CNA Training in Northern Virginia: Start in 150 Hours
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AVI Career Training’s Nurse Aide program in Vienna, Virginia is a state-approved, 150-hour path to becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Northern Virginia — qualifying you to sit for the Virginia Board of Nursing competency exam upon completion.
If you’ve been searching for CNA training in Northern Virginia that fits your schedule, your budget, and your life, you’re in the right place. The demand for qualified nurse aides across Fairfax County, the Tysons Corner area, and the broader DMV region is stronger than ever — and AVI Career Training is positioned to get you career-ready fast.
- AVI’s Nurse Aide program is 150 hours — one of the fastest paths to a healthcare career in Virginia
- Virginia requires state-approved training + a two-part NNAAP exam (written + clinical skills) to practice as a CNA
- CNAs in Northern Virginia earn $18–$22/hour at entry level — above the national average
- You must be listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry (VNAR) to legally work as a CNA in Virginia
- ⚠️ Federal financial aid is NOT available for this program — flexible payment options are available
Apply Now — Start Your CNA Journey →
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What Is a Certified Nurse Aide — and Why It’s a High-Demand Career in Virginia
A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is a state-credentialed healthcare professional who provides direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse. CNAs are the frontline of hands-on care — the people patients and families rely on most.
What a CNA actually does every day:
In Northern Virginia, the demand for CNAs is particularly high — and growing. The region’s aging population, combined with a dense network of hospitals, assisted living facilities, memory care centers, and home health agencies across Fairfax County and the wider DMV area, creates a constant need for trained nurse aides.
The barrier to entry is genuinely low compared to other healthcare roles. You don’t need a two- or four-year degree. You don’t need prior medical experience. You need 150 hours of quality training, a passing score on the state exam, and the drive to show up and care for people. That’s the path AVI Career Training makes possible.
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Virginia CNA Licensing Requirements: What You Need to Know
To legally work as a CNA in Virginia, you must meet specific requirements set by the Virginia Board of Nursing — and the process is straightforward once you know the steps.
Step 1: Complete a State-Approved Nurse Aide Training Program
Virginia requires completion of a state-approved nurse aide training program as the first requirement. AVI Career Training’s 150-hour Nurse Aide program (⚠️ NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) is designed to meet this requirement. The program covers both classroom theory and hands-on clinical skills — giving you the knowledge and practical experience you need before stepping into the exam room.
The Virginia Board of Nursing specifies that approved programs must include both a didactic (classroom) component and a clinical component. AVI’s curriculum delivers both, with experienced instructors guiding you through real-world care scenarios.
Step 2: Pass the NNAAP Competency Exam
After completing your training, you’ll sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam — administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Virginia Board of Nursing. The exam has two parts:
You must pass both components to become certified. AVI’s program is specifically designed to prepare you for both parts — not just the classroom material, but the hands-on skills evaluation where many candidates struggle without proper preparation.
Step 3: Get Listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry (VNAR)
Once you pass the NNAAP exam, you’ll be listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry (VNAR). This listing is mandatory — you cannot legally work as a CNA in Virginia without appearing on the VNAR. Employers across Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and the broader Northern Virginia area verify VNAR status before hiring.
The registry is maintained by the Virginia Department of Health Professions and can be searched publicly. Once listed, your certification must be renewed every two years through documented work activity in a nursing-related role.
For full details on Virginia’s nurse aide registry requirements, visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Nursing.
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What You’ll Learn in AVI’s 150-Hour Nurse Aide Program
AVI Career Training’s Nurse Aide program is built around practical competency — because patients need CNAs who can perform, not just recite textbook answers.
Total Hours: 150 hours | Format: Classroom + Clinical Lab | Location: Vienna, VA (Tysons Corner area) | Credential: State-Approved Certificate of Completion
Core Curriculum Areas
Foundations of Patient Care
You’ll learn how the healthcare system works, the scope of a nurse aide’s role, professional ethics, and how to communicate effectively with patients, families, and nursing staff. This isn’t abstract theory — it’s the communication and situational awareness that separates a good CNA from a great one.
Clinical Nursing Skills
The heart of the program. You’ll practice and master the hands-on skills evaluated in the NNAAP clinical exam, including:
Infection Control & Safety
Every healthcare professional needs a strong foundation in infection prevention. You’ll learn hand hygiene protocols, standard precautions, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and how to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
Patient Rights & Dignity
Virginia law and federal regulations protect patients’ rights — and CNAs must understand and uphold them. You’ll study OBRA regulations, HIPAA basics, abuse and neglect reporting, and how to advocate for the patients in your care.
Nutrition & Restorative Care
You’ll cover proper feeding assistance, hydration monitoring, and restorative care techniques that support patients’ long-term functional independence.
A Student Story: From No Healthcare Experience to VNAR-Listed in Weeks
Consider someone like Maya — a 29-year-old working in retail in Fairfax County who wanted to move into healthcare but couldn’t afford the time or tuition of a two-year nursing program. She enrolled in AVI’s 150-hour Nurse Aide program with zero clinical background. The hands-on lab component was challenging at first — particularly the skills evaluation scenarios — but AVI’s instructors worked with her directly on technique and timing. She passed both parts of the NNAAP exam on her first attempt, got listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry, and accepted a position at an assisted living community in Tysons within three weeks of her certification date. The 150 hours changed her career trajectory entirely.
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How Much Do CNAs Earn in Northern Virginia?
CNAs in Northern Virginia earn meaningfully more than the national average — a direct reflection of the region’s high cost of living and competitive healthcare labor market.
Northern Virginia CNA Wages by Experience Level
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing assistants have a national median annual wage of approximately $35,760. In Northern Virginia — where healthcare employers compete for qualified workers — entry-level wages routinely exceed that figure.
Where CNAs Work in Northern Virginia
Certified nurse aides in the Fairfax County and Northern Virginia area find employment across a wide range of settings:
Each setting offers different scheduling structures, patient populations, and career growth paths. Many CNAs use the credential as a launchpad — gaining clinical experience while pursuing an LPN or RN program down the road.
A Second Story: A Military Spouse Pivoting Into Healthcare
Darnell had spent six years supporting his family while his spouse was on active duty. When they settled in Northern Virginia, he wanted a healthcare career he could build quickly — without going back to school for years. He enrolled in AVI’s Nurse Aide program, completed the 150 hours while working part-time, passed the NNAAP exam, and started working night shifts at a skilled nursing facility in Fairfax County within his first month of certification. His starting rate was $20.50/hour — and he’s now pursuing his LPN certification while working full-time.
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Tuition, Payment Options, and How to Enroll at AVI Career Training in Vienna, VA
Enrolling in AVI’s Nurse Aide program is straightforward — and the admissions team at AVI Career Training is ready to walk you through every step.
⚠️ Important: Federal Financial Aid Is NOT Available for This Program
AVI’s Nurse Aide program is 150 hours in length. Because the program is under 600 hours, it does NOT qualify for federal financial aid (Title IV / FAFSA). Federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, and the GI Bill® are not available for this specific program.
AVI is committed to transparency about this. We encourage you to plan accordingly and explore the payment options listed below.
Payment Options Available
While federal aid is not an option for this program, AVI offers accessible ways to cover your tuition:
Program Schedule & Start Dates
AVI Career Training schedules Nurse Aide cohorts throughout the year. The program is designed to work around working adults — with schedule formats that accommodate both daytime and non-traditional scheduling needs. Contact AVI’s admissions team directly for upcoming start dates and current cohort availability.
Admission Requirements
To enroll in AVI’s Nurse Aide program, you’ll typically need:
No prior healthcare experience is required. AVI’s program is built for first-time healthcare students — you bring the commitment, and AVI provides the training.
How to Apply
The application process takes just a few minutes to start. Visit AVI’s campus at 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182 — just minutes from the Tysons Corner area — or apply online today.
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Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Northern Virginia
A: Virginia requires completion of a state-approved nurse aide training program. AVI Career Training’s Nurse Aide program is 150 hours — covering both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical skills training. After completing the program, you must pass the two-part NNAAP exam (written + clinical skills) to be listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.
A: With AVI’s 150-hour program in Vienna, VA, most students complete training within a few weeks to a couple of months depending on schedule format. After completing training, you schedule your NNAAP exam through Pearson VUE and receive your VNAR listing upon passing. Many students go from zero experience to VNAR-listed in under 90 days.
A: The Virginia Nurse Aide Registry (VNAR) is the official state database of certified nurse aides maintained by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. To get listed, you must: (1) complete a state-approved training program like AVI’s 150-hour Nurse Aide program, (2) pass both parts of the NNAAP exam administered by Pearson VUE, and (3) receive confirmation of your listing from the state. Employers verify VNAR status before hiring — you cannot legally work as a CNA in Virginia without it.
A: Entry-level CNAs in Northern Virginia typically earn $18–$22 per hour — above the national median of approximately $35,760 per year tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With two or more years of experience, CNAs in the region commonly earn $22–$27 per hour, particularly in hospital systems, specialty care settings, or agency roles.