Certified Nursing Assistant in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.
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route How to become a certified nursing assistant in Virginia
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Virginia, aspiring individuals must complete a state-approved training program of at least 140 hours, which includes classroom instruction, 20 hours of lab skills, and 40 hours of clinical practice. After completing the program, candidates must pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam, administered by Credentia, which costs $140. The Virginia Board of Nursing oversees CNA certification, and while there is no application fee, a criminal background check is required, and applicants must be at least 16 years old. Virginia offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states with comparable requirements.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Virginia requirements
| Licensing body | Virginia Board of Nursing |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 140-hour state-approved training program, including at least 20 hours of skills acquisition in a laboratory setting and 40 hours of direct clinical practice. |
| Exam | National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia ($140) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age is 16. Renewal requires having worked for pay as a CNA for at least 8 hours performing nursing-related activities under RN or LPN supervision in the past 24 months. A criminal background check is required. |
Source: Virginia Board of Nursing
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balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleVirginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers