Eligibility Criteria

This section explains about the eligibility criteria of one who wants to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Virginia.

Eligibility for Employment as a Nurse Aide

To be a nurse aide in Virginia, you must be sixteen (16) years of age or older. You must also have a criminal background check and you must not have any convictions on your record that would stop you from being a nurse aide. You cannot have any rulings against you from any other state registry or licensing board.

Eligibility For NNAAP® ® Testing

As a test candidate, you will be put into one of several eligibility or “E” categories.

Light Duty

Federal law states that you cannot take the Skills Evaluation if you are on restricted activity or light duty for medical reasons. You must be able to complete all required skills included in the Skills Evaluation. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. Candidates who are on light duty are not permitted to take the Skills Evaluation, but light duty does not prevent you from taking the Written Examination.

Note: The Virginia Board of Nursing updated their policies and eligibility routes as of January 30, 2024. All applications approved prior to 01/30/2024 will adhere to the prior instructions. All applications submitted on 01/30/2024 or after must comply with the new application requirements and instructions.

Eligibility Route

All applications approved prior to 01/30/2024 will adhere to these instructions.

E1 – New Nurse Aide

You have successfully completed a Virginia-approved nurse aide education program within the last twenty-four (24) months.

E2 - Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse Current Enrollment

You are currently enrolled in an approved nursing education program preparing for registered nurse or practical nurse licensure or enrolled in a program in the last twelve (12) months. When completing your online application, you must upload an original letter on letterhead from the program director documenting that you are currently enrolled and have satisfactorily completed at least one (1) clinical course in the nursing program which includes at least forty (40) hours of clinical experience involving direct client care. The online application and letter must be submitted within twelve (12) months of the date on the letter. E2 applicants have twelve (12) months from the time of application approval to test prior to application expiration.

E3- Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse Graduate

You have completed a nursing education program preparing for registered nurse or practical nurse licensure. Verification of completion of a nursing program in the form of an original or certified true copy of a school transcript, in English, is required to be uploaded in Credential Management. Foreign trained RN and LPN applicants must also provide confirmation from CGFNS Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) that their program meets the requirements of their home country. The required forms must be uploaded online when completing the application. E3 applicants have twelve (12) months from the time of application approval to test prior to application expiration.

E4- Lapsed Certificate Holder

You were previously certified in Virginia as a nurse aide, but your certification E-4 has expired. You must also have completed renewal or reinstatement application with the Board of Nursing within the past year.

All applications submitted on 01/30/2024 or after will comply with these instructions.

E1 - New Nurse Aide

For all applicants who have successfully completed a Virginia State-Approved Nurse Aide Education Program. A candidate must take and pass both the board-approved skills and written portions of the state examination within twenty-four (24) months of training program course completion date. If a candidate does not pass the state examination within two (2) years or has three (3) failed attempts within the two-year period, they must successfully complete another approved nurse aide training program before reapplying. Both exams must be passed under the same application.

E2 - Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse Current Enrollment

You are currently enrolled in an approved nursing education program preparing for registered nurse or practical nurse licensure or enrolled in a program in the last twelve (12) months. When completing your online application, you must upload an original letter on letterhead from the program director documenting that you are currently enrolled and have satisfactorily completed at least one (1) clinical course in the nursing program which includes at least forty (40) hours of clinical experience involving direct client care. 

The online application and letter must be submitted within twelve (12) months of the date on the letter. E2 applicants have twelve (12) months from the time of application approval to test prior to application expiration.

E3 - Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse Graduate

For all applicants who have successfully completed a nursing education program preparing for Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse licensure within the past twenty-four (24) months. Verification of completion of a nursing program in the form of an original or certified true copy of a school transcript, in English, is required to complete this application. The date of program completion on the transcript must match the date on your application. Foreign trained RN and LPN applicants must also provide confirmation from a Board-approved credential evaluation agency that their program meets the requirements of their home country. E3 applicants have twenty-four (24) months from time of completion of the nursing education program to test prior to application expiration.

E4 - Lapsed Certificate Holder

For all applicants who were previously certified as a Nurse Aide in Virginia but where certification has expired. You must also have completed a renewal or reinstatement application with the Board of Nursing within the twelve (12) months. E4 applicants have twenty-four (24) months from time of application approval to test prior to application expiration.