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Becoming a CNA in Vermont

If you’re thinking about becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Vermont, you’ve come to the right place. CNAs are essential in healthcare settings, providing critical care and support for patients. This guide will help you understand the steps required to become a CNA in Vermont, from meeting the basic requirements to getting certified and maintaining your status.

Steps to Become a CNA in Vermont

Meet Basic Requirements: Understand Vermont’s age, background, and education requirements for CNA school and certification.

Attend a School: Choose and attend a Vermont-approved CNA program, ensuring it meets the state’s curriculum and training hour mandates.

Pass the CNA Exam: Prepare for and pass both the written and skills portions of the CNA certification exam.

Certification Registration and Upkeep: Register with Vermont’s Nurse Aide Registry and know the requirements for keeping your certification active.

1. Meet Basic Requirements

Before you can become a CNA in Vermont, you need to ensure that you meet the state’s basic requirements for CNA school admission and certification. Here’s a breakdown of what’s needed:

Age Requirement: You must be at least 16 years old to become a CNA in Vermont. Although some employers may prefer candidates who are 18 years or older, the state allows younger candidates to begin their training at 16.

Background Check: Vermont requires CNA candidates to pass a criminal background check. This step is critical because CNAs work closely with vulnerable populations, and a clean record is essential for employment in healthcare facilities. You’ll need to submit your fingerprints as part of this process.

Education: While Vermont does not mandate a high school diploma or GED for CNA candidates, some training programs may have this as a prerequisite. Check with the specific school to understand their admission requirements.

Health Requirements: Candidates must comply with certain health-related prerequisites, including a physical exam and any necessary vaccinations. Proof of a recent TB test may also be required before starting clinical work in healthcare settings.

Application Fee: The application to become a CNA in Vermont requires a $20 fee, and you’ll need to attach a passport-sized photograph to your application as part of the process.

2. Attend a School

After ensuring you meet the basic requirements, the next step is to attend a state-approved CNA training program. In Vermont, these programs are designed to provide the foundational skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed as a CNA.

Training Program Requirements:

Minimum Training Hours: Vermont mandates that CNA training programs include at least 80 hours of total instruction. This time is divided between classroom learning, lab-based skills training, and clinical experience in a real healthcare setting.

Clinical Experience: Out of the 80 hours, 30 hours must be spent in supervised clinical training where you will work directly with patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse. This hands-on experience is critical for developing the practical skills required for your role as a CNA.

Classroom Instruction: Before engaging in any direct patient care, Vermont requires that you complete at least 16 hours of classroom and lab training. This foundational instruction covers key areas such as:

Communication and interpersonal skills

Infection control and safety procedures

Promoting patient independence

Patient rights and ethics

Considerations When Choosing a CNA Program:

Location and Schedule: Vermont offers CNA training programs at various locations, including community colleges, technical schools, and some healthcare facilities. Choose a program that fits your schedule, especially if you are balancing other commitments like work or family.

Cost and Financial Aid: CNA training programs in Vermont typically range from $500 to $1,500 depending on the provider. Many schools offer financial aid or payment plans, and some employers may even cover training costs if you agree to work for them after certification.

Job Placement: Some CNA programs may offer job placement services, which can be helpful when you’re ready to begin your career. Look for programs that have strong connections with local hospitals, nursing homes, or healthcare facilities.

Example CNA Programs in Vermont

School Name	Location	Cost	Program Length	Contact Information
Vermont Technical College	Randolph, VT	$1,200	8 weeks	(800) 442-8821
Community College of Vermont	Multiple Locations	$950	6-8 weeks	(802) 828-2800
Franklin County Rehab Center	St. Albans, VT	$850	6 weeks	(802) 524-7287

When choosing a CNA program, make sure it is approved by the Vermont Board of Nursing. Only graduates of state-approved programs are eligible to sit for the certification exam.

Featured CNA Programs in Vermont

3. Pass the CNA Exam

After completing your CNA training, you must pass the Vermont CNA certification exam to officially become a licensed CNA. The exam, administered through the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), consists of two parts: a written (or oral) test and a skills evaluation.

Written/Oral Test:

The written portion of the exam includes 70 multiple-choice questions. You’ll have two hours to complete this test, which covers topics such as patient care, safety, infection control, communication, and legal responsibilities.

If you prefer, you can take the oral version of the exam. This option is available for those who may have difficulty reading, and it includes both multiple-choice questions and a brief reading comprehension section.

Skills Evaluation:

For the skills portion of the exam, you will be asked to demonstrate five nursing assistant skills in front of an evaluator. The skills are randomly selected from a list of tasks, such as taking vital signs, assisting with mobility, or providing personal care.

One of the required skills will always be hand hygiene, while the remaining four will be chosen at random. You will have 30 minutes to complete all five tasks.

Exam Fees:

Exam Type	Cost
Written Exam Only	$45
Skills Evaluation Only	$95
Oral Exam Only	$45

You’ll have up to three attempts to pass both the written and skills portions of the exam. If you fail either part three times, you will need to retake a CNA training program before attempting the exam again.

Call-to-Action:

Want to ensure you’re fully prepared? Try our CNA Exam Practice Test to boost your confidence and pass on your first try!

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

After passing the exam, the next step is to register as a CNA with the Vermont Nurse Aide Registry. This registration officially makes you eligible to work as a CNA in the state.

How to Register as a CNA in Vermont:

Once you’ve passed both parts of the NNAAP exam, submit your application along with the $20 registration fee to the Vermont Board of Nursing. You’ll also need to include a passport-sized photo with your application.

After approval, you’ll be listed on the Vermont Nurse Aide Registry, which allows employers to verify your certification status.

Maintaining Your Certification:

In Vermont, CNA certifications must be renewed every two years. To maintain your active status, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

Work Requirement: You must have worked at least 400 hours (50 days) as a CNA during the past two years. This experience must be under the supervision of a licensed nurse and in a paid position.

Renewal Application: Complete the renewal application and pay the applicable fee. Be sure to submit your renewal request before your certification expires.

Lapsed Certification:

If your certification expires, you can still apply for renewal as long as it has been less than two years since your license lapsed. If your certification has been inactive for more than two years, you will need to retake the CNA certification exam to reinstate your status.

Reciprocity for Out-of-State CNAs:

If you are currently certified as a CNA in another state and want to transfer your certification to Vermont, you may apply for reciprocity. The process involves submitting proof of your current certification and completing a criminal background check. If approved, you will be added to Vermont’s Nurse Aide Registry without the need to retake the exam.

Certification Renewal at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Work Hours for Renewal	400 hours (50 days) in the last 2 years
Renewal Fee	$20
Reciprocity	Available for CNAs certified in other states
Lapsed Certification	Must retake the exam if inactive for over 2 years

By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to a successful and rewarding career as a CNA in Vermont. With the right training, preparation for the exam, and proper certification maintenance, you can become a vital part of the healthcare team, providing essential care to those in need.

Other Local CNA Programs

id	Name	Website	Street Address	City	State	Zip Code	plus_code	Phone	latitude	longitude	latlong	Category	Reviews	Rating	5star	4star	3star	2star	1star	Monday Hours	Tuesday Hours	Wednesday Hours	Thursday Hours	Friday Hours	Saturday Hours	Sunday Hours	Details
2,038	Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community	https://www.cedarhillccc.com/	49 Cedar Hill Dr	Windsor	VT	05089	CJM3+R4 Windsor, Vermont	(802) 674-6609	43.43	-72.40	43.4345741-72.3972396	Nursing home	46	4.8	42	2	0	1	1	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	More details
2,039	Mayo Healthcare	https://mayohc.org/	71 Richardson St	Northfield	VT	05663	48WP+52 Northfield, Vermont	(802) 485-3161	44.15	-72.66	44.145489-72.664984	Nursing home	5	4.2	4	0	0	0	1	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
2,040	Northlands Job Corps Center	https://northlands.jobcorps.gov/	100 MacDonough Dr	Vergennes	VT	05491	5PCQ+56 Vergennes, Vermont	(802) 877-2922	44.17	-73.26	44.1704943-73.2619584	Federal government office	12	3.3	6	1	0	0	5								More details
2,041	The Pines at Rutland Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation	https://pinesrutland.com/	99 Allen St	Rutland	VT	05701	H2XQ+9G Rutland, Vermont	(802) 775-2331	43.60	-72.96	43.5984554-72.9612063	Nursing home	72	4.5	54	10	2	0	6	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	More details
2,042	Southwestern Vermont Medical Center	https://svhealthcare.org/	100 Hospital Dr	Bennington	VT	05201	VQFV+P2 Bennington, Vermont	(802) 442-6361	42.87	-73.21	42.8743368-73.2074264	Hospital	113	3.1	51	5	3	7	47								More details
2,043	Gill Odd Fellows Home	https://thegilloddfellowshomeofvermontinc.org/	8 Gill Terrace	Ludlow	VT	05149	98X2+GW Ludlow, Vermont	(802) 228-4571	43.40	-72.70	43.3987731-72.697731	Non-profit organization	20	4.3	13	2	3	1	1								More details
2,044	Addison County Home Health & Hospice	https://www.achhh.org/	254 Ethan Allen Hwy	New Haven	VT	05472	3R2P+J2 New Haven, Vermont	(802) 388-7259	44.05	-73.16	44.0515937-73.164978	Home health care service	5	4.8						8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details
2,045	Central Vermont Career Center	https://www.cvtcc.org/	155 Ayers St #2	Barre	VT	05641	5GQ4+QH Barre, Vermont	(802) 476-6237	44.19	-72.49	44.1894149-72.4935736	Technical school	4	5.0	4	0	0	0	0	8AM to 3PM	8AM to 3PM	8AM to 3PM	8AM to 3PM	8AM to 3PM	Closed	Closed	More details
2,046	Cold Hollow Career Center		184 Missisquoi St	Enosburg Falls	VT	05450	W54X+JF Enosburg Falls, Enosburg, VT	(802) 933-4003	44.91	-72.80	44.9065685-72.8012922	Technical school	2	3.0	0	1	0	1	0	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	Closed	Closed	More details
2,047	Franklin County Rehab Center LLC	https://www.suncresthcc.com/	110 Fairfax Rd	St Albans City	VT	05478	RW3H+GH St Albans City, Vermont	(802) 752-1600	44.80	-73.07	44.8037857-73.0710915	Rehabilitation center	2	5.0	2	0	0	0	0	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details