CNA Classes & Programs in Georgia

Understanding Georgia's specific requirements for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification is essential before starting your training. Meeting these standards ensures you're eligible to test, get placed on the state registry, and work in approved healthcare settings.

Eligibility

• Age: Georgia does not set a statewide minimum age, though individual training programs commonly require you to be 16-18 years old.
• Education: A high school diploma or GED is not required to become a CNA in Georgia.
• Eligibility routes: Most candidates qualify by completing a Georgia-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP), but some may be eligible to test through other pathways:
  • RNs/LPNs: Licensed nurses in good standing may test without full CNA training after meeting initial coursework requirements.
  • Out-of-state trained aides: Candidates who completed a state-approved nurse aide training program in another state within the past year and are not yet listed on that state’s registry may be authorized to take the Georgia NNAAP exam (up to three attempts per component within one year of training completion).
  • Lapsed certification: Georgia CNAs whose certification has been expired for one year or less may retest without retraining.
  • Reciprocity: Active CNAs in good standing from another state may transfer certification to Georgia through reciprocity.
• Background checks: Background checks aren’t handled by the Registry for training enrollment, but clinical sites may require them, and all licensed facilities must conduct checks before hiring.
• Physical requirements: You must be physically able to perform CNA duties such as walking, standing, bending, and lifting. Candidates on light duty due to medical reasons cannot take the skills evaluation.

Training Hours & Clinicals

You must complete a Georgia state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) with at least 85 total hours of instruction. This includes classroom/laboratory teaching plus a minimum of 24 hours of supervised clinical training in a nursing home setting. Before any direct resident contact, you must complete at least 16 hours of instruction in required areas: communication and interpersonal skills (including stress management and chain of command); infection control; safety/emergency procedures (including FBAO and body mechanics); promoting residents’ independence; residents’ rights; and legal/ethical behavior and scope of practice.

Certification Exam (NNAAP)

After training, you'll take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam, administered by Credentia. It has two parts:

• Written (or oral) exam: 70 multiple-choice questions (or 60 multiple-choice plus 10 reading comprehension questions for the oral version). The oral exam is also available in Spanish.
• Skills evaluation: You'll perform five randomly selected nurse aide skills, including hand hygiene (always tested) and at least one measurement skill.

You must pass both parts to be certified. Candidates have up to three attempts per component within 12 months of program completion. If you don't pass within those limits, you must complete a new training program before retesting.

Placement on the Registry & Working as a CNA

Once you pass both exam components, your name is placed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, administered by Alliant Health Solutions. At that point you are eligible to work as a CNA in nursing homes, hospitals, home health, hospice, and other licensed healthcare facilities. Federal rules also allow a facility to employ a trainee for up to 120 days while you complete training and testing.

Costs & Reimbursement

Exam fees are $35 for the written/oral exam, $95 for the skills evaluation, or $130 for both parts together. Payment may be made by credit card, debit card, or electronic voucher. Under federal law, if you are employed by (or receive an offer from) a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facility when you begin training, the facility must cover your training and testing costs. If you are hired within 12 months of completing training, the employer must reimburse those costs on a prorated basis.

Certification Renewal & In-Service

Georgia CNAs must renew their certification every 24 months by working at least 8 paid hours under the supervision of a nurse during the certification period. Renewal is free of charge and can be completed online or by mail. In addition, CNAs working in Medicaid/Medicare-certified facilities must complete at least 12 hours of in-service education annually, which employers are responsible for tracking and reporting.

Reciprocity

If you're already certified in another state and your certification is active and in good standing, you may apply for reciprocity to be added to the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry without retraining. If you haven't worked as a CNA in the last two years, you may be required to pass the Georgia competency exam before being listed.

Sources: Georgia Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook 2024, Credentia Georgia CNA Testing, Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, Policies and Procedures for Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP), Georgia Department of Community Health