CNA Certification in Vermont

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Vermont

Anyone living Vermont, or thinking of relocating, who wants to work as a CNA will have to take the required steps for certified nursing assistant certification in the state.

The good news is that there are very basic requirements for CNA certification because the entire process is overseen by the Vermont Agency of Human Services, with testing to NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Program) standards being done through Pearson Vue.

This means it is not at all complicated to get the mandatory training and the licensing exam through the state. The process does, however, require the candidate to meet some requirements before they can enroll in training, and further requirements before they can schedule the exam.

A visit to the state’s Office of Professional Regulation website provides links to all of the forms required for eligibility, and which itemize the requirements clearly.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for enrollment in program for CNA certification in Vermont requires that the candidate meet the following:

They must be at least 18 years of age;They must have proof of high school graduation or a GED; andThey will have to submit to a criminal background check that uses their social security number to assess any previous acts of abuse or neglect, any loss of licensure, any convictions on major offenses, any issues relating to child support payments, any taxation problems, and any district court problems;

Applying for CNA Certification in Vermont

Not all candidates for the exam have to undergo the training. CNA certification in Vermont can mean that the individual just takes the exam and appears on the state nurse aide registry. This is possible when:

The candidate is a licensed RN or LPN with 30 or more hours of clinical experience;If they are in good standing with another CNA registry and have two years of experience;If the candidate was trained out of state in an approved program and did not take the exam there; andIf the CNA is a “lapsed” Vermont or out of state CNA with 400 hours of work during the last two years.

For the candidates who have to take the training, a full list of the state’s pre-approved programs is available here. CNA certification in Vermont requires the approved program to have 75 hours of training and another 100 hours of clinical work. Only when this is done can the candidate book the exam.

Costs

The cost for a CNA certification program is around $800, and it takes a few months to complete. In addition to that fee, there are fees for the testing.

The exams come in two parts – the practical skills and the written. These can be taken as oral exams or as written tests, and are in English only. The costs vary according to the manner in which the tests are taken.
Both written and practical: $130
Both written and practical administered orally: $130
Retesting is per section, and written testing costs $35, skills testing costs $95, and the oral exam is $35.

FAQ

As you can see, there is not a lot to know about preparing for CNA certification. You must have the skills and take the exam, but the following points are things that many candidates find useful to know:

The detailed background check is mandatory, and is for security and safety purposes;Renewal is in the hands of the CNA, and they must be sure to keep track of the expiration date of their license, though the state does send out advance notice. The date is always November 30th, but the year depends on the date of licensing;The Nursing Assistant Renewal Application is available online at the Vermont Board of Nursing web site (Online Renewal);CNA certification in Vermont demands that the candidate take the exam and pass it within 24 months of training; andA CNA is allowed to work for a nursing facility for 120 days while participating in a training program, but they must get training, certification and licensing in that time or be dismissed.

Helpful Resources around the Web

NACES Plus Foundation, Inc.Vermont NNAAP
7600 Burnet Road, Suite 440
Austin, TX 78757-1292
Phone: (888) 730-9292

Vermont State Board of Nursing (VBON)Office of Professional Regulation
National Life Building, North FL2
Montpelier, Vermont 05620-3402
Web: www.vtprofessionals.org/opr1/nurses

Pearson VueVermont NNAAP
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785
Phone: (877) 244-1694