How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington
Washington employs approximately 30,270 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,180 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Nursing Assistant, Nursing Technician, Nurse. The licensing authority is the Department of Health 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 85 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Department of Health oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Washington? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Washington is $49,180 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,500 and experienced professionals can earn $62,660 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health
- Median wage (Washington): $49,180 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Health oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant | Individuals must have a minimum of 85 hours of training through a state approved program, must pass the state competency examination, list states where credentials were granted and were applied for, p… |
| Nursing Technician | A nursing technician (NTEC) is a nursing student preparing for RN licensure who meets the qualifications for licensure under RCW 18.79.340. |
| Nurse | Individuals must have completed nursing school program, take nursing examination,list other states where person has practiced, file application and pay $88 fee. |
| Registered Nurse | Individuals must have completed approved nursing school program, taken the NCLEX nursing examination,list other states where person has practiced, file application and pay $88 fee. |
| Nurse Anesthetists | |
| Practical Nurse | Individuals must have successfully graduated from an accredited and approved nursing program, submit required application and pay required $92 fee. |
| Nursing Pool | Duties of nursing pool-Application of uniform disciplinary act-Criminal background checks. |
| Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner | Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (ARNPs) are independent in their scope of medical practice including full prescription authority. |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Individuals must have a BA from a recognized institution, must provide professional experience in the health care and management field, provide proposed administrator-in-training program, including pr… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | Individuals must pass the licensed practical nurse examination and pay the required $92 fee. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialists |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 25,520 | $45,730 | $45,130 | $36,060 | $55,390 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 16,530 | $51,990 | $55,220 | $46,060 | $67,280 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 8,890 | $50,350 | $52,660 | $43,980 | $61,170 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 2,780 | $47,240 | $48,870 | $38,290 | $59,140 |
| Yakima | 1,320 | $47,080 | $46,000 | $40,030 | $48,510 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 1,060 | $48,060 | $48,650 | $39,520 | $57,090 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 1,040 | $48,060 | $49,230 | $40,510 | $57,450 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 850 | $49,160 | $49,250 | $42,070 | $57,270 |
| Bellingham | 790 | $48,040 | $49,540 | $42,910 | $59,040 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 500 | $49,020 | $49,880 | $41,320 | $59,040 |
| Longview-Kelso | 440 | $47,830 | $49,030 | $39,200 | $59,010 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 440 | $48,520 | $49,610 | $42,350 | $61,580 |
| Lewiston | 350 | $38,870 | $41,050 | $37,020 | $48,150 |
| Walla Walla | 290 | $47,990 | $48,390 | $40,340 | $57,770 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 16,530 | $51,990 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 2,780 | $47,240 |
| Yakima | 1,320 | $47,080 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 1,060 | $48,060 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 1,040 | $48,060 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 30,270 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Washington is $49,180, which is $9,650 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |