Healthcare Recruiting
Virginia CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Practice Model, Salary
Virginia CRNAs are licensed as APRNs by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Virginia operates under a collaborative/practice arrangement model — a written practice arrangement with a Virginia-licensed physician is required. Virginia has not opted out of the federal Medicare physician supervision requirement for CRNAs in certified facilities. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads feature primarily ACT models; rural Shenandoah Valley and Southwest Virginia communities rely more heavily on independent CRNA practice.
Practice Model
- Written practice arrangement with Virginia-licensed physician required
- ACT model: Northern VA (Inova), Richmond (VCU, HCA), Hampton Roads (Sentara), Charlottesville (UVA)
- Independent/CRNA-only: rural Southwest Virginia, Shenandoah Valley Critical Access Hospitals
- Virginia has NOT opted out of federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
- Prescribing authority: Virginia CRNAs may prescribe within anesthesia practice scope; DEA registration required separately
Application Requirements
- Active Virginia RN license (compact or VA-issued)
- Current NBCRNA certification
- Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
- Completed VA DHP online application + $130 fee
- Criminal background check
Processing Timeline
Virginia Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 8–12 weeks from complete submission. Temporary authorization to practice is available in some cases — contact the Board directly when a specific start date requires expedited processing.
CRNA Salary in Virginia (2026)
| Market | Avg CRNA Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia (DC metro) | $210,000–$240,000 | Inova Health System; high COL market; federal employee competition |
| Richmond | $195,000–$222,000 | VCU Health, HCA Chippenham/Johnston-Willis, Bon Secours |
| Hampton Roads (Norfolk/Virginia Beach) | $192,000–$218,000 | Sentara Healthcare dominant; large military hospital proximity |
| Charlottesville | $190,000–$215,000 | UVA Health; academic ACT model; training stipends |
| Roanoke / Southwest VA | $192,000–$220,000 | Carilion Clinic; CRNA-only in rural CAH facilities; signing bonuses |
Top Employers in Virginia
- Inova Health System — Northern Virginia; largest health system in the DC metro; ACT model
- Sentara Healthcare — Hampton Roads; Norfolk + Virginia Beach; major CRNA employer
- VCU Health — Richmond; academic medical center; ACT model with CRNA residency tracks
- UVA Health — Charlottesville; academic system; collaborative anesthesia model
- Carilion Clinic — Roanoke + Southwest VA; mix of ACT and CRNA-only across service areas
- HCA Healthcare Virginia — Richmond, Northern VA; large community hospital network
What We See at Ava Health
Virginia's Northern Virginia market is among the most competitive in the country given proximity to Washington DC, with correspondingly high salaries that are partially offset by housing costs. Richmond and Hampton Roads offer strong compensation with lower cost of living. Southwest Virginia — particularly Roanoke and Bristol — features persistent CRNA demand with signing bonuses and relocation packages that make it attractive for new CRNA graduates.
Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License Virginia 2026, CRNA License North Carolina 2026.
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