CNA Training in West Virginia

West Virginia asks more of new nurse aides than most states. Training is 120 hours, with 55 hours of hands-on clinical work. That's more than three times the federal clinical minimum, so you start your first job having already worked with residents.

Pay is close to $17.66 an hour statewide, but the Eastern Panhandle near Martinsburg pays over $20. Below you'll find each step to the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry, exam costs, pay by area, free training options, and programs across the state.

Training

120 Hours

Median Pay

$17.66/hr

Exam Cost

~$140

CNA student practicing patient care in West Virginia

The 4 Steps to Certification in West Virginia

1

Get Ready to Enroll

Programs are approved by the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC). Before class, expect to handle:

  • ✓Background check: required before you work with residents.
  • ✓Health records: most programs ask for a physical and up-to-date vaccinations, at your own cost.
  • ✓Payment or aid lined up early: some colleges drop students who aren't paid up a few days before class starts.
2

The 120-Hour Rule

West Virginia requires 45 hours more than the federal minimum, and most of the extra goes into clinical practice.

65 Hours
Classroom & Lab
55 Hours
Clinical, supervised by an RN

Evening programs fit this into about two months. West Virginia Northern Community College's fall 2026 Wheeling class runs September 25 to November 24.

3

Pass the Competency Exam

Two parts: a written test (or an oral version with a reader, if you request it when you apply) and a skills test where an RN watches you perform five randomly chosen skills.

Written + Skills~$140
Oral + Skills~$180
Skills retake~$85
Written retake~$55
Watch the limit: you get three tries within two years of finishing training. Fail a third time and you have to repeat the course. Many programs include your first exam fee in tuition, so ask before you pay separately.
4

Registry & Renewal

Pass both parts and OHFLAC adds you to the West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.

  • ●Renew every 2 years online through OHFLAC.
  • ●Work rule: at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work in each two-year period.
  • ●Miss it and you lose active status. You'll have to requalify by testing or retraining before working in a nursing home again.

💰 How to Get CNA Training Free in West Virginia

A 120-hour course at a community college can run close to $2,000. These are the realistic ways West Virginians get that cost covered.

Nursing Home Paid Training

✨ Federal Rule Protects You
ℹ️If a Medicare or Medicaid nursing home employs you, or has offered you a job, when you start training, it can't charge you for the course or the exam. If one hires you within 12 months of finishing, it must reimburse what you paid.
⚡Get the job offer in writing before class starts, and ask what you owe if you leave early.

Grant-Funded College Classes

✨ Tuition, Books & Exam Covered
ℹ️New River Community and Technical College has run free, grant-funded CNA classes in southern West Virginia, including Bluefield, Greenbrier, and Mercer counties, covering tuition, books, uniforms, and the exam.
⚡Seats are limited, sometimes to 10 students. Ask your nearest community college whether a grant-funded section is coming up.

WorkForce West Virginia (WIOA)

✨ Grants for Eligible Job Seekers
ℹ️Local WorkForce West Virginia offices can fund training at approved schools for eligible unemployed or low-income residents.
⚡Apply before you enroll. Funding is rarely approved after classes start.
🌐Find your local office

College Financial Aid

✨ Ask Before You Pay
ℹ️Some colleges will refund your seat deposit if you qualify for full financial aid, and their CNA price often already includes books, scrubs, and your first exam.
⚡Ask the workforce or continuing education office about aid and payment plans when you reserve a seat.

West Virginia CNA Pay by Area

West Virginia has about 9,390 nursing assistants. Pay is fairly even across the state, with one big exception: the Eastern Panhandle, where employers compete with Maryland and the D.C. suburbs.

Area Median Hourly Median Annual CNAs Employed
Martinsburg area (Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV)$20.13$41,870970
Huntington-Ashland (WV-KY-OH)$17.86$37,1401,950
Wheeling (WV-OH)$17.75$36,910910
Charleston$17.43$36,2501,380
Morgantown$17.25$35,8801,310
West Virginia (statewide)$17.66$36,7209,390

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nursing Assistants (31-1131). Areas that cross state lines include workers in the neighboring state. Medians exclude overtime and shift differentials.

What It Costs to Get Certified

With a nursing home sponsor or a grant-funded class, this can be $0. Paying your own way at a community college looks like this:

Tuition

~$1,999

West Virginia Northern's fall 2026 Wheeling class, as an example. Other schools vary.

What's Included

Books + Exam

That price includes books, one set of scrubs, and one exam attempt. Not every school bundles these.

Exam (if separate)

~$140

Written plus skills. Confirm the current fee with your program.

Out of Pocket

Physical + Shots

Usually on you, along with the background check if your program doesn't cover it.

Moving to West Virginia? (Reciprocity)

If you're active on another state's nurse aide registry, you can apply to be placed on West Virginia's registry without retraining. The application is online through OHFLAC.

What the Application Asks For

Your training program and completion date, every state registry you're on with your registration numbers, and your work history, including the duties you performed.

Have Your Social Security Number Ready

West Virginia requires it. The form says processing is suspended without it.

Clean Record Required

You'll be asked whether any registry lists you for abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. A finding like that blocks reciprocity.

Questions? Call

(304) 558-0050

West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry (OHFLAC)

Apply online: OHFLAC reciprocity form

CNA Training Programs in West Virginia

115 nurse aide training programs across West Virginia, from county career and technical centers to programs run inside nursing homes and hospitals. Search by school, city, or county, or narrow the list by region.

ProgramCityCountyPhone
E.A. Hawse Nursing Rehabilitation CenterPO Box 70, Baker, WV 26801 Baker Hardy 304-897-5903
Berkeley Springs Healthcare Center456 Autumn Acres Road, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 Berkeley Springs Morgan 304-258-3673
Shenandoah Center700 Prospect Ave / 50 Mulberry Tree Street, Charles Town, WV 25414 Charles Town Jefferson 304-724-1101
Willow Tree Manor1263 South George Street, Charles Town, WV 25414 Charles Town Jefferson 304-725-6575
Dawnview Center15 Diane Drive, Fort Ashby, WV 26719 Fort Ashby Mineral Call school
Pendleton Manor68 Good Samaritan Drive, Franklin, WV 26807 Franklin Pendleton 304-358-2322
Keyser Healthcare Center135 Southern Dr, Keyser, WV 26726 Keyser Mineral Call school
Mineral County Vo-Tech Center600 Harley O Staggers Drive, Keyser, WV 26726 Keyser Mineral 304-788-4240
Care Haven Center2720 Charles Town Road, Martinsburg, WV 25401 Martinsburg Berkeley 304-263-0933
James Rumsey Technical Institute3274 Hedgesville Road, Martinsburg, WV 25403 Martinsburg Berkeley 304-754-7925
Martinsburg Healthcare Center209 Clover St, Martinsburg, WV 25404 Martinsburg Berkeley 304-263-8921
Eastern WV Community & Technical College316 Eastern Drive, Moorefield, WV 26836 Moorefield Hardy 304-434-8000
Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center127 Early Avenue, Petersburg, WV 26847 Petersburg Grant 304-257-4233
South Branch Career and Technical Center401 Pierpont Street, Petersburg, WV 26847 Petersburg Grant 304-257-1331
Hampshire Center260 Sunrise Blvd, Romney, WV 26757 Romney Hampshire Call school
The Orchards230 Alba Ave, Chester, WV 26034 Chester Hancock Call school
Brightwood Center840 Lee Road, Follansbee, WV 26037 Follansbee Brooke 304-527-1100
Moundsville Healthcare Center2200 Floral Street, Moundsville, WV 26041 Moundsville Marshall 304-843-1035
John D Rockefeller IV Vo-Tech Center95 Rockyside Road, New Cumberland, WV 26047 New Cumberland Hancock 304-564-3337
New Martinsville Health Care Center225 Russell Avenue, New Martinsville, WV 26155 New Martinsville Wetzel 304-455-2600
Sistersville Center201 Wood Street, Sistersville, WV 26175 Sistersville Tyler 304-652-1032
Weirton Geriatric Center2525 Pennsylvania Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062 Weirton Hancock 304-723-4300
West Virginia Northern Community College (Weirton)150 Park Ave, Weirton, WV 26062 Weirton Hancock Call school
Wellsburg Healthcare Center70 Valley Haven Dr, Wellsburg, WV 26070 Wellsburg Brooke Call school
Good Shepherd Nursing Home159 Edgington Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003 Wheeling Ohio 304-242-1093
Peterson Rehab Hospital and Geriatric Center20 Homestead Ave, Wheeling, WV 26003 Wheeling Ohio 304-234-0556
West Virginia Northern Community College1704 Market Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 Wheeling Ohio Call school
Bridgeport Healthcare Center1081 S Maplewood Dr, Bridgeport, WV 26330 Bridgeport Harrison 304-842-3145
Fred W. Eberle Technical CenterRoute 5 Box 2, Buckhannon, WV 26201 Buckhannon Upshur 304-472-1259
Clarksburg Healthcare Center100 Parkway Drive, Clarksburg, WV 26301 Clarksburg Harrison 304-624-6601
Clarksburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center801 Davisson Run Road, Clarksburg, WV 26301 Clarksburg Harrison 304-624-6500
United Technical Center251 Marietta St, Clarksburg, WV 26301 Clarksburg Harrison 304-326-7850
Davis Medical Center812 Gorman Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241 Elkins Randolph Call school
Elkins Regional Convalescent Center1175 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241 Elkins Randolph 304-636-1391
Nellas at Autumn Lake Healthcare499 Ferguson Road, Elkins, WV 26241 Elkins Randolph 304-636-2033
Randolph Technical Center200 Kennedy Drive, Elkins, WV 26241 Elkins Randolph 304-636-9195
Pierpont Center1543 Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV 26554 Fairmont Marion 304-363-2273
Tygart Center1543 Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV 26554 Fairmont Marion 304-366-9100
Marion County Technical CenterRoute 1 Box 100-A, Farmington, WV 26571 Farmington Marion 304-986-3590
Glenville Center111 Fairground Road, Glenville, WV 26351 Glenville Gilmer 304-462-5718
Taylor County Technical Center115 Luby Street, Grafton, WV 26354 Grafton Taylor 304-265-1050
Taylor Health Care Center2 Hospital Plaza, Grafton, WV 26354 Grafton Taylor Call school
Crestview Manor199 Court Street, Jane Lew, WV 26378 Jane Lew Lewis Call school
Kingwood Healthcare Center300 Miller Road, Kingwood, WV 26537 Kingwood Preston 304-329-3195
Morgantown Healthcare Center30 Mon Gen Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 Morgantown Monongalia 304-285-2720
Right at Home CNA Training Program1296 Suncrest Towne Center, Morgantown, WV 26505 Morgantown Monongalia Call school
Mansfield Place#1 Healthcare Dr, Philippi, WV 26416 Philippi Barbour 304-457-8220
Salem Center255 Sunbridge Drive, Salem, WV 26426 Salem Harrison 304-782-3000
Braxton Healthcare Center859 Days Drive, Sutton, WV 26601 Sutton Braxton 304-765-2861
Hopemont Hospital150 Hopemont Drive, Terra Alta, WV 26764 Terra Alta Preston 304-789-2411
Cortland AcresHC 60 Box 98, Thomas, WV 26292 Thomas Tucker 304-463-4181
Belmont Healthcare Center506 Riverview Drive, Belmont, WV 26134 Belmont Pleasants 304-665-2065
Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center5236 East Little Kanawha Highway, Grantsville, WV 26147 Grantsville Calhoun 304-354-6151
Roane-Jackson Technical Center4800 Spencer Road, Le Roy, WV 25252 Le Roy Jackson 304-372-7335
Eagle Pointe Healthcare Center1600 27th Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101 Parkersburg Wood 304-485-6476
Parkersburg Care Center1716 Gihon Road, Parkersburg, WV 26101 Parkersburg Wood 304-485-5511
Willow Center723 Summers Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101 Parkersburg Wood 304-428-5573
Wood County Technical and Career Center1515 Blizzard Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26101 Parkersburg Wood 304-420-9500
Worthington Nursing & Rehabilitation Center2675 36th Street, Parkersburg, WV 26104 Parkersburg Wood 304-485-7447
Ravenswood Village200 South Ritchie Ave, Ravenswood, WV 26164 Ravenswood Jackson 304-428-5573
Mountain View Care Center107 Miller Drive, Ripley, WV 25271 Ripley Jackson Call school
Mid-Ohio Valley Technical InstitutePO Box 29, Saint Marys, WV 26170 Saint Marys Pleasants 304-684-2464
Miletree Center825 Summitt Street, Spencer, WV 25276 Spencer Roane 304-927-1007
Roane General Hospital200 Hospital Drive, Spencer, WV 25276 Spencer Roane Call school
Charleston Healthcare Center3819 Chesterfield Ave., Charleston, WV 25304 Charleston Kanawha 304-925-4771
Dunbar Center1000 Lincoln Dr, Charleston, WV 25309 Charleston Kanawha Call school
Oak Ridge Center1000 Association Dr, Charleston, WV 25311 Charleston Kanawha Call school
Valley Center1000 Lincoln Drive, Charleston, WV 25309 Charleston Kanawha 304-768-4400
Cabell Health Care Center30 Hidden Brook Way, Culloden, WV 25510 Culloden Cabell 304-721-2171
Hillcrest Healthcare Center462 Kenmore Dr, Danville, WV 25053 Danville Boone 304-369-0986
Ben Franklin Career Center500 28th Street, Dunbar, WV 25064 Dunbar Kanawha 304-766-0369
Boone Career and Technical Center3535 Daniel Boone Pkwy, Suite B, Foster, WV 25081 Foster Boone 304-369-4585
Glasgow Health and Rehab120 Melrose Drive Box 350, Glasgow, WV 25086 Glasgow Kanawha Call school
Lincoln Nursing and Rehab Center200 Monday Drive, Hamlin, WV 25523 Hamlin Lincoln 304-824-3133
Heritage Center101 13th Street, Huntington, WV 25701 Huntington Cabell 304-525-7622
Huntington Health and Rehabilitation1720 17th Street, Huntington, WV 25701 Huntington Cabell 304-529-6031
Madison Park Healthcare700 Madison Ave, Huntington, WV 25704 Huntington Cabell Call school
Teays Valley Center590 North Poplar Fork Road, Hurricane, WV 25526 Hurricane Putnam 304-757-7826
Clay Health Care Center1053 Clinic Dr, Ivydale, WV 25113 Ivydale Clay Call school
Marmet CenterOne Sutphin Drive, Marmet, WV 25315 Marmet Kanawha 304-949-1580
Professional Healthcare DevelopmentP.O. Box 399, Ona, WV 25545 Ona Cabell 304-733-6145
Mason County Vocational Center281 Scenic Drive, Point Pleasant, WV 25550 Point Pleasant Mason 304-675-3039
Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehab640 Sandhill Rd, Point Pleasant, WV 25550 Point Pleasant Mason 304-675-5236
Cedar Ridge Center302 Cedar Ridge Road, Sissonville, WV 25320 Sissonville Kanawha 304-984-0046
Wayne Nursing and Rehabilitation CenterRR 1 Box 1372, Wayne, WV 25570 Wayne Wayne 304-697-7007
Lakin HospitalOne Bateman Circle, West Columbia, WV 25287 West Columbia Mason 304-675-0860
Beckley Healthcare Center100 Heartland Drive, Beckley, WV 25801 Beckley Raleigh Call school
Pine Lodge405 Stanaford Rd, Beckley, WV 25801 Beckley Raleigh Call school
Mercer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center1275 Southview Dr, Bluefield, WV 24701 Bluefield Mercer 304-325-5448
Webster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center411 Erbacon Rd, Cowen, WV 26206 Cowen Webster Call school
Nicholas County Career and Technical Center215 Milam Addition Road, Craigsville, WV 26205 Craigsville Nicholas 304-742-5416
Raleigh Center1631 Ritter Drive, Daniels, WV 25832 Daniels Raleigh 304-763-3051
Fayette Nursing Rehabilitation Center100 Hresan Blvd, Fayetteville, WV 25840 Fayetteville Fayette 304-574-0770
Hilltop CenterSaddle Shop Road/PO Box 125, Hilltop, WV 25855 Hilltop Fayette 304-469-2966
Summers Healthcare Center198 John Cook Nursing Home Road, Hinton, WV 25951 Hinton Summers Call school
Greenbrier Healthcare CenterRR 2 Box 159A, Lewisburg, WV 24901 Lewisburg Greenbrier 304-645-3076
Lindside Healthcare Center10797 Seneca Trail, Lindside, WV 24951 Lindside Monroe Call school
Monroe County Technical CenterRoute 1 Box 97, Lindside, WV 24951 Lindside Monroe 304-753-9971
Logan CenterPO Box 540, Logan, WV 25601 Logan Logan 304-752-2273
Med-Care Training Center1109 Holden Road, Logan, WV 25601 Logan Logan 304-239-3225
Trinity Health Care Services of Logan1000 West Park Ave, Logan, WV 25601 Logan Logan 304-752-8723
Pocahontas CenterRoute 1 Box 500, Marlinton, WV 24954 Marlinton Pocahontas 304-799-7375
Montgomery General Elderly CarePO Box 1010 Sixth Avenue and Adams Street, Montgomery, WV 25136 Montgomery Fayette 304-442-2469
Wyoming Nursing and Rehabilitation CenterPO Box 149, New Richmond, WV 24867 New Richmond Wyoming 304-294-7584
Wyoming County Career and Technical Center1207 Bearhole Road, Pineville, WV 24874 Pineville Wyoming 304-732-8050
Glenwood Healthcare Center1924 Glenwood Park Rd, Princeton, WV 24740 Princeton Mercer Call school
Mercer County Technical Education Center1397 Stafford Drive, Princeton, WV 24740 Princeton Mercer 304-425-9551
Princeton Health Care Center315 Courthouse Road, Princeton, WV 24740 Princeton Mercer 304-487-3458
Rainelle Healthcare Center606 Pennsylvania Avenue, Rainelle, WV 25962 Rainelle Greenbrier 304-438-6127
Lewisburg Healthcare Center979 Rocky Hill Road, Ronceverte, WV 24970 Ronceverte Greenbrier 304-645-7270
Family Learning Center70 Friends -R-Fun Dr, Summersville, WV 26651 Summersville Nicholas 304-872-7060
New River Community and Technical College6101 Webster Road, Summersville, WV 26651 Summersville Nicholas 304-883-2446
McDowell County Vocational Technical Center#1 Stadium Drive, Welch, WV 24801 Welch McDowell 304-436-3488
White Sulphur Springs Center345 Pocahontas Trail, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 White Sulphur Springs Greenbrier 304-536-4661
Trinity Health Care Services of Mingo100 Hillcrest Dr, Williamson, WV 25661 Williamson Mingo Call school

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

Before you call: programs run by a nursing home or rehab center often train only people they plan to hire. That can work in your favor, since those facilities usually cover the cost. Career and technical centers and community colleges are open to the public, though some county centers mainly serve high school students, so ask about adult classes. Always confirm a program is still approved and ask when the next class starts.

List reviewed October 2026. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.

West Virginia CNA Questions, Answered

Why is West Virginia's course longer than other states'?

The state sets its minimum at 120 hours instead of the federal 75, and requires 55 of them to be clinical. It takes longer, but you'll walk into your first job with far more hands-on practice than aides trained in most states.

Can I take CNA classes online in West Virginia?

Not fully. Some programs put parts of the classroom work online, but the 55 clinical hours have to be done in person, supervised by an RN.

How many times can I take the exam?

Three times within two years of finishing training. You only retake the part you failed. After a third failure you have to repeat a training program.

I can't read well under pressure. Is there another option?

Yes. You can request an oral version of the written test, where the questions are read to you. Ask for it when you apply, since it can't be added on test day.

What do I need to do to keep my certification?

Work at least 8 paid hours as a nurse aide in each two-year period and renew online with OHFLAC. Even a short per diem shift counts toward staying active.

How do I check if a CNA is active in West Virginia?

Use the OHFLAC Nurse Aide Lookup online, or call the registry at (304) 558-0050.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Exam fees can change, so confirm with your program before you register. See something out of date? Report a correction.