CNA Certification in Vermont

If you have decided to become a certified nursing assistant in Vermont, you should be able to earn between $25, 000 and $32,000 per year.  Your income will depend on the location where you work and your years of experience.  It is possible to complete most nursing assistant training programs within a few weeks time and for just a few hundred dollars.

Training Hours and Requirements

The federal government requires that certified nursing assistant training programs must be at least 75 hours in length.  Some training programs in Vermont cover 100 hours or more of training.  The curriculum for training programs in Vermont is set by the Board of Nursing in Vermont.  If you want to be eligible to sit for the certification test in Vermont, you will need to attend a course that has been approved by the Board of Nursing.

Training courses will offer both classroom and practical (clinical) instruction.  You will learn the skills you need to work well as a certified nursing assistant. The class should prepare you well to communicate with patients and other staff members.  You should also be prepared to provide safe and effective care for your patients.   If you pay close attention during your course and ask for help when needed, you should do well on the certification exam.  You must pass the skills and written portion of the test before you can become certified.

Nursing Assistant Renewal

It is necessary to renew your certification every two years when working as a CNA.  You can renew your license as long as you are still listed as a nursing assistant in good standing on the registry.  You also will need to have worked for at least 400 hours during the two-year period.  Complete the form for renewal and send any necessary documents to the address provided.  You can also check to see if you can renew your certification online.

You will need to take the nursing assistant certification exam again if you have allowed your license to lapse as a result of not working for the minimum required hours.

Transfer Your Nursing Assistant License to Vermont Via Reciprocity

You can apply to have your certification transferred to Vermont if you hold a current certification in another state. In order to transfer your certification to Vermont, you must be listed as active and in good standing on your former state’s Nurse Aide Registry. You will need to have worked for pay at least 400 hours under the supervision of a nurse within the last 2 years. If you do not meet these criteria, and have completed your certified nurse aide program you will need to submit the licensed nurse aide application by exam. You will not be issued your CNA certification until you pass the written and clinical portions of the Vermont Licensed Nurse Aide exam.

Once you have completed the application for endorsement and submitted the requested documents your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the requirements to have your nursing assistant certification transferred to the state of Vermont.

Steps For Transfer

• Obtain the application for endorsement at: http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/nurses/nursing_assistant_forms/NU_LNA_Endorsement_Application.pdf
• Read over the instructions carefully.
• Complete all sections of the application packet.
• Fill out the section allowing a release of a state background check.
• Complete the details to apply for a temporary certification. Include a copy of your Photo ID as well as a copy of your CNA certification from the state where you are certified.
  • Write a check or money order to cover the $20 cost of your application. This check or money order must be made out to the “Office of the Secretary of State.” Include this payment with your application.
  • Sign all required sections of your application and make sure that you attached a passport photo to the designated spot on the application.

•  You will need to verify your initial CNA certification by completing the designated form within the packet.  It will need to be sent to the state where you were initially certified as a nursing assistant. They will complete the form and send it directly to the Vermont Board of Nursing.
• You will also need to verify your certification from your former state. Once you have completed the top portion of the form within your packet, you will need to send it to your former state registry. Once they have completed their portion they will mail it directly to the Vermont Board of Nursing.

All required documents must be submitted to the Vermont Board of Nursing within 6 months of receipt of your application.

Helpful resources: Free CNA training in Vermont and CNA accredited classes in Vermont