Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in West Virginia
West Virginia certifies nurse aides through the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC). Candidates must complete a state-approved training program of at least 120 hours, pass a written and skills competency exam administered by Professional Healthcare Development (PHD), and be listed on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry before working in a licensed facility.
Sponsored School(s)
West Virginia requires all nurse aides working in licensed facilities to be listed on its state registry. Two agencies share responsibility for the process: OHFLAC approves training programs and manages the registry, while PHD administers the competency exam. Candidates must pass both parts of the exam before PHD forwards results to OHFLAC for registration.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, examination details, and maintenance rules for the West Virginia nurse aide registry.
- Training requirements
- The competency examination
- How to apply
- Registry maintenance
- Lapsed certifications
- Out-of-state CNAs
Training Requirements
West Virginia recognizes two pathways to CNA certification eligibility. The standard path is completing a nurse aide training program authorized by OHFLAC. Programs require a minimum of 120 hours of instruction, with at least 55 of those hours spent in supervised clinical settings where students practice skills on actual residents. Training takes place over a minimum of four to six weeks, though many programs run longer. Approved programs are available at high schools, community colleges, and long-term care facilities. Prospective students can search for current options using OHFLAC’s approved program search.
LPN and RN students have an alternate path. A nursing student who has completed fundamentals of nursing coursework within the last two years with a grade of C or higher, and logged at least 32 hours of clinical experience in a certified Medicare/Medicaid nursing facility in West Virginia, is eligible to sit for the CNA competency exam without completing a separate nurse aide program.
The Competency Examination
The West Virginia CNA competency exam has two parts, both administered by PHD on the same day. Candidates must pass both to receive registry placement.
The written exam is computer-based and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete it. A paper-and-pencil version is available as a backup if technical difficulties arise at the test site. Candidates who need an accommodation can request an oral version, in which a reader reads each question twice. The oral exam also includes flow sheet questions that test documentation skills, since CNAs working in nursing homes are expected to handle that documentation. Oral administration must be requested at the time of application, and the program instructor must document the need.
The skills evaluation places the candidate in a simulated scenario with another individual acting as a nursing home resident. The candidate completes an opening sequence, then demonstrates five randomly assigned nursing assistant skills, and then closes the encounter. A trained registered nurse evaluator scores each step. Candidates must complete all critical steps in each skill to pass. Candidates who are pregnant or have a sustained injury must obtain a physician’s release before the skills portion.
West Virginia allows up to three attempts to pass the exam within two years of completing a training program. A candidate who still hasn’t passed after three attempts must retrain before applying again.
It costs $140 to take the written and skills combination and $180 for the oral and skills combination. Many sponsoring facilities cover exam fees. Candidates who need to retake only one part pay $85 to retake the skills evaluation, $55 to retake the written exam, or $90 to retake the oral exam.
PHD administers exams at eight sites across West Virginia: Beckley, Buckhannon, Glen Dale, Keyser, Martinsburg, Milton, New Cumberland, and Parkersburg. Applications should arrive at PHD at least two weeks before the desired exam date. Rescheduling requires at least five business days’ notice. Absences may be excused for documented emergencies such as illness, weather, or military duty.
On exam day, candidates must bring a government-issued photo ID, their original Social Security card, their admission ticket, three No. 2 pencils with an eraser, and a watch with a second hand. Electronic watches, including smartwatches, are not permitted. Preliminary results for both parts of the exam are available on the day of testing. Final results are posted on the PHD website within one business day.
How to Apply
The exam application also serves as the certification application. Applications are available on the PHD website and can be completed online. In many cases, a sponsoring nursing facility or training program provides the application materials and helps candidates through the process.
Candidates who pass both parts of the exam receive online certification through OHFLAC. Registry status can be confirmed by entering a name and the last four digits of the Social Security number into OHFLAC’s nurse aide verification tool. A printed certificate of completion is available for a $10 fee.
Registry Maintenance
To remain active on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry, CNAs must work at least eight hours of paid employment in an approved facility during each two-year certification period. A CNA who doesn’t meet this requirement loses active status and must complete retraining before returning to work. OHFLAC manages the registry and can confirm the current certification status.
Lapsed Certifications
Former nurse aides whose credentials lapsed within the prior five years can take a refresher course rather than a full training program. The refresher is a minimum of 16 hours and may include skills practice in a laboratory setting. After completing the refresher, candidates have 60 days to apply for the exam and six months to pass it. Three attempts are permitted.
Out-of-State CNAs
CNAs who hold active certification in another U.S. state can apply for reciprocal placement on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. Reciprocity applications are available through OHFLAC’s applications page.
Additional Resources
The West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification can be reached at (304) 558-0050. Professional Healthcare Development can be reached at (304) 733-6145 or by email at [email protected]. PHD’s website also includes the candidate handbook, which covers the full certification process in detail.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the training requirements for West Virginia CNA certification?
West Virginia requires completion of a state-approved nurse aide program of at least 120 hours, including a minimum of 55 supervised clinical hours. Programs run a minimum of four to six weeks. LPN and RN students who have completed fundamentals of nursing coursework and 32 hours in a West Virginia nursing facility may also qualify to sit for the exam without a separate CNA program.
Who administers the West Virginia CNA exam?
Professional Healthcare Development (PHD) administers both parts of the competency exam, the written knowledge test, and the skills evaluation. PHD also manages scheduling, test sites across the state, and preliminary results reporting to OHFLAC for registry placement.
How many times can I retake the West Virginia CNA exam?
West Virginia allows up to three attempts within two years of completing a training program. Candidates who don’t pass after three attempts must complete a new training program before applying again.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to West Virginia?
Yes. CNAs who hold active certification in another U.S. state can apply for reciprocal placement on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. Reciprocity applications are available through OHFLAC.
How do I keep my West Virginia CNA certification active?
West Virginia requires CNAs to work at least eight hours of paid employment in an approved facility during each two-year certification period to stay active on the state registry. CNAs who don’t meet this requirement must complete retraining before returning to CNA work.
- 120 hours minimum training — West Virginia CNA programs require at least 120 hours of instruction, including 55 supervised clinical hours in a patient care setting.
- Two-part competency exam — Candidates must pass both a written knowledge test and a skills evaluation administered by PHD, with both parts taken on the same day.
- Registry placement required — CNAs must be listed on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry before working in any licensed facility, with OHFLAC overseeing all placements.
- Three exam attempts allowed — Candidates have up to three attempts within two years of completing training, and failing all three requires completing a new training program.
- Active status requires paid work — CNAs must log at least eight hours of paid employment per two-year certification period to remain active on the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.
Find state-approved West Virginia CNA training programs, application links, and exam preparation resources in one place.