CNA Classes in Vermont (Top Schools)

In Vermont, Certified Nursing Assistants are known as Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs).

Two departments regulate the training and licensing of LNAs:

• Vermont Board of Nursing (VBN)
• Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)

Per mandate, you can only become an LNA if you:

• Complete a state-approved nursing assistant training program (NATP)
• Pass the VT Nursing Assistant Competency Exam (VT NACE)

Taking on an LNA Training Program in Vermont

To be an LNA, you first need to complete an approved NATP.

Here, you’ll spend a minimum of 80 training hours, with 30 hours on supervised clinical training.

Listed below are some of the approved LNA training facilities that you can check out.

Evaluating an LNA Candidate

There are two ways to earn an LNA license in Vermont:

• LNA licensure by examination
• LNA licensure by endorsement

Let’s explore each licensure path below.

LNA Licensure by Examination

In this path, you will sit for the VT NACE administered by Prometric.

LNA Candidates Eligible to Take the VT NACE

You can take the competency exam if you belong to any of the following LNA candidates:

• Newly-trained Vermont nursing assistants
• LNAs with expired licenses but have retaken the NATP in the last two years
• Nursing students in the LPN or RN program who completed the nursing fundamentals course
• Out-of-state nursing assistants who already graduated or are about to graduate

For details on the application process, visit OPR’s and Prometric’s websites.

The Vermont NACE

The exam has two parts: a written/oral test and a clinical skills test.

Read on to find out more about each test.

Written (Oral) Test

• It’s a computer-based test.
• It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 90 minutes.
• You can opt for an oral test upon request.
• In the oral test, you can repeat the questions as needed.
• Both written and oral tests are only given in English.

Clinical Skills Test

• You will perform five nursing assistant skills, consisting of:
  • Two mandatory skills – handwashing and indirect care
  • Three randomly selected skills from the Clinical Skills List
• The test’s duration depends on each skill assigned to you.
• Before performing a skill, you’ll be given instructions and the time allotted for it.
• Each skill has a list of checkpoints that you must complete.
• You must demonstrate competency in all five skills to pass the test.

Exam Fees

You or your employer will pay the following exam fees:

• Exam application fee – $20
• Written and clinical skills tests – $175
• Written/oral test only – $55
• Clinical skills test only – $120
• Rescheduling fee – $35

If you want to reschedule, you need to do so at least five working days before your test dates.

Otherwise, you’ll be charged the full amount of the exam fee applicable.

Exam Results

You can receive your exam results shortly after the tests, which you can also view online at https://tcnet1.prometric.com/vtcna.

On the score report, it will only reflect “Pass” or “Fail,” and not the exact scores.

If you pass both tests, your LNA license will be issued, which you can download on your OPR account.

If you don’t pass a test, you’ll receive the official score report at the test site after your test with retesting instructions.

The same goes if you happen to fail the entire VT NACE.

LNA Licensure by Endorsement

For out-of-state CNAs wanting to become LNAs in Vermont, you can apply for endorsement.

You can only do so if you are in good standing in another state’s Nursing Assistant Registry (NAR).

To apply, you must submit to VBN the following:

• Completed online application
• Payment of the application fee
• License verification from your original state, and your most recent state of licensure, if different.

There are two types of endorsement applications:

• Applying with work experience
• Applying with education

If you’re applying with work experience, you must:

• Have worked at least 50 days (or 400 hours) in the last two years
• Enter your CNA employment information under the supervision of a licensed nurse

Meanwhile, if you’re applying with education, your NATP must submit the Nursing Assistant Verification of Education Form.

Potential Salary

Like every other job, a CNA’s salary varies from place to place.

That’s because it’s influenced by several factors, like your:

• Education
• Skill level
• Work experience
• Certification

Right now, you can expect to earn an average salary of around $30,000 annually.

The table below shows how much you’ll receive across Vermont.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.