Online CNA Classes in Washington State: See Top Schools
Thanks to hybrid learning, you can experience convenient online coursework and get hands-on skills all with the same program. Discover the best hybrid/online CNA classes in Washington and see what it takes and how much it costs to get started. Become a certified nursing assistant today.
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A Closer Look at Online CNA Classes in Washington
From feeding patients to helping them stay clean and comfortable after surgery, to making sure there is a good supply of medical equipment on hand, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide vital support to doctors and patients alike.
If you’re looking to join this growing field, you’re in for a crucial career in healthcare with the opportunity to further your education and advance your career later with an online CNA to LPN bridge program. To get started, online CNA classes in Washington state can get you working quickly and affordably.
There are a variety of different online CNA classes in Washington state to choose from, but due to lab and clinical requirements, you’ll need to complete your hands-on training in person. However, many schools allow for flexible online coursework in some classes. We’ve highlighted a few high-quality programs below to get you started in your search.
Nursing Assistant Certification Course — Seattle Central College
Seattle Central College offers a Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate Course, which can be completed in just one quarter. This program, which is accredited by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, can be completed through a convenient hybrid learning model.
Traditional lecture-style classes are offered online through Zoom, while labs are held on the Seattle campus. Later in the quarter, you’ll complete clinical skills classes at one of several clinical sites throughout the Seattle area.
Graduates are prepared to sit for the NAC exam and start work as nursing assistants. Seattle Central College offers in-state tuition for Washington residents and financial aid opportunities.
Duration: One quarter
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $1,580 (resident) | $1,770 (non-resident)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 18+ years of age
- Proof of immunizations
- Proof of insurance
- Criminal background check
Curriculum:
- Nursing Assistant Certified Theory
- Nursing Assistant – Lab Skills and Concepts
- Nursing Assistant Clinical
- Nursing Assistant Bls Certification
Nursing Assistant Certified Certificate — Shoreline Community College
The Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate Program at Shoreline Community College is designed to prepare you to sit for your CNA exam. The program, approved by the Washington State Nursing Commission, is primarily completed on campus. Unlike some online CNA classes in Washington state, SCC’s CNA program emphasizes hands-on experiences. You’ll complete two different clinical experience courses and two in-person lab courses during the program.
For added flexibility and convenience, classes start every quarter. To be admitted to this program, you’ll need to show completion of math and English prerequisites and pass a criminal background check to access healthcare facilities for your clinical experiences.
Duration: One quarter
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $126.47/credit (resident) | $246.49/credit (non-resident)
Admissions Requirements:
- Criminal background check
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of immunizations
- Math & English prerequisite courses
Curriculum:
- Nursing Assistant Theory and Skills Lab
- Nursing Assistant Clinical Experience
Answering Common Questions from CNA Students in Washington
Even if you’ve decided you’re ready to apply for Washington state CNA programs, it’s normal to have a few questions about getting your degree and your career prospects.
We’ve assembled some of the most common questions for students considering CNA classes to help you in your research, along with detailed answers. Keep reading to find out more.
Are there 4-week online CNA programs in Washington?
Yes, there are 4-week CNA programs available in Washington. The length of online CNA programs varies by school, with most programs taking one quarter to complete. If you attend a traditional one-quarter program, you’ll still graduate relatively quickly–most college quarters are 10 weeks long.
However, four-week programs are not unusual in general. For instance, the CNA program at Seattle Central College can be completed in as little as four weeks, with online and in-person elements. In Washington, four-week programs are one of the fastest ways to become a CNA, which makes them a great choice if you want to get into the job market quickly.
Can you take the CNA test without classes in Washington state?
Yes, possibly. While you don’t necessarily have to graduate from online CNA classes in Washington state to take your CNA exam, you will need some nursing education.
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing, other training options can include partially completing nursing school, taking classes out of state, or training in the military.
Whichever way you complete nursing assistant training, you’ll need to be prepared to pass an in-person skills test and an online written test, so be sure to employ your best test-taking strategies. Most training programs provide the skills test, making it easy to test in your own training program soon after graduation.
How long is CNA training in Washington state?
Training could take anywhere from roughly a month to an academic semester or more. The majority of CNA programs take between four and 12 weeks to complete. The length of time your CNA training takes varies depending on your program and whether or not it offers flexible classes.
In many cases, your own needs will determine program length. To estimate how long it will take you to complete training, consider whether you can attend school full- or part-time and how long it will take you to complete the required labs and clinicals.
How much does the CNA exam cost in Washington state?
The Washington state Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) Exam consists of two separate tests, which cost a total of $155. The first is an in-person skills test, while the second is an online written test. Both are designed to test your knowledge and skills of nursing assistant duties and procedures, as well as your ability to perform them.
Candidates are expected to take and pass the written skills test before registering for the written test. Each test has its own exam fee, payable at the time of registration. You’ll pay $100 for the written portion of the exam and $55 for the oral portion.
What are the requirements for CNA certification in Washington state?
You need to complete your CNA program and pass exam requirements to earn your license and become certified. Educational requirements can vary, although approved CNA classes will generally prepare you for your National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) competency examination.
If you plan to work as a CNA in Washington state, you will need to renew your license every year, on or before your birthday, to remain certified to work as a nursing assistant. CNA renewal requirements vary by state, and in Washington state, CNAs do not have any continuing education requirements for renewal, and you can renew your license online or by mail.
CNA Salary & Career Overview for Washington State
Nursing Assistants
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $42,500 | $49,180 | $62,660 |
| Bellingham, WA | $42,910 | $48,040 | $59,040 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $42,070 | $49,160 | $57,270 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $39,520 | $48,060 | $57,090 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $37,020 | $38,870 | $48,150 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $39,200 | $47,830 | $59,010 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $41,320 | $49,020 | $59,040 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $40,510 | $48,060 | $57,450 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $43,980 | $50,350 | $61,170 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,060 | $51,990 | $67,280 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $38,290 | $47,240 | $59,140 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $40,340 | $47,990 | $57,770 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $42,350 | $48,520 | $61,580 |
| Yakima, WA | $40,030 | $47,080 | $48,510 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Nursing Assistants
| Area ↕︎ | Curr. Jobs ↕︎ | Proj. Jobs ↕︎ | New Jobs ↕︎ | Growth % ↕︎ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,441,500 | 1,474,000 | 32,500 | 2.3% | 204,100 |
| Washington | 38,240 | 45,530 | 7,280 | 19% | 7,280 |
Source: Projections Central, 2024-2034
Best Schools for Online CNA Classes in Washington State
Lower Columbia College
Program Details
- Location: Longview, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 52%Students W/ Aid
- $7,586Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Lower Columbia College
- Certificate can be completed in just 7 credits, making it a fast path to CNA certification.
- The program is Washington State Board of Nursing approved, adding strong credential value for employers.
- Lower Columbia College offers scholarships that can cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and sometimes transportation or childcare.
Program Details
- Location: Longview, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 52%Students W/ Aid
- $7,586Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 36%Students W/ Aid
- $6,234Avg. Aid Amount
- 13/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Highline College
- Train for an exciting and rewarding CNA career in just four intensive weeks.
- Program combines classroom theory, skills lab, and supervised clinical experience to build real-world competence.
- Completion prepares students to sit for the Washington State Certified Nursing Assistant licensure exam.
Program Details
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 36%Students W/ Aid
- $6,234Avg. Aid Amount
- 13/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Everett Community College
Program Details
- Location: Everett, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 31%Students W/ Aid
- $6,769Avg. Aid Amount
- 17/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Everett Community College
- Program completes in just one quarter, allowing rapid entry into paid healthcare employment.
- Small, high-quality health sciences program with experienced instructors and strong certification exam pass rates.
- Located near major regional healthcare employers who hire and support EvCC graduates, boosting job prospects.
Program Details
- Location: Everett, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 31%Students W/ Aid
- $6,769Avg. Aid Amount
- 17/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- Location: Lynnwood, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 25%Students W/ Aid
- $6,737Avg. Aid Amount
- 11/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Edmonds College
- The FastTrack Nurse Assistant program offers a short-term, affordable pathway to CNA licensure in just 20 weeks, enabling rapid entry into the job market.
- FastTrack Nurse Assistant students receive access to full campus support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career coaching, mental health counseling, and on-campus childcare, enhancing success and stability during training.
- Successful FastTrack Nurse Assistant graduates become eligible for Washington State nursing assistant certification upon passing the state competency exam, providing a clear, streamlined route to recognized credentials.
Program Details
- Location: Lynnwood, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 25%Students W/ Aid
- $6,737Avg. Aid Amount
- 11/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- Location: Shoreline, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 27%Students W/ Aid
- $6,040Avg. Aid Amount
- 13/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Shoreline College
- Federal aid, scholarships, grants, and other funding are available to help reduce your costs.
- The program’s published tuition is low for Washington residents, with a quarter costing only about $131.39.
- It can be completed in one quarter, offering a fast route to CNA certification.
Program Details
- Location: Shoreline, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 27%Students W/ Aid
- $6,040Avg. Aid Amount
- 13/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Clover Park Technical College
Program Details
- Location: Lakewood, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 31%Students W/ Aid
- $8,348Avg. Aid Amount
- 20/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Clover Park Technical College
- The Nursing Assistant (NA-C) program can be completed in just one quarter, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly.
- Students receive integrated classroom, lab, and clinical training, graduating with hands-on experience across multiple healthcare settings.
- Graduates are specifically prepared to sit for the Washington state Nursing Assistant–Certified exam, supporting a direct path to certification and employment.
Program Details
- Location: Lakewood, WA
- NWCCUAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 31%Students W/ Aid
- $8,348Avg. Aid Amount
- 20/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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