Virginia CNA License Verification: Lookup, Status & Renewal
Use this Virginia CNA License Verification guide to check a Certified Nurse Aide through the official Virginia Department of Health Professions database, search online by name or certification number, review current status and expiration, renew online or determine whether reinstatement is required.
Virginia formally calls this credential Certified Nurse Aide certification. “CNA license” is the common search phrase, but verification and renewal are handled through the Virginia Board of Nursing and DHP systems.
Quick Answer: How to Verify a Virginia CNA Online
Open Virginia DHP License Lookup. Search by certification number if you know it; otherwise choose the Nurse Aide occupation and search by first name, last name, status, state or ZIP as needed. Open the matching record and confirm the name, occupation, certification number, current status and expiration.
Virginia DHP describes License Lookup as primary-source verification of credentials issued by the Commonwealth. The system contains current records plus records that have expired since January 1, 2000.
If you actually need to verify a physician or another Board of Medicine credential instead of a CNA, use our Virginia Medical License Verification guide rather than treating every DHP credential as a Nurse Aide record.
Virginia CNA Verification & Renewal Help Finder
Choose the situation that best matches your task. This helper does not ask for or store names, Social Security numbers or CNA certification numbers.
Virginia CNA License Verification Fast Facts
These details prevent the most common mistakes caused by applying another state’s CNA rules to Virginia.
Virginia Board of Nursing
Certified Nurse Aide certification is regulated through the Virginia Board of Nursing within the Department of Health Professions.
DHP License Lookup is the official public route
The free public system serves as primary-source verification for credentials issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia uses “Certified Nurse Aide”
Users frequently search “Virginia nursing assistant license verification,” but the DHP occupation to look for is Nurse Aide.
Initial certification is for two years
Virginia regulation 18VAC90-25-70 states that initial Certified Nurse Aide certification is issued for two years.
Renewal is annual
After initial certification, the CNA renewal regulation requires submission of a renewal application annually.
$30 CNA renewal
Virginia’s current Board fee table and administrative regulation list the basic Certified Nurse Aide annual renewal fee as $30.
The initial certificate is valid for two years, but the continuing renewal rule is annual. This Virginia-specific distinction should be checked before copying renewal information from New Jersey, New York, North Carolina or another state.
Virginia CNA License Lookup Online: Step-by-Step
Use this process for your own CNA record, employment verification, facility credentialing, staffing review or a family safety check.
Open the official DHP License Lookup
Start at Virginia’s Department of Health Professions database instead of a paid private license directory.
Use the certification number when available
A direct number search is normally the cleanest way to avoid mistakes involving similar names.
Otherwise select Nurse Aide
Choose Nurse Aide from the occupation field before entering the person’s name.
Add only the filters you need
The public lookup supports first name, last name, state, ZIP and status. Too many fields can make a search fail when one detail is outdated or entered differently.
Open and match the correct record
Confirm the name, occupation, certification number, current status and expiration. Do not treat a similar-name result as proof.
Save dated verification proof
For hiring or credentialing, record the official source, date checked, certification number, status and expiration so another reviewer can repeat the verification.
Virginia CNA License Lookup Online by Name
You can verify a Virginia CNA even when you do not know the certification number. The DHP public search supports occupation and name-based lookup.
Nurse Aide + last name
Select Nurse Aide and enter the person’s last name. Add the first name when the result set is too broad.
Add a public filter
State, ZIP or status can help narrow a list when multiple people share a similar name.
Remove unnecessary fields first
Check spelling, former names and occupation selection before assuming the person is not or was never certified.
The official lookup includes a last-four-digits-of-SSN plus last-name option. For ordinary public verification, use the least-sensitive search method that reliably identifies the correct person and never enter Social Security information into an unrelated third-party site.
Virginia CNA License Status: How to Read the Result
DHP License Lookup includes current credentials and records that have expired since January 1, 2000, so appearing in search results does not by itself mean the CNA is currently active.
| Result | What it means | Next action | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current / Active | DHP currently shows the CNA certification as active. | Match the exact person and expiration and save dated proof. | That the record will remain current after its expiration date. |
| Expired / Lapsed | The record exists, but current certification should not be inferred from an old certificate. | Determine whether renewal or reinstatement applies. | That normal online renewal applies to every lapse. |
| Additional public information | DHP may have public documents or Board information associated with the credential. | Review the linked public information before making a high-stakes employment decision. | That “current” automatically means there is no public Board history. |
| No result | Search criteria, spelling, former name or credential type may be the issue. | Retry with fewer fields or contact the Nurse Aide Registry. | That one failed name search proves the person never had a Virginia CNA certification. |
Use the Current Licensees option in the DHP Status field when you specifically want current, unexpired records.
Virginia CNA License Lookup Free: Do You Need to Pay?
No payment is required for a normal individual Virginia CNA lookup. DHP provides the public verification service free for private citizens, employers and other users making occasional or low-volume searches.
Individual public verification
Patients, families, applicants and employers can perform ordinary individual CNA verification without buying a private report.
Bulk / high-volume verification
DHP limits heavy automated or commercial use of the free lookup. Organizations needing bulk data should use DHP’s subscription data services.
Virginia CNA License Renewal Requirements
Virginia’s renewal system has an important two-part timing rule: initial CNA certification is issued for two years, while subsequent renewal applications are submitted annually.
Annual renewal after initial certification
18VAC90-25-80 requires a Certified Nurse Aide to submit a completed renewal application annually.
$30 annual renewal
The current Virginia Board of Nursing fee schedule lists the basic CNA renewal fee at $30.
Paid nursing-related activity within two years
Renewal requires attestation that the CNA performed nursing-related activities for compensation during the two years immediately preceding expiration.
Repeat the state examination
If the CNA did not perform compensated nursing-related activity during that two-year period, Virginia regulation requires the nurse aide state examination to be repeated and passed before applying for renewal.
You remain responsible for the deadline
Virginia law states that failure to receive a renewal application or notice does not relieve the CNA of responsibility for renewing by the expiration date.
Do not import another state’s CE rule
The basic Virginia CNA renewal regulation centers on the annual application, fee and compensated nursing-related activity rather than a generic eight-hour or 24-hour CE requirement.
Virginia CNA License Renewal Online: Exact Workflow
Certified Nurse Aide is listed by Virginia DHP as a profession eligible to renew through Online Licensing during its renewal period.
Check your current DHP record first
Confirm the certification number and expiration date in License Lookup before starting renewal.
Make sure your email address is current
The Board of Nursing no longer mails ordinary paper renewal notices. It says email renewal notices are sent to licensees with an email address on record at least 45 days before the deadline.
Open DHP Online Licensing
First-time users can register with the certification/license number and renewal PIN. Returning users sign in using their established username and password.
Complete the CNA renewal questions
Be prepared to make the required attestation concerning compensated nursing-related activities during the applicable prior two-year period.
Pay the current $30 renewal fee
Online Licensing accepts the card types currently supported by DHP. Fees are nonrefundable once submitted.
Recheck DHP License Lookup
Save your transaction confirmation, then confirm that the public certification record reflects the expected updated status or expiration.
DHP’s online-renewal system says the renewal period typically begins approximately 45–60 days before expiration. The CNA regulation separately requires the Board to send notice no less than 30 days before expiration. Do not use either notice window as permission to renew late.
Virginia CNA Renewal Work Requirement: What If You Did Not Work?
This is a major Virginia-specific renewal intent. The regulation does not state a simple “8 paid hours” rule like some other states.
Nursing-related activity for compensation
The renewal application requires an attestation that nursing-related activities were performed for compensation during the two years immediately preceding expiration.
Retake and pass the state examination
A CNA who cannot meet the compensated nursing-related activity requirement must repeat and pass the nurse aide state examination before applying for renewal.
North Carolina, New York and other states use their own CNA work-hour rules. Virginia’s current basic renewal regulation uses the compensated nursing-related activity standard above.
Expired Virginia CNA: Renewal vs Reinstatement
The length of the lapse changes the correct route. A certification lapsed for more than 90 days requires reinstatement.
| Situation | Route | Current requirement | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Still current | Normal renewal. | Annual application, current fee and required work attestation. | Use Online Licensing before expiration. |
| Lapsed but not over 90 days | Check DHP Online Licensing / Board instructions immediately. | The >90-day reinstatement threshold has not yet been reached, but the CNA should not rely on the expired certificate. | Resolve the lapse with the Board promptly. |
| Lapsed more than 90 days | Reinstatement. | Reinstatement application and fee plus qualifying work verification or evidence of passing the state examination. | Start CNA reinstatement through Virginia Online Licensing. |
| Work requirement cannot be verified | Competency examination. | Evidence of having repeated and passed the nurse aide state examination can satisfy the applicable reinstatement route. | Follow Board/Credentia instructions before submitting incomplete reinstatement documentation. |
Virginia Board of Nursing currently accepts CNA reinstatement applications online. The Board’s current fee table lists CNA reinstatement at $30.
Transfer an Out-of-State CNA to Virginia: Certification by Endorsement
An out-of-state CNA certificate does not automatically become a Virginia certification. Virginia uses a certification-by-endorsement process.
Be currently registered in another state
Virginia requires the applicant to be currently registered in the other state.
No abuse, neglect or misappropriation finding
The endorsement regulation requires a current registration without a finding of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of property.
Approved education requirements matter
The applicant must satisfy Virginia’s qualifying nurse aide education and competency-evaluation requirements.
Prior-state verification may be required
Virginia requires applicable verification from states where the applicant has been registered, certified or licensed unless electronic verification is available.
Endorsement applications are online
Virginia Board of Nursing currently accepts initial CNA endorsement applications exclusively online.
Recheck the Virginia record after approval
An application receipt is not proof of issued Virginia certification. Confirm the new Nurse Aide record in DHP License Lookup.
If the source-state credential is from New York, our New York CNA License Verification guide explains how to verify that registry record first. For North Carolina, use the North Carolina CNA License Verification guide .
New Virginia CNA Certification & Credentia NNAAP Testing
First-time certification is different from renewal. Virginia currently uses Credentia for the Nurse Aide competency testing process.
Complete an eligible training route
Applicants normally complete a Board-approved nurse aide education program or another qualifying education pathway allowed by Virginia regulation.
One knowledge examination
The Virginia NNAAP includes a Written examination, with an Oral examination option for eligible candidates.
Skills Evaluation is also required
Credentia states that both the Written/Oral component and Skills Evaluation must be passed to be listed on the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry.
Two-year / three-attempt limits matter
Virginia regulation requires retraining if the applicant fails to take both required portions within two years after training or fails the examination in three attempts.
Does Virginia Require a Criminal Background Check for CNA Certification?
Do not copy RN/LPN fingerprint instructions into a Virginia CNA article. The Virginia Board of Nursing currently says its CBC requirement does not apply to CNAs.
Current VBON requirement does not apply to CNAs
The Board’s CBC FAQ states that its fingerprint-based criminal background check requirement applies to specified RN/LPN and massage-therapy applicants, not Certified Nurse Aides or Registered Medication Aides.
Hiring requirements are a separate question
A nursing facility, health system or staffing agency may have separate employment-screening obligations. Board certification requirements and employer background screening are not the same process.
Employer Virginia CNA Verification Checklist
DHP License Lookup is primary-source verification, but a good credentialing file should still record exactly what was checked.
- Official Virginia DHP License Lookup source.
- Date and time checked.
- Full name shown.
- Occupation: Nurse Aide.
- Virginia certification number.
- Current status.
- Expiration date.
- Additional public information indicator when shown.
- Screenshot or printout when required by your compliance policy.
- An old paper certificate.
- A resume.
- A staffing-agency profile.
- A paid private directory.
- A similar-name result.
- An RN or LPN license result.
- An out-of-state CNA card before Virginia endorsement.
- An application or renewal receipt without checking the public record.
Virginia CNA Lookup & Renewal Troubleshooting
Use this problem → possible reason → action table before assuming the CNA certification is invalid.
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No result by name | Spelling, former name or too many filters. | Choose Nurse Aide, use last name first, remove optional filters or search by certification number. |
| Too many name matches | Name-only search is too broad. | Add first name, status, ZIP or certification number and match the exact record. |
| Old certificate but DHP shows expired | Paper proof is outdated. | Follow the current DHP record and determine whether renewal or reinstatement applies. |
| Renewal email never arrived | Outdated email address, spam filtering or missing notice. | Check the DHP record, update contact information and renew by the actual expiration deadline. |
| Lost PIN / login | Account credentials or renewal notice unavailable. | Contact the DHP Call Center through the official contact route. |
| No compensated nursing-related activity in two years | Normal work attestation cannot be made. | Review the requirement to repeat and pass the nurse aide state examination. |
| CNA lapsed over 90 days | Normal renewal period has passed. | Use CNA reinstatement rather than ordinary renewal. |
| Out-of-state CNA missing from Virginia | Virginia endorsement has not been issued. | Complete the Virginia Board of Nursing endorsement application and verify the new Virginia record afterward. |
Virginia CNA Registry Phone, Email & Contact Help
| Contact | Official detail | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Nurse Aide Registry / Board of Nursing | 804-367-4515 | CNA certification, registry, endorsement and Board-related Nurse Aide questions. |
| Nurse Aide Registry email | nurseaide@dhp.virginia.gov | Appropriate Nurse Aide Registry correspondence. |
| DHP Online Licensing Call Center | 804-367-4444 | Online Licensing username, password, PIN and portal-access issues. |
| DHP Call Center email | CallCenter@dhp.virginia.gov | Official online-account and renewal portal assistance. |
| Virginia Board of Nursing address | Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463 | Board correspondence when an official instruction specifically requires mailing. |
Official Virginia CNA Lookup, Renewal & Application Resources
Use the official resource matching the task you have already identified above.
Virginia CNA License Verification FAQs
How do I verify a Virginia CNA license online?
Use the Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup. Search by certification number when available, or choose Nurse Aide and search by name and other public filters. Open the matching record and confirm the person’s certification number, status and expiration.
Is Virginia CNA license lookup free?
Yes. Virginia DHP License Lookup is a free public information service for private citizens, employers and other users making occasional or low-volume verification searches. Bulk commercial access uses separate DHP data services.
Can I do a Virginia CNA license lookup online by name?
Yes. Select Nurse Aide in Virginia DHP License Lookup and search by first and last name. You can add status, state or ZIP when needed to narrow the results. Certification number is preferred when you already have it.
Is a Virginia CNA a license or certification?
Virginia officially uses the term Certified Nurse Aide certification. “Virginia CNA license verification” is a common public search phrase, but the Virginia Board of Nursing certifies nurse aides.
How often does a Virginia CNA certification renew?
Virginia’s regulation says initial Certified Nurse Aide certification is issued for two years. After the initial period, the CNA renewal regulation requires a completed renewal application annually.
What are the Virginia CNA license renewal requirements?
Basic Virginia CNA renewal requires the annual renewal application, the required fee and an attestation that the CNA performed nursing-related activities for compensation during the two years immediately before expiration. If that activity requirement is not met, the nurse aide state examination must be repeated and passed before renewal.
How much is Virginia CNA renewal?
The current Virginia Board of Nursing fee schedule lists the Certified Nurse Aide annual renewal fee as $30. Because fees can change, confirm the Board fee page before paying.
Can I renew my Virginia CNA license online?
Yes. Certified Nurse Aide is included on Virginia DHP’s list of professions that can renew through Online Licensing during the renewal period. First-time users use their certification number and PIN; returning users use their established account credentials.
What if I did not work in nursing-related paid activity during the previous two years?
Virginia’s CNA renewal regulation requires a nurse aide who did not perform nursing-related activities for compensation during the two years before expiration to repeat and pass the nurse aide state examination before applying for renewal.
What happens if my Virginia CNA has been lapsed for more than 90 days?
A Virginia CNA certification lapsed for more than 90 days requires reinstatement rather than ordinary renewal. Virginia currently accepts CNA reinstatement applications online, and the applicant must meet the applicable work-verification or examination requirement.
Bottom Line: Verify the Virginia CNA First, Then Use the Correct Renewal Route
For Virginia CNA License Verification, start with the free DHP License Lookup and select Nurse Aide. Search by certification number when possible or by name when necessary, then confirm the exact status and expiration from the official record.
For renewal, remember the Virginia-specific distinction: initial CNA certification is for two years, but ongoing renewal is annual. The current renewal fee is $30, compensated nursing-related activity during the preceding two years matters, and a certification lapsed more than 90 days requires reinstatement.