If you have just completed your CNA training and want to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, you need to complete the Washington CNA Certification process after the CNA course.
The complete process to get a CNA License in Washington includes the following 6 steps:
- Completing an Approved CNA Training Program
- Creating a SAW (SecureAccess Washington) account
- Submitting an application through HELMS
- Creating a Credentia account and scheduling your exam
- Passing CNA Knowledge and Skills Exam
- Receiving Your CNA Certification and Starting Your Career
Let’s discuss all these 6 steps in detail to get your CNA license in Washington.
Step 1: Complete an Approved CNA Training Program
The basic step is to complete an approved CNA Nursing Training Program. In this CNA training, you are trained in:
- How to properly care for patients
- How to prevent infection
- Developing communication skills for correct coordination with patients and the healthcare team
- Properly measuring vital signs
- How to provide safe mobility and transfer assistance to patients
- How to properly document and report patients’ physical and emotional condition
During training, students practically do patient care under the supervision of trained teachers.
You will be provided with the CNA training certificate after successful completion of the course.
Step 2: Create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) Account
If you don’t already have a SAW account, create one using the following link:
SecureAccess Washington:
https://secureaccess.wa.gov/
You can use this account to access the Washington Department of Health Licensing services. After SAW account creation, you can:
- Access the licensing portal
- Submit your CNA license application
- Check the status of your CNA license application
- Manage your account information
Step 3: Submit Your CNA Application Through HELMS
You will need to add and access the HELMS service after creating your SAW account. HELMS (Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System) is the Washington Department of Health online licensing system for healthcare professionals. You can submit your applications, upload documents, check application status, and manage your credentials here.
Here are the steps to access HELMS:
- Log in to your SAW account
- In your SAW account, add the HELMS service
- Complete the application submission process
- Upload all required documents
- Submit your CNA license application
Visit the Washington State Board of Nursing for complete instructions
Washington Department of Health HELMS information:
Step 4: Create Your Credentia Account and Schedule Your Exam
The next step, after submitting your application, is to register for the Washington Department of Health online licensing system for healthcare professionals. The testing provider for the CNA certification examination used by Washington is Credentia.
Through your Credentia account, you can do the following things:
- Create a testing account
- Register yourself for the CNA Certification examination
- Schedule test dates according to your comfort
- Review examination information
- Access results
Credentia Washington Nurse Aide testing information: https://www.credentia.com/test-takers/wa/
Step 5: Pass the CNA Knowledge and Skills Exams
Now, it is time to prepare and pass your Washington CNA Certificate examination. This exam includes 2 important parts: the Knowledge Exam and the Skills Exam.
CNA Certification Knowledge Exam
This exam tests your knowledge about:
- Safety of the patient
- Infection control
- Communication with patient and healthcare team
- Basic nursing assistant care
- Basic responsibilities of CNA
CNA Certification Skills Exam
This examination is done to test your skills to safely perform CNA duties. Usually, the candidate is asked to perform a few nursing tasks within a given time frame in front of examiners. Proper communication and taking care of safety are important while doing the given nursing tasks.
Step 6: Receive Your CNA Certification and Start Your Career
After completion of all the above steps and passing your CNA Certification exam, you will be issued a Washington CNA License. As a certified CNA in Washington, you can work in nursing homes, hospitals, adult family homes, home-care agencies, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centers, etc.
Bonus Tip:
We recommend checking the current Washington State Board of Nursing’s requirements, as they may change over time: https://nursing.wa.gov/licensing/online-portal-instructions
Want to Start Your CNA Training in Vancouver, WA?
Better Options School of Nursing in Vancouver, Washington offers quality CNA training. Our program features classroom education, clinical preparation, and hands-on skills practice. Learn more about our Certified Nursing Assistant Program.
