Becoming a New CNA in West Virginia
To be listed in the nurse registry within the State of West Virginia as a CNA, applicants must first complete the following:
- Successful completion of the state approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) which consists of one hundred twenty (120) hours in total, seventy (70) hours of which are composed of classroom instruction while the remaining fifty five (55) hours are devoted to clinical practice.
- For candidates that have successfully passed the NATCEP, the next step is to achieve passing scores in both parts of the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) which is sponsored by the Professional Healthcare Development (PHD).
Finally, PHD will send the names of successful candidates that will be added to the Nurse Registry.
Alternative Certification Routes
- For out-of-state CNAs, completion of the competency exam is required.
- For RN or LPN nursing students, completion of both the competency exam and CNA program will be required.
- For out-of-state CNAs, reciprocity is also an option.
Useful Links:
Certification Verification for West Virginia CNAs
The West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources offers a web portal for determining the certification status of any CNA within the state.
Renewing CNA Licenses in West Virginia
The nurse aide registry in West Virginia validates its nurse aides for a two (2) year period. Only applicants that have performed at least eight (8) hours of compensated nurse related work will be eligible for certification renewal.
Certification Renewal Application
Reinstatement of Expired CNA Certifications
The following are the criteria for certification reinstatement with the appropriate recourse:
- For nurse aides that are unable to perform the minimum work hours, taking a sixteen (16) hour refresher course and retaking the test is required in order to reactivate the certification in question.
- For nurse aides with certification that have expired for less than five (5) years but have performed the minimum work hours, have completed the training program approved by the state; taking a sixteen (16) hour refresher course and retaking the test is required in order to reactivate the certification in question.
- For nurse aides that fail to perform the minimum work hours between two (2) to four (4) years since their last certification, taking a sixteen (16) hour refresher course and retaking the test within six (6) months of completing the course is required in order to reactivate the certification in question.
- For nurse aides that fail to perform the minimum work hours for more than five (5) years since their last certification, retraining and retaking the test is required in order to reactivate the certification in question.
Transferring an Out-of-State Certification via Reciprocity
Nurse aides that desire to work within the state West Virginia can do so by having their certification transferred through reciprocity. In order to qualify, applicants should currently be active and unencumbered from the state the certification in question was obtained. The Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC) will place their name on the registry once their request is approved.
Nurse Aide Certification by Reciprocity
If you have additional questions, you may contact the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry at:
West Virginia Division of Health Office of Health Facilities Licensure & Certification
1 Davis Square, Suite 101,
Charleston, WV 25301-1799
Phone: (304) 558-0688
Fax: (304) 558-1442