Virginia CNA Program Basics
In the state of Virginia, CNA courses generally last from 75 to 100+ hours. A typical CNA training program is divided into two parts – classroom and hands on training, also known as clinicals. Classroom studies in long training courses may last up to 80 hours with an additional 30-40 hours in clinical instruction. All training courses in the state, whether administered by employers or other institutions, must adhere to the federal regulations set forth in 1987 by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.
Virginia CNA Training Requirements
- Training courses may be held in an employer’s facility where majority of the hands on training portion will be conducted on the units where residents or patients reside.
- The clinical training is completed under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
- During the manual skills instruction, the trainees will learn and polish all the necessary skills they will need in providing proper care to the residents on their units.
Virginia CNA Examination Information
- At the end of training course, the students may challenge the state’s CNA final examination.
- This assessment is used by all states in the U.S and is mandated by Virginia’s federal regulations.
- All CNA certification exams have two portions, a written multiple-choice test and a demonstration of clinical skills that the student has learned during the course.
- Five clinical exercises are chosen by the test administrator and must be performed by the student on a patient or actor.
- These hands on exercises can be also demonstrated on a classmate that has previously passed the test.
- The assessment must be passed in full before the CNA student is certified and placed on the nurse aide registry of Virginia.
- Failure to pass the state exam will require the student to retake the test at a later date.
- If the student cannot pass the assessment after three attempts, he or she will need to retake entire training program.
Virginia CNA Certification Reciprocity
- LPN or RN students, along with nursing aides from other states in the U.S that have completed training but have not taken the CNA certification exam may file a petition to the state to allow them to challenge the assessment without further training.
- If the examinee fails to pass the assessment, he or she must take a CNA training course in Virginia to be eligible to try the test again.
- Nursing aides from other states that have passed the certification assessment and hold a license in good standing in their home state may file a petition to state of Virginia for reciprocity.
Virginia CNA Certification Renewal
- Renewal of certification in Virginia is done every 24 months.
- The nursing aide must accomplish all paperwork and prove that they have been employed during the 24-month period.
- Failure to accomplish the required renewal forms or provide proof of at least 8 hours of employment during the past 2 years will result in the CNA needing to retake the certification assessment or possibly even training.
