Your Guide to CNA Classes in Kennewick, Washington

Washington requires 108 hours of state-approved training, including 40 clinical hours, before a candidate can sit for the CNA competency exam, one of the shortest entry paths into entry-level medical careers in the state. In Kennewick and across Benton County, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies are hiring CNAs faster than local programs can graduate them.

Training options vary more than most applicants expect: in-person courses at career and technical skills centers, hybrid classroom-plus-clinical formats, and facility-sponsored training that trades reduced tuition for a post-certification work commitment. Costs run from about $800 to $1,500, and timelines stretch from four weeks to a full semester.

That spread turns the decision into a matter of fit, not prestige.

Jump straight to the program list →

CNA Training and Healthcare Demand in Kennewick and the Tri-Cities

The Tri-Cities region of southeastern Washington offers a strong foundation for aspiring CNAs, with healthcare facilities actively hiring across hospitals, skilled nursing centers, and home health agencies. If you live in Kennewick or nearby communities, employers are eager to bring trained nursing assistants onto their teams.

Major Healthcare Employers in the Region

Kennewick and the surrounding Tri-Cities benefit from several established healthcare systems. Trios Health operates a 111-bed hospital in Kennewick, regularly posting CNA positions across departments including medical-surgical units.¹ Kadlec Regional Medical Center in neighboring Richland serves as a regional healthcare hub and partners with local training initiatives. Long-term care facilities round out the employment landscape: Life Care Center of Kennewick maintains 136 beds and frequently advertises openings across day, evening, and overnight shifts.² Regency Canyon Lakes Rehabilitation and Nursing Center adds another 53 beds to the area's skilled nursing capacity.

Home health agencies also contribute to local CNA demand. Companies like Amedisys Home Health, Chinook Home Health Care, and Solutions In-Home Care hire CNAs for community-based patient visits, often providing mileage reimbursement for travel between clients.³⁴

Sustained Demand for CNAs in Benton County

CNA job postings in the Kennewick area have remained consistent through 2025 and into 2026.⁵ Recent listings show openings in hospitals, assisted living communities, adult family homes, and home health settings. Some employers offer sign-on bonuses to attract candidates: United Energy Workers Healthcare advertises a $1,000 bonus, while Addus HomeCare has offered bonuses up to $2,500.⁵

Hourly wages vary by setting but generally range from $17 to $28 per hour, consistent with broader entry-level medical career salaries.⁶⁷ Life Care Center of Kennewick reports pay between $21.50 and $25.70 per hour, while home health and assisted living positions typically start in the $18 to $24 range.²

Training Partnerships and Workforce Initiatives

At least four CNA training programs currently serve Kennewick residents, including options with reduced or no upfront cost. The WSU Tri-Cities Nursing Bridge Program represents a notable regional initiative, partnering with Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Trios Health, and Lourdes Health alongside educational institutions like WSU Tri-Cities and Tri-Tech Skills Center.⁸ While this program focuses on pathways to RN licensure, it demonstrates how local employers collaborate with training providers to build the healthcare workforce.

These partnerships mean that completing your CNA training in the Tri-Cities can connect you directly to hiring managers who know local programs and value their graduates.

Online and Hybrid CNA Classes Serving Kennewick Students

Can you complete CNA training online if you live in Kennewick? The short answer: not entirely. All approved CNA programs in Washington state must include in-person clinical hours with a live instructor, so a fully online path to certification does not exist. However, several programs do offer hybrid CNA programs, letting you study theory and coursework online before completing hands-on skills labs and clinical rotations in person.

How Hybrid CNA Programs Work

In a hybrid program, you cover topics like anatomy, infection control, patient rights, and basic nursing skills through online modules at your own pace or on a set schedule. You then attend scheduled in-person sessions for skills practice and supervised clinical hours at an approved healthcare facility. Washington CNA programs typically range from 80 to 120 or more total hours, and the clinical portion must always be completed face to face.

Local Options in Kennewick

Two Kennewick providers stand out for students exploring different formats:

• Tri-City CNA Academy: This program is fully in-person and runs accelerated three-week cohorts with day, night, and weekend scheduling. Night and weekend tracks are especially popular with students who work during standard business hours. Clinical rotations are completed locally in the Tri-Cities area.
• Columbia Safety Training Center: Listed as a hybrid CNA program in Kennewick, Columbia Safety combines online theory with in-person components. Specific schedule grids and start dates are best confirmed directly with the school, but its Kennewick location means clinical hours are arranged in the local area.

Statewide Hybrid Programs: Worth a Look?

A handful of hybrid CNA schools operate elsewhere in Washington, such as Puget Sound Nursing in Federal Way (a four-week accelerated hybrid) and Better Options Nursing School. Keep in mind that these programs typically run their clinical rotations near their home campuses in western Washington, not in the Tri-Cities. If you enroll remotely, you would likely need to travel for the in-person portion, which adds time and cost.

Schedule Formats at a Glance

Kennewick students can find Flexible CNA Class Schedules to fit a range of lifestyles:

• Accelerated (3 to 4 weeks): Intensive daily sessions that get you to certification fastest.
• Day, evening, and night tracks: Tri-City CNA Academy rotates through multiple cohorts so you can pick the block that works around a job or family obligations.
• Weekend cohorts: A limited number of weekend sections run each year, so early registration matters.
• Part-time or six-week formats: Some area programs, including employer-sponsored options, spread training over a longer window with fewer weekly hours.

Before enrolling in any hybrid or out-of-area program, confirm that the school is approved by the Washington State Department of Health and that its clinical sites are accessible from the Tri-Cities. The most reliable way to verify is to contact the program directly and ask where clinical rotations take place.

Compare Kennewick CNA Program Costs and Financial Aid

These are the state-approved CNA program cost estimates available for Kennewick and Benton County as of September 2026. Upfront training costs at the private and skills-center programs listed below fall between $980 and $1,170, while facility-based training at local nursing centers is typically free for eligible employees. Free and employer-sponsored alternatives are covered in more detail later in this guide.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Free CNA Training in Kennewick: Employer-Sponsored and Work-Commitment Options

Truly free community-funded CNA classes and employer-sponsored training that carries a work commitment after certification are not the same thing. One may leave you with a certificate and no bill; the other may leave you with a certificate, a job, and a repayment clause if you leave early. In Kennewick, employer-sponsored training is the most common path to a free seat, but it comes with strings.

What “Free” Usually Means in Kennewick

Most free CNA training in Benton County is not a no-strings scholarship. It is a hire-first or work-commitment arrangement. A nursing home, hospital system, or home health agency pays for your class, and you agree to work for that employer for a set period after certification, often 6 to 12 months. Community-funded or state-supported programs may exist, but they are less visible in Kennewick right now; current terms should be confirmed directly with each site.

Local Starting Points

• Life Care Center of Kennewick: This is the clearest documented free option. It provides the CNA training free of charge with a 1-year employment agreement. Address: 1508 W 7th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336. Phone: 509-586-9185.
• Regency Canyon Lakes: Located at 2702 S Ely Street, Kennewick, WA 99337, this facility is listed as a local CNA program site. Employer-sponsored training may be available, but free status is not confirmed. Call 509-582-5900 to verify.
• Tri-Tech Skills Center and Columbia Safety Training Center: These are known local training providers, but they are not listed here as free programs. Ask directly about employer partnerships, financial assistance, or scholarships.
• Paid trainee postings: Some Kennewick employers advertise CNA trainee roles that pay an hourly wage while you train. These almost always include a work commitment, so treat them as sponsored training rather than a scholarship.

Eligibility and Work-Commitment Fine Print

Free or sponsored seats are often limited to new hires, current employees, or workers at Medicaid/Medicare-contracted nursing facilities. Some adult family home scholarships require the home to have a Medicaid contract and the employee to have already worked at least 40 hours. For community or state-funded seats, income-based eligibility may apply, and some clinical sites may have age requirements. In Washington, eligible nursing facility employees may receive reimbursement for tuition, textbooks, supplies, and testing fees, but you usually need to submit receipts and proof of payment.

Before You Enroll

Get the total obligation in writing. Confirm the exact commitment length, what happens if you leave early, whether repayment is prorated, and whether you must pay tuition upfront and wait for reimbursement. A free class is only free if you understand the full agreement before the first day.

CNA Admission Requirements in Kennewick: A Scannable Checklist

Use this checklist to gather documents and confirm deadlines before applying to Kennewick CNA programs.

1. Age and education

   Columbia Basin College (CBC) and most accredited CNA programs require a high school diploma or GED. Age minimums vary, commonly 16 or 18, so confirm directly with each school. If you do not have a diploma or GED, ask about alternatives.
2. Placement or basic skills assessment

   CBC requires placement into Math 50+, Reading 99+, and English 101+, either by test or prior college credit. Other Kennewick-area programs may use similar reading and math screenings.
3. Background check and drug screening

   Required by state-approved programs before clinical work. CBC uses a student-paid third-party process; budget for this cost and complete it by the program's deadline.
4. Immunizations and health screening

   Expect to document TB testing, MMR, hepatitis B, and a flu shot. COVID-19 vaccination may still be required by some clinical sites, so confirm current clinical-site rules before enrolling.
5. Physical readiness

   Many programs require a physical exam or health form and the ability to lift, turn, and move patients safely. Ask what documentation is required before applying.
6. CPR and first aid

   CBC also lists American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR, a First Aid card, and a letter of reference among its admission requirements.
7. Application timing and waitlists

   CBC admits for fall, winter, and spring quarters; no summer start is listed. There is no formal waitlist, but selective admission means meeting minimums does not guarantee a seat, so apply early and confirm deadlines.

Questions to Ask Yourself

CNA Career Outlook and Job Placement in Kennewick

Kennewick sits inside a healthcare market that consistently needs certified nursing assistants. Between the hospitals in the Tri-Cities, a cluster of skilled nursing and rehab facilities, and a growing home health sector, CNAs here have real choice about where they work and how quickly they can move up.

What CNAs Earn Locally

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Kennewick-Richland metro employed about 1,470 nursing assistants as of 2023, with a median wage around $45,130 per year, or roughly $21.70 per hour. That runs just under the Washington statewide CNA median of about $46,000 in CNA salary by state data.

Current 2026 listings track closely with those numbers:

• Typical range: Most Kennewick postings advertise $20 to $24 per hour, with some specialty and home health roles reaching higher.¹
• Per diem work: A recent September 2026 posting showed per diem CNA pay near $19 per hour.²
• Entry-level pay: ZipRecruiter data from July 2026 put average no-experience CNA pay in Kennewick at about $20.34 per hour, with a median of $19.28 and most workers earning between $16.59 and $22.88.³

Actual pay depends on shift, setting, and whether you bring prior experience or CPR credentials.

Job Placement and Program Outcomes

Kennewick has roughly four CNA training programs, most running 4 to 12 weeks. School-specific placement rates and Washington state exam pass rates are not publicly published in a single place, so it's worth asking each program directly for their current numbers before you enroll. A program that tracks graduates and maintains relationships with local employers will usually share that information.

Where Kennewick CNAs Work

Employers hiring in and around Kennewick include:

• Hospitals: Trios Health, Kadlec Regional Medical Center in nearby Richland.
• Skilled nursing and rehab: Life Care Center of Kennewick, Regency Canyon Lakes Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
• Home health and hospice: Columbia River Home Health, Tri-Cities Home Health, Amedisys Home Health, SYNERGY HomeCare of Tri-Cities, United Energy Workers Healthcare.

Work settings range from acute care and pediatrics to skilled nursing floors and in-home patient care, so you can shape a schedule that fits your life.

Moving Up From CNA

Most Kennewick CNAs treat the role as a launching pad. Common next steps include bridging to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) through Columbia Basin College or WSU Tri-Cities, or picking up add-on credentials like the Nursing Assistant Medication Aide certification alongside other high paying CNA certifications. CNA hours count as clinical experience on nursing school applications, which is one reason employers here are used to supporting staff who are working toward the next license.

A quick look at typical pay for CNAs in the Tri-Cities.

How to Become a CNA in Washington: Certification Steps

Washington State has standardized its CNA pathway to ensure consistent quality across healthcare facilities, making the certification process straightforward once you understand each requirement. Kennewick students can move from enrollment to working CNA in as little as eight to twelve weeks by following these steps.

Complete a State-Approved Training Program

Washington requires 108 hours of combined classroom and clinical instruction. At least 40 of those hours must be hands-on clinical training in a healthcare setting under registered nurse supervision. Programs in Kennewick and the Tri-Cities often offer between 100 and 120 hours to better prepare students for the competency exam.

Pass the Competency Examination

After finishing your training, you must pass Washington's two-part CNA exam:

• Written or oral knowledge test: Covers infection control, patient rights, basic nursing skills, and safety procedures.
• Skills demonstration: You perform five randomly selected nursing tasks in front of an evaluator.

Credentia administers the Washington CNA competency exam at testing centers throughout the state, including locations accessible from Kennewick. Results arrive within days, and you may retake failed portions up to three times within two years.

Apply for State Certification

Once you pass the exam, submit your application to the Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Commission. The process includes a fingerprint-based background check. Most applications process within two to four weeks, and your credential is verified through the state's online registry.

Reciprocity for Out-of-State CNAs

If you hold current CNA certification from another state, Washington offers a reciprocity pathway. You must verify your credential through the originating state, submit a Washington application, and complete the background check. Additional training is generally not required if your certification is active and in good standing.

Maintain Your Certification

Washington CNAs must renew annually. Requirements include completing at least eight hours of continuing education and working a minimum number of paid hours in a nursing-related role. The Nursing Commission provides specific renewal deadlines tied to your certification date.

Washington CNA Licensure at a Glance

Top CNA Programs for Kennewick Students

Below are the top CNA programs serving Kennewick students. Use the program details to compare format, cost, and clinical requirements before applying.

Choosing the Right CNA Program in Kennewick: Next Steps

Choosing CNA classes near you in Kennewick means matching your budget, schedule, and location to a training option that can move you into patient care quickly. The right program is rarely the most expensive one; it is the one that fits your life, meets Washington certification requirements, and gives you a clear path to clinical hours and a job.

Compare cost, schedule, and location first

• Cost: Ask for the total price, including books, uniforms, background checks, and exam fees. Some programs advertise tuition only, so confirm the full cost.
• Schedule: Decide whether a daytime, evening, weekend, or accelerated 4-week format works with your current job or family responsibilities.
• Location: Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco all have options, but commuting across the Tri-Cities adds time, and CNA classes in Walla Walla WA require a longer trip. Pick a site you can reach reliably for clinical days.

Confirm admission and employer connections

Call or email at least two or three programs directly. Request current start dates, tuition, and the exact steps for clinical placement. Ask whether the school has relationships with local nursing homes, hospitals, or assisted living facilities, because employer connections often lead to faster job offers after certification.

Explore financial aid before committing

Ask about payment plans, scholarships for CNA students, or state workforce funding. If you work in healthcare or long-term care, look into employer-sponsored or free CNA training with a work commitment, which can cut your out-of-pocket cost to nearly zero.

The path from your first class to a Washington CNA credential is short compared with many healthcare careers, and CNA to RN Programs can extend that path if you later decide to advance. With demand steady in the Tri-Cities, choosing a practical, affordable program now can put you on a healthcare team sooner than you think.

Related Articles