CNA Classes in Vermont

The timeline to become a CNA in Vermont typically ranges from 4 to 10 weeks from enrollment to certification. Vermont requires a minimum of 75 hours of training combining classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice, which meets federal standards while providing comprehensive preparation for professional nursing assistant careers in the Green Mountain State. Full-time accelerated programs at institutions like Community College of Vermont (with 12 locations statewide from Burlington to Brattleboro), Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, and vocational centers can be completed in as little as 3-4 weeks with intensive daily schedules Monday through Friday. Standard programs typically run 4-6 weeks with morning or afternoon sessions. Part-time programs accommodate working students with evening or weekend classes and generally take 6-8 weeks to complete. Many healthcare facilities throughout Vermont—particularly nursing homes and long-term care facilities in rural areas—offer employer-sponsored training programs with flexible schedules based on facility needs and employee availability. After completing training, you'll register with Prometric to schedule your competency exam. Testing is available at Prometric centers in Burlington and other Vermont locations. Exam results are typically provided immediately after the skills test, with official scores processed within a few business days. Once you pass both components, your name is added to the Vermont Nurse Aide Registry within 7-10 business days. Most students complete the entire process—from first day of class to active registry status—within 5 to 12 weeks, making Vermont relatively efficient for CNA certification despite being a small, rural state.

CNA training costs in Vermont typically range from free to approximately $1,500 depending on the program type and location. Community College of Vermont—with 12 locations statewide including Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, Brattleboro, and other communities—offers affordable programs ranging from $900 to $1,400 for Vermont residents. These community college programs receive state funding for workforce development, making them cost-effective options. Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center also offers reasonably priced CNA training through continuing education programs. Tuition at community colleges typically includes textbooks, supplies, and materials needed for training. Private vocational schools and healthcare training centers throughout Vermont typically charge $1,200-$1,500 but often provide flexible scheduling and smaller class sizes. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities across Vermont—particularly in rural areas experiencing healthcare worker shortages—offer FREE CNA training through employer-sponsored programs in exchange for employment commitments of 6-12 months after certification. This "earn while you learn" model is common in Vermont's rural healthcare sector. Under federal OBRA regulations, if you're employed by or receive an offer from a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facility, your employer must pay all training and testing costs. In addition to tuition, budget for the $125 Prometric exam fee (covering both written and skills components), required immunizations and health screenings ($100-$200), scrubs and clinical supplies ($50-$100), and CPR/BLS certification if not included in your program ($40-$75). Vermont residents may qualify for financial assistance through Vermont Department of Labor workforce training programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or Vermont State Grant Program for higher education costs.

The Vermont CNA competency exam is administered by Prometric and consists of two mandatory components that comprehensively test your knowledge and practical nursing skills. The Written Knowledge Test contains 60 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. You must score at least 70% (42 correct answers) to pass. Questions cover: Basic Nursing Skills (vital signs, positioning, transfers, mobility assistance), Personal Care Procedures (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, elimination), Infection Control (handwashing, standard precautions, PPE use, isolation procedures), Safety and Emergency Procedures (fall prevention, fire safety, emergency response, use of restraints), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (therapeutic communication, cultural sensitivity, resident interactions, reporting and documentation), Residents' Rights (privacy, dignity, independence, informed consent, confidentiality), Mental Health and Social Service Needs (emotional support, behavior management, coping with loss, end-of-life care), and Role of the Nurse Aide (scope of practice, legal responsibilities, ethical behavior). The Oral Examination is available upon request for candidates who prefer auditory testing or have reading difficulties. The Clinical Skills Evaluation requires you to demonstrate five randomly selected nursing assistant skills in front of a trained evaluator with approximately 30 minutes to complete all skills. The mandatory skill is handwashing/hand hygiene, plus four additional skills randomly selected from the approved skills list. Common skills include measuring blood pressure, pulse, respiration, or temperature; assisting with ambulation or transfers using proper body mechanics and safety equipment; performing range of motion exercises; providing perineal care; catheter care; feeding assistance; positioning in bed; or making an occupied bed. You must perform each skill competently according to the standardized checklist focusing on safety, infection control, patient dignity, and proper technique. Testing centers are located in Burlington and other Vermont communities, providing access throughout the state despite Vermont's rural character.

Vermont accepts CNA certifications from other states through reciprocity, allowing you to transfer your credentials without retraining or retesting if you meet specific eligibility requirements. To qualify for reciprocity, you must hold a current, active CNA certification in good standing from another state's nurse aide registry, have no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property on any state registry, have completed a training program that meets or exceeds federal requirements (minimum 75 hours with both classroom and clinical components), and your out-of-state certification must not have been expired for more than 24 months. To apply for reciprocity, contact the Vermont Department of Health, Health Care Administration. You can find the reciprocity application form on the Vermont Department of Health website. Submit the completed application along with verification of your current CNA certification from your state's registry (most states can send this electronically), proof of completion of a state-approved training program if required (diploma, certificate, or official transcript), and payment for any applicable processing fees. Vermont requires a criminal background check as part of the reciprocity process, which you can complete through approved vendors including the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC). Processing time typically takes 3-6 weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once approved, you'll be added to the Vermont Nurse Aide Registry and can begin working immediately at Vermont healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies across all 14 counties. For questions about reciprocity or to verify the status of your application, contact the Vermont Department of Health or check the Vermont Nurse Aide Registry online. Vermont's straightforward reciprocity process and exceptional quality of life make it an attractive destination for CNAs relocating from other states, particularly from neighboring New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York.

Vermont offers rewarding employment opportunities for CNAs across its close-knit healthcare community. The University of Vermont Health Network is the state's largest healthcare system, operating University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington (the state's largest hospital with 562 beds and Vermont's only Level I Trauma Center), Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh (New York), Porter Medical Center in Middlebury, Elizabethtown Community Hospital (New York), and Alice Hyde Medical Center (New York). In southern Vermont, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington serves the region with 99 beds. Rutland Regional Medical Center (operated by GE Healthcare Partners) serves central Vermont with 188 beds. Brattleboro Memorial Hospital serves southeastern Vermont. Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor and Gifford Medical Center in Randolph serve rural communities. Smaller community hospitals including Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury and North Country Hospital in Newport serve the Northeast Kingdom. Beyond hospitals, Vermont has numerous skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies serving all 14 counties. The highest-paying areas include Chittenden County (Burlington and surrounding towns), which offers the most employment opportunities and highest wages. Vermont CNAs earn a median salary of $36,150 annually ($17.38/hour)—among the highest in New England and well above the national median. While Vermont is a small, rural state with limited large healthcare employers, CNAs benefit from exceptional quality of life including stunning natural beauty of the Green Mountains, four distinct seasons with world-class skiing, strong community connections, progressive values, and low crime rates. Vermont consistently ranks among the nation's healthiest and safest states, making it an outstanding choice for CNAs seeking rewarding careers in close-knit communities with exceptional outdoor recreation and quality of life.