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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $180
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
120 hrs
Training Hours
Credentia (NNAAP)
Exam Provider
$180
Total Initial Fees
1 year
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
8 hours of paid nursing-related work + 12 hours of in-service training annually
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions)
804-367-4515
Program Approval Body
Virginia Board of Nursing
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions)
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
120
Total Hours
80
Classroom
40
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Virginia Board of Nursing
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Credentia (NNAAP)
Written Exam Details
70
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass both parts within 24 months of training completion; 3 attempts allowed; failure to pass within 24 months requires retaking a Virginia-approved training program
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
70 questions
Time Limit
120 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Credentia (NNAAP)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $140Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; some employers cover training costs | $725–$1,560 |
Competency Exam Fee Written/oral exam $45 + Skills exam $95; paid to Credentia | $140 |
State Registration Fee No application fee for initial CNA certification through Virginia Board of Nursing | $0 |
Background Check Fee Includes fingerprinting fee | $40 |
Total Initial Fees Total of exam fee ($140) and background check ($40); no state application fee; excludes training program tuition | $180 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
8 hours of paid nursing-related work + 12 hours of in-service training annually
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$30
Annual renewal fee
Late Renewal Fee
$30
Reinstatement fee; must also provide proof of qualifying employment
Inactive Reinstatement
If lapsed more than 90 days or work requirements are unmet, submit reinstatement application with $30 fee and proof of qualifying employment
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Must apply for endorsement through Virginia Board of Nursing, provide verification of active certification from previous state, and pass background check
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Virginia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Virginia requires ANNUAL renewal ($30/year), unlike most states that require biennial renewal. 120 training hours required. No application fee for initial certification. Uses Credentia for NNAAP testing. Also offers Advanced CNA credential.
Virginia requires 120 training hours, which exceeds the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
The competency exam is administered by Credentia, not Pearson VUE
Virginia renews CNA certification ANNUALLY (not biennially like most states)
No application fee for initial CNA certification
Annual renewal fee is $30
Virginia also offers an Advanced Certified Nurse Aide credential with separate fees
Fingerprinting is required as part of the background check process
Contact: nurseaide@dhp.virginia.gov for registry questions
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
CNA requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (you) | $180 | 7–22 wks | |
| District of Columbia | $167–$192 | 7–22 wks | → |
| Kentucky | $135–$150 | 6–20 wks | → |
| Maryland | $161.25 | 7–21 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $140 | 6–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Virginia
See how Virginia compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Virginia.
CNA Schools in Virginia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Virginia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Virginia →
Transfer your CNA license from Virginia to: Kentucky → | Maryland → | North Carolina → | Tennessee → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →
Virginia requires 120 hours of training and passage of the Credentia (NNAAP) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.