How to Become a CNA in West Virginia

Becoming a CNA in West Virginia requires completing a minimum of 120 hours of state-approved training — 65 hours of classroom instruction and 55 hours of supervised clinical practice — then passing the competency exam administered by Professional Healthcare Development (PHD). The entire process, from enrollment to registry listing, typically takes two to three months.

West Virginia’s certification requirements are overseen by OHFLAC (the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification), not the Board of Nursing. You’ll find West Virginia CNA programs ranging from free community college options to employer-sponsored training that pays you while you learn. This guide walks you through every step: eligibility, training, the competency exam, registry placement, reciprocity, renewal, salary, and financial aid.

West Virginia CNA Requirements at a Glance

West Virginia requires a minimum of 120 hours of state-approved training and a passing score on the PHD competency exam before you can work as a certified nurse aide. Here’s everything you need in one place.

Requirement	Details
Minimum Training Hours	120 hours (65 classroom + 55 clinical)
Typical Program Length	6–8 weeks
Program Cost Range	Free–$1,999+
Competency Exam	PHD (written + skills)
Exam Fee	$125 (written + skills combo)
Renewal	Every 2 years, $60 fee
Governing Body	OHFLAC
Background Check	WV CARES (state + FBI fingerprint)
Reciprocity	Available from all U.S. states/territories

The sections below walk through each requirement in full detail, with specific cost data, program names, and direct links to OHFLAC’s online portals.

Meet West Virginia’s CNA Eligibility Requirements

Before enrolling in a training program, confirm you meet West Virginia’s basic eligibility criteria:

• Age: Program-specific. Many programs admit at 16–18; OHFLAC does not publish a statewide minimum age for CNA certification. Career and technical centers may enroll high school students — confirm age requirements and any exam eligibility restrictions with your chosen program.
• Education: Not required by the state. While many individual training programs (especially community colleges) require a high school diploma or GED for admission, OHFLAC does not mandate one for CNA certification. Check your program’s admission requirements.
• Health screening: TB test required prior to clinical practice
• Background check: WV CARES clearance required (see below)

Most applicants clear these requirements without issue. The one item that catches people off guard is the fingerprint-based background check, which is more involved than a standard check in other states.

WV CARES Background Check

West Virginia uses a system called WV CARES — Clearance for Access: Registry and Employment Screening — for all long-term care workers, including CNA applicants. This is a fingerprint-based check that runs through both the West Virginia State Police and the FBI, per the WV CARES Act (W. Va. Code §16-49-1 et seq.).

Here’s how it works: you submit fingerprints to the West Virginia State Police, who forward them to the FBI for a federal criminal records check. Results go to your employer and to OHFLAC. Employers cannot legally hire a nurse aide until the WV CARES check clears.

Convictions that may disqualify you include felonies, violent crimes, serious misdemeanors, and repeat offenses. If your background check flags an issue, that’s not an automatic denial. WV CARES fitness determinations for direct-access healthcare workers are handled through DHHR/OHFLAC, and an appeal path exists through the WV CARES/DHHR process. Note: the Board of Nursing handles appeals for RN and LPN licensure, not for CNA certification.

One practical note: start this process early. FBI fingerprint results can take several weeks to return, and you won’t be able to begin clinical rotations or apply for jobs until your clearance comes through.

Now that you know what you need to qualify, the next question is where to train and how much it will cost.

Complete a State-Approved CNA Training Program

OHFLAC lists 113 approved CNA training programs statewide, ranging from free community college options to employer-sponsored paths that pay you during training. Your biggest decisions here are cost, location, and format.

What the 120 Hours Cover

Every state-approved program must deliver at least 65 hours of classroom instruction and 55 hours of supervised clinical practice in a real healthcare setting, per OHFLAC regulations and the WV CARES Act (W. Va. Code §16-49). Classroom content covers basic nursing skills, personal care, resident rights, communication, safety procedures, and dementia care. The 55 clinical hours must be supervised by a registered nurse — online-only clinical hours are not permitted. Most programs complete the full 120 hours in six to eight weeks.

WV Training Programs and Costs

Here’s what four programs with verified costs look like side by side:

Program	Location	Cost	Duration	Notes
New River CTC	Mercer County	Free	6 weeks	Grant-funded; standout option for Mercer County residents
BridgeValley CTC	South Charleston	$600 in-state	Varies	$1,414.80 for non-residents (3-credit program)
United Technical Center	Clarksburg	$1,220	120 hours	Career and technical center
WVNCC	Weirton / Wheeling	$1,999	Varies	Includes textbooks and state exam fee

The free program at New River CTC is real — it’s grant-funded and available to Mercer County residents. That’s worth knowing upfront if cost is your main concern.

These four programs all have publicly verified costs. OHFLAC lists 113 approved programs statewide at community colleges, technical centers, and healthcare facilities. For the full directory, visit OHFLAC’s approved program list. If you want help comparing your options, the guide on how to choose a CNA program walks through what to look for.

Non-residents considering BridgeValley should note the cost difference: $600 in-state versus $1,414.80 non-resident. If you’re evaluating programs across the state border, that gap matters.

Online and Hybrid Options

Wondering if you can complete your training entirely online? West Virginia does not allow it. The 55 hours of supervised clinical practice must be completed in person at an approved healthcare facility. Some programs offer hybrid formats where classroom theory is completed online, but clinical hours are always in person. For more on what online CNA classes can and can’t cover, that resource breaks down the hybrid model further.

If a program claims to be fully online with no in-person clinical requirement, it is not OHFLAC-approved.

Employer-Sponsored Training

CNA training in West Virginia doesn’t always cost money — and not just because of free programs. Some healthcare facilities hire nurse aides with no prior experience and cover the full cost of training and exam fees.

One community member described finding exactly that:

“Found a job as a CNA that trained and paid for testing. This was at the trailing end of Covid, but a lot of nursing homes will bring you in with zero experience and train you.”
(Reddit user)

This path doesn’t show up on program listings, which is why most applicants overlook it. Contact nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies in your area directly and ask about train-and-certify programs. Availability varies by facility and staffing needs, but the option is real and worth pursuing before you pay tuition.

Pass the West Virginia CNA Competency Exam

Once you complete your training program, you’ll schedule your competency exam through Professional Healthcare Development (PHD), the official West Virginia exam vendor. The exam has two parts, and you need to pass both for certification.

To register, download the PHD Candidate Application Form and submit it by mail or fax — PHD does not currently offer online exam registration. You’ll need to provide your program completion documentation and exam fee payment. Schedule at least two to three weeks in advance, as testing slots can fill. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your program completion certificate on exam day. Testing sites are located throughout the state; your training program can direct you to the nearest site, or contact PHD directly for current locations.

Written Knowledge Test

The written exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering patient care, safety procedures, and communication, per the PHD WV Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook. You have two hours to complete it. If you have a reading difficulty or are not a native English speaker, you can request an oral format at the time of application — an evaluator reads each question to you twice.

Request any accommodations when you schedule, not after, because PHD requires advance notice. Before you sit, a CNA practice exam and guidance on how to study for the CNA exam can help you go in knowing what to expect.

Skills Evaluation

For the skills portion, you’ll demonstrate five randomly selected nursing aide skills in front of an evaluator. You have 50 minutes to complete all five, per the PHD WV Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook. The evaluator watches your technique, your safety practices, and how you communicate with the patient throughout. Skills are selected at random on exam day — you won’t know which five you’ll draw.

Practice on real people during your training program’s open lab hours, not just on mannequins. The CNA skills help resource covers common skills and correct technique. A general overview of the CNA exam can also orient you on scoring and expectations.

Exam Fees and Retake Costs

Most guides skip the retake costs — here’s the full schedule from PHD:

Exam Combination	Fee
Written + Skills (first attempt)	$125
Oral + Skills (first attempt)	$160
Skills retake only	$70
Written retake only	$55
Oral retake only	$105

You get a maximum of three attempts per section within two years of completing your training, per the PHD WV Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook. If you don’t pass after three attempts, you must complete the training program again before you can retest. Treat each attempt as your best attempt.

Results are mailed within approximately 10 business days. Some employers will cover your exam fees — ask when you’re applying. Note: some older guides still list $100 for the exam. The current written plus skills combination is $125, per PHD’s current fee schedule.

Get Listed on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry

Once you pass your competency exam, you're automatically placed on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry maintained by OHFLAC. You don't need to submit a separate application or take any additional steps -- passing the exam triggers the listing.

Employers are required by law to verify your registry status before they can hire you. You can look up any WV nurse aide's credentials through the free public search at the OHFLAC Nurse Aide Registry Lookup. Your registry listing is your official credential to work as a CNA in West Virginia -- keep your contact information current with OHFLAC so renewal notices reach you and employers can verify your record.

For a complete guide to searching the registry, verifying credentials, and handling common issues, see the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry guide.

Transferring Your CNA Certification to West Virginia

West Virginia accepts CNA certification transfers from all 50 U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Your certification must be active and in good standing, with no record of abuse, neglect, or misconduct on your file.

The process is straightforward:

1. Verify your current certification is active and in good standing in your home state.
2. Complete the OHFLAC Nurse Aide Application for Reciprocity.
3. Submit the required attachments as listed on the application form.
4. Disclose any felony convictions on the application -- omitting this information can delay or disqualify your transfer.
5. Reciprocity approval is handled by OHFLAC through the online portal and does not itself require WV CARES clearance. However, WV CARES clearance is mandatory before you can be employed in any direct-access healthcare role in West Virginia -- employers typically initiate this after a job offer. Plan for both processes: complete reciprocity with OHFLAC to get on the registry, then complete WV CARES with your hiring facility before your start date.

If you're a CNA in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, or Maryland considering a move to West Virginia, this process applies to you. WV's panhandle geography means many CNAs already work across state lines, and reciprocity transfers are common.

WV certification is portable in both directions. One community member described their experience:

"Mine paid for West Virginia CNA testing, but I was able to transfer to Ohio for an STNA certification after I passed."
(Reddit user)

Whether you're coming to West Virginia or moving on to a neighboring state, OHFLAC processes reciprocity applications through an active online portal.

Renewing Your West Virginia CNA Certification

WV CNA certification renews every two years. The renewal fee is $60, paid online through the OHFLAC renewal portal.

Two requirements stand out compared to other states:

8 hours of PAID employment as a nurse aide. West Virginia does not require continuing education hours for CNA renewal. Instead, you must have worked at least eight paid hours in a nursing environment during your two-year renewal period. Volunteer work does not count. The hours must be paid employment. This surprises CNAs transferring from states where CE-based renewal is standard.

No continuing education required. Unlike most states, West Virginia places no CE obligation on CNAs. If you've met the paid employment requirement and paid the $60 fee, your renewal is complete.

What happens if your certification lapses? If you don't meet the paid employment requirement, your certification expires. You cannot work as a CNA until you retrain and retest -- there is no grace period and no shortcut. Renew through ohflac.wvdhhr.org/Apps/Forms/NARenewal before your expiration date, not after.

How Much Do CNAs Make in West Virginia?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 OES data, CNAs in West Virginia earn an average of $36,340 per year, across 8,860 CNAs employed statewide. That's about $3,190 below the national average of $39,530.

West Virginia's cost of living is among the lowest in the country, which narrows the purchasing power gap more than the raw numbers suggest. But the pay differential with neighboring states is real, and WV CNAs discuss it openly.

Your pay varies significantly by where you work and what type of facility you're in. Hospitals pay more than long-term care facilities, which are the most common employers statewide. Home health pay is variable but offers scheduling flexibility that matters in a rural state where weather and distance affect commutes. Higher-paying areas within WV include Kanawha County (Charleston), Cabell County (Huntington), Monongalia County (Morgantown), and the Eastern Panhandle, which benefits from proximity to the DC metro area.

WV CNAs also have options beyond traditional nursing home work. One community member who works in West Virginia put the home health case directly:

"Look into home health CNA work, my agencies are very understanding when I can't get out due to snow. I've never even been asked to get a doctors note when I'm sick and they pay just as much as the nursing home does (at least here in WV)."
(28 upvotes - Reddit user)

Home health roles are growing statewide as more West Virginians choose to age in place -- which means growing demand for CNAs who can work in residential settings.

If you're wondering whether WV CNA work can reach $1,000 a week: the average annual salary of $36,340 works out to roughly $700 per week at full-time hours. Reaching $1,000 a week requires overtime, shift differentials for nights or weekends, or travel CNA assignments. It's possible under those conditions, but it is not a standard base wage in West Virginia.

Paying for CNA Training in West Virginia

CNA training in West Virginia can cost nothing out of pocket, depending on your program and financial situation. Here are the options most applicants don't know exist.

WV Invests is a state-funded last-dollar-in program that covers remaining tuition and fees after other aid is applied. It's available for certificate programs in high-demand fields, including nursing, at participating public institutions. Depending on your eligibility, it may cover your entire tuition cost.

WV Higher Education Grant is a need-based state grant for West Virginia residents pursuing postsecondary education. You apply for it through the FAFSA.

ACE (Advanced Career Education) reduces tuition at career and technical education centers. If you're training at a facility like United Technical Center in Clarksburg, this program may apply.

WV Healthcare Foundation Scholarships are available to employees of WV Health Care Association member facilities who want to pursue education. If you already work in a WV healthcare facility, check whether your employer is a WHCA member.

Federal Pell Grants are need-based federal aid that you don't repay. You must be enrolled in an accredited program and complete the FAFSA to access them.

Employer Sponsorship is available at many WV nursing homes, which hire nurse aides and cover training and exam fees directly. This isn't just generosity -- 42 CFR 483.152 requires nursing facilities to reimburse CNA training costs for employees who complete certification within 12 months of hire. You have a federal right to reimbursement if you're employed at a nursing facility.

Program	Type	Key Detail
WV Invests	State (last-dollar-in)	Covers remaining tuition/fees after other aid; public institutions
WV Higher Education Grant	State (need-based)	Apply via FAFSA; WV residents only
ACE	State (technical education)	Reduces tuition at career/tech centers
WV Healthcare Foundation Scholarships	Private	For WV HCA member facility employees
Federal Pell Grants	Federal (need-based)	Requires FAFSA; does not need repayment
Employer Sponsorship	Employer	Federal right under 42 CFR 483.152 at nursing facilities

See CNA scholarship resources for additional funding options. For WV-specific programs, visit wvnursingeducation.org and grants.wv.gov.

Complete the FAFSA before you enroll, even if you're uncertain about eligibility. Several WV-specific programs use FAFSA data to determine qualification, and you can't access them without it on file.

Career Advancement from CNA in West Virginia

CNA certification gives you immediate employment in healthcare while building the clinical foundation that nursing programs value in applicants. For many West Virginia CNAs, the role is a career in itself -- particularly in home health and specialized care. For others, it's the first step toward a nursing license.

The most direct advancement route runs CNA to LPN (about one year of additional schooling) to RN (two to four years depending on degree level). Several West Virginia community colleges offer bridge programs specifically designed for working CNAs:

• Mountwest Community and Technical College (Huntington)
• New River Community and Technical College (multiple campuses)
• Pierpont Community and Technical College (Fairmont)
• BridgeValley Community and Technical College (South Charleston)

Many WV healthcare employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement for CNAs pursuing LPN or RN education. Ask about this benefit when you're hired -- healthcare workforce shortages give facilities real incentive to develop their own staff from within.

For a broader look at where a CNA career can take you, see CNA life and career resources.