CNA Classes in Virginia

The timeline to become a CNA in Virginia typically ranges from 4 to 10 weeks from enrollment to certification. Virginia 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. Full-time accelerated programs at institutions like Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) campuses in Annandale, Alexandria, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge; Tidewater Community College in Hampton Roads; J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond; and other Virginia Community College System institutions 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 Virginia—particularly in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads—offer employer-sponsored training programs with flexible schedules based on facility needs and employee availability. After completing training, you'll register with Pearson VUE to schedule your competency exam. Testing is available at Pearson VUE centers throughout Virginia in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News), Roanoke, Charlottesville, and other metropolitan areas. 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 Virginia 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.

CNA training costs in Virginia typically range from free to approximately $1,800 depending on the program type and location. Virginia Community College System institutions including Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), Tidewater Community College, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Germanna Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College, and others offer programs ranging from $800 to $1,400 for Virginia residents. These community colleges receive state funding for workforce development programs, making them cost-effective options. Tuition at community colleges typically includes textbooks, supplies, and materials needed for training. Private vocational schools and healthcare training academies throughout Virginia—particularly in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads—typically charge $1,200-$1,800 but often provide accelerated schedules, smaller class sizes, and convenient locations. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities across Virginia 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 Virginia's healthcare sector, particularly in areas experiencing worker shortages. 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 $130 Pearson VUE 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). Virginia residents may qualify for financial assistance through Virginia Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG) for private institutions.

The Virginia CNA competency exam is administered by Pearson VUE 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 in English or Spanish 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 throughout Virginia including Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and other metropolitan areas.

Virginia 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 Virginia Board of Nursing. You can find the reciprocity application form on the Virginia Board of Nursing 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. Virginia requires a criminal background check as part of the reciprocity process, which you can complete through approved vendors including the Virginia State Police. Processing time typically takes 3-6 weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once approved, you'll be added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry and can begin working immediately at Virginia healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies across all 95 counties and 38 independent cities. For questions about reciprocity or to verify the status of your application, contact the Virginia Board of Nursing at (804) 367-4515 or check the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry online. Virginia's strategic location and robust healthcare sector make it an attractive destination for CNAs relocating from other states, particularly from neighboring Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia.

Virginia offers exceptional employment opportunities for CNAs across its diverse and robust healthcare sector. Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties) offers the highest wages and most opportunities due to proximity to Washington, DC, with major employers including Inova Health System (operating five hospitals including Inova Fairfax Hospital—Northern Virginia's largest with 923 beds), Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Reston Hospital Center, and Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. Hampton Roads features Sentara Healthcare (Virginia's largest not-for-profit integrated healthcare system operating 12 hospitals including Sentara Norfolk General Hospital—the region's only Level I Trauma Center with 525 beds), Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, and Riverside Health System. Richmond is anchored by VCU Health System (including VCU Medical Center—Virginia's only Level I Trauma Center for adults with 865 beds), Bon Secours Richmond Health System, and HCA Virginia hospitals including Chippenham Hospital and Johnston-Willis Hospital. Charlottesville features University of Virginia Health System (operating UVA Medical Center—a nationally ranked academic medical center with 619 beds). Roanoke and Southwest Virginia are served by Carilion Clinic (operating eight hospitals including Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital—the region's Level I Trauma Center). The highest-paying areas include Northern Virginia (particularly Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties), where CNAs can earn $35,000-$40,000 annually. Virginia CNAs earn a median salary of $32,280 annually ($15.52/hour). With Virginia's diverse geography from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, rich history, strong economy, and excellent quality of life, CNAs achieve rewarding careers throughout the Commonwealth.