CNA Classes in Northern Virginia: Get Certified in 150 Hours
AVI Career Training’s CNA program in Vienna, Virginia gives you a direct path into healthcare — no nursing degree required, no years of prerequisites, just 150 focused hours of hands-on training and you’re ready to sit for your Virginia state certification exam.
If you’ve been searching for CNA classes in Northern Virginia, you’ve landed in the right place. This page covers everything you need to know: what CNAs actually do every day, exactly what Virginia requires for certification, what your 150 hours will look like at AVI, what you can expect to earn in the DMV area, and how to get started.
Ready to take the first step? Apply now at AVI Career Training or call us at (703) 943-9841.
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Key Takeaways
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What Is a Nurse Aide & What Do CNAs Do?
A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is a trained, state-certified healthcare professional who provides direct, hands-on care to patients and residents in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health settings.
CNAs are the frontline of patient care. On a typical shift, you might help a patient with bathing, dressing, and grooming; measure and record vital signs like blood pressure and pulse; assist with meals; reposition bedridden patients to prevent pressure sores; and communicate observations about a patient’s condition to the supervising nurse. You are, in many ways, the eyes and ears of the nursing team.
Where Do CNAs Work?
The demand for CNAs in the Northern Virginia and DC metro area is strong and growing. An aging Baby Boomer population is driving a consistent increase in need for long-term care workers — and CNAs sit at the center of that demand.
Meet Destiny: Destiny was working as a restaurant server in Fairfax County when her grandmother was admitted to a nursing home. Watching the CNAs on staff care for her grandmother with patience and skill made Destiny realize she wanted to do that work. She enrolled in AVI’s 150-hour CNA program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM), completed her clinical hours at a local facility, and passed her Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation on her first attempt. She was hired at an assisted living community in Reston before her certification card arrived in the mail.
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Virginia CNA Certification Requirements: What You Need to Know
Virginia requires every nurse aide to complete a state-approved training program and pass the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation before working in any certified nursing facility.
Here is a clear breakdown of the full certification path:
Step 1 — Complete a State-Approved Training Program
Virginia requires a minimum of 150 hours of nurse aide training from a state-approved program. The training must include both a theory component (classroom instruction) and a supervised clinical skills component (hands-on patient care hours). AVI Career Training’s program in Vienna, VA meets this requirement.
> Important: Always verify current hour requirements with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) at www.dhp.virginia.gov, as state regulations can be updated.
Step 2 — Pass the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation
The Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation is a two-part exam:
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health Professions. You’ll schedule your exam directly through Pearson VUE after completing your training program.
Step 3 — Criminal Background Check
All candidates for Virginia CNA certification must complete a criminal background check as part of the application process.
Step 4 — Get Listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry
Once you pass your exam, you are added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry — the official state database of certified nurse aides. Employers are legally required to verify your registry listing before hiring you to work in any certified nursing facility.
Step 5 — Renew Every 24 Months
CNA certification in Virginia must be renewed every 24 months. To renew, you must provide documentation of paid work activity as a nurse aide during the certification period.
Q: How many hours does a CNA program take in Virginia?
Virginia requires a minimum of 150 hours of state-approved nurse aide training. AVI Career Training’s CNA program meets this requirement with a curriculum that includes both classroom theory hours and supervised clinical practice hours.
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What to Expect From AVI’s 150-Hour CNA Program
AVI Career Training’s 150-hour CNA program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) in Vienna, Virginia is built for career changers, first-time students, and anyone who wants to enter healthcare without spending years in school.
You do not need a nursing degree. You do not need prior healthcare experience. You need a high school diploma or GED, a genuine desire to care for others, and the commitment to show up and do the work.
What You’ll Learn in the Classroom
The theory portion of your training covers the foundational knowledge every CNA must have:
What You’ll Learn in Clinical
Clinical hours are where everything you’ve learned in the classroom becomes real. Under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor, you’ll practice hands-on patient care in a clinical setting. Skills you’ll perform include:
By the time you complete your 150 hours, you won’t just know how to pass the exam — you’ll be prepared for your first day on the job.
Can I Become a CNA Without a Nursing Degree?
Yes — and this is one of the most important things to understand about the CNA path. A nursing degree (RN or LPN) is not required to become a CNA. Virginia’s nurse aide certification is a standalone credential. You complete your 150-hour approved program, pass your competency evaluation, and you are a Certified Nurse Aide. Many students come to AVI from retail, food service, military backgrounds, and other industries with zero formal healthcare training — and they go on to thriving CNA careers.
Q: Can I become a CNA without a nursing degree?
Yes. Virginia’s CNA certification is a standalone credential. You complete a state-approved 150-hour training program like the one offered at AVI Career Training in Vienna, VA, pass the two-part Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, and you are fully certified — no nursing degree required.
Meet Marcus: Marcus spent eight years in the U.S. Army and transitioned out at 28 with no clear civilian career plan. A VA career counselor mentioned healthcare as a strong field for veterans — stable, meaningful, and in demand. Marcus found AVI’s CNA program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) in Northern Virginia, enrolled, and appreciated the structured, skills-based format that felt familiar from his military training. He completed the program in six weeks, passed both parts of the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, and accepted a position at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Arlington at a starting hourly wage well above the state average.
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CNA Career Outlook & Salary in Northern Virginia
CNAs in Northern Virginia and the broader DMV area earn competitive wages — and the job market is consistently strong.
What CNAs Earn in Virginia
Salary figures are approximate ranges drawn from available labor market data. Actual earnings vary based on employer, setting, shift differentials, and experience. Verify current figures with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Why Northern Virginia Pays More
The Tysons Corner area, Fairfax County, Arlington, and the broader DC metro market consistently offer CNA wages above the Virginia state average. Cost of living in the region drives higher base pay, and competition among large hospital systems and private care networks for qualified nurse aides pushes compensation up further.
Hospital settings and specialty rehabilitation facilities typically pay more than nursing homes and home health agencies — something to keep in mind as you plan your career path.
Job Growth & Demand
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady demand for nurse aides nationally, driven primarily by the aging U.S. population. In Northern Virginia specifically, the concentration of military veterans, federal employees, and a growing 65+ demographic creates a particularly strong local demand picture.
Q: How much do CNAs make in Virginia?
Virginia CNAs earn approximately $32,000–$40,000 per year on average statewide. In Northern Virginia and the DC metro area — including Fairfax County, Arlington, and the Tysons Corner corridor — wages typically range from $38,000–$42,000+, with hospital and acute care settings paying at the higher end.
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Tuition, Financial Aid & How to Enroll in AVI’s CNA Program
AVI Career Training’s CNA program in Vienna, Virginia is designed to be accessible — in schedule, location, and cost.
Program Location
AVI Career Training
1595 Spring Hill Rd #720
Vienna, VA 22182
(Conveniently located in the Tysons Corner area — accessible from Fairfax County, Arlington, McLean, Reston, and throughout Northern Virginia)
Program Hours
150 hours total, combining classroom theory instruction and supervised clinical hours.
Tuition
Contact AVI’s admissions team for current program tuition and any available payment plan options.
⚠️ Important Financial Aid Notice
Federal financial aid (Title IV / FAFSA / Pell Grant) is NOT available for AVI’s CNA program. Because this program is under 600 hours, it does not meet the federal eligibility threshold for Title IV student aid. We want to be completely transparent about this before you enroll.
Your options for managing tuition costs include:
Please do not make enrollment decisions based on an assumption that FAFSA or Pell Grant will cover this program — they will not. Contact AVI directly at (703) 943-9841 to discuss your specific financial situation before enrolling.
How to Enroll
Getting started at AVI Career Training is straightforward:
1. Apply online — complete your application at https://avi.edu/apply/
2. Speak with admissions — an AVI advisor will confirm your start date, walk through program details, and discuss your payment plan options
3. Complete enrollment paperwork — including background check authorization
4. Show up ready to learn — bring your commitment; AVI brings the curriculum, the instructors, and the clinical experience
Call (703) 943-9841 or apply online now to get your enrollment started.
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Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Classes in Northern Virginia
Q: How many hours does a CNA program take in Virginia?
A: Virginia requires a minimum of 150 hours of state-approved nurse aide training. AVI Career Training’s CNA program in Vienna, VA is 150 hours and includes both classroom theory and supervised clinical practice.
Q: How long does it take to get CNA certified in Virginia?
A: Most students complete the 150-hour training program in approximately four to eight weeks depending on schedule format. After completing training, you schedule your Pearson VUE exam. Many students are fully certified — training complete, exam passed, listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry — within two months.
Q: What is on the Virginia CNA state board exam?
A: The Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation has two parts. The written (or oral) knowledge test covers nursing aide theory, patient rights, safety, infection control, and basic care concepts. The clinical skills evaluation requires you to demonstrate five randomly selected hands-on nursing skills in front of an evaluator. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health Professions.
Q: Can I become a CNA without a nursing degree?
A: Yes. Virginia’s CNA certification does not require a nursing degree. You complete a 150-hour state-approved program, pass the competency evaluation, and you’re certified. No prior healthcare experience or college degree is required.
Q: Does AVI Career Training’s CNA program qualify for financial aid?
A: No. Federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grant, Title IV) is not available for this program because it is under 600 hours. AVI offers payment plan options and can connect you with potential private financing resources. Contact admissions at (703) 943-9841 for details.
Q: Where is AVI Career Training located?
A: AVI Career Training is located at 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182 — in the Tysons Corner area of Northern Virginia, convenient to Fairfax County, Arlington, McLean, Reston, and the broader DMV area.
Q: Is AVI accredited?
A: Yes. AVI Career Training is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). These accreditations reflect AVI’s commitment to program quality and student outcomes.
Q: How do I get on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry?
A: After passing both parts of the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by Pearson VUE, you are automatically listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry maintained by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Employers are required to verify your listing before hiring you to work in a certified nursing facility.
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Start Your CNA Career in Northern Virginia
AVI Career Training’s 150-hour CNA program in Vienna, VA is your direct path into healthcare — no nursing degree, no years of school, just focused training and a credential that gets you hired.
Apply Now — Start Your Application
Questions? Call us at (703) 943-9841
1595 Spring Hill Rd #720 · Vienna, VA 22182
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About AVI Career Training
AVI Career Training is a COE-accredited, SCHEV-certified career school located in Vienna, Virginia, in the Tysons Corner area of Northern Virginia. AVI offers hands-on career training programs in cosmetology, esthetics, massage therapy, electrolysis, cosmetic laser technology, nail technology, and nurse aide training.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
