Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training & certification requirements vary considerably across the U.S. In some states, the requirements go beyond the federal minimum while in other states requirements are nearly identical to the federal standards.
This page displays Virginia CNA Requirements as of February 2023.
To see requirements in other states, visit nursinghome411.org/cna-reqs.
Virginia CNA Requirements
- Eligibility/Screening Requirements
- Has not committed any act or omission that would be grounds for discipline or denial of certification under this article; and has no record of abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient’s or resident’s property or any disciplinary action taken or pending in any other state or territory against such certification.
- Education & Training Requirement
- Individuals must complete a state approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program.
- Testing Requirement
- Individuals must pass both a written and skills test.
- Renewal & In-Service Requirements
- Same as federal.
- Hours
- 120 clock hours
- By May 12, 2023, the program shall be at least 140 clock hours in length, at least 20 hours of which shall be specifically designated for skills acquisition in the laboratory setting.
- The program shall provide for at least 24 hours of instruction prior to direct contact of a student with a client.
- Clinical training in clinical settings shall be at least 40 hours of providing direct client care.
- Five of the clinical hours may be in a setting other than a geriatric long-term care facility.
- Hours of observation shall not be included in the required 40 hours of skills training.
- Time spent in employment orientation to facilities used in the education program must not be included in the 140 hours allotted for the program.
- Curriculum
- The curriculum shall include communication and interpersonal skills, safety and emergency procedures, personal care skills, observational and reporting techniques, appropriate clinical care of the aged and disabled, skills for basic restorative services, clients’ rights, legal aspects of practice as a certified nurse aide, occupational health and safety measures, culturally sensitive care, and appropriate management of conflict.
- Initial core curriculum. Prior to the direct contact with a client, a student shall have completed a total of at least 24 hours of instruction. Sixteen of those hours shall be in the following five areas:
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Infection control.
- Safety and emergency procedures, including dealing with obstructed airways and fall prevention.
- Promoting client independence.
- Respecting clients’ rights.
- Basic skills.
- Recognizing changes in body functioning and the importance of reporting such changes to a supervisor.
- Measuring and recording routine vital signs.
- Measuring and recording height and weight.
- Caring for the client’s environment.
- Measuring and recording fluid and food intake and output.
- Performing basic emergency measures.
- Caring for a client when death is imminent.
- Personal care skills.
- Bathing and oral hygiene.
- Grooming.
- Dressing.
- Toileting.
- Assisting with eating and hydration, including proper feeding techniques.
- Caring for skin, to include prevention of pressure ulcers.
- Transfer, positioning, and turning.
- Individual client’s needs, including mental health and social service needs.
- Modifying the nurse aide’s behavior in response to the behavior of clients.
- Identifying developmental tasks associated with the aging process.
- Demonstrating principles of behavior management by reinforcing appropriate behavior and causing inappropriate behavior to be reduced or eliminated.
- Demonstrating skills supporting age-appropriate behavior by allowing the client to make personal choices, and by providing and reinforcing other behavior consistent with the client’s dignity.
- Utilizing the client’s family or concerned others as a source of emotional support.
- Responding appropriately to the client’s behavior including aggressive behavior and language.
- Providing appropriate clinical care to the aged and disabled.
- Providing culturally sensitive care.
- Care of the cognitively or sensory (visual and auditory) impaired client.
- Using techniques for addressing the unique needs and behaviors of individuals with dementia (Alzheimer’s and others).
- Communicating with cognitively or sensory impaired clients.
- Demonstrating an understanding of and responding appropriately to the behavior of cognitively or sensory impaired clients.
- Using methods to reduce the effects of cognitive impairment.
- Skills for basic restorative services.
- Using assistive devices in transferring, ambulation, eating, and dressing.
- Maintaining range of motion.
- Turning and positioning, both in bed and chair.
- Bowel and bladder training.
- Caring for and using prosthetic and orthotic devices.
- Teaching the client in self-care according to the client’s abilities as directed by a supervisor.
- Clients’ rights.
- Providing privacy and maintaining confidentiality.
- Promoting the client’s right to make personal choices to accommodate individual needs.
- Giving assistance in resolving grievances and disputes.
- Providing assistance necessary to participate in client and family groups and other activities.
- Maintaining care and security of the client’s personal possessions.
- Promoting the client’s rights to be free from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect and the need to report any instances of such treatment to appropriate staff.
- Avoiding the need for restraints in accordance with current professional standards.
- Legal and regulatory aspects of practice as a certified nurse aide including consequences of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of client property, and unprofessional conduct.
- Occupational health and safety measures.
- Appropriate management of conflict.
- Observational and reporting techniques.
- Substance abuse and opioid misuse.
- 120 clock hours