CNA Training in Northern Virginia: Start in 150 Hours

AVI Career Training’s Nurse Aide program in Vienna, Virginia gives you a direct, structured path to becoming a Certified Nurse Aide — completing the full 150 hours of state-required training right here in Fairfax County. No four-year degree. No long wait. Just focused, hands-on preparation that gets you job-ready and exam-eligible fast.

If you’ve been searching for CNA classes near me in Northern Virginia, you’ve found a program built specifically for working adults, career-changers, and motivated people who want to enter healthcare without spending years in school.

Ready to take the first step? Apply now at AVI Career Training and get started on your healthcare career today.

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What Does a Nurse Aide Actually Do?

A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is a direct-care healthcare professional who provides essential, hands-on support to patients and residents across a wide range of care settings.

CNAs are the backbone of daily patient care. On any given shift, a nurse aide might help a patient with bathing, dressing, or mobility. They take and record vital signs, assist with meals, reposition patients to prevent pressure sores, and provide the kind of consistent human presence that makes a measurable difference in patient outcomes. They work under the supervision of licensed nurses — but make no mistake, the work they do is critical.

Where Do CNAs Work?

CNAs are employed across nearly every sector of healthcare, including:

In Northern Virginia and the broader DMV area, demand for qualified nurse aides is high and growing. The region’s aging population, combined with a large concentration of healthcare systems — including Inova Health System, Kaiser Permanente, and numerous long-term care facilities throughout Fairfax County — means CNA graduates here have real, immediate employment opportunities.

Why CNAs Are in High Demand Right Now

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for nursing assistants to grow faster than average through 2032, driven directly by the needs of an aging Baby Boomer population. In Virginia, that trend is amplified by the size of the 65-and-older demographic in the NoVA suburbs. This is not a temporary spike — it is a structural, long-term shift in healthcare demand that translates directly into job security for new CNA graduates.

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Virginia CNA Requirements: What You Need to Know

To become a Certified Nurse Aide in Virginia, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass the NNAAP certification exam — here is exactly what that process looks like.

The Virginia Board of Nursing (under the Virginia Department of Health Professions) sets the standards for nurse aide certification in the Commonwealth. Meeting those requirements is not complicated, but it is non-negotiable. Here is a step-by-step breakdown.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements

Step 2: Complete 150 Hours of State-Approved Training

Virginia requires a minimum of 150 hours of nurse aide training through a program approved by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. That training must include both:

AVI Career Training’s 150-hour Nurse Aide program is structured to meet these exact requirements, combining theory instruction with practical clinical training so you graduate fully prepared.

Step 3: Pass the NNAAP Exam

After completing your training program, you are eligible to sit for the NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) exam, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Virginia Board of Nursing. The exam has two parts:

Passing both portions places your name on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry, which is your official credential as a Certified Nurse Aide in the Commonwealth.

For the most current licensing requirements, visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Nursing directly.

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AVI’s 150-Hour Nurse Aide Program — What to Expect

AVI Career Training’s Nurse Aide program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) is a 150-hour, state-aligned curriculum that prepares you for both the NNAAP exam and the real demands of a healthcare career.

AVI Career Training — a COE-accredited, SCHEV-certified school in the Tysons Corner area of Vienna, Virginia — brings the same hands-on, career-focused philosophy that defines its beauty and wellness programs to its Nurse Aide training. That means small class sizes, instructor-guided skill practice, and a learning environment that respects where you are and pushes you toward where you want to go.

What the Curriculum Covers

The 150-hour program is divided between classroom/lab instruction and supervised clinical hours. Core content areas include:

Scheduling Built for Working Adults

AVI understands that most students juggling a CNA program are also managing jobs, families, and real life. The program is designed to be accessible — with scheduling options that fit working adults in Fairfax County and the broader Northern Virginia area. Contact AVI admissions at (703) 943-9841 to discuss current cohort schedules and find the format that works for your life.

A Real Student Story: From Caregiver to Certified

Consider someone like Maya, a 34-year-old single mother from Falls Church who had been informally caring for her aging grandmother for three years. She knew she had the instinct for patient care — she just needed the credential. Maya enrolled in AVI’s 150-hour program on a weekday schedule, completed her clinical hours at a nearby Fairfax County skilled nursing facility, and passed both portions of the NNAAP on her first attempt. Within six weeks of graduating, she was hired full-time at an Inova-affiliated home health agency — with a starting wage above $18 per hour and a clear path toward a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program. Maya’s story is not unusual. It is what this program is built for.

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Career Outlook and Earning Potential for CNAs in Northern Virginia

CNAs in the Northern Virginia and DC metro area consistently earn above the national median for this profession, with strong, immediate job availability across Fairfax County and the broader DMV region.

Here is what the data says.

CNA Salaries in Northern Virginia

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and regional wage data for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area:

For current national figures, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for Nursing Assistants is the most reliable source.

Job Growth and Demand

The BLS projects nursing assistant employment to grow by approximately 4–5% through 2032 — on pace with average occupational growth nationally, but locally outpaced by Northern Virginia’s rapid population aging and healthcare infrastructure expansion. Fairfax County alone has dozens of skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and home health agencies actively hiring CNAs.

The Fast-Track from Graduation to Employment

One of the most compelling facts about CNA training is the speed-to-employment timeline. Unlike degree programs that require years of coursework before you can enter the workforce, the nurse aide path is designed for rapid entry:

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Tuition, Payment Options, and How to Enroll

AVI Career Training’s Nurse Aide program has no eligibility for federal financial aid (FAFSA/Title IV), but affordable private payment and financing options are available to help you get started without delay.

Important: Federal Financial Aid Is Not Available for This Program

Federal financial aid programs — including Pell Grants, FAFSA-based loans, and Title IV funding — are only available to programs of 600 hours or more. AVI’s 150-hour Nurse Aide program does not meet that threshold, and therefore does not qualify for federal financial aid of any kind. This is a federal regulatory requirement, not a school policy.

What this means for you: You will not be able to use FAFSA or federal student loans to pay for this program.

Payment Options That Are Available

AVI offers practical alternatives to help make the program accessible:

For tuition figures and to discuss payment arrangements directly, call AVI admissions at (703) 943-9841 or start your application online.

A Second Student Story: The Career-Changer

James, 41, had spent nearly two decades in restaurant management in the Tysons Corner area. When the pandemic reshaped his industry, he decided to pivot into something more stable. He’d always respected the people who cared for his father during a hospitalization and wanted to do that work himself. James paid for AVI’s program through a structured payment plan, completed his clinical hours on a weekend-heavy schedule while transitioning out of his restaurant role, and landed a CNA position at a Reston-area assisted living community. He now earns more per hour than he did managing a full-service restaurant — with benefits. “I just needed someone to show me the door was open,” he said. “AVI showed me the door.”

How to Enroll at AVI Career Training

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Contact AVI admissions — call (703) 943-9841 or apply online to request program details and next cohort start dates
2. Complete your application — provide required documentation (ID, background check authorization, education verification)
3. Confirm your payment arrangement — work with AVI’s admissions team on tuition and payment plan options
4. Start your 150 hours — attend class, complete your clinical, and prepare for the NNAAP exam

Apply Now — Start Your Nurse Aide Career

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Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Northern Virginia

Q: How long does it take to become a CNA in Virginia?
A: Virginia requires 150 hours of state-approved nurse aide training before you can sit for the NNAAP certification exam. AVI Career Training’s program fulfills this requirement. Depending on schedule format, most students complete the 150-hour program in a matter of weeks. After passing the NNAAP exam, you are listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry and eligible to work.

Q: How much do CNAs make in Northern Virginia?
A: CNAs in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC metro area typically earn between $18 and $22 per hour, with median annual earnings ranging from approximately $37,000 to $45,000. Hospital and specialty settings, along with overnight or weekend shifts, often carry higher pay rates.

Q: What are the requirements to take the Virginia CNA exam?
A: To sit for the NNAAP exam in Virginia, you must complete a minimum of 150 hours of training through a state-approved nurse aide program (including both classroom/lab and clinical hours), pass a criminal background check, and register through Pearson VUE. The exam includes a written knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation.

Q: Is CNA training covered by financial aid or the GI Bill®?
A: Federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants, Title IV loans) is not available for AVI’s 150-hour Nurse Aide program because it is under the 600-hour federal threshold. GI Bill® eligibility for programs under 600 hours varies and should be confirmed directly with the VA and AVI admissions. Payment plans and private financing options are available through AVI. Call (703) 943-9841 for specifics.

Q: What is the difference between a CNA and a medical assistant?
A: A CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) focuses on direct patient care — helping with daily living activities, mobility, vital signs, and personal hygiene — primarily in nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health settings. A Medical Assistant (MA) typically works in outpatient clinical settings (doctors’ offices, clinics) and handles both administrative tasks and clinical procedures like drawing blood and preparing patients for exams. Both are valuable healthcare roles; the right choice depends on the care environment you want to work in.

Q: Where is AVI Career Training located, and is it near me?
A: AVI Career Training is located at 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182 — in the Tysons Corner area, easily accessible from throughout Fairfax County, Arlington, Loudoun, and the broader Northern Virginia region. The school is minutes from major commuter routes and serves students across the DMV area.

Q: How is nurse aide training at AVI different from other CNA programs in Northern Virginia?
A: AVI Career Training is COE Accredited and SCHEV Certified, with a long track record of career-focused training in Virginia. The school’s emphasis on hands-on instruction, small class sizes, and practical skill development — the same philosophy that drives its beauty and wellness programs — carries directly into nurse aide training. AVI is a licensed, accountable institution, not a pop-up training provider.

Q: Can I use my CNA certification as a stepping stone to become an LPN or RN?
A: Yes. CNA certification is widely recognized in Virginia and nationally as an entry point into nursing. Many hospitals, long-term care facilities, and health systems in Northern Virginia offer tuition reimbursement or educational advancement programs specifically for CNAs pursuing LPN or RN credentials. Starting as a nurse aide gives you patient care experience that strengthens your nursing school application.

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Start Your CNA Career in Northern Virginia at AVI

CNA training in Northern Virginia does not have to be complicated or out of reach. At AVI Career Training in Vienna, Virginia, the path is clear: 150 hours of structured, state-approved instruction, a hands-on clinical experience, and a direct line to the NNAAP exam and your Virginia Nurse Aide Registry listing.

Fairfax County and the broader DMV area need qualified, caring nurse aides. Healthcare facilities from Tysons Corner to Reston to Falls Church are actively hiring — and they are looking for graduates who are prepared, credentialed, and ready to work.

Whether you are changing careers, entering the workforce for the first time, or building toward a long-term nursing career, AVI Career Training gives you the foundation to move forward with confidence.

Apply Now at AVI Career Training