How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in West Virginia
West Virginia employs approximately 9,390 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,720 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.44x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 West Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in West Virginia
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in West Virginia? West Virginia requires credentials such as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Registered Nurse (RN), Nursing Home Administrators. The licensing authority is the REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 12 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in West Virginia is $36,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,060 and experienced professionals can earn $45,290 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: REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES
- Median wage (West Virginia): $36,720 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in West Virginia
The REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in West Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) | ?Reinstatement of Inactive-Retired NursesThe suspension of the law and rules was sought because the Board has received information indicating that West Virginia hospitals are experiencing an increase… |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | ?Reinstatement of Inactive-Retired NursesThe suspension of the law and rules was sought because the Board has received information indicating that West Virginia hospitals are experiencing an increase… |
| Nursing Home Administrators | Welcome to the home of the West Virginia Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board MISSION STATEMENT The primary purpose of the Board grounded on law (federal and state) is to protect the public goo… |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) | West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses Licensure “To provide mechanisms for annual renewal of licenses” Forms Application for Licensure by Examination Multistate Licensur… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in West 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 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 1,950 | $37,140 | $36,890 | $29,600 | $45,400 |
| Charleston | 1,380 | $36,250 | $37,010 | $32,620 | $43,640 |
| Morgantown | 1,310 | $35,880 | $37,120 | $35,320 | $44,480 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 970 | $41,870 | $43,140 | $36,570 | $54,310 |
| Wheeling | 910 | $36,910 | $37,740 | $34,940 | $44,520 |
| Winchester | 810 | $39,970 | $39,970 | $30,070 | $50,420 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 660 | $36,190 | $36,700 | $31,370 | $42,220 |
| Beckley | 590 | $35,810 | $36,210 | $30,950 | $41,590 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | 400 | $36,220 | $36,660 | $31,060 | $43,160 |
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 West Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within West Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland | 1,950 | $37,140 |
| Charleston | 1,380 | $36,250 |
| Morgantown | 1,310 | $35,880 |
| Wheeling | 910 | $36,910 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 660 | $36,190 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 9,390 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 West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in West Virginia.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in West Virginia is $36,720, which is $2,810 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES - Licensing Information: http://www.wvrnboard.wv.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |