CNA Classes in Richmond, VA

How Much Does CNA Training Cost in Richmond?

Tuition at Richmond programs runs $700 to $1,250 (about $949 on average). Beyond tuition, plan for the state exam fee ($140 total ($45 written/oral + $95 skills)), the application/registry fee ($30 Virginia Board of Nursing CNA application fee, paid through the DHP online licensing system), a background check, and uniforms or supplies. All in, total CNA training cost in Virginia typically falls around $0 (employer-sponsored) to $2,000 (private 120-hour program).

How to Become a CNA in Richmond, VA

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the prerequisites

   You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Virginia Board of Nursing rules, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the state, though most training programs require basic English literacy.

2. 2

   Find a Virginia Board of Nursing-approved Nurse Aide Education Program

   Look for a state-approved program meeting Virginia's 120-hour requirement. Approved programs are run by Virginia's community college system (especially Tidewater Community College, Northern Virginia Community College, J. Sargeant Reynolds, Piedmont Virginia, Wytheville), the American Red Cross, nursing facility chains, and private career schools. Many Virginia LTC operators in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Roanoke sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment.

3. 3

   Complete the 120-hour training program

   Pass all 120 hours, including at least 40 hours of supervised clinical training delivering direct client care in a nursing care setting and at least 20 hours of skills-lab instruction. Your program issues a completion certificate that allows you to register for the Credentia competency exam.

4. 4

   Complete state and FBI background screening

   Submit fingerprints for both Virginia State Police criminal background check and federal FBI fingerprint clearance. Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Disqualifying offenses include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and vulnerable-adult abuse.

5. 5

   Schedule and pass the Credentia NNAAP exam

   Apply through Credentia's CNA365 account at credentia.com/test-takers/va/. The total exam fee is $140 ($45 written/oral + $95 skills). Schedule both portions at a Credentia-approved Virginia test center, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.

6. 6

   Apply through DHP and pay the $30 application fee

   Submit your Virginia Board of Nursing CNA application through the DHP online licensing system and pay the $30 application fee to the Treasurer of Virginia. The Board verifies your training, exam results, and background check before adding you to the registry.

7. 7

   Get listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry

   Once you pass both exam portions, your background check clears, and your DHP application is processed, you are added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at dhp.virginiainteractive.org/lookup/index. From that point you are authorized to work as a CNA in Virginia Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities and other licensed healthcare settings.

Becoming a CNA in Virginia

Becoming a CNA in Virginia is one of the more rigorous pathways on the East Coast. Virginia requires 120 hours of training — 45 hours above the federal floor of 75 — split into at least 80 hours of classroom theory and skills-lab instruction (including a minimum of 20 hours of skills-lab work) plus at least 40 hours of supervised clinical training delivering direct client care in a nursing care setting. Most full-time programs run 6 to 10 weeks. Virginia's community college system — including Tidewater, Northern Virginia, J. Sargeant Reynolds, Piedmont Virginia, and Wytheville — runs the largest network of approved 120-hour programs, typically priced $600 to $1,500 for residents.

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Richmond