CNA Classes in West Virginia

The timeline to become a CNA in West Virginia typically ranges from 4 to 10 weeks from enrollment to certification. West 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 in the Mountain State. Full-time accelerated programs at institutions like BridgeValley Community and Technical College in Charleston, Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington, West Virginia Northern Community College in Wheeling, and other community and technical colleges 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 West Virginia—particularly nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling, and smaller communities—offer employer-sponsored training programs with flexible schedules based on facility needs and employee availability. After completing training, you'll register with D&S Diversified Technologies to schedule your competency exam. Testing is available at locations throughout West Virginia. Exam results are typically provided shortly after the skills test, with official scores processed within a few business days. Once you pass both components, your name is added to the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry within 7-14 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 West Virginia are among the most affordable in the nation, typically ranging from free to approximately $1,200 depending on the program type and location. West Virginia's community and technical colleges including BridgeValley in Charleston, Mountwest in Huntington, West Virginia Northern in Wheeling, Blue Ridge in Martinsburg, Eastern in Moorefield, New River in Beckley, Pierpont in Fairmont, and Southern in Logan offer programs ranging from $500 to $1,000 for West Virginia residents. These institutions receive state funding for workforce development programs, making them extremely cost-effective options. Tuition at community and technical colleges typically includes textbooks, supplies, and materials needed for training. Private vocational schools and healthcare training centers throughout West Virginia typically charge $800-$1,200. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities across West 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 particularly common in West Virginia's rural communities experiencing healthcare 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 $76 D&S Diversified exam fee (covering both written and skills components)—among the lowest in the nation—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). West Virginia residents may qualify for financial assistance through West Virginia Department of Commerce workforce training programs, Federal Pell Grants for eligible students, or West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program.

The West Virginia CNA competency exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies 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 is available at locations throughout West Virginia serving all regions of the Mountain State.

West 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 West Virginia Health Care Authority. You can find the reciprocity application form on the West Virginia Health Care Authority 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. West Virginia requires a criminal background check as part of the reciprocity process, which you can complete through approved vendors including the West Virginia State Police. Processing time typically takes 3-6 weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once approved, you'll be added to the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry and can begin working immediately at West Virginia healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies across all 55 counties. For questions about reciprocity or to verify the status of your application, contact the West Virginia Health Care Authority or check the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry online. West Virginia's affordable cost of living and scenic Appalachian beauty make it an attractive destination for CNAs relocating from other states, particularly from neighboring Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky.

West Virginia offers rewarding employment opportunities for CNAs across its close-knit healthcare community. West Virginia University Health System is the state's largest healthcare employer, operating WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown (the state's only Level I Trauma Center with 645 beds), United Hospital Center in Bridgeport (serving north-central West Virginia with 270 beds), and facilities throughout northern and central West Virginia. Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) is southern West Virginia's premier healthcare system, operating CAMC General Hospital (the region's Level II Trauma Center with 426 beds), CAMC Memorial Hospital, and Women and Children's Hospital. Cabell Huntington Hospital serves the Huntington area with 303 beds and is affiliated with Marshall Health. Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown provides 175 beds serving the greater Morgantown area. Thomas Health System operates Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston. St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington operates 393 beds. Other significant employers include Wheeling Hospital (the Ohio Valley's largest with 238 beds), Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg, and numerous skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies serving all 55 counties. The highest-paying areas include the Charleston-Huntington corridor, Morgantown (home to West Virginia University), and the Eastern Panhandle (Martinsburg area) due to proximity to the Washington, DC metro area. West Virginia CNAs earn a median salary of $28,510 annually ($13.71/hour). While lower than the national median, West Virginia's cost of living is 12% below the national average—particularly affordable housing, utilities, and everyday expenses—providing strong purchasing power and comfortable living standards. CNAs build rewarding careers in tight-knit communities throughout Appalachia's beautiful mountains while enjoying outdoor recreation, low crime rates, and genuine hospitality.