CNA Schools in Vermont

The Vermont State Board of Nursing works through the American Red Cross to provide the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program through Pearson VUE. Students must pass this examination successfully within three attempts and two years. Those who do not follow these requirements will be required to complete a full training program before retesting. Testing is offered at four regional sites. The fee for the examination is $130, which may be covered by employers for students who are already working at licensed health care facilities.

Pearson VUE uses a two-part examination to test CNA knowledge as well as skills. The knowledge examination can be taken in a written format with pencil and paper or in an oral format, which is taken with a tape. Those who wish to take the oral examination must indicate this on their initial applications. The written option has 70 multiple-choice questions, and the oral option has 60 multiple-choice questions plus ten basic reading comprehension questions. This section must be completed in two hours or less.

Students demonstrate five skills in front of an Evaluator during the skills section. One of the tasks is hand washing, and another is taking a measurement, such as a radial pulse. The other tasks are randomly selected on test day. The skills are performed on a volunteer actor. Students will have 30 minutes to complete all the skills. Applicants typically find out their scores for both sections on test day. Both sections of the test must be completed on the same day initially.

CNAs moving to Vermont can request to have their certifications transferred with them. The cost to apply for endorsement on Vermont’s LNA Registry is $20. To be eligible for endorsement, CNAs must be active and in good standing on their prior state’s registry with no complaints of patient abuse, neglect or maltreatment. They must undergo a criminal background check. Also, they must have worked at least 400 hours for pay under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Those who have not worked this number of hours must have completed an approved CNA training program within the prior two years to waive Vermont training and skip to the competency examination. Those who do not meet any of these qualifications must retrain and retest in Vermont.

Vermont CNAs must renew their certifications every two years to remain active. The Registry sends out renewal notices approximately 60 days before the expiration date. The expiration date is November 30 in even years. To renew, CNAs must have worked at least 400 hours in the past two years under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. CNAs who passed the competency evaluation in the prior two years do not have to meet this work requirement. Renewal is free. Those who have not worked the required hours will need to pass the competency evaluation again before being returned to an active status.

CNA Application
CNA Candidate Handbook
Renewal Form

Links
Vermont Department of Health
Vermont Board of Nursing
Vermont Nurse Aide Registry

Contacts
Office of Professional Regulation
89 Main Street, 3rd Floor
Montpelier VT 05620-3402