Free CNA Classes in Washington
The most reliable way to get CNA training for free in Washington is to be hired by a nursing home first. Federal law says a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, for any part of the training. 19 of the 170 state-approved programs on the official Washington list are run by nursing homes; they are grouped by county below.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), October 2026; 42 CFR 483.152 and 483.154, BLS May 2025
- Nursing-home programs
- 1913 counties
- All approved programs
- 170official list, October 2026
- Training required
- 108+ hr40 clinical
- Washington median pay
- $49,180$23.65/hr · BLS May 2025
How free CNA training works
- Get hired before the class starts. Under 42 CFR 483.152(c)(1), a nurse aide who is employed by a nursing home, or has a job offer from one, on the date training begins cannot be charged for any portion of it, including textbooks and other required materials. The same goes for the state competency exam (42 CFR 483.154(c)(2)). Nursing homes often post these openings as "nurse aide trainee" or "CNA in training" jobs.
- Or get reimbursed later. If you pay for a state-approved program yourself and a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months of finishing, the state must reimburse your costs on a pro-rata basis while you work as a nurse aide (42 CFR 483.152(c)(2)). Keep every receipt.
- Ask the local workforce board. Your American Job Center can tell you whether federal workforce (WIOA) funds will pay for CNA training if you qualify.
The rule covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. It does not promise that every program below takes outside students: a facility-run program usually trains the people that facility hires. Call the nursing home and ask about trainee openings.
19 nursing-home CNA programs in Washington
Source: Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON): approved nursing assistant training programs, list dated October 2026. These are the programs the state lists as run by a nursing home (long-term care facility). For colleges, high schools and private schools, see all 170 approved CNA programs in Washington.
Spokane County 3 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Spokane area.
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Lakeland Village
2320 South Salnave Road, Medical Lake WA 99022 · (509) 299-1036 -
Caldera Care East
414 South University Road, Spokane WA 99206 · (605) 366-9926 -
Regency at Northpointe
1224 E Westview Ct., Spokane WA 99218 · (509) 465-8800
King County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Seattle area.
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Hallmark Manor
32300 1st Avenue South, Federal Way WA 98003 · (253) 874-3580 -
Fulton Academy for Certified Nursing Assistants
7500 Seward Park Avenue South, Seattle WA 98118 · (206) 725-8800
Kitsap County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Bremerton area.
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Forest Ridge Health & Rehab
140 S Marion, Bremerton WA 98312 · (605) 366-9926 -
Avamere at Ridgemont Stafford Healthcare at Ridgemont
2051 Pottery Avenue, Port Orchard WA 98366 · (360) 876-4461
Okanogan County 2 programs
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Regency Harmony House Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
100 River Plaza, Brewster WA 98812 · (509) 689-2546 -
North Valley Hospital/Nursing Home
203 S Western Ave, Tonasket WA 98855 · (509) 486-2151
Pierce County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Seattle area.
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Cottesmore of Life Care
2909 14Th Avenue Nw, Gig Harbor WA 98335 · (253) 851-5433 -
Visiting Angels
1401 S Union Avenue, Tacoma WA 98405 · (253) 537-3700
Clallam County 1 program
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Sequim Bay Post Acute
650 W Hemlock St, Sequim WA 98382 · (206) 491-8568
Columbia County 1 program
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Columbia County Health System
1012 S 3rd St,, Dayton WA 99328 · (509) 382-8401
Lewis County 1 program
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Three Rivers Care
1305 Alexander St, Centralia WA 98531 · (360) 736-2823
Skagit County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Mount Vernon area.
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Life Care Center of Skagit Valley
1462 West State Route 20, Sedro Woolley WA 98284 · (360) 856-6867
Snohomish County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Seattle area.
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Regency Care Center at Monroe
1355 W Main St, Monroe WA 98272 · (360) 794-4011
Thurston County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Olympia area.
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Puget Skilled Nursing
4001 Capital Mall Dr SW, Olympia WA 98502 · (618) 792-8877
Walla Walla County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Walla Walla area.
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Park Manor Rehabilitation Center
1710 Plaza Way, Walla Walla WA 99362 · (509) 529-4218
Yakima County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Yakima area.
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Yakima Valley School -- Yakima County
609 Speyers Rd, Selah WA 98942 · (509) 698-1245
Free CNA classes in other states
- Free CNA classes in New York156
- Free CNA classes in Pennsylvania106
- Free CNA classes in California87
- Free CNA classes in Georgia58
- Free CNA classes in New Jersey45
- Free CNA classes in Virginia31
Free CNA training in Washington: FAQ
Are there free CNA classes in Washington?
Yes, if a nursing home hires you. Federal rules (42 CFR 483.152(c)) say a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, on the day training starts: not for the course, textbooks or required materials, and (under 42 CFR 483.154) not for the competency exam. 19 of the 170 programs on the official Washington list (Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), October 2026) are run by nursing homes; apply for a nurse aide trainee job at one of them, or at any Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home that sends new hires to training.
I already paid for CNA classes in Washington. Can I get the money back?
Possibly. If a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months after you finish a state-approved program, the same federal rule requires the state to reimburse your training costs on a pro-rata basis while you work there as a nurse aide. Keep your receipts and ask the hiring facility or the Washington nurse aide program how the reimbursement is paid out.
Does free CNA training mean I have to work at the nursing home?
The federal rule does not set a minimum period you must stay. A facility may still ask you to sign its own agreement, so read any contract before training starts and ask what happens if you leave early.
Do hospitals and home health agencies have to train CNAs for free?
No. The no-charge rule in 42 CFR 483.152(c) covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. Hospitals, home health agencies and assisted living employers may still pay for training, but federal law does not require it.
How long is CNA training in Washington?
Washington requires at least 108 hours, 40 of them clinical (WAC 246-841A-440). Nursing-home programs must meet the same hours as any other approved program, and you take the same Credentia exam.