How to Become a CNA in Virginia

To become a CNA in Virginia, you need to complete 140 hours of state-approved training and pass a two-part competency exam administered by Credentia. Most candidates finish in 4 to 12 weeks, depending on their schedule. The Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON) oversees CNA certification in the state and maintains the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry where your certification lives once you pass.

This guide covers everything in the right order: what training requires, how to pay for it (including state-funded programs that can bring your cost to zero), how the Credentia exam works, how to get on the registry, and what comes after. If you’re wondering whether your past, your budget, or your schedule can handle this, keep reading. If you’re still deciding whether this career is the right fit, start with our overview of what a CNA does day to day.

Virginia CNA Requirements at a Glance

Virginia requires 140 hours of state-approved training and a passing score on the Credentia nurse aide competency exam before you can work as a certified nursing assistant. Here’s the complete picture in one place:

Requirement	Details
Minimum age	16 years old
Total training hours	140 clock hours minimum
Lab hours	At least 20 hours hands-on lab skills
Clinical hours	At least 40 hours direct care in a long-term care facility
Exam vendor	Credentia (not Pearson — this changed)
Exam cost	$140 total ($45 written + $95 skills evaluation)
Program cost range	$825–$3,495 (or $0 through FastForward, G3, or WIOA)
Timeline	4–12 weeks training, plus exam scheduling
Governing body	Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON)

Sources: Credentia Virginia Nurse Aide Handbook 2024; Virginia Board of Nursing

The step-by-step breakdown below walks through each part of this process. For more context on the career before you commit, see why become a CNA in Virginia for job demand and stability data.

Step 1 — Complete a State-Approved Training Program (140 Hours)

Virginia requires a minimum of 140 clock hours of training at a state-approved program before you can sit for the Credentia competency exam. This requirement increased from the previous 120-hour standard — if you’ve seen 120 cited elsewhere, that source is outdated. The current 140-hour minimum is confirmed by the Credentia Virginia Nurse Aide Handbook 2024 and NursingHome411.org.

Training Hour Breakdown

Not all hours count equally. Virginia specifies exactly how the 140 hours must be distributed:

Hour Type	Minimum Required	Notes
Lab skills training	20 hours	Hands-on practice of nursing assistant procedures
Clinical direct care	40 hours	Must be in a long-term care facility
Pre-clinical instruction	24 hours	16 of these must cover communication, interpersonal skills, and infection control
Total required	140 clock hours

Two important exclusions most programs don’t advertise clearly: observation hours do not count toward your 40 clinical hours, and facility orientation hours do not count toward your 140 program total. Some programs advertise cumulative hours that include these non-qualifying activities. Read the fine print.

Per NursingHome411.org, the clinical setting must include a long-term care facility, though up to 5 of your 40 clinical hours can be completed in a non-geriatric setting.

That’s 140 hours of commitment — 4 to 12 weeks depending on your schedule. It’s real work. But it’s also a fast path into healthcare compared to almost any other clinical role.

Before you choose a program, it helps to understand your funding options. The financial aid section below can change which programs are financially realistic for you.

Can You Get CNA Certified Online in Virginia?

No. You cannot complete CNA certification entirely online in Virginia. Lab and clinical hours require in-person attendance — there is no waiver or workaround.

What does exist: hybrid programs that combine online theory coursework with in-person lab and clinical sessions. Excel Health Institute, for example, structures its program as 57 hours of online instruction plus in-person lab and clinical hours, reaching 140 total clock hours. If a flexible schedule is important to you, this is the format to look for — not “fully online.”

When you search “4-week online CNA program Virginia,” what you’re finding are programs with an online theory component. The clinical and lab portions will always require your physical presence.

How Long Does CNA Training Take?

Accelerated full-time programs typically finish in 4 to 6 weeks. Part-time and evening programs usually run 8 to 12 weeks. After completing training, add 1 to 3 weeks for scheduling and receiving your Credentia exam results.

Verify Your Program Is State-Approved

Before enrolling, confirm the program appears on the Virginia Board of Nursing’s approved Nurse Aide Education Programs list at dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/PublicResources/EducationPrograms/. Only graduates of VBON-approved programs are eligible to sit for the Credentia competency exam. If a program is not on this list, completing it will not count toward certification.

To browse programs by location, see Virginia CNA programs or CNA classes near you. Community college options like the Chester Career College CNA program in the Richmond area and the Patrick Henry Community College CNA program in Martinsville show the range of formats available across the state. Not sure which program fits your situation? Our guide on how to choose a CNA program covers the key factors.

How to Pay for CNA Training in Virginia

“Look into workforce development programs in your area. I got my CNA for free through WIOA funding. Most people don’t even know about it.”
(85 upvotes — Reddit user)

This is the section most articles skip entirely, which is a real disservice to Virginia residents. Three state and federal programs can dramatically reduce — or eliminate — what you pay for CNA training.

FastForward Program

FastForward is a Virginia workforce training initiative that provides funding for short-term credentials at participating community colleges, and CNA training is an eligible program. Many FastForward-funded students attend at significantly reduced or zero out-of-pocket cost, according to RegisteredNursing.org.

FastForward is designed specifically for short-term workforce credentials — not degree programs and not FAFSA-eligible classes. To access it, apply through your community college’s workforce development office, not the financial aid office. Danville Community College’s CNA program is one example of a FastForward-eligible program. Ask any VCCS community college whether their CNA program qualifies.

G3 Program

G3 stands for “Get a Skill, Get a Job, Give Back.” It covers tuition and fees at any Virginia Community College System (VCCS) college for programs in high-demand fields — and CNA is an eligible program, per RegisteredNursing.org.

G3 targets low-to-middle income Virginia residents, generally those with household income under 400% of the federal poverty level. Unlike FastForward (specific to short-term workforce credentials), G3 covers longer programs too. You apply through the VCCS college. If you qualify, tuition can be fully covered.

FastForward vs. G3: Both can make CNA training free. FastForward is specifically for short-term credentials at community colleges. G3 applies to any VCCS program in a high-demand field. You may be eligible for one or both.

WIOA Funding Through Virginia Career Works

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) is a federal program administered locally through Virginia Career Works one-stop centers. It can cover tuition, books, supplies, exam fees, and support services including childcare and transportation assistance, according to Moon River Nursing Careers.

Eligibility is determined by your local workforce development board and generally targets job seekers who are unemployed, underemployed, or career-changing. Find your nearest Virginia Career Works center:

• Northern Virginia: vcwnorthern.com/wioa
• Southwest Virginia: vcwsouthwest.com
• Loudoun County: loudoun.gov/WIOA

Other regions have centers too — search “Virginia Career Works” plus your city.

What Training Programs Actually Cost

Here is the realistic cost picture, with and without financial aid:

Cost Item	Without Aid	With Full Aid (G3/FastForward/WIOA)
Tuition	$825–$3,495	$0
Exam fees ($45 written + $95 skills)	$140	$0–$140 (WIOA may cover)
Background check	$25–$75	$25–$75
Scrubs	$30–$50	$30–$50
Textbooks	$30–$80	$0 (WIOA may cover)
Total realistic range	$1,050–$3,840	$55–$265

Sources: RegisteredNursing.org; Training Solutions VA; Medical Learning Center VA; Dominion Health Education; Danville Community College

Some programs bundle the exam fee, background check, and scrubs into tuition. Ask before you enroll — it affects how you compare costs across programs. Workforce development programs like Total Action for Progress in the Roanoke area also connect eligible residents to funded CNA training.

Keeping your training costs low matters, especially when you’re starting a career where facility choice affects your pay. For a full picture of what Virginia CNAs earn, see our guide to CNA salary in Virginia.

“CNAs are needed everywhere, you’ll get your worth. Try Hospice, private carehomes like Wesleyan not big name centers that have multiple branch locations; VA hospital; or private homes.”
(80 upvotes — Reddit user)

Once you complete your training program, the next step is passing the Virginia competency exam.

Step 2 — Pass the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Virginia’s nurse aide competency exam is administered by Credentia, not Pearson VUE. The exam has two parts — a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation — and you must pass both to get certified.

Virginia’s exam follows the same general format as the CNA exam used in most states, with Virginia-specific policies and administration by Credentia.

“Just passed my CNA exam on the first try! I was SO nervous but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The skills part was actually easier than I expected.”
(120 upvotes — Reddit user)

Preparation matters more than the exam’s difficulty. Here is exactly what you’re preparing for.

Written Exam Format

The written exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit, at a cost of $45, according to the Credentia Virginia Nurse Aide Handbook 2024. If you qualify for the oral option (if reading is a barrier), the format shifts to 60 multiple-choice plus 10 reading comprehension questions, still within 2 hours.

Some study sites still have “Pearson” in their URL paths. The exam vendor has changed; the test content preparation remains similar. Work through our CNA practice exam before test day to get comfortable with question format and timing. For a week-by-week prep approach, see how to study for the CNA exam.

Skills Evaluation

The skills evaluation requires you to perform 5 randomly selected nursing assistant tasks from the Virginia skills list within a 25-minute time limit, at a cost of $95. Because the 5 skills are chosen at random on test day, you need to be ready to perform all of them.

Hand hygiene is always required as an additional skill on the Virginia skills exam — you perform it in addition to your 5 assigned skills. One of those 5 assigned skills will always be a measurement skill (such as blood pressure, radial pulse, weight, or urinary output), which requires recording an accurate value within the allowed range. Practice hand hygiene until it’s automatic, and drill every measurement skill until your readings are consistent. Our CNA skills test guide covers every skill on the checklist. For the handwashing procedure specifically, see our hand hygiene procedure walkthrough.

Drill each skill until you can complete it within 5 minutes while talking through every step aloud. The evaluator is watching both your technique and your verbal communication. For quick review sessions between study blocks, CNA exam flash cards help drill key terms efficiently.

Scheduling, Fees, and Retake Policy

Exam Component	Cost	Format	Time Limit
Written (or oral) exam	$45	70 MC questions	2 hours
Skills evaluation	$95	5 skills (including 1 measurement) + hand hygiene	25 minutes
Total	$140

You register through Credentia’s online portal and schedule your test at a Credentia site in Virginia. Some training programs bundle the $140 exam fee into tuition — worth asking about before you enroll.

The retake limit is critical to know before your first attempt: you have 3 tries per exam component within 24 months of completing your training program. The written and skills portions are scored independently, so you only need to retake the part you didn’t pass. After 3 failures on either part, Virginia requires you to complete another approved training program before you can test again, per Credentia’s eligibility criteria.

Prepare well, and you’re very unlikely to need more than one attempt. If you do need to test again, our guide on what to do when you need to retake the CNA exam walks through the process.

Eligibility Routes

Virginia updated its eligibility criteria on January 30, 2024. Which route applies to you depends on your current status, per Credentia’s eligibility page:

Route	Who Qualifies
E1 (New aide)	Completed a state-approved CNA training program
E2 (Nursing student)	Currently enrolled in an RN or LPN program
E3 (Nursing graduate)	Completed RN or LPN program but not yet licensed
E4 (Lapsed certificate)	Previously certified as a CNA in Virginia; certification has expired

Most people who have just finished a training program fall under E1. If you’re a nursing student using the exam to add a CNA credential, E2 or E3 applies. E4 is for Virginia CNAs returning after a certification gap.

After you pass both parts, your name is automatically added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.

Step 3 — Get Listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry

After you pass both the written and skills evaluations, Credentia reports your results to the Virginia Board of Nursing, and your name is automatically placed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. You do not submit a separate registry application — this process is automatic.

Completing training and passing both exam parts is a real milestone. The registry listing is what makes you eligible to work.

How to Verify Your Listing

Go to dhp.virginiainteractive.org and search by your name or license number to confirm your certification status, expiration date, and whether any disciplinary actions exist. No account or login is required. Employers use this same portal to verify staff before hiring — check your own listing after results arrive to confirm everything looks correct.

If there’s a delay or discrepancy, contact VBON directly through the VBON website. Name or address changes can be made through the same online portal.

Your certification must be renewed every two years.

CNA Certification Renewal in Virginia

Virginia’s CNA renewal process is one of the simplest in the country. Here is what it requires:

Renewal Item	What’s Required
Cycle	Every 2 years
Fee	$60
Work requirement	8+ paid nursing-related hours in the past 2 years
Continuing education	None required by VBON
Application method	Online through VBON portal

Sources: Virginia Board of Nursing Fee Schedule; Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC90-25

Virginia does not require continuing education hours for CNA renewal — a meaningful distinction from states that mandate CE credits. Your employer may have their own training requirements, but VBON does not.

To renew: confirm you worked 8+ paid nursing-related hours during the past 2-year period, submit your renewal through the VBON online portal, and pay the $60 fee. Three steps.

If you didn’t meet the work requirement: You cannot simply renew. You must retake the competency evaluation per the Credentia Handbook.

If your certification has lapsed: The VBON offers an online reinstatement process. If your original training is more than 24 months old and you never certified, a new training program is required before you can test.

Transferring Your CNA Certification to Virginia

Moving to a new state is stressful enough without worrying about your certification. Virginia makes the transfer relatively straightforward:

1. Confirm your CNA certification is active and in good standing in your current state.
2. Submit the online endorsement application through the Virginia Board of Nursing portal.
3. Virginia charges no fee for CNA endorsement, requires no additional exam, and does not require a fingerprint-based background check — per TheCNAGuide.com.
4. VBON verifies your certification with your originating state and adds you to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.

Virginia accepts endorsements from any U.S. state, territory, or Washington D.C. The no-fee, no-exam structure makes Virginia one of the more transfer-friendly states in the country.

Military spouses in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia: Virginia’s large military population makes this section especially relevant. If you’re relocating and need to work quickly, the endorsement process is your fastest path.

Special rules apply if you’re transferring from Florida, Maryland, California (with a certification issued before 1992), or if you hold a Maryland G.N.A. credential. Additional documentation may be required in those cases per the Credentia Virginia Nurse Aide Handbook 2024. Contact VBON directly for current requirements if any of these apply to you.

Virginia CNA Background Check Requirements

Many people asking about Virginia background check requirements are not asking because they have a record — they’re asking because they’re anxious about an unknown process. Both situations deserve a clear answer.

The background check system for Virginia CNAs has three layers:

Layer	Who Requires It	What It Means
1. VBON (state certification)	Does NOT require a background check for initial CNA certification	Different from RN/LPN licensing, which does require one
2. Training programs	Independently require background checks before clinical rotations	Often paired with drug screening; varies by program
3. Employers	Independently require background checks before hiring	Virginia’s barrier crimes statute applies here

Sources: Virginia DHP Criminal Background Check FAQ; Virginia Highlands Community College

Can you be a CNA with a felony in Virginia?

It depends on the conviction type. Virginia’s “barrier crimes” statute prohibits employment in certain healthcare settings for specific conviction categories — violence against persons, sexual offenses, and drug distribution offenses. These restrictions come from healthcare employer requirements and state law, not from VBON’s certification process. Other convictions are evaluated case by case by individual programs and employers.

If you have a conviction and are unsure how it affects your path, do not guess. Consult the VBON Criminal Background Check FAQ for current details. The right answer depends on the specific offense, timeline, and facility type you’re targeting.

The reality is that CNAs are in high demand across Virginia.

“I also work for the VA and that is way under staffed even for long term care.”
(80 upvotes — Reddit user)

With your certification in hand and employment secured, here is what your career trajectory looks like.

Career Path After CNA Certification in Virginia

“Started as a CNA, now I’m in nursing school. Best decision I ever made. The experience you get as a CNA makes nursing school so much easier.”
(200 upvotes — Reddit user)

CNA certification is the fastest entry point into clinical healthcare. For many people in Virginia, it’s also a strategic first move in a longer career. Here is what the path forward looks like.

Advanced CNA Certification

Virginia offers an Advanced CNA credential that is virtually unknown outside a buried section of dhp.virginia.gov. No competing article explains it clearly. It’s a real career differentiator for experienced CNAs who want more responsibility without going back to school for a degree.

To qualify for Advanced CNA certification in Virginia, you need all five of the following:

1. 3 or more years of experience as a CNA in Virginia
2. 120 hours of advanced training completed at an approved program
3. No history of abuse, neglect, or exploitation findings on your record
4. A recommendation from a supervising licensed nurse who has supervised you for at least 6 months in the past year
5. Passing a competency evaluation included in the advanced training program

Source: Virginia Department of Health Professions (dhp.virginia.gov)

The Advanced CNA credential increases your scope of practice, adds clinical responsibilities, and distinguishes you from standard CNAs in the job market — without requiring a nursing degree.

Other Advancement Pathways

Pathway	What It Requires	Notes
Medication Aide	Additional state-approved training in medication administration	Expands your role in long-term care settings
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)	Completion of an LPN nursing program	CNA clinical experience strengthens your application and prepares you for the coursework
RN (Registered Nurse)	Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing	Many Virginia community colleges offer LPN-to-RN bridge programs

Virginia CNAs earn a mean annual salary of $38,790, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023 (Virginia, SOC 31-1131). That’s slightly below the national average of $39,530. Higher-paying opportunities exist in Northern Virginia, the DC corridor, and hospital settings. For a full breakdown by metro area and facility type, see our CNA salary in Virginia guide.

The workload is real, and the pay reflects entry-level healthcare.

“CNAs where I am have 10-12 some days on a low acuity floor /: in VA so the RNs have 3-5 (5 is full days) and CNAs like 6-10 depending on how many CNAs on the floor”
(95 upvotes — Reddit user)

Knowing the staffing reality before you accept your first job gives you an advantage. Choosing the right facility matters as much as getting certified.

“Be prepared for short staffing. It’s everywhere. But the good facilities do exist — you just have to be picky about where you work.”
(90 upvotes — Reddit user)

If you’re in the Southwest Virginia region, programs like the Wytheville Community College CNA program can connect you with local employers who are actively hiring.