensive patient care training. Students develop critical skills in long-term and acute care environments, focusing on essential healthcare protocols and professional teamwork. The curriculum combines rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on clinical externships, ensuring graduates are fully prepared to successfully challenge the Washington state licensure exam. With a minimum 2.0 GPA requirement, the program emphasizes practical competencies in patient safety, medical procedures, and interpersonal communication within healthcare settings.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Edmonds College's Acute Care Nursing Assistant Certificate provides an in-depth 24-credit program targeting specialized healthcare professionals seeking advanced acute care skills. Students engage in comprehensive training covering complex medical terminology, specialized patient monitoring techniques, and advanced clinical procedures like glucose tracking and wound management. The curriculum strategically balances theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical externships, ensuring graduates are thoroughly prepared for certification. Rigorous admission requirements, including immunization documentation and background checks, underscore the program's commitment to maintaining high professional standards in acute care nursing environments.
Bellingham, WA - Public 4-Year - btc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bellingham Technical College's Nursing Assistant program offers a robust pathway into healthcare, strategically designed to prepare students for immediate employment in diverse medical environments. Through intensive clinical training, students develop comprehensive skills essential for patient care, including vital sign monitoring, basic medical procedures, and professional communication. The program's state-approved curriculum ensures graduates meet rigorous certification standards, positioning them competitively for roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health services. With a focus on practical experience and professional development, students also gain valuable insights into healthcare protocols and patient interaction techniques.
Tacoma, WA - Public 2-Year - batestech.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bates Technical College's Nursing Assistant Certified program delivers an intensive 5-week training pathway for aspiring healthcare professionals. Designed to equip students with critical patient care skills, the 10-credit certificate curriculum provides comprehensive instruction in essential nursing techniques, safety protocols, and hands-on clinical experiences. Graduates are fully prepared to challenge the Washington State nursing assistant certification exam, offering a rapid and efficient route into entry-level healthcare roles. The program emphasizes practical skills, professional conduct, and patient-centered care, ensuring students develop the competencies needed to support individuals with diverse medical needs.
Some approved providers within Washington State allow students to combine their work and family obligations through online learning components in their CNA curriculum. Virtual learning platforms deliver theoretical coursework content through lectures, quizzes, and discussions which students can complete independently. The state requires all practical training components to occur in person under direct instructor supervision during skills labs and patient-care clinicals. Although Washington does not permit CNA certification through remote programs students can benefit from hybrid courses which reduce their travel time while making instruction accessible in distant regions.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| South Puget Sound Community College |
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| Bates Technical College |
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| Renton Technical College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program (or qualify via LPN/RN, military, or out-of-state certification) and apply for testing through CNA365 |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Washington State Department of Health – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | 108 hours total (35 classroom, 33 skills lab, 40 supervised clinical) |
| Exam and Application Fees | $55 for the written/oral test, $100 for the skills evaluation, paid via CNA365 |
| Certification Exam | Must pass both the knowledge test and a five-skill practical evaluation |
| Registry Activation Time | Added to the registry within three business days of passing both exams |
| Renewal Requirements | Renew annually by your birthday with a $95 fee, no continuing-education requirement |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs apply via endorsement with proof of active certification and training, no exam required |
Washington State provides CNA employees with salary rates higher than those found across the nation. The starting hourly pay for entry-level CNAs typically reaches up to twenty dollars before experience and additional training or night shift work increases their compensation. The highest CNA salaries exist in metropolitan areas including Seattle and Bellevue but rural settings offer reduced compensation that matches their lower living costs along with strong community connections. The state’s aging population along with hospital staffing changes in patient-centered care creates favorable employment prospects for CNAs. The upcoming decade shows positive industry trends for CNA position growth which guarantees stable employment for recent graduates. The successful CNA can move into specialized units or supervisory aide roles to increase their earning potential.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Washington | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $41,100 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $19.75 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$51,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $41,100 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$31,400 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~5% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~10,200 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| Peninsula College |
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| Bellingham Technical College |
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| Bates Technical College |
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The clinical skills learned through CNA work create an easy transition path to nursing and allied health career advancement. Washington community colleges operate bridge programs which help CNAs gain admission into Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse programs while offering credit for prior learning experience. Healthcare employers support employee education through tuition reimbursement and flexible work arrangements as well as mentorship programs. The healthcare experience develops clinical abilities together with communication skills and teamwork skills which advanced practice professionals highly value. The CNA certification provides a pathway for nurses to acquire specialized certifications in restorative care, acute care, and medication assistance which increases their earning potential. The CNA certification provides initial professional entry that allows continuous development and offers essential care to vulnerable populations throughout one’s career.
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