Free CNA Classes in Virginia
The most reliable way to get CNA training for free in Virginia is to be hired by a nursing home first. Federal law says a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, for any part of the training. 31 of the 220 state-approved programs on the official Virginia list are run by nursing homes; they are grouped by county below.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: Virginia Department of Health Professions, October 2026; 42 CFR 483.152 and 483.154, BLS May 2025
- Nursing-home programs
- 3126 counties
- All approved programs
- 220official list, October 2026
- Training required
- 140+ hr40 clinical
- Virginia median pay
- $43,200$20.77/hr · BLS May 2025
How free CNA training works
- Get hired before the class starts. Under 42 CFR 483.152(c)(1), a nurse aide who is employed by a nursing home, or has a job offer from one, on the date training begins cannot be charged for any portion of it, including textbooks and other required materials. The same goes for the state competency exam (42 CFR 483.154(c)(2)). Nursing homes often post these openings as "nurse aide trainee" or "CNA in training" jobs.
- Or get reimbursed later. If you pay for a state-approved program yourself and a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months of finishing, the state must reimburse your costs on a pro-rata basis while you work as a nurse aide (42 CFR 483.152(c)(2)). Keep every receipt.
- Ask the local workforce board. Your American Job Center can tell you whether federal workforce (WIOA) funds will pay for CNA training if you qualify.
The rule covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. It does not promise that every program below takes outside students: a facility-run program usually trains the people that facility hires. Call the nursing home and ask about trainee openings.
31 nursing-home CNA programs in Virginia
Source: Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Nursing: Approved Nurse Aide Education Programs (current active), list dated October 2026. These are the programs the state lists as run by a nursing home (long-term care facility). For colleges, high schools and private schools, see all 220 approved CNA programs in Virginia.
Rockingham County 3 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Harrisonburg area.
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Bridgewater Home, Inc.
302 North Second Street, Bridgewater VA 22812 · (540) 828-2599 -
Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community
3935 Sunnyside Drive, Harrisonburg VA 22801 · (540) 568-8201 -
Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg VA 22802 · (540) 564-3701
Newport News city County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Virginia Beach area.
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Riverside College of Health Sciences
316 Main Street, Newport News VA 23601 · (757) 240-2431 -
Riverside Health System - Lifelong Health Division
1000 Denbigh Boulevard, Newport News VA 23601 · (757) 674-6092
Roanoke city County 2 programs
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Roanoke area.
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Davis and McDaniel Veterans Care Center
4550 Shenandoah Avenue, Roanoke VA 24017 · (540) 982-2860 -
Friendship Retirement Community
327 Hershberger Road, NW, Roanoke VA 24012 · (540) 265-2011
Smyth County 2 programs
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Valley Health Care Center
940 E. Lee Hwy. Street, Chilhowie VA 24319 · (540) 520-4595 -
Francis Marion Manor Health & Rehabilitation
100 Francis Marion Lane, Marion VA 24354 · (276) 378-8074
Alleghany County 1 program
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Kissito Healthcare
100 Alleghany Regional Hospital Lane, Low Moor VA 24457 · (540) 862-3610
Bath County 1 program
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Kissito Healthcare- Spring Nursing Center
167 Spring Street, Hot Springs VA 24445 · (540) 839-2299
Buchanan County 1 program
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Heritage Hall - Grundy
2966 Slate Creek Road, Grundy VA 24614 · (276) 935-8144
Campbell County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Lynchburg area.
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Heritage Hall - Brookneal
633 Cook Avenue, Brookneal VA 24528 · (434) 376-3717
Chesterfield County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Richmond area.
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Fresh Start Healthcare, LLC - Lucy Corr
6800 Lucy Corr Blvd., Chesterfield VA 23832 · (804) 539-3809
Dickenson County 1 program
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Heritage Hall Health Care, Clintwood
1225 Clintwood Main Street, Clintwood VA 24228 · (276) 926-4693
Floyd County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Blacksburg area.
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Skyline Nursing and Rehabilitation
237 Franklin Drive, Floyd VA 24091 · (540) 745-2016
Giles County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Blacksburg area.
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Heritage Hall - Rich Creek
120 Old Virginia Avenue, Rich Creek VA 24147 · (540) 726-2328
Gloucester County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Virginia Beach area.
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Riverside Middle Peninsula Nurse Aide Program
7385 Walker Avenue, Gloucester VA 23061 · (757) 674-6092
Henry County 1 program
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Kissito - Mulberry Creek Nursing & Rehab Center
300 Blue Ridge Street, Martinsville VA 24112 · (276) 201-1401
Loudoun County 1 program
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Heritage Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center - Leesburg
122 Morven Park Road, NW, Leesburg VA 20176 · (703) 777-8700
Madison County 1 program
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Mountain View Nursing Home, Inc
1776 Elly Road, Aroda VA 22709 · (540) 948-6831
Manassas city County 1 program
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Birmingham Green
8605 Centerville Road, Manassas VA 20110 · (703) 257-6289
Montgomery County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Blacksburg area.
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Heritage Hall Blacksburg
3610 South Main Street, Blacksburg VA 24060 · (540) 951-7000
Norfolk city County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Virginia Beach area.
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Saber Healthcare Nurse Aide Program
251 S. Newtown Road, Norfolk VA 23502 · (757) 427-4700
Nottoway County 1 program
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Heritage Hall- Blackstone
900 South Main Street, Blackstone VA 23824 · (434) 292-5301
Patrick County 1 program
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Blue Ridge Therapy Connection
105 Landmark Drive, Stuart VA 24171 · (276) 694-7161
Pulaski County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Blacksburg area.
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Highland Ridge Rehab Center, LLC
5872 Hanks Avenue, Dublin VA 24084 · (540) 674-4193
Roanoke County 1 program
All approved programs nearby: CNA classes in the Roanoke area.
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Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center
1945 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem VA 24153 · (540) 345-3894
Russell County 1 program
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Kissito Healthcare- Maple Grove
318 East Main Street, Lebanon VA 24266 · (276) 889-0733
Spotsylvania County 1 program
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Carriage Hill Health and Rehab
6106 Health Center Lane, Fredericksburg VA 22407 · (540) 785-1120
Warren County 1 program
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Valley Health Nurse Aide Training Program
1077 N. Shenandoah Ave, Suite B, Front Royal VA 22630 · (540) 636-0695
Free CNA classes in other states
- Free CNA classes in New York156
- Free CNA classes in Pennsylvania106
- Free CNA classes in California87
- Free CNA classes in Georgia58
- Free CNA classes in New Jersey45
- Free CNA classes in Washington19
Free CNA training in Virginia: FAQ
Are there free CNA classes in Virginia?
Yes, if a nursing home hires you. Federal rules (42 CFR 483.152(c)) say a nursing home cannot charge a nurse aide it employs, or has offered a job, on the day training starts: not for the course, textbooks or required materials, and (under 42 CFR 483.154) not for the competency exam. 31 of the 220 programs on the official Virginia list (Virginia Department of Health Professions, October 2026) are run by nursing homes; apply for a nurse aide trainee job at one of them, or at any Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home that sends new hires to training.
I already paid for CNA classes in Virginia. Can I get the money back?
Possibly. If a nursing home employs you, or offers you a job, within 12 months after you finish a state-approved program, the same federal rule requires the state to reimburse your training costs on a pro-rata basis while you work there as a nurse aide. Keep your receipts and ask the hiring facility or the Virginia nurse aide program how the reimbursement is paid out.
Does free CNA training mean I have to work at the nursing home?
The federal rule does not set a minimum period you must stay. A facility may still ask you to sign its own agreement, so read any contract before training starts and ask what happens if you leave early.
Do hospitals and home health agencies have to train CNAs for free?
No. The no-charge rule in 42 CFR 483.152(c) covers nursing homes certified by Medicare or Medicaid. Hospitals, home health agencies and assisted living employers may still pay for training, but federal law does not require it.
How long is CNA training in Virginia?
Virginia requires at least 140 hours, 40 of them clinical (18VAC90-26-50(C)). Nursing-home programs must meet the same hours as any other approved program, and you take the same Credentia (NNAAP) exam.