Nursing Assistant Skills Testing

Washington is changing the process for completing the nursing assistant exam. The purpose is to increase students’ access to skills testing following graduation. 

• New process starts October 1, 2023.
• Registration for October skills testing slots starts now. (See steps below.)

• Skills test dates scheduled for September are unchanged.
  • Testing candidates should keep September testing appointments.
• Graduates beginning their testing process October 1 or later will take the skills test first.
  • Graduates are expected to pass the skills test before registering for the written test.
  • This change will save steps and time in testing and certification processes.
•  For October skills test dates, many approved nursing assistant training programs will schedule and provide skills tests for their current and previous graduates.
  • View list of the programs ready to provide skills testing to their graduates.
  • More programs will begin providing skills testing in November or December.
  • By 2024, most programs will provide skills testing routinely immediately after graduation.
• Graduates will no longer register for skills tests on Credentia365.
  • They will continue to use Credentia365 to get their Candidate Identification (ID) number and register for the written (or oral) exam.
• For October skills test dates, graduates will use these new steps to register and test.

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 is ready to provide skills testing
  • If your training program offers testing, the program will reach out to you about available skills test dates and the registration and payment process.
  • Please wait for the program to contact you (or check the program’s website for information). Contacting the program now will cause delays in scheduling.
• 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.
  • The test site will follow up regarding their process for paying the skills test fee.

Step 3: Register for the written (or oral) test 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.

• Overall cost of the nursing assistant exam is the same, but the amounts paid for each part of the exam have changed. 
  • Skills test fee will be $100.
  • Written (or oral) test fee will be $55.

• Program list: Nursing Assistant Programs providing Skills Testing in October 2023
• 1-page chart: 4-step nursing assistant exam process (PDF)
• Video: Nursing Assistant Exam Changes for October 2023 Overview (YouTube)
• Presentation: Nursing Assistant Exam Changes Overview (PDF) 

Need this message in another format? Please call 800-525-0127.

Deaf or hard of hearing customers:

• Call: 711 (Washington Relay)
• Email:  civil.rights@doh.wa.gov