Before You Apply
Determine If You Are Applying For A Registration (NAR) Or Certification (NAC)
- Make sure you apply for the correct credential before you submit your application
- Before you apply for your credential, please see WAC 246-12-340 about fees
Please review the information below carefully to make sure you are applying for a registration (NAR) or a certification (NAC).
If you are a current student in a Nursing Assistant Certification training program, please review the WABON NAC Exam and Application Process PowerPoint prior to submitting your online application or registering with Credentia
| Option 1: Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR) | Option 2: Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) |
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| Choose this option if you want to begin working quickly and plan to complete Nursing Assistant Certified training soon. | Choose this option if you’re planning to enroll or have completed training or want full certification before working. |
Still Not Sure?
Contact your training program or Washington State Board of Nursing for guidance.
Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR)
No formal training is required. Registered nursing assistants (NARs) employed in a nursing home have four months to complete an approved training program and testing for certification.
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Step 1: Complete an Online Application
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To apply for your Nursing Assistant Registration, complete an online application through the HELMS Portal.
- Visit the Online Portal Instructions page for step-by-step instructions
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Step 2: Pay the Application Fee Online
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Step 3: Attach Required Forms and Documents
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Note: Any “yes” responses to personal data questions must have supporting documents, such as official certified court documents and written statements. If documentation is not uploaded, this may delay the processing of your application.
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Step 4: Submit Your Application
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After you submit your application and payment, you will get an email with your pending credential number. (We will email you if we need more information)
Refer to this credential number any time you contact us or submit documents.
Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)
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Step 1: Determine Your Pathway to Licensure
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The following are different ways to get your license:
- Traditional Training
- Alternative Training – Home Care Aide
- Alternative Training – Medical Assistant
- Endorsement (Currently Holds an Active Out of State Certification)
- Nursing School Student
- Out-of-State Training
- Military Training
- Out-of-Country Training
Traditional Training
Washington State traditional nursing assistant certified training programs provide a complete training program for nursing assistants and require no previous training or credentials.
- Applicants must complete and pass the training program and the competency exams (skills and written)
- In most cases, your school will confirm that you completed your training, and our testing vendor, Credentia, will send your test results directly to us
- You may need to provide a certificate of completion or an official transcript from your training program in certain circumstances
- Once you submit your application, we will email you if we need anything else
Alternative Training – Home Care Aide
If you hold an active certified Home Care Aide (HCA) in Washington State, you can take a shorter “bridge” training program to become a certified nursing assistant (NAC).
- Applicants must complete and pass the training program and the competency exams (skills and written)
- In most cases, your school will confirm that you completed your training, and our testing vendor, Credentia, will send your test results directly to us
- You may need to provide a certificate of completion or an official transcript from your training program in certain circumstances
- Once you submit your application, we will email you if we need anything else
Alternative Training – Medical Assistant
If you hold an active Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) credential in Washington State, you can take a shorter “bridge” training program to become a certified nursing assistant (NAC).
- Applicants must complete and pass the training program and the competency exams (skills and written)
- In most cases, your school will confirm that you completed your training, and our testing vendor, Credentia, will send your test results directly to us
- You may need to provide a certificate of completion or an official transcript from your training program in certain circumstances
- Once you submit your application, we will email you if we need anything else
Endorsement (Currently Holds an Active Out of State Certification)
If you hold an active Certified Nursing Assistant credential in another state, you may be eligible to endorse your certification to Washington State.
As part of the application process, you will be required to:
- Provide your nursing assistant caregiver employment history from the state where you are currently certified
- Complete the first part of the verification form and send each state where you have held an active nursing assistant certification. Please have the form sent back to NACapplications@doh.wa.gov.
- Additional information regarding your education may be requested by email if needed
Nursing School Student
If you are in nursing school, you may be able to get a nursing assistant certification (NAC). Many students qualify after their first quarter, but your transcripts must be reviewed to make sure you meet the requirements.
To apply, you must submit:
- Official nursing school transcripts
- A current CPR card (front and back copy)
If your education is approved, you can take the state tests (skills and written exams). We will send you a letter that allows you to schedule your exams.
Out-of-State Training
If you have completed out-of-state training, but have not become certified in that state, you may be able to get a nursing assistant certification (NAC) in Washington State.
To apply, you must submit:
- Official transcripts or a certificate of completion from your training program
- A current CPR card (front and back copy)
We may email you requesting more information about your education. If your education is approved, you can take the state tests (skills and written exams). We will send you a letter that allows you to schedule your exams.
Military Training
If you have completed military training as a nursing assistant, you may be eligible to obtain a Nursing Assistant–Certified (NAC) credential in Washington State.
To apply, you must submit:
- A copy of your DD214 (Member-4 or Service 2 copy) or NGB-22 (for National Guard members)
- Official transcripts from the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
If your education is approved, you can take the state tests (skills and written exams). We will send you a letter that allows you to schedule your exams.
Out-of-Country Training
If you have completed out-of-country training, you may be able to get a nursing assistant certification (NAC) in Washington State.
To apply, you must submit:
- Official transcripts
- A current CPR card (front and back copy)
We may email you requesting more information about your education.
If your education is approved, you can take the state tests (skills and written exams). We will send you a letter that allows you to schedule your exams.
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Step 2: Complete an Online Application
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To apply for your Nursing Assistant Registration, complete an online application through the HELMS Portal.
- Visit the Online Portal Instructions page for step-by-step instructions
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Step 3: Pay the Application Fee Online
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Step 4: Attach Required Forms and Documents
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Based upon your selected pathway to licensure above, please upload any supporting documentation to the online application portal directly.
Note: Any “yes” responses to personal data questions must have supporting documents, such as official certified court documents and written statements. If documentation is not uploaded, this may delay the processing of your application.
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Step 5: Submit Your Application
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After you submit your application and payment, you will get an email with your pending credential number. (We will email you if we need more information)
Refer to this credential number any time you contact us or submit documents.
Medication Assistant Endorsement (MACE)
Washington State medication assistant endorsement training programs provide a complete training program for active nursing assistants certified (NACs).
- Applicants must complete and pass the medication assistant endorsement training program and the written competency exam
- In most cases, your school will confirm that you completed your training, and our testing vendor, Credentia, will send your test results directly to us
- You may need to provide a certificate of completion from your training program in certain circumstances
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You must also provide at least 1,000 hours of work experience in a nursing home as a nursing assistant-certified within the year immediately before the date of application
- Download the form and request it be completed: Verification of Work Experience for Medication Assistant Endorsements
Once you submit your application, we will email you if we need anything else.
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Step 1: Complete an Online Application
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To apply for your Medication Assistant Endorsement Certification, complete an online application through the HELMS Portal.
- Visit the Online Portal Instructions page for step-by-step instructions
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Step 2: Pay the Application Fee Online
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Step 3: Attach Required Forms and Documents
-
Note: Any “yes” responses to personal data questions must have supporting documents, such as official certified court documents and written statements. If documentation is not uploaded, this may delay the processing of your application.
-
Step 4: Submit Your Application
-
After you submit your application and payment, you will get an email with your pending credential number. (We will email you if we need more information)
Refer to this credential number any time you contact us or submit documents.