CNA Schools in West Virginia

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services oversees the CNA competency examination. The test consists of two parts, which are a knowledge test and a skills test. Both sections must be passed before the individual will be placed on the Nurse Aide Registry.

The knowledge examination consists of 72 multiple-choice questions to be completed with pencil and paper. Applicants may instead request to take this section orally. An oral examination is completed with the help of a reader who will read each question to the tester twice. The oral examination includes a second part, which requires the tester to demonstrate writing information on a flowsheet to show that he or she will be able to handle the reading duties of a CNA.

The second examination section is the skills test, which is performed in front of a Nurse Aide Evaluator. The tester will perform a series of CNA tasks on a volunteer actor. First, he or she will demonstrate proper hand washing before demonstrating four additional tasks that will be chosen at random on testing day.

Students will be notified whether or not they have passed by mail approximately 14 days after the test. Those who have failed will need to retake the section that they failed. The test must be successfully completed at least two years from the end of training and in three or fewer attempts to avoid having to retrain. Testing fees vary, and the contracted testing agent should be contacted for current fees.

CNAs moving to West Virginia from out-of-state may be able to apply for reciprocity if they meet several requirements. They must have completed a training course that is on par with the number of hours and materials covered in West Virginia and must have passed their previous state’s competency evaluation. They will need to provide a complete employment history for the past three years. In addition, their out-of-state certifications must be active and in good standing without any complaints of patient abuse or neglect, and their certifications must never have lapsed for over 24 months. If each of these qualifications is met, CNAs can waive a West Virginia training program and skip to the competency evaluation. Competency evaluation fees will apply.

West Virginia CNAs must renew their certifications every 24 months to remain active in the registry. To be eligible to renew, CNAs must have worked at least an eight-hour shift in the past 24 months and must have a license free from accusations of patient abuse, neglect or maltreatment. The state’s registry sends out a renewal packet a month or two before the expiration date. CNAs can renew online or can use the paper renewal form found in their renewal packets. Renewal is free for active CNAs. Those who do not work the required eight-hour shift will need to complete a refresher course and retake the competency examination to reregister.

Nurse Aide Handbook
Application for Reciprocity
Renewal Application

Links
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
West Virginia Registered Nurses Board
Certification Lookup

Contacts
Office of Health Facility
Licensure & Certification
408 Leon Sullivan Way
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0050
Fax: (304) 558-2515