Becoming a CNA in Virginia
If you’re planning to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in West Virginia, there are a few essential steps to follow. The process involves meeting basic eligibility requirements, attending a state-approved training program, passing the CNA exam, and maintaining your certification. This guide will walk you through each step, providing the details you need to get started.
Steps to Become a CNA in West Virginia
- Meet Basic Requirements: Make sure you meet the age, health, and background check requirements for CNA school admission and state certification.
- Attend a School: Complete a state-approved CNA program, considering key factors like cost, location, and accreditation.
- Pass the CNA Exam: Understand the exam structure, including written and skills evaluations, and prepare for success.
- Certification Registration and Upkeep: Learn how to register as a CNA in West Virginia and what you need to do to keep your certification active.
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1. Meet Basic Requirements
Before you can begin a CNA program in West Virginia, you’ll need to ensure you meet the following basic requirements:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Health Status: Be in good physical condition and have up-to-date immunization records. This ensures you’re fit to work in healthcare environments, where you’ll assist patients with personal care and mobility.
- Criminal Background Check: You must pass a criminal background check, as certain convictions can disqualify you from becoming a CNA. This check will be conducted before admission to any program.
- Education: There’s no minimum education requirement to enter a CNA program in West Virginia. You don’t need a high school diploma or GED, though some programs might prefer applicants with basic educational qualifications.
These basic requirements ensure that you’re eligible to work as a CNA in a healthcare setting and can handle the job’s physical demands.
2. Attend a School
West Virginia requires that all CNA candidates complete a state-approved training program. This training is designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed to care for patients and pass the state exam.
Training Program Details:
- Hours Required: A CNA program in West Virginia must include at least 120 hours of training. Of these hours, 65 hours are classroom-based learning, while 55 hours must be spent in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
- Course Duration: The length of a CNA program varies, but most can be completed within 4-8 weeks. Accelerated programs may be available for those who want to complete their training faster.
- Content: CNA programs typically cover a wide range of topics including infection control, personal care skills, nutrition, and patient rights. The clinical hours allow you to practice these skills in a real-world setting, preparing you for the responsibilities you’ll face as a CNA.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a CNA Program:
- Accreditation: Make sure the program you choose is approved by the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC). This approval is necessary for you to sit for the state CNA exam.
- Cost: CNA programs in West Virginia range in cost from $300 to $1,500 depending on the school. Some programs offer financial aid or payment plans to help you manage the cost. Additionally, if you are employed by a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing home, they are required to cover the costs of your training.
- Location: Consider the location of the program. Some schools may offer online coursework, but clinical hours must be completed in person at a healthcare facility.
Table: Example CNA Training Programs in West Virginia
School Name | Location | Cost | Program Length | Contact Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
West Virginia Junior College | Morgantown, WV | $1,200 | 6 weeks | (304) 296-8282 |
BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston, WV | $950 | 8 weeks | (304) 734-6600 |
American Red Cross CNA Program | Charleston, WV | $800 | 4 weeks | (304) 340-3650 |
Make sure to review all your options and select a program that fits your needs, schedule, and budget
Featured CNA Programs in Virginia
3. Pass the CNA Exam
After completing your training, the next step is to pass the CNA competency exam. In West Virginia, this exam is administered by Professional Healthcare Development and consists of two parts: a written (or oral) exam and a skills evaluation.
Structure of the CNA Exam:
- Written Exam:
- The written exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that cover basic nursing skills, infection control, safety, and patient care. You’ll have 90 minutes to complete this portion of the test.
- If you prefer, you can take the exam orally, though this option may have additional fees.
- Skills Test:
- In this portion of the exam, you’ll need to demonstrate 3-5 practical skills such as handwashing, feeding, or transferring a patient. These tasks are selected at random from a list of 25 potential skills, and you’ll be evaluated on your ability to perform them correctly.
- You’ll be given 30 minutes to complete this section.
Exam Fees:
Exam Type | Fee |
---|---|
Written & Skills Exam | $125.00 |
Oral & Skills Exam | $160.00 |
Written Exam Only | $55.00 |
Skills Performance Only | $70.00 |
Oral Exam Only | $90.00 |
You’ll need to pass both the written and skills exams to become certified. If you fail one or both parts, you’ll have three attempts to pass the exam before being required to retrain.
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Prepare for your test by using our CNA Practice Test to get familiar with the exam format and types of questions you’ll face.
4. Certification Registration and Upkeep
Once you’ve passed the CNA exam, the next step is to get officially certified and registered as a CNA in West Virginia.
How to Register as a CNA:
- Certification: After passing the exam, you’ll be registered on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry, which is managed by OHFLAC. This allows you to legally work as a CNA in the state.
- Initial Registration: Your certification is valid for two years from the date of issue. During this time, you must work as a CNA to maintain active status.
Renewing Your Certification:
- Work Requirement: To keep your CNA certification active, you must work as a paid CNA for at least 8 hours within the two-year certification period.
- Renewal Fee: The cost to renew your certification is $60.
- Renewal Process: You can renew your certification online through the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry’s portal. It’s a good idea to start the renewal process well before your certification expires to avoid any lapses in your ability to work.
Inactive Certification:
If you fail to meet the work requirement within the two-year period, your certification will become inactive. To regain active status, you may need to retake the CNA exam or, in some cases, retrain.
Recertification for Out-of-State CNAs:
If you’re certified as a CNA in another state and want to transfer your certification to West Virginia, you can apply for reciprocity. This process requires submitting proof of your certification, passing the necessary exams, and paying applicable fees.
CNA Exam Preparation Tips
- Study Materials: The West Virginia Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook provides valuable study guides and practice questions. This resource can help you understand the material covered in the exam.
- Practice Tests: Make use of our CNA Practice Tests to simulate the written exam. These tests can help you identify areas where you need more study.
- Review Skills: Focus on practicing the skills listed in your training manual, especially common ones like handwashing, bed baths, and transferring patients.
By thoroughly preparing for both the written and skills portions of the exam, you’ll increase your chances of passing on the first attempt.
Becoming a CNA in West Virginia is a great way to start your healthcare career, with opportunities to work in nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities across the state. By following these steps and taking advantage of available resources, you can become a CNA and begin your rewarding career in patient care.
Other Local CNA Programs
id | Name | Image | Website | Street Address | City | State | Zip Code | Map Link | plus_code | Phone | latitude | longitude | latlong | Category | Reviews | Rating | 5star | 4star | 3star | 2star | 1star | description | Monday Hours | Tuesday Hours | Wednesday Hours | Thursday Hours | Friday Hours | Saturday Hours | Sunday Hours | Details |
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1,956 | Amherst County High School | https://achs.amherst.k12.va.us/ | 139 Lancer Ln | Amherst | VA | 24521 | HWCR+2H Amherst, Virginia | (434) 946-2898 | 37.57 | -79.06 | 37.5701083-79.0585912 | High school | 5 | 1.6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7:30AM to 3PM | 7:30AM to 3PM | 7:30AM to 3PM | 7:30AM to 3PM | 7:30AM to 3PM | Closed | Closed | More details | |||
1,957 | Blacksburg High School | https://bhs.mcps.org/ | 3401 Bruin Ln | Blacksburg | VA | 24060 | 6G6R+87 Blacksburg, Virginia | (540) 951-5706 | 37.21 | -80.46 | 37.2108556-80.4593477 | High school | 13 | 4.2 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | More details | ||||||||||
1,958 | Blue Ridge Job Corps Center | https://blueridge.jobcorps.gov/ | 245 W Main St | Marion | VA | 24354 | RFJG+VG Marion, Virginia | (276) 783-7221 | 36.83 | -81.52 | 36.8321703-81.5236807 | Training centre | 53 | 2.9 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 26 | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Closed | Closed | More details | |||
1,959 | Bon Secours Health Center at Virginia Beach | https://www.bonsecours.com/ | 828 Healthy Way | Virginia Beach | VA | 23462 | RV5C+M2 Virginia Beach, Virginia | (757) 305-1797 | 36.81 | -76.13 | 36.8092475-76.1299023 | Medical clinic | 17 | 2.8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | More details | ||||||||||
1,960 | Spring Oak at Warrenton | https://springoakwarrenton.com/ | 239 Alexandria Pike | Warrenton | VA | 20186 | P695+8V Warrenton, Virginia | (540) 347-6000 | 38.72 | -77.79 | 38.7183265-77.7902908 | Assisted living facility | 3 | 5.0 | 3 | 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 | |||
1,961 | Carriage Hill Health & Rehab Center | https://commonwealth-care.com/locations/carriage-hill-health-rehab-center/ | 6106 Health Center Ln | Fredericksburg | VA | 22407 | 7FQ3+4G Fredericksburg, Virginia | (540) 785-1120 | 38.29 | -77.55 | 38.2877564-77.546135 | Rehabilitation center | 121 | 4.2 | 85 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 14 | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | Open 24 hours | More details | |||
1,962 | Clarke County High School | https://cchs.clarke.k12.va.us/ | 627 Mosby Blvd | Berryville | VA | 22611 | 5264+R2 Berryville, Virginia | (540) 955-6130 | 39.16 | -77.99 | 39.1620467-77.9949507 | High school | 5 | 3.6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | More details | ||||||||||
1,963 | Colonial Heights High School | https://chhs.colonialhts.net/ | 3600 Conduit Rd | Colonial Heights | VA | 23834 | 7J95+79 Colonial Heights, Virginia | (804) 524-3405 | 37.27 | -77.39 | 37.2681271-77.3915116 | High school | 8 | 4.3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8AM to 4PM | 8AM to 4PM | 8AM to 4PM | 8AM to 4PM | 8AM to 4PM | Closed | Closed | More details | |||
1,964 | Christiansburg High School | https://chs.mcps.org/ | 100 Independence Blvd NW | Christiansburg | VA | 24073 | 4HWJ+6Q Christiansburg, Virginia | (540) 382-5178 | 37.15 | -80.42 | 37.1455846-80.4180103 | High school | 18 | 3.5 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7:35AM to 4PM | 7:35AM to 4PM | 7:35AM to 4PM | 7:35AM to 4PM | 7:35AM to 4PM | Closed | Closed | More details | |||
1,965 | Danville Community College | https://danville.edu/ | 1008 S Main St | Danville | VA | 24541 | HH8V+8W Danville, Virginia | (434) 797-2222 | 36.57 | -79.41 | 36.5658231-79.4051509 | Community college | 34 | 4.4 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8AM to 5PM | 8AM to 5PM | 8AM to 5PM | 8AM to 5PM | 8AM to 5PM | Closed | Closed | More details | |||
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