CNA Training Program in Northern Virginia — Become a Certified Nurse Aide at AVI Career Training
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You Want to Work in Healthcare. We’ll Get You There — Fast.
AVI Career Training’s Certified Nurse Aide program gives Northern Virginia adults a direct, state-approved path to a healthcare career. In 150 focused hours, you’ll earn the hands-on skills, clinical experience, and exam preparation you need to pass the Virginia CNA certification exam and step into one of the most in-demand jobs in the region.
No waitlists. No runaround. Just real training that gets you working.
Financial aid is available — and our admissions team will walk you through every option before you commit to anything.
Start Your CNA Journey — Contact Us Today →
📞 Call or text: (703) 943-9841
✅ COE Accredited · SCHEV Certified
✅ 150-Hour State-Compliant Program
✅ Financial Aid & GI Bill® Accepted
Why Choose AVI Career Training for Your CNA Program?
You have options. Here’s why Northern Virginia adults who are serious about getting into healthcare choose AVI.
1. We’re Fully State-Approved — and That Matters More Than You Think
AVI Career Training is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE). That’s not boilerplate — it means our CNA program meets Virginia’s exact requirements for the state certification exam. No shortcuts, no gaps.
Virginia law requires CNA students to complete a state-approved, in-person training program before sitting for the certification exam. Online-only courses and test-prep platforms cannot fulfill this requirement. When you train at AVI, you’re getting the complete credential — not just partial preparation.
2. Hands-On Training From Day One
Watching a video about taking vital signs isn’t the same as doing it. At AVI, you’ll practice real clinical skills — patient transfers, ADLs, infection control procedures, and more — in a hands-on learning environment with direct instructor guidance. By the time you sit for the skills portion of the state exam, these techniques will be second nature.
3. Smaller Classes, More Attention
At a community college, you might be one of 40 students competing for your instructor’s attention. At AVI, our smaller class sizes mean you get personalized feedback, faster answers to your questions, and an instructor who actually knows your name. That difference shows up on exam day — and on the job.
4. Streamlined Enrollment — Start Sooner
Community college CNA programs are frequently backed up by semester. At AVI, our enrollment process is direct and human. You speak with a real admissions team member, get your financial aid questions answered, and find out your actual start date — without spending months on a waitlist. If you’re ready to move, we’re ready to move with you.
5. Freedom to Work Anywhere
Unlike hospital-based training programs that require you to commit to a specific employer, an AVI credential opens every door. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers — you choose where your career goes. Your certification belongs to you.
CNA Program Curriculum — What You’ll Learn in 150 Hours
Virginia’s CNA certification requirements are specific, and AVI’s 150-hour program is built to meet every one of them — while also preparing you to be genuinely confident and competent on the job.
Core Skills & Knowledge Areas
| Skill Area | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Patient Care Fundamentals | Safe patient handling, positioning, transfers, and mobility assistance |
| Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) | Bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, and toileting assistance |
| Vital Signs Measurement | Blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, and oxygen saturation |
| Infection Control | Hand hygiene, PPE protocols, standard precautions, isolation procedures |
| Communication Skills | Reporting observations to nursing staff, communicating with patients and families |
| Patient Rights & Dignity | Legal protections, privacy, emotional support, and cultural sensitivity |
| Safety & Emergency Response | Fall prevention, emergency procedures, and recognizing changes in condition |
| Nursing Home & Hospital Settings | Understanding how care environments operate and how the CNA role fits in |
Virginia State Board Exam Preparation
The Virginia CNA certification exam includes two components: a written knowledge test and a practical skills demonstration. Both are covered throughout your training at AVI.
You’ll practice the clinical skills portion repeatedly before exam day, so muscle memory does the heavy lifting when the pressure is on. And you’ll work through the knowledge content in a structured way that builds real understanding — not just memorization.
Program At a Glance
- Total Hours: 150
- Format: In-person, hands-on instruction
- Location: Vienna, VA (Fairfax County / Tysons Corner area)
- State Approval: SCHEV Certified, COE Accredited
- Credential: Prepares graduates to sit for the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry examination
Career Outcomes — What a CNA Credential Opens Up in Northern Virginia
The Northern Virginia Healthcare Job Market Is One of the Strongest in the Country
Northern Virginia sits in the heart of one of the most healthcare-dense metro areas in the United States. Fairfax County alone is home to dozens of hospitals, nursing facilities, assisted living communities, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies — and all of them need CNAs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing assistants hold hundreds of thousands of positions nationally, with employment projected to grow faster than average through 2032 as the population ages and demand for long-term care expands. The DC metro area consistently sees some of the strongest wages for healthcare support workers in the country.
Where AVI CNA Graduates Work
Virginia CNAs find employment across a wide range of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals — Inova Health System, Sentara, HCA, NVUHS
- Nursing & Rehabilitation Facilities — Sunrise Senior Living, Brookdale, Genesis HealthCare, Sunrise of McLean, Arden Courts
- Assisted Living Communities — Throughout Fairfax County, Arlington, Reston, and Herndon
- Home Health Agencies — Visiting nurses, private-duty home care, PACE programs
- Memory Care Centers — Specialized dementia and Alzheimer’s care facilities
Earning Potential
Virginia CNAs typically earn competitive hourly wages that often exceed entry-level retail and food service positions — with the added advantage of consistent, scheduled work and employer-sponsored benefits at many facilities. Evening, overnight, and weekend differential pay is common in healthcare, meaning CNAs who can work flexible shifts often earn meaningfully more than base rates suggest.
Contact our admissions team for current regional wage data and employer information specific to Fairfax County.
CNA Is a Starting Point, Not a Ceiling
Many of the nurses and healthcare administrators working in Northern Virginia today started as CNAs. The credential gives you:
- Direct patient care experience that nursing schools actively seek in applicants
- Healthcare employer relationships that can support your continued education
- A clear pathway toward LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), RN (Registered Nurse), or specialized care roles
When you become a CNA at AVI, you’re not just getting a job. You’re getting a foundation.
Your Enrollment Path — 4 Simple Steps to Your CNA Certification
We designed our enrollment process to be straightforward because you have enough on your plate. Here’s exactly what it looks like.
Step 1: Connect With Our Admissions Team
Reach out through our contact form or call (703) 943-9841. A real person — not a chatbot, not a voicemail loop — will answer your questions about the program, scheduling, and what to expect. There’s no pressure and no obligation.
Step 2: Explore Your Financial Options
Before you make any decisions, we’ll walk you through the financial aid options available to you — including federal aid programs, payment plans, and GI Bill® benefits for eligible veterans and military spouses. Our goal is for you to know exactly what you’ll pay before you commit to anything.
Step 3: Enroll and Begin
Once you’ve confirmed your start date and financial arrangements, enrollment is straightforward. We’ll get you oriented, connected to your instructor, and ready for your first day of hands-on training.
Step 4: Complete Training, Pass Your Exam, Enter the Workforce
After completing your 150 hours, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry certification exam. AVI’s instruction is built around exam success — and once you pass, you’ll be eligible to work as a certified nurse aide anywhere in Virginia.
Tuition & Financial Aid — Let’s Talk About What You’ll Actually Pay
We understand that cost is the number one reason people hesitate to pursue career training — and we’d rather address it directly than make you dig through fine print to find an answer.
Financial Aid Is Available
AVI Career Training participates in financial aid programs to help eligible students fund their education. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for assistance that significantly reduces — or eliminates — your out-of-pocket costs.
We encourage you to reach out before you assume you can’t afford it. Many students are surprised by what they qualify for.
GI Bill® Accepted
AVI is proud to accept GI Bill® education benefits for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and qualifying military spouses. Northern Virginia’s large military community deserves access to quality career training — and we’re here to make that access real.
Payment Plans & Flexible Options
We work with students to find payment arrangements that fit real-life budgets. Talk to our admissions team about what options are available to you.
Find Out What You’ll Actually Pay →
📞 (703) 943-9841
Our admissions team will walk you through every option — with no pressure and no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the prerequisites to enroll in AVI’s CNA program?
Virginia generally requires CNA program applicants to be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED. You’ll also typically need to pass a background check, as is standard for all healthcare training programs. Contact our admissions team to confirm current entry requirements and find out if you’re ready to enroll.
How long does the CNA program take to complete?
AVI’s CNA program is 150 hours of training. How quickly you complete those hours depends on your schedule and the current cohort format. Reach out to discuss start dates and how the program timeline can work around your existing commitments — we understand you may be working or raising a family while you’re in school.
Is the schedule flexible? I work and have kids.
We hear this constantly — and it’s exactly why our admissions team takes scheduling seriously. Our goal is to offer training that fits real lives, not idealized ones. Contact us to discuss current schedule options and find a format that works for you. Many AVI CNA students are working adults and caregivers themselves.
Will AVI help me prepare for the Virginia state certification exam?
Yes. The entire 150-hour curriculum is structured to prepare you for both the written and practical skills components of the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry certification exam. You won’t walk into exam day hoping for the best — you’ll walk in having practiced the exact skills you’ll be evaluated on.
What kind of job placement support does AVI provide?
AVI Career Training is invested in your success beyond the classroom. Our team can provide guidance on job search resources, employer connections in the Northern Virginia healthcare market, and professional preparation. Northern Virginia’s healthcare employment landscape is strong — and a SCHEV-approved, COE-accredited credential from AVI positions you competitively in that market. Speak with our admissions team about the specific support available to current students and graduates.
Is AVI’s CNA program really state-approved? How do I know?
Yes. AVI Career Training is certified by SCHEV (the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia) and accredited by COE (the Council on Occupational Education). These are not self-issued designations — they are external approvals granted by recognized oversight bodies. Our CNA program meets Virginia’s requirements for students to sit for the state certification exam. If you’ve been researching schools and wondering whether a program is legitimate, those two credentials are exactly what to look for.
Ready to Start? Your Healthcare Career Begins Here.
You’ve been thinking about this. Maybe for a few weeks, maybe for years. You want work that’s stable, meaningful, and actually in demand. You want to help people — and you want a credential that opens real doors in Northern Virginia’s healthcare market.
AVI Career Training’s 150-hour CNA program gives you everything you need: state-approved instruction, hands-on clinical skills training, financial aid options, and a team that’s genuinely on your side from day one.
The next step is simple. Reach out. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through your financial options, and show you exactly how to get started — with zero pressure.
Apply Now / Contact Our Admissions Team →
📞 Call or Text: (703) 943-9841
📍 Campus Location:
AVI Career Training
1595 Spring Hill Rd #720
Vienna, VA 22182
(Fairfax County · Tysons Corner area · Serving Vienna, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Falls Church, Annandale, Arlington, and all of Northern Virginia)
✅ COE Accredited · SCHEV Certified · Financial Aid Available · GI Bill® Accepted
AVI Career Training is proud to serve the Northern Virginia and DC metro community with COE-accredited, SCHEV-certified career training programs. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Use of this trademark does not imply endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. Government.