1.4 Current Two-Part Exam Flow: Skills First, Knowledge Next

The Current Sequence

The current Washington Board of Nursing page describes the NAC exam as having two parts: an in-person Skills Test and an online Knowledge Test. It also says candidates should take the skills test first, are expected to pass skills before registering for the written test, and must pass both parts to be considered for certification. That sequence is the backbone of a Washington NAC study plan. A candidate who studies only written questions before learning the practical exam process is missing the first step Washington currently emphasizes.

Skills testing is now connected to training programs and WABON regional scheduling when needed. The source brief says training programs now provide the Skills Test, most training programs provide skills testing, and candidates may test through their program or WABON regional scheduling when needed. Credentia's current role in Washington is the online knowledge test. The Credentia current page says skill exams are no longer conducted through Credentia, so be careful with any material that suggests Credentia is the current skills test administrator in Washington.

A simple planning sequence looks like this:

• Complete the required training or establish an approved eligibility route.
• Follow your program or WABON instructions for the in-person Skills Test.
• Pass the skills test before registering for the written test, as WABON expects.
• Register for the online written or oral knowledge exam through Credentia when eligible.
• Pass both exam parts to be considered for certification.

This order affects how you practice. During training, skills checklists are not just classroom paperwork. They are the practical bridge to the in-person exam. The brief notes that WABON skills checklist documents align with the NNAAP Candidate Handbook and support student success on the state skills exam for the 22 testable skills. Older or current NNAAP handbook language can give skills-list context, including critical element steps and cut scores, but it should not override Washington's current administration process.

The knowledge exam comes after the skills-first step in the current WABON flow. It may be written or oral, and the written version has 70 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, with 10 pretest or non-scored questions in the Credentia outline. The oral option is an alternative to the written exam and has its own structure. In practice, the best preparation strategy is integrated: learn safe skill performance early, review the knowledge domains throughout training, and keep exam registration steps aligned with Washington's current sequence.

Candidates should also save scheduling confirmations and result notices, because those records help them track where they are in the two-part process. If a program gives a local skills date, confirm how that date fits the state sequence before choosing the knowledge appointment. This prevents avoidable sequence errors.