LNA Training in Vermont

In Vermont, nursing assistants are licensed, not just certified, and the title is Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA). Training takes at least 80 hours, and LNAs earn a median of $22.66 an hour, well above the national figure.

Vermont also has one of the strictest renewal rules in the country. To keep your license, you need 400 hours of paid LNA work every two years. Below you'll find each step, what it costs, free and grant-funded training, and every approved program in the state.

Training

80+ Hours

Median Pay

$22.66/hr

Renewal

$45

LNA student practicing patient care in Vermont

The 4 Steps to Becoming an LNA in Vermont

1

Enroll and Clear Your Checks

Choose an approved program, then expect these before you work with residents:

  • ✓Background and fingerprint checks. If you think something may show up, call the Office of Professional Regulation at (802) 828-1505 before you enroll.
  • ✓License application to the Vermont Board of Nursing.
2

Complete Your Training

Vermont's minimum is just above the federal one, with a strong clinical piece.

80 Hours
State minimum
30 Hours
Clinical, in a health care facility

The first 16 hours are classroom and lab, before any resident contact. Many programs go longer. One Vermont career center program runs 104 hours.

3

Pass the Competency Exam

The exam has two parts, written and skills, and you must pass both.

  • ●Three chances. If you fail, you can retest twice.
  • ●After a third fail, you must complete another approved program before testing again.
Cost tip: some Vermont programs bundle the exam fee into a single upfront payment with the textbook. Ask exactly what your seat deposit covers.
4

Keep Your License Active

Vermont's renewal rule is one of the toughest in the country.

  • ●Expires November 30 of every even-numbered year. Renewal costs $45, online.
  • ●400 hours of paid LNA work (50 eight-hour days) in the past two years, certified by your employer.
  • ●Short of the hours? You must repeat an approved program and pass the exam again.

💰 How to Get LNA Training Free in Vermont

Vermont has a real shortage of nursing assistants, so grant-funded and employer-paid seats are common. Here's where to look.

Grant-Funded Career Center Classes

✨ Tuition Covered
ℹ️Some career centers run grant-funded LNA classes where tuition is free and you pay only small fees. At one Vermont center, students paid about $300 out of pocket for a $1,200 course, covering the textbook, exam, checks, and license application.
⚡Ask career centers near you which upcoming classes are grant-funded.

New Rural Training Funds (2026)

✨ More Seats Coming
ℹ️In October 2026, a federal rural health program committed $2.7 million to expand LNA training in St. Johnsbury, the Upper Valley, and Windham County, plus a statewide resource hub through the Community College of Vermont.
⚡If you live in those areas, ask NVRH, Hartford Career and Technical Center, or the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation about new classes.

Nursing Home Paid Training

✨ Federal Rule Protects You
ℹ️Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes can't charge staff or job offerees for training or testing. Many of the nursing homes in our directory train their own new hires.
⚡Get the job offer in writing before class starts.

VSAC Grants & Vermont Department of Labor

✨ Aid for Short Programs
ℹ️Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) grants can help with short, non-degree programs like LNA training, and Department of Labor job centers can fund training for eligible job seekers.
⚡Apply before class starts.
🌐VSAC

Vermont LNA Pay

Vermont has about 3,030 nursing assistants. Pay is high for a rural state, and the Burlington area pays a little more than the rest.

Area Median Hourly Median Annual Employed
Burlington-South Burlington$23.17$48,1901,060
Vermont (statewide)$22.66$47,1303,030
United States$20.32$42,260

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nursing Assistants (31-1131). Medians exclude overtime and shift differentials.

What It Costs to Become an LNA

Tuition varies the most. Here's what one Vermont career center charged, as a real example. Confirm current prices with your program.

Tuition

~$1,200

Often $0 in grant-funded or employer-sponsored classes.

Exam + Textbook

~$245

About $200 for the exam and $45 for the book, paid upfront to hold a seat.

Checks + Application

~$58

Background check, fingerprinting, and the Board of Nursing application.

Renewal

$45

Every two years, by November 30 of even years.

Moving to Vermont? Know the Rules First

If you're a CNA in another state, you'll apply for a Vermont LNA license through the Office of Professional Regulation. Because Vermont licenses nursing assistants, expect the same background and fingerprint checks as new applicants.

Apply Through OPR

The Vermont Board of Nursing licenses LNAs through the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation. Call before applying to confirm what your state's records need to show.

Plan for the 400-Hour Rule

Once licensed, you'll need 400 paid LNA hours every two years to renew. If you're moving for a part-time or per-diem job, track your hours from day one.

Renewals Line Up Statewide

Every Vermont LNA license expires November 30 of even years. If you're licensed late in a cycle, your first renewal can come quickly.

Licensing Questions

(802) 828-1505

Vermont Office of Professional Regulation

Apply and renew online: sos.vermont.gov/opr

LNA Training Programs in Vermont

33 state-approved LNA programs across Vermont: adult programs at regional career and technical centers, plus programs run by nursing homes and hospitals. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by region and program type.

ProgramCityCountyPhone
Nursing HomeBirchwood Terrace43 Starr Farm Rd., Burlington, VT 05408 Burlington Chittenden (802) 863-6384
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Burlington Technical Center (Adult, Evenings & Weekends)52 Institute Road, Burlington, VT 05408 Burlington Chittenden (802) 864-8426
HospitalUniversity of Vermont Medical Center111 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401 Burlington Chittenden (802) 847-0195
Private Training ProgramVermont Med Ed at Cathedral Square82 Pearl St., Burlington, VT 05401Classes held at Cathedral Square Burlington Chittenden (802) 349-8635
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Center for Technology, Essex (SkillTech Adult Evenings)3 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452 Essex Junction Chittenden (802) 878-5559
Private Training ProgramVermont Med Ed at The Residence at Shelburne Bay185 Pine Haven Shores, Shelburne, VT 05482Classes held at The Residence at Shelburne Bay Shelburne Chittenden (802) 349-8635
Private Training ProgramVermont Med Ed at Wake Robin200 Wake Robin Drive, Shelburne, VT 05482Classes held at Wake Robin Shelburne Chittenden (802) 349-8635
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Cold Hollow Career Center (Adult)PO Box 530, Enosburg Falls, VT 05450 Enosburg Falls Franklin (802) 933-4003 ext. 24
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Green Mountain Technology & Career Center (Adult)738 VT Route 15 West, Hyde Park, VT 05655 Hyde Park Lamoille (802) 371-7409
HospitalCopley Health Systems528 Washington Highway, Morrisville, VT 05661 Morrisville Lamoille (802) 888-8152
Nursing HomeFranklin County Rehab110 Fairfax Road, St. Albans, VT 05478 St. Albans Franklin (802) 752-1600
Nursing HomeMaple Lane and Retirement Homes60 Maple Lane, Barton, VT 05822 Barton Orleans (802) 754-8575
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Lyndon Institute Technical Education (Adult)PO Box 127, Lyndon Center, VT 05850 Lyndon Center Caledonia (802) 626-6152
Nursing HomeThe Pines Rehabilitation and Health601 Red Village Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851 Lyndonville Caledonia (802) 626-3361
Career & Technical Center (Adult)North Country Career Center (Adult)209 Veterans Ave., Newport, VT 05855 Newport Orleans (802) 334-5469 ext. 2
Career & Technical Center (Adult)St. Johnsbury Academy Adult Education2378 Old State Road, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 St. Johnsbury Caledonia (802) 748-7738
Health System / Home HealthCentral Vermont Home Health and Hospice600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641 Barre Washington (802) 233-1878
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Randolph Technical Career Center (Adult)17 Forest Street, Randolph, VT 05060 Randolph Orange (802) 728-9595
Nursing HomeHelen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing30 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753 Middlebury Addison (802) 388-4001
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center (Adult)51 Charles Avenue, Middlebury, VT 05753 Middlebury Addison (802) 382-1042
Private Training ProgramVermont Med Ed at Helen Porter340 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753Classes held at Helen Porter Middlebury Addison (802) 349-8635
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Southwest Vermont Career Development Center321 Park Street, Bennington, VT 05201 Bennington Bennington (802) 447-3596
Nursing HomeVermont Veterans' Home325 North St., Bennington, VT 05201 Bennington Bennington (802) 442-6353
Nursing HomeMargaret Pratt210 Plateau Acres, Brandon, VT 05733 Brandon Rutland (802) 222-5554
Nursing HomeGenesis Eldercare / Mountain View Center9 Haywood Ave, Rutland, VT 05701 Rutland Rutland (802) 775-0007
Nursing HomeRutland Health and Rehab Center46 Nichols St., Rutland, VT 05701 Rutland Rutland (802) 775-2941
HospitalRutland Regional Medical Center160 Allen Street, Rutland, VT 05701 Rutland Rutland (802) 747-3774
Career & Technical Center (Adult)Stafford Technical Center (Adult)8 Stratton Road, Rutland, VT 05701 Rutland Rutland (802) 770-1033
Nursing HomeThe Meadows240 Gables Place, Rutland, VT 05701 Rutland Rutland (802) 775-3300
Nursing HomeThe Pines at Rutland99 Allen Street, Rutland, VT 05701 Rutland Rutland (802) 775-2331
Nursing HomePine Heights187 Oak Grove Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301 Brattleboro Windham (802) 257-0307
Career & Technical Center (Adult)River Valley Technical Center (Adult)307 South St., Springfield, VT 05156 Springfield Windsor (802) 885-8300
Nursing HomeCedar Hill49 Cedar Hill Drive, Windsor, VT 05089 Windsor Windsor (802) 674-6609

No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All regions."

Before you call: Vermont programs are small and many run only a few times a year, so call early. Nursing home and hospital programs usually train people they plan to hire and cover the cost. Career centers list adult LNA classes separately from their high school programs, so ask for the adult section.

Source: Vermont NATCEP approved program list, October 2026. High school (day) programs are not included. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.

Vermont LNA Questions, Answered

What's the difference between a CNA and an LNA?

The job is the same. Vermont calls it a Licensed Nursing Assistant because the state issues a license instead of a certificate. That's why there's a license application, fingerprinting, and a renewal work requirement.

How long does LNA training take in Vermont?

At least 80 hours, including 30 clinical. Evening and weekend programs at career centers often take two to three months. Employer programs can be faster.

What happens if I fail the exam?

You can retest twice, for three attempts total. After a third fail, you have to complete another approved program before testing again.

What if I don't work 400 hours before renewal?

You can't renew on work hours alone. Vermont requires you to repeat an approved LNA program and pass the competency exam again. Even part-time work adds up, since 400 hours is about four hours a week over two years.

Can high school students become LNAs in Vermont?

Yes. Many career centers run day programs for high school students. Our directory lists only the adult and community programs.

How do I verify an LNA license in Vermont?

Use the license lookup on the Vermont Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation website.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. See something out of date? Report a correction.