Virginia — The Old Dominion
Excel Health Institute offers an accelerated 2-week option alongside its standard 4-week track — a rare choice most states don't give you. Virginia recently switched its exam vendor to Credentia, and G3/FastForward funding can cover most or all of your tuition if you qualify.
Virginia has a standout option most states don't offer: Excel Health Institute lets you choose between a regular 4-week program and an accelerated 2-week option — both use the same 57 hours of anytime online instruction, but the accelerated path compresses the in-person lab and clinical schedule into back-to-back weekday or weekend sessions. Programs in Northern Virginia like CNN American Global Institute also finish in 4 weeks with full-day or evening options.
Virginia requires 140 training hours — higher than the federal minimum — including at least 40 hours of supervised clinical practice completed in person. As of a recent update, Credentia replaced Pearson VUE as the administrator for Virginia's NNAAP exam; if your prep materials or bookmarks still say "Pearson," schedule through Credentia instead. A major cost advantage: eligible Virginia residents can access G3/FastForward funding, which can cover up to two-thirds of tuition for qualifying short-term training programs like CNA certification.
Use our verified school locator below to instantly find Virginia Board of Nursing-approved programs starting near your zip code — from Richmond and Virginia Beach to Northern Virginia and Southwest Virginia.
Credentia has replaced Pearson VUE as the administrator of Virginia's NNAAP exam. If you find study sites or bookmarks with "Pearson" in the URL, that's outdated — the test content preparation remains similar, but registration and scheduling now happen through Credentia. Submit your exam application along with verification of your nursing program completion (an original or certified transcript) directly through Credentia's system.
Speed comparison
From Northern Virginia near DC to Hampton Roads and Richmond, Virginia offers real choice on speed, cost, and format. Here are Virginia's fastest CNA programs ranked by speed.
| Program / School | Location | Speed | Cost | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Health Institute | Statewide (Fairfax area) | ⚡ 2 weeks (fastest in VA) | $1,799 | Choose between a 4-week regular track or a 2-week accelerated option — both use the same 57 hours of anytime online instruction, just compressed differently for labs and clinicals. |
| Medical Learning Center | Fairfax (Northern Virginia) | 4 weeks (day) or 5.5 weekends | $1,050 all-in | Includes books, CPR certification, and uniform. Offers free state-funded tuition for eligible Virginia residents. |
| CNN American Global Institute | Northern Virginia | 4 weeks — full-day or evening | $1,300 (discounted) | Includes books, lab supplies, CPR, liability insurance, and parking. Clear schedule and curriculum breakdown. |
| Virginia Health Services (Walter Reed) | Gloucester area | 6 weeks — paid apprenticeship | FREE + paid, earn-as-you-learn | Paid class, skills lab, and on-the-job training. Tuition and exam costs covered. Graduates continue as team members. |
| Riverside Earn & Learn | Middle Peninsula | 4-6 weeks — weekday day schedule | FREE — full tuition coverage | Paid training with guaranteed placement at Riverside upon completion. |
| NOVA Workforce (FastForward) | Alexandria, Woodbridge, and other NOVA locations | Hybrid — flexible | 1/3 tuition with G3 eligibility | FastForward/FANTIC/G3 funding available. Includes NOVA's Guaranteed Interview Program for job placement. |
Eligible Virginia residents can pay just one-third of full tuition through FastForward programs, with additional G3 funding potentially covering some or all of the remaining cost for Virginians with low or modest income. To qualify, you generally need to meet Virginia domicile requirements — having lived in Virginia with intent to stay for at least one year before applying. This is one of the strongest state-funded tuition reduction programs available for CNA training nationally.
If you take your NATP (Nurse Aide Training Program) at a nursing home in Virginia, you can get employed there even while you're still completing training. This is a genuine head start compared to states where you must finish training before working — combine it with the 2-week accelerated Excel Health Institute track and you could be certified and already employed within weeks.
2026 salary data
Virginia CNA wages vary meaningfully by region — Northern Virginia's proximity to DC pushes wages up, while other regions track closer to the national median. Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Northern Virginia offer the strongest opportunities.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia (DC metro) | $19–$23/hr | ~$39,520–$47,840 | Highest wages in the state, driven by proximity to DC. Home to Excel Health Institute and Medical Learning Center. |
| Richmond | $16–$19/hr | ~$33,280–$39,520 | State capital region with steady hospital and long-term care demand. |
| Virginia Beach / Hampton Roads | $16–$18/hr | ~$33,280–$37,440 | Naval and military community with consistent healthcare staffing needs. |
| Charlottesville | $15–$17/hr | ~$31,200–$35,360 | ~1,710 CNAs employed regionally. Home to UVA Health and multiple free/accelerated training options. |
| Southwest Virginia (rural) | $14–$16/hr | ~$29,120–$33,280 | Lower cost of living. Programs like Wytheville Community College connect graduates directly to local employers. |
Sources: BLS OES May 2024, CNAClasses.com Virginia (2026), CNAClasses101.com. Virginia's regional wage variation is significant — Northern Virginia pay reflects the higher cost of living near DC. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Virginia LPN bridge programs are available through community colleges statewide, often with G3/FastForward funding also applicable. Because Virginia is a full NLC compact state, an LPN license earned here carries multistate practice privileges across 43 jurisdictions.
140 hours minimum (40 clinical). Credentia exam (recently switched from Pearson VUE). Virginia Nurse Aide Registry. As fast as 2 weeks at Excel Health Institute.
Community colleges statewide, often G3/FastForward-eligible. ~12 months. Virginia's NLC membership means multistate practice rights on graduation.
VCU, University of Virginia, and numerous ADN bridge programs statewide. Virginia's compact license carries across 43 NLC jurisdictions.
For moms in Virginia