Virginia Nurse Aide Registry

Virginia Nurse Aide Registry
Virginia Department of Health Professions
Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, Virginia 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4515
License Verification: (804) 270-6836
Complaints: (800) 533-1560

All nurse aide training courses approved by the state of Virginia must contain at least one hundred and twenty (120) hours of instruction. Each nursing assistant program should provide classroom instruction for twenty-four (24) hours prior to having any direct contact with a patient. Furthermore, throughout the course of the nurse aide class students should receive a minimum of forty (40) hours of hands-on, clinical skills, by providing nursing related care. By completing a nurse aide course and obtaining a passing score on the state CNA examination, an individual becomes a certified nurse aide in the state of Virginia. Every qualified nurse aide in the state is listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. Nurse aide certification renewal occurs every two years. In Virginia, a certified nurse aide may choose to become an Advanced Certified Nurse Aide if one has at least three years of practice as a CNA. An advanced certified nurse aide program consists of one hundred and twenty (120) hours of advanced training. A state examination is also required for receiving an advanced CNA certification.

CNA Registries in the United States

Select an area from the map below to find addresses and phone numbers for Nurse Aide Registries in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia as well as links to online nursing assistant registries if available.

Nursing Assistant Registries

Should you know about your state's nursing assistant registry? Absolutely. A state's nurse aide registry serves important functions for any certified nursing assistant as well as for those looking to become certified. An individual who has finished a nursing assistant training program and has passed the state competency exam becomes listed on the CNA registry. Employers check the registry listings to confirm that a potential employee satisfies the training and testing requirements to obtain a nursing assistant job. To work as a certified nursing assistant, your status on the CNA registry must be active, without any charges of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. It is important to update your name and address on the registry. By doing so, your information is current and you are able to receive important documents sent by the registry.

For example, renewal forms are mailed to the address you have provided to the registry. You will not receive the certification renewal forms unless your address on the registry is accurate. One of the most frequent questions we get is how to get a copy of a CNA certificate. The nurse aide registry is in charge of issuing a duplicate of your nurse aide certificate and to obtain a copy you need to contact them. A nursing assistant certificate is typically reprinted when the original has been lost, accidentally destroyed, stolen, or when the individual has changed their name. The nurse aide registry is also the entity in charge of revoking a nursing assistant's certification in cases of neglect, abuse, or misappropriation of a client's property. In such cases, an individual's name is permanently listed on the registry along with the specific findings.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Angela on August 08, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Hi, I live in New Jersey right now and was thinking about making a move to Virginia. I am currently a CNA in New Jersey so what would it take to transfer my certification to Virginia?


Admin on August 09, 2009 at 09:34 AM
If you wish to obtain certification as a nursing assistant in Virginia then you need to apply for certification by endorsement in this new state. Certification by endorsement and placement on the Virginia CNA registry is granted if you meet the following requirements: you are currently registered as a CNA in New Jersey and have no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation and you complete and submit the endorsement application and other necessary documents to the nurse aide credentialing agency in Virginia. Instructions as well as the application for CNA certification by endorsement can be found here: Application for Nurse Aide Certification by Endorsement.


How much does it cost to take my New York state CNA certification down to Virginia with me and how should I go about transferring my CNA license?

I am currently a certified nursing assistant in Illinois but I was wondering what I would have to do to get my CNA license in Virginia as well?

I worked as a CNA for years but my certification exipred and I was certified in Georgia but now I live in Virginia. What do I need to do to be able to work as a CNA in Virginia?

Is it possible to enroll in a CNA class without a high school diploma or GED?

How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?

CNA Resources

Being a Successful C.N.A

Besides knowledge and proficiency there are many qualities which define a competent CNA. Our list includes the answers of residents, families, and those of experienced nurse aides who have been in the health care field for an extended period of time. Most of the qualities listed below represent the reasons and motivational factors driving new individuals to become certified nurse aides.


A competent CNA shows support for others, as well as patience, compassion and empathy. To become a good nursing assistant one needs to understand the meaning of being a team player. An effective nursing assistant learns to become a good listener who cares about and understands the needs of the residents, has a helping nature and a positive attitude. Both patients and co-workers appreciate a smile, an upbeat personality, as well as someone who takes pride in their work. A nurse aide job requires good organizational skills, patience, good judgment, and effective communication.

CNA Training Programs

Nurse Aide Registries

Alaska Wyoming Oklahoma Washington DC Delaware Maryland Maryland Delaware New Jersey New Jersey Connecticut Connecticut Rhode Island Rhode Island Massachusetts Massachusetts Vermont New Hampshire Vermont New Hampshire Missouri Indiana Pennsylvania Alabama Maine New York West Virginia Wisconsin Ohio Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Louisiana Mississippi Florida Georgia Tennessee Illinois Michigan Michigan Minnesota Utah Kentucky Kansas South Dakota Arizona Idaho Washington State California Arkansas Texas Nebraska North Dakota Iowa Hawaii Nevada Oregon New Mexico Colorado Montana