CNA Classes in Shoreline, WA: Compare Programs & Get Started

Compare Shoreline CNA programs: cost, schedules, and certification steps to start your healthcare career.

By Bryce HallReviewed by Editorial staffUpdated August 14, 20266 min read

Why Start a CNA Career in Shoreline, WA?

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The CNA Job Market in Shoreline and Seattle

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Online and Hybrid CNA Classes Serving Shoreline Students

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Did You Know?

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Shoreline’s In-Person CNA Programs: NATI vs. Shoreline Community College

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Ask Yourself

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Paying for Your CNA Training: Costs, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

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Callout

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What to Expect During Clinical Training

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How to Become a CNA in Washington: Step-by-Step Certification Guide

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Callout

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Program Outcomes: Pass Rates, Job Placement, and What They Mean for Your Career

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Top CNA Programs for Shoreline Students

Below are the top CNA programs serving Shoreline students, ranked by program quality, affordability, and proximity to Shoreline, Washington. The list emphasizes schools with strong clinical training, flexible scheduling, and realistic commute times from the Shoreline area. Each option offers a pathway to Washington State nursing assistant certification.

Shoreline College

#1

Shoreline, WA · $5,000 – $8,000/yr (est.)

Best for: Shoreline residents seeking hybrid scheduling

A strong local option for Shoreline students, this college offers a hybrid nursing assistant certificate with online theory and in-person skills labs. The program runs in fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters, and students can choose a standard track or an I-BEST track with added academic support. Washington residents benefit from a relatively low per-credit rate plus access to federal aid and scholarships.

  • 16-18 credit certificate
  • Hybrid online and campus format
  • Fall, winter, spring, summer start dates
  • Washington State Nursing Commission approved
  • Washington resident tuition $126 per credit
  • Approximately $690 program fees
  • Non-I-BEST and I-BEST options
  • Federal aid and scholarships available

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

#2

Kirkland, WA · $6,000 – $12,000/yr (est.)

Best for: Working adults needing all-quarter start options

Located in nearby Kirkland, this technical college keeps the CNA pathway short with a one-quarter certificate that combines classroom, lab, and supervised clinical hours. Admission is available in all four quarters, and the curriculum prepares students for the national nurse aide assessment exam. The campus also offers I-BEST support for students who want structured help with foundational skills.

  • 11-12 credit certificate
  • One quarter program length
  • On-campus classroom and lab instruction
  • Supervised clinical practicum required
  • Prepares for NNAAP examination
  • Eligible for Washington State certification
  • I-BEST support available
  • Applicants must be 18 or older

Bellevue College

#3

Bellevue, WA · $11,000/yr (est. net price)

Best for: Students wanting hospital-based clinical rotations

This Eastside college offers a nursing assistant certificate with 176 hours of training split across classroom, skills lab, and clinical rotations in nursing homes and hospitals. The program is approved by Washington State agencies and prepares graduates for the NNAAP certification exam. With completed in roughly one quarter, it is a practical choice for Shoreline students who can commute across the lake.

  • 176 total program hours
  • 10 credit certificate
  • Includes theory, lab, and clinical
  • Washington State DOH approved
  • Eligible for NNAAP exam
  • Clinical rotations in hospitals and nursing homes
  • Completed in one quarter
  • I-BEST support available

Renton Technical College

#4

Renton, WA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)

This technical college south of Seattle is known for a fast five-week CNA certificate that covers patient care, vital signs, safety, and patient rights. The program runs four times per year and meets Washington State and federal certification requirements. Its reputation for strong clinical preparation and a direct path to LPN or RN training makes it a solid option for Shoreline students willing to commute.

  • 5-week certificate program
  • 4 start dates per year
  • Department of Health and WABON approved
  • Meets Washington certification curriculum requirements
  • BLS certification required for admission
  • Background check within 12 months
  • COVID and flu vaccination required
  • Career path toward LPN or RN

Green River College

#5

Auburn, WA · ~$14,000/yr (est.)

Located in Auburn, this college offers a 15-credit nursing assistant certificate that can be completed in about three months. Instruction is in person and includes hands-on clinical experiences, with an approximate all-in cost around $2,450 for qualifying students. I-BEST support and workforce funding options make it accessible for Shoreline commuters seeking a structured, affordable pathway.

  • 3-month program
  • 15 credit certificate
  • Quarterly start dates
  • In-person instruction
  • Approximate cost $2,450
  • I-BEST program available
  • State-of-the-art nursing labs
  • First come, first served admission

Bates Technical College

#6

Tacoma, WA · ~$6,000/yr (est.)

This Tacoma-based technical college offers a five-week, 10-credit nursing assistant program with classroom, lab, and supervised clinical training. The curriculum prepares students for the Washington State written and skills exam, and graduates are eligible for NAC status. For Shoreline students, the program's downtown Tacoma campus is a manageable drive and offers a fast entry into healthcare.

  • 5-week program
  • 10 total credit hours
  • Classroom, lab, and supervised clinicals
  • WA Department of Health-approved
  • Eligible for state NAC exam
  • Downtown Campus in Tacoma
  • Financial aid and scholarships available
  • Reported median hourly wage $23

Skagit Valley College

#7

Mount Vernon, WA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)

Hispanic-Serving Institution

This college in Mount Vernon offers a one-quarter nursing assistant education certificate with classes on campus and clinical sites in local counties. Start terms are fall, winter, and spring, and admission is first come, first served. It is a reasonable commute from northern Snohomish and Skagit County, giving Shoreline students a small-campus alternative.

  • One quarter length
  • 10 credit certificate
  • Classes at Mount Vernon campus
  • Fall, winter, spring entry
  • Clinical sites in local counties
  • First come, first served admission
  • Must be 18 for certification
  • BLS certification and TB test required

Clover Park Technical College

#8

Lakewood, WA · $10,000/yr (est. net price)

This Lakewood technical college offers a one-quarter nursing assistant program that includes the state certification exam in tuition. Students complete classroom, lab, and clinical experiences and leave eligible for NA-C certification. The program is designed for career changers and new students with no prior healthcare experience.

  • One-quarter certificate program
  • State certification exam included in tuition
  • Classroom, lab, and clinical experience
  • No prior healthcare experience required
  • Financial aid available
  • Focus on patient safety and infection control
  • Communication skills development
  • Work in hospitals and long-term care

Big Bend Community College

#9

Moses Lake, WA · $5,000 – $6,000/yr (est.)

Nursing Assistant Program Certificate of Accomplishment — On-CampusVisit Website
Nursing Assistant — On-CampusVisit Website

Bellingham Technical College

#10

Bellingham, WA · ~$6,000/yr (est.)

Nursing - Certificate - Nursing Assistant — On-CampusVisit Website
Nursing Assistant — On-CampusVisit Website

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