Types of Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Types of Nursing Assistant training programs

There are 4 different types of training programs in Washington state.

• Traditional 
• Home care aide (HCA) alternative (“bridge”) 
• Medical assistant (MA) alternative (“bridge”) 
• Medication assistant certification endorsement (MACE) 

Find an approved training program near you.

Traditional 

Traditional programs provide a complete training program for nursing assistants and require no previous training.  

Students who:

• Complete an approved traditional program are eligible to apply to take the state exam for nursing assistant certification (NAC).  
• Pass the state exam are eligible to apply for their NAC credential.

Home care aide (HCA)

Home care aide (HCA) alternative training programs recognize prior training and current HCA certification. They provide a shorter training program intended to “bridge” students to nursing assistant certification (NAC).  

• Students who complete an approved alternative program are eligible to apply to take the state exam for NAC.  
• Students who pass the state exam are eligible to apply for their NAC credential.

Medical assistant (MA)

Medical assistant (MA) alternative training programs recognize prior training and current MA certification. They provide a shorter training program intended to “bridge” students to nursing assistant certification (NAC). 

• Students who complete an approved alternative program are eligible to apply to take the state exam for NAC.  
• Students who pass the state exam are eligible to apply for their NAC credential.

Medication assistant certification endorsement (MACE) 

Medication assistant certification endorsement (MACE) programs provide additional education to experienced nursing assistants-certified who work in nursing homes.  

• Experienced NACs who complete an approved MACE program are eligible to take the state MACE exam.  
• Experienced NACs who pass the state exam are eligible to apply for endorsement as a medication assistant in a nursing home.

MACE requirements

Details about experience and application requirements for Medication assistant certification endorsement (MACE):

• WAC 246-841A-595 identifies experience requirements as well as application requirements.

Approved Nursing Assistant training programs

• Find an approved training program near you.

Questions?

Email: WABONEducation@doh.wa.gov