CNA Certification in West Virginia

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in West Virginia

The state of West Virginia’s CNA program is managed by the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. This is the group that approves training programs, manages the registry, and creates the competency exam. The exams themselves are managed by Professional Health Care Development, LLC.

Eligibility Requirements

While many states have a long list of requirements that a CNA certification candidate must have before they enroll in any training program, West Virginia has only a very limited set of requirements. In fact, the only eligibility requirement is that the candidate must have not been involved in a crime involving a child or incapacitated adult, registered as s sex offender, or listed in an Abuse Registry in any state in the country.

If the candidate meets these requirements they can enroll in their program of choice, and a full list is available at the WVDHHR website. NOTE: West Virginia currently does not accept any hybrid or online certified nursing assistant certification programs.

Applying for CNA Certification in West Virginia

The state does make some allowances for those who do not require any training, and that would include:

Anyone with a current and active certification as a nursing assistant in another state; orA candidate currently enrolled in an approved RN / LPN nursing program and who has completed a fundamentals of nursing courses within the last two (2) years.

In either case, a special form has to be submitted and is available for download here.

Approved programs will have at least 120 hours that is split between 65 in the classroom and 55 in hands on or practical work. Only after the mandatory hours of training are done, and the coursework is completed, can the candidate apply for the exam.

There are two parts to the exam including a written or oral section and a skills section. Take the test by applying with Professional Healthcare Development, LLC.

Costs

West Virginia laws actually make it impossible for a student to pay for their training or testing. In all situations it will be the employer who either pays for the training and testing outright or reimburses the student for any fees incurred prior to being hired. The only time this method will not apply is if the candidate does not find a position within 12 months of passing the exam and appearing on the registry.

FAQ

Below is a list of useful and frequently required facts for CNA certification:

If you are unsuccessful at completing the exams after three attempts, you are required to repeat the approved training program prior to any further testing attempts;Certification is valid for two years, but you must apply for recertification. To be eligible, you must have worked for pay at least one documented day in the previous 24 months;A competency evaluation must be passed within 2 years of completing your training program.Completion of 8 executive hours of paid time working as a nursing assistant. Work must take place in an approved setting and within a 2-year timeframe from your most recent completed training.The re-registration date is the 28th day of the month that placement has been achieved, every 2 years. A re-registration application is sent to you 60 days before your re-registration date.

Helpful Resources around the Web

West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification

Long-Term Care Nursing Assistant Program
DHHR- Office of Inspector General408 Leon Sullivan Way
Charleston, WV 25301-1713
Phone: 304-558-0050
Web: http://www.wvdhhr.org/ohflac

Professional Healthcare DevelopmentP.O. Box 399
Ona, WV 25545
Phone: 304-733-6145
Fax: 304-733-6146
E-mail: info@profhd.com
Web address: www.profhd.com