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Washington Certified Nursing Assistant License

Washington DOH

Total Fee
$85
Processing Time
Up to 1 Week
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

What You'll Need

  • Training Completion Certificate — Proof of completing a state-approved 85-108 hour training program.
  • Exam Score Report — Official results from Credentia showing passing scores on both exam components. Credentia Portal
  • Out-of-State Verification Form — Required for endorsement applicants to verify active status in another state's registry.
  • Personal Data Question Documentation — Supporting legal or medical documents if any 'Yes' answers are provided in the personal data section.

How to Apply

  1. Complete State-Approved Training ▾
    Complete a Washington state-approved nursing assistant training program consisting of at least 85 to 108 hours of instruction.
  2. Create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account ▾
    Register for a SAW account and add the 'Health Professional and Facility Licensing (HELMS)' service to access the online application portal.
    Create SAW Account
  3. Submit Initial Application ▾
    Complete the online application through the HELMS portal or mail the paper application packet (DOH 667-030) with the $85 fee.
  4. Register for the NNAAP Exam ▾
    Create a CNA365 account with Credentia to schedule and pay for the written and skills competency examinations.
    Register with Credentia
  5. Pass Competency Exams ▾
    Successfully pass both the written (or oral) and skills portions of the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP).
  6. Complete Background Check ▾
    The DOH will conduct a background check. If you have lived out of state or have a criminal history, you may be required to submit fingerprints via IdentoGO.
Total Fee
$85
Processing Time
Up to 1 Week
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Contact the Washington DOH for current transfer requirements.

Steps

  1. Verify Out-of-State License ▾
    Ensure your CNA certification is active and in good standing in your current state.
  2. Submit Endorsement Application ▾
    Complete the Nursing Assistant Certification Endorsement Application (DOH 667-030) and pay the $85 fee.
  3. Request State Verification ▾
    Send the 'Out-of-State Credential Verification' form to your current state's registry for them to complete and mail directly to Washington DOH.
  4. Employment History ▾
    Provide caregiver employment history from the state you are endorsing from in section four of the application.
Total Fee
Contact board
Renewal Cycle
Annually
Compact
No
Board
Washington DOH

Keeping Your License Active

Washington Certified Nursing Assistant licenses renew Annually. Contact the Washington DOH for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Renew on the board site

Fees

ItemAmount
Application$85
Endorsement application$85

Slow Downs

Incomplete Application Sections ▾
Leaving sections like 'Caregiver Employment History' blank instead of marking 'N/A' can stop processing.
Missing Out-of-State Verification ▾
For endorsement, the DOH must receive verification directly from the other state's registry, which can take several weeks.
Fingerprint Processing ▾
Out-of-state applicants often require a federal fingerprint check, which adds significant time to the background review.
Unpaid Fees ▾
Applications submitted without the non-refundable $85 fee will not be reviewed until payment is cleared.

Questions

How often do I need to renew my Washington CNA certification? ▾
Certifications must be renewed every year on or before your birthday. The renewal fee is $95.
What are the continuing education (CE) requirements? ▾
CNAs must complete 12 hours of continuing education annually, starting after the second year of certification.
Can I work while my certification application is pending? ▾
Yes, you may work as a Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR) for up to 120 days while completing training and testing requirements.
How do I check my application status? ▾
You can check your status through the DOH Provider Credential Search or by logging into your HELMS account via SAW.

Board Info

Washington DOH
Phone(360) 236-4700
Sources
State statutes