Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) Exam

Information for students and graduates about the Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) exam in Washington state.

About the Exam

The Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) exam consists of two parts:

In-person skills test
Online written test

Exam candidates should take the skills test first.

Candidates are expected to pass the skills test before registering for the written test.
Testing out of order can delay certification.

Nursing assistant applicants must pass both parts of the exam in order to be considered for certification.

Exam costs

Skills test: $100
Written test: $55

Total exam costs for both written and skills: $155.

Exam administration

Training programs now provide the skills test.

Most training programs provide skills testing.
This means you can likely test in your own training program, or one that is nearby, soon after you graduate.

In Washington, Credentia is the company that administers the online written test.

Helpful Credentia resources

Practice online written test (PDF)
List of skills and skills steps you will be tested on (PDF)
Candidate Handbook (PDF)

Eligibility to Take the Exam

How you become eligible to take the exam is called your Eligibility Route.

Each Eligibility Route has a specific code assigned to it that you need to use to register for the exam.

The most common Eligibility Route is completing an approved nursing assistant training program in Washington:

Traditional training program (code = E1)
Alternative (“bridge”) program (code = E6).

There are several other Eligibility Routes, all of which are considered “non-routine” routes.

Eligibility through a “non-routine” route means that you must submit a complete application with DOH – Credentialing to receive an Authorization to Test prior to registering for the exam.

You will not be able to test without an Authorization to Test.

Eligibly Routes

All Eligibility Routes:

E1: New nursing assistant (graduate of an approved Washington traditional training program, not previously certified)

E2: Nursing student (LPN or RN program) or nursing program graduate (LPN or RN program)

E3: Military nursing student

E4: Out-of-State nursing assistant training program graduate or nursing program (LPN or RN program) graduate

E5: Lapsed nursing assistant credential >3 years, but completed training again

E6: New nursing assistant (graduate of an approved Washington alternative “bridge” training program)

E7: Training occurred prior to Feb. 1, 2015

E8: OBRA Re-activation (only 1 re-test attempt allowed; you must pass both parts of the exam on 1^st attempt or re-training is required)

E9: Training program now closed

Applying to Take the Exam and Your NAC Credential

Once you determine your Eligibility Route, follow the 4-steps for your route below in to take the exam and earn your NAC credential.

Eligibility Routes E1 and E6 (most common)

New nursing assistant graduate (E1 or E6) 4-step process:

STEP 1: Get a Credentia Candidate ID number.

Create a Credentia365 account and verify your email address.

You need a Candidate ID number to:
- Register for the skills test.
- Register for the written (or oral) test.
- Ensure your results are processed quickly.

STEP 2: Register for the skills test.

Option A: Register with your training program, if your training program provides skills testing.
- Follow your program’s payment policy for the $100 testing fee.

Option B: Register through WABON online scheduling if your training program is NOT providing skills testing at this time.
- Use WABON online scheduling to register for a test location, date, and time.
- Follow test site’s payment police for the $100 testing fee.

STEP 3: Register for the written (or oral) test on the Credentia website AFTER you pass the skills test.

STEP 4*: Apply for your nursing assistant-certified (NAC) credential with the Department of Health (DOH), if you have not already done so.

*Note: New graduates from approved Washington state Nursing Assistant training programs may do Step 4 at any time.

Completing Step 4 early can save time in certification processing.

All Other Eligibility Routes (“Non-Routine”)

If you match any of the other Eligibility Routes (E2-E5, E7-E9) then follow the 4 steps below:

Eligibility through a “non-routine” route means that you must submit a complete application with DOH – Credentialing to receive an Authorization to Test prior to registering for the exam.
You will not be able to test without an Authorization to Test.

STEP 1: Apply for your nursing assistant-certified (NAC) credential with the Department of Health (DOH).

You must receive an Authorization to Test from them prior to registering for the exam.
You will not be able to test without an Authorization to Test.

STEP 2: Get a Credentia Candidate ID number.

Create a Credentia365 account and verify your email address.
You need a Candidate ID number to:
- Register for the skills test.
- Register for the written (or oral) test.
- Ensure your results are processed quickly.

STEP 3: Register for the skills test.

Option A: Register with your training program, if your training program provides skills testing.

Follow your program’s payment policy for the $100 testing fee.

Option B: Register through WABON online scheduling if your training program is NOT providing skills testing at this time.
- Use WABON online scheduling to register for a test location, date, and time.
- Follow test site’s payment police for the $100 testing fee.

STEP 4: Register for the written (or oral) test on the Credentia website AFTER you pass the skills test

Other Important Exam Information

Exam candidates must provide proof to test. To take the skills test, candidates must give the evaluating RN a copy of one of the following:
- Certificate of Completion (COC)
- Authorization to Test (ATT)

Questions?

Email: WABONeducation@doh.wa.gov