CNA without license yet

U.S.A. Washington

Published

Hi everyone! I recently completed my CNA class and exam, and submitted my application to the department of health mid-October. I just got a job as a PCT in a hospital, which I am SO excited about and feel very lucky to be able to start right away in a hospital. My orientation and training starts November 27th, but my problem is that I have not received my license from the state yet - my status on the registry isn't even "pending". The DOH is about a month behind right now, so at this rate I won't receive my license until after I'd be done with training. HR has mentioned to me that I need this to work, but no one on my unit has mentioned any issues for not having it, and I just got my training schedule today, so I don't think the unit knows (or cares?). I'm really afraid that if my license isn't posted in time, my start date could be pushed back (and I really need a job) or they may even give the position to someone else.

My questions are: 1) how long did it take you to get your CNA license in Washington State? Is there anything I can do to speed up the process, like go to the department of health in person? And 2) Can I start the training without my license yet? I don't think I am supposed to, legally, but so far no one has called me out for it, and I should be signing the hiring papers this week, so I don't know if they'd actually act on it.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or ideas!

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So did you also take the test and pass it? Usually after you pass the test, from my experience it took about 2 months to show as "Active" on the DOH credential search which is what allows you to actually work as a CNA. I would ask the HR of your hospital you are applying to to see what their rules are for working as a PCT without an Active license.

Hope that helps a bit. :)

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Update: it was still pending and I couldn't start. My status became active two days after my intended start date, so now I have to wait two weeks to begin at the next orientation cycle. For anyone wondering about processing time, it took 6 weeks exactly from my application sent in to my license becoming active.

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Thanks for your thoughts! That's about how long it took, and they were not open to letting me start orientation without it regardless of when I would be in contact with patients.

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I started working around june and i wasnt able to make an appointment for my testing until sept 21st and that was only because there was a cancelation. I checked everyday and they were booked out all the way to jan! I checked every single testing place except for the 2 far in eastern wash. Weird thing was, i taked to 4 people who said they were able to get in right away, told me to go to the one in des moines or federal way, but those werent even listed in the testing location list for pearson vue so idk what they were talking about. The school i went to sucked and taught me nothing so im worried im going to fail. I would of loved to have been able to test at the same place i went to school at like a bunch of people i know because they said it was easier because you already know where everything is kept so when you go get supplies its faster... im in same boat. When i started they told me by law i only have 120 days i think it is, to get my licence or else i cant be be employed there. By the time my testing day comes it will be past 120 days but they are giving me a little break... but they said most people fail and im pretty sure im going to too, so that being said, once i get my results i will be out of a job until i can get my licence. It took me months to save up to take the test idk how im going to afford to retake it especially not getting a check

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Where did you take your CNA class? I took mine in Burien and they sucked too. Everybody failed it the first time but I passed mine the first time. I highly recommend watching the skills on youtube. There are tons of vidoes on youtube. I had a friend fail hers but she took her CNA class at Highline College, and still failed it. I told her to watch the youtube videos and she passed the next time! It was really helpful. Also, try to go to lab and practice as much as you can. Hope that helps and good luck! You will do fine!

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