(1) The competency evaluation includes a knowledge exam and a skills competency exam. Students must pass both exams before their nursing assistant-certified application can be approved.
(a) For students who complete a board-approved nursing assistant training program, the skills competency exam takes place after the successful completion of theory, skills lab, and clinical components of the course. The student receives a certificate of completion after successfully completing the state skills competency exam.
(b) For students and nonroutine candidates who have not graduated from a board-approved nursing assistant training program but meet eligibility requirements through alternative pathways such as military training, nursing school students, OBRA reactivation, or as out-of-state applicants who have not tested in another state, the board will work individually with the student to arrange a state competency exam date and time.
(2) Training programs will communicate accurate information about the state certification exam to students and share written and video resources including, but not limited to:
(a) Testing service provider's website and how to access it. This includes the testing handbook, practice tests, and steps to register for the exam.
(b) The board's website and how to access it. This includes information to help students navigate through training, testing, and certification.
(c) The department of health website and how to access it. This includes steps to apply for nursing assistant registration and certification.
(3) Programs shall submit skills competency exam results on forms provided by the board when requested. The records may be audited by the board.
(4) The board will monitor all training programs' pass rates on the state certification exam. The program standard for pass rates is:
(a) At least 80 percent of first-time test-takers pass the knowledge portion of the examination; and
(b) At least 80 percent of first-time test-takers pass the skills portion of the examination.
(5) Programs shall submit skills competency exam dates and location when requested by the board.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.88A.030, 18.88A.060, 18.88A.087, 18.130.040, 18.130.175, and 2025 c 5. WSR 26-13-119, s 246-841A-460, filed 6/17/26, effective 7/1/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.260, 18.88A.030, 18.88A.060, 18.88A.090, 18.88A.082, 18.88A.087, 43.70.040, 43.70.250, and 43.70.280. WSR 23-20-117, ยง 246-841A-460, filed 10/3/23, effective 11/3/23.]