CNA Training Program in Northern Virginia — Become a Certified Nurse Aide in as Few as 150 Hours
You Want a Healthcare Career. You Need It to Happen Fast.
A stable job. A real paycheck. Work that actually means something.
If that’s what you’re looking for, the path is shorter than you think — and it starts right here in Vienna, Virginia.
AVI Career Training’s Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program is a state-approved, 150-hour training program that prepares you to pass the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, step into the healthcare workforce, and start building a career that lasts.
No four-year degree. No crushing debt. No waiting.
Apply Now — It Takes Less Than 5 Minutes →
Or call us directly: (703) 943-9841
Three Reasons Students Choose AVI First
| ✅ COE Accredited | ✅ Financial Aid Available | ✅ 150-Hour State-Approved Program |
|---|---|---|
| A nationally recognized accreditation that means your credential is real, your financial aid is federal, and your school is held to a higher standard | GI Bill® accepted. Federal aid available. We’ll walk you through every option — no commitment required | Virginia requires 150 hours of combined classroom and hands-on clinical training. AVI delivers every hour, in full compliance with DARS requirements |
Why Choose AVI Career Training for Your CNA Program?
There are other options. We want you to know exactly why AVI is different — and why that difference matters for your career.
1. We’re Fully Accredited — and That Actually Matters
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 aren’t marketing badges. They mean:
- Your program meets rigorous national quality standards
- You’re eligible to apply for federal financial aid through AVI
- Your credential is recognized by employers across Virginia and beyond
- You’re not taking a gamble on a pop-up program with no accountability
When you graduate from AVI, your CNA credential carries weight.
2. Virginia Requires Hands-On Clinical Training — We Provide It
Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize when they start researching CNA programs: Virginia law requires 150 hours of training, including mandatory hands-on clinical hours. You cannot satisfy that requirement through an online-only course.
Any program that can’t put you in a real clinical environment cannot get you licensed in Virginia. Period.
At AVI, your training includes both the classroom instruction and the hands-on clinical skills practice required by the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). You’ll work with real equipment, practice real skills, and graduate fully prepared — not just technically “enrolled.”
3. Small Class Sizes. Real Instructor Attention.
AVI is not a CNA mill. We deliberately keep class sizes small so that every student gets direct, hands-on time with instructors who are experienced healthcare professionals. You will not be lost in a lecture hall of 40 people. You will not submit a question to a ticketing system and wait three days for an answer.
When you have a question — and you will have questions — there will be a real person in the room ready to help you work through it.
4. CNA State Exam Preparation Is Built In
The Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation tests both written knowledge and clinical skills. A lot of programs teach the content. Fewer programs actively prepare you for the exam itself — the format, the clinical skills demonstration, the timing pressure, the anxiety.
At AVI, state exam prep isn’t an afterthought. It’s woven into your training from day one. You’ll practice skills the way the evaluators will assess them, review the material in the formats that appear on the exam, and walk into your evaluation date knowing you’ve done this before.
5. Centrally Located for All of Northern Virginia
AVI Career Training is located at 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182 — directly accessible from Tysons Corner, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Falls Church, Fairfax, and the broader NoVA/DC metro corridor. We are where you live and work.
What You’ll Learn: CNA Program Curriculum
The AVI CNA program is 150 hours of comprehensive training designed to meet every requirement set by the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) for CNA certification. The curriculum is structured to take you from no healthcare background to job-ready — with the clinical competence and professional confidence to prove it.
Core Skills & Knowledge Areas
Foundations of Patient Care
– The role and responsibilities of the Certified Nurse Aide
– Healthcare team communication and scope of practice
– Patient rights, dignity, and person-centered care
– Ethical and legal responsibilities in a care setting
Clinical Skills — Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
– Bathing, grooming, and personal hygiene assistance
– Dressing, feeding, and mobility support
– Toileting, catheter care, and continence support
– Positioning, turning, and transfer techniques (bed, wheelchair, ambulation)
– Restorative and rehabilitative care approaches
Vital Signs & Health Monitoring
– Measuring and recording temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure
– Reporting changes in patient condition to the nursing team
– Recognizing and responding to signs of medical distress
Infection Prevention & Control
– Standard precautions and transmission-based precautions
– Proper hand hygiene, PPE use, and isolation procedures
– Environmental safety and cleaning protocols
Safety & Emergency Response
– Fall prevention and body mechanics
– Responding to choking, fire emergencies, and environmental hazards
– Disaster preparedness in a healthcare facility
Specialized Care Environments
– Working in long-term care and nursing home settings
– Hospital and acute care environments
– Working with patients with dementia and cognitive impairment
– End-of-life care and comfort-focused support
Communication & Documentation
– Effective verbal and written communication with patients, families, and the care team
– Accurate documentation and charting fundamentals
– Culturally sensitive and trauma-informed communication
Virginia State Exam Preparation
– Written knowledge review and practice testing
– Hands-on clinical skills demonstration practice
– Timing, evaluator expectations, and exam day strategy
– Mock evaluations to build confidence and identify gaps
How the 150 Hours Are Structured
Your training combines classroom/didactic learning with hands-on clinical skills practice — the exact combination required by Virginia DARS and the only way to graduate fully eligible to sit for the state exam.
Every hour is purposeful. Every skill is practiced. Every graduate is ready.
Career Outcomes: What a CNA Credential Opens Up in Northern Virginia
You’re not just getting a certificate. You’re gaining entry into one of the most stable, growing, and in-demand career fields in the country — right here in one of the nation’s most robust healthcare job markets.
What CNAs Earn in Northern Virginia
The Northern Virginia/DC metro area is among the highest-paying regions in the country for CNAs. Entry-level CNAs in this market typically earn:
- $18–$24 per hour to start
- $25–$30+ per hour with experience, certifications, or specialized settings (memory care, private duty, acute care)
Full-time CNAs working 40 hours per week at entry-level wages can expect to earn $37,000–$50,000+ annually — with significant upside as they build experience and move into higher-acuity settings.
Healthcare employers in NoVA frequently offer shift differentials (evening, overnight, and weekend premiums), signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and benefits for full-time staff. The compensation picture is strong.
Where CNAs Work
| Setting | Role |
|---|---|
| Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) | Direct patient care, ADL support, vitals monitoring |
| Assisted living communities | Resident care, companionship, health monitoring |
| Hospitals and acute care centers | Patient care under RN supervision |
| Home health agencies | One-on-one care for homebound patients |
| Memory care / dementia units | Specialized care for cognitively impaired residents |
| Rehabilitation centers | Post-surgical and post-injury recovery support |
| Private duty care | Flexible, often premium-paying individual client care |
The Washington D.C. metro area is home to dozens of major healthcare systems, hundreds of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, and a rapidly growing home health sector driven by the region’s aging Baby Boomer population. CNA-qualified candidates are in high demand today — and that demand will only increase.
CNA as a Career Stepping Stone
Many of our students don’t plan to stop at CNA. The credential is one of the most powerful on-ramps into the broader healthcare career ladder:
- CNA → LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse): Add a 12-month program and significant pay increase
- CNA → RN (Registered Nurse): Many RN programs give credit and preference to working CNAs
- CNA → Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, Healthcare Tech: Branch into clinical support roles
- CNA → Specialized certifications: Geriatric care, IV therapy, medication aide, and more
The healthcare skills and patient care experience you build as a CNA are not just employable — they’re transferable, stackable, and valued at every level of the profession.
And unlike a four-year degree, your CNA credential gets you working, earning, and building real-world clinical hours while you pursue your next step.
Your Path from Enrollment to Employment
We’ve made the process as clear and straightforward as possible. Here’s exactly what the journey looks like.
Step 1: Explore & Connect
Have questions before you commit? Good. We want you to. Reach out to our admissions team through the link below, or call us at (703) 943-9841. We’ll tell you everything you want to know about the program, the schedule, the cost, and financial aid options — no pressure, no sales tactics.
Step 2: Complete Your Application
Our application is straightforward. Basic personal and educational information. No essays. No lengthy prerequisites for most applicants. Once your application is submitted, our admissions team follows up quickly.
Step 3: Review Admissions & Financial Aid Options
Once you’re in contact with our team, we’ll walk you through:
– Enrollment requirements (high school diploma or GED; government-issued ID; health screening requirements per Virginia DARS)
– Financial aid options — federal aid, GI Bill® benefits, payment plans, and workforce funding programs you may qualify for
– Start date and schedule details so you can plan around your life
We do not believe in letting cost stop someone who is ready to start. Our team will work with you to find a path that makes sense.
Step 4: Complete Your 150-Hour Training
Attend class. Practice your skills. Ask questions. Work through the material with instructors who are invested in your success. You are not a seat to fill — you’re a healthcare professional in training, and we treat you that way.
Step 5: Pass Your Virginia CNA State Exam
When you complete your program, you’ll be prepared and eligible to sit for the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, the state licensing exam administered through DARS. Pass the exam — and you will, because we prepare you for it — and your name is added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.
Step 6: Launch Your Healthcare Career
With your credential, your registry listing, and the clinical skills you’ve built at AVI, you’re ready to apply for CNA positions across Northern Virginia and beyond. The healthcare employers in this market are hiring. You will be qualified. And you will be ready.
Tuition & Financial Aid: Let’s Make This Work for You
We know that for many people, cost is the first thing that comes to mind — and the first reason people talk themselves out of starting.
We want to be direct: financial barriers are real, and AVI has built-in options to help you clear them.
Financial Aid at AVI
Because AVI is COE accredited, our students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid — including Pell Grants, which do not have to be repaid. Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for significant funding that reduces or eliminates your out-of-pocket cost.
GI Bill® Benefits: AVI Career Training accepts GI Bill® education benefits. If you are a veteran or eligible military family member, your CNA training may be covered. Contact our admissions team to confirm current approval status and what your benefits will cover.
Workforce Development Funding: Northern Virginia is home to multiple workforce development programs and county-level funding sources that may cover vocational training for eligible residents. Our admissions team can help you identify programs you may qualify for.
Payment Plans: We work with students to structure payment in a way that fits your budget. We don’t want a payment barrier to prevent a committed student from starting.
The ROI Conversation
Here’s a number worth thinking about: an entry-level CNA in Northern Virginia earns $18–$24 per hour. At 40 hours per week, that’s $3,100–$4,200 per month in gross income — from a credential that takes 150 hours to earn.
For many students, a single month of CNA employment more than covers the cost of the program. That’s not marketing language — that’s math. Healthcare career training is one of the highest-return investments you can make in yourself.
Don’t let today’s cost stop you from earning tomorrow’s income. Talk to our financial aid advisor. No commitment required.
Talk to a Financial Aid Advisor →
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need any prior healthcare experience to enroll in AVI’s CNA program?
No prior healthcare experience is required. AVI’s CNA program is designed to take you from no medical background to fully trained and exam-ready. You’ll need a high school diploma or GED, a government-issued ID, and you’ll need to meet the health screening and background check requirements set by Virginia DARS. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, contact our admissions team — we’ll walk you through it.
Q: How long does the CNA program take? Can I complete it while working or caring for family?
The program is 150 hours total. The exact duration depends on the schedule format — whether you attend full-time or part-time. Contact our admissions team to ask about current schedule options and which format works best for your situation. We understand that most of our students have real lives — jobs, kids, responsibilities — and we do our best to offer scheduling that doesn’t force you to choose.
Q: What exam do I need to pass to become a licensed CNA in Virginia, and will AVI prepare me for it?
To practice as a CNA in Virginia, you must pass the Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, which tests both written knowledge and a hands-on clinical skills demonstration. Upon passing, your name is added to the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry, and you’re licensed to work.
Yes — AVI prepares you for this exam. State board preparation is integrated throughout the program, not crammed in at the end. By the time you sit for your evaluation, you’ll have practiced the clinical skills the way evaluators assess them, reviewed knowledge content in exam format, and done mock run-throughs to build confidence. Our goal is to send you into that room ready — not hoping.
Q: Is AVI a legitimate, accredited school? How do I know this credential will be recognized by employers?
AVI Career Training is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) — a nationally recognized institutional accreditor — and certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Our CNA program is approved through Virginia DARS (the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services), which oversees all CNA training in the state.
Employers in Virginia look for CNAs on the state registry. Your pathway through AVI is fully compliant with state requirements, meaning your credential will be recognized by every healthcare employer in Virginia that hires CNAs. This is not a gray area — you will graduate from an accredited school, pass a state exam, and be listed on the official state registry.
Q: Does AVI help students find jobs after graduation?
We prepare our graduates to be immediately competitive in the Northern Virginia healthcare job market. Our curriculum is built around the skills, knowledge, and professional habits that employers in this region are hiring for. We encourage students to connect with our team and discuss career support options available to them. Northern Virginia’s healthcare sector is actively hiring CNAs — and a graduate from an accredited, DARS-approved program with hands-on clinical training is a strong candidate.
Ready to Start? Your Healthcare Career Is 150 Hours Away.
Every day you wait is a day you’re not yet earning healthcare wages, building clinical experience, or moving toward the career you’ve been thinking about.
The path is clear. The program is accredited. Financial aid is available. And the Northern Virginia healthcare job market is not waiting around.
Start today. We’ll meet you exactly where you are.
Apply to AVI’s CNA Program Now
Apply Online — Takes Less Than 5 Minutes →
Or reach out to speak with a real person on our admissions team:
📞 (703) 943-9841
📍 1595 Spring Hill Rd #720, Vienna, VA 22182
(Centrally located — serving Vienna, Tysons Corner, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Falls Church, Fairfax, and all of Northern Virginia)
AVI Career Training is COE Accredited and SCHEV Certified. GI Bill® accepted. Federal financial aid available for eligible students. CNA program approved by Virginia DARS.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.