How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 40,580 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,200 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Virginia
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Nurse Aide, Certified, Nurse Aide, Certified Advanced, Nurse Anesthetists. The licensing authority is the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Virginia is $43,200 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,560 and experienced professionals can earn $50,980 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Virginia): $43,200 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurse Aide, Certified | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
| Nurse Aide, Certified Advanced | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
| Nurse Anesthetists | |
| Nurse, Registered | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
| Nurse Practitioner, Licensed | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
| Nursing Home Preceptor | To be registered by the board as a preceptor, a person shall: 1. Hold a current, unrestricted Virginia nursing home administrator license and be employed full time as an administrator of record in a t… |
| Nurse Specialist, Clinical | A. Nurse practitioners licensed in the category of clinical nurse specialist shall practice in consultation with a licensed physician in accordance with a practice agreement between the nurse practiti… |
| Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) | “Nursing home administrator” means any individual charged with the general administration of a nursing home regardless of whether he has an ownership interest in the facility. |
| Practical Nurse Restriced Volunteer License | The boards may issue a restricted volunteer license for practice in accordance with provisions of § 54.1-2957.001 of the Code of Virginia. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 25,520 | $45,730 | $45,130 | $36,060 | $55,390 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 8,110 | $38,990 | $40,420 | $31,210 | $47,440 |
| Richmond | 6,660 | $42,720 | $41,770 | $33,910 | $48,390 |
| Roanoke | 2,430 | $38,960 | $40,190 | $35,280 | $46,370 |
| Charlottesville | 1,610 | $44,140 | $43,400 | $34,490 | $51,960 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 1,400 | $37,550 | $37,760 | $30,100 | $43,710 |
| Lynchburg | 1,300 | $43,660 | $41,540 | $36,480 | $45,860 |
| Winchester | 810 | $39,970 | $39,970 | $30,070 | $50,420 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 760 | $37,850 | $39,840 | $31,520 | $46,530 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 640 | $42,490 | $40,560 | $35,560 | $46,600 |
| Harrisonburg | 540 | $38,830 | $39,370 | $31,370 | $47,120 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 8,110 | $38,990 |
| Richmond | 6,660 | $42,720 |
| Roanoke | 2,430 | $38,960 |
| Charlottesville | 1,610 | $44,140 |
| Lynchburg | 1,300 | $43,660 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 40,580 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Virginia is $43,200, which is $3,670 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |