CNA Programs & Career Opportunities in South Carolina
South Carolina is home to 171 CNA training programs and over 320 healthcare facilities. Our guide currently highlights 78 cities, where we cover all local CNA programs and a selection of healthcare facilities. Explore CNA classes, salary information, and career opportunities to learn more about becoming a CNA in South Carolina.
Get Information from CNA Programs in South Carolina
With over 170 CNA training programs statewide, South Carolina offers broad educational opportunities in major metropolitan areas such as Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, and Greenville. Currently, about 20,040 Certified Nursing Assistants work across South Carolina, reflecting steady demand for qualified healthcare professionals. Students completing South Carolina CNA programs can expect median earnings of 35,090 annually and 16.87 per hour.
With a population of over 5.4 million residents and a rapidly growing senior population, South Carolina continues to offer strong career opportunities for CNA training graduates. From major health systems such as Prisma Health, MUSC Health, and Roper St. Francis Healthcare to hundreds of long-term care and rehabilitation facilities statewide, Certified Nursing Assistants play an essential role in supporting patient care across the state's urban centers, suburban communities, and rural areas.
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Schools in South Carolina are actively seeking qualified students. Fill out one quick form below to receive information directly from multiple accredited CNA programs.
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Major Cities for CNA Careers in South Carolina
Explore CNA opportunities in South Carolina's largest cities and metropolitan areas.
Training & Certification Requirements in South Carolina
If you’re planning to become a CNA in South Carolina, it’s essential to understand the training and testing steps required for certification. Meeting these requirements ensures you're eligible to test, be listed on the state registry, and work in approved healthcare settings.
Eligibility
Program enrollment (NATCEP): You must complete a South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS)–approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). Programs are available through technical colleges, high schools, and licensed long-term care facilities across the state.
Employment eligibility: Nursing facilities must verify your active status on the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry before hiring. A non-certified nurse aide may work in a Medicaid-certified nursing facility for up to 120 days only while enrolled in or having completed a state-approved training program and actively pursuing certification.
Training Hours & Clinicals
South Carolina requires a minimum of 100 total hours of training: 60 hours of classroom instruction (including 20 hours of lab/skills practice) and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience in a licensed long-term care facility. Before any direct resident contact, students must complete at least 16 hours of instruction in key areas such as communication, residents' rights, safety and emergency procedures (including the Heimlich maneuver), and infection control, in accordance with federal OBRA regulations. Many programs exceed these minimum standards.
Certification Exam (NNAAP)
After completing training, you must pass both parts of the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam, administered by Credentia on behalf of SCDHHS:
Knowledge test (written or oral): 70 multiple-choice questions (or 60 multiple-choice plus 10 reading comprehension for the oral version). The oral exam is available in English and Spanish.
Skills evaluation: demonstration of five randomly selected nurse aide skills, including mandatory hand hygiene and at least one measurement-related task.
You must pass both components to become certified. Candidates have up to three attempts per component within two years of completing training; those who do not pass within this period must retrain in an approved program before retesting.
Placement on the Registry & Working as a CNA
After passing both exam components, your name is added to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry, managed by Credentia (CNA365). Employers are required to verify your registry status before employment. Under federal law, trainees may work in approved facilities for up to 120 days while completing the certification process.
Renewal
Your South Carolina CNA certification must be renewed every 24 months. To remain active, you must have performed at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related duties under appropriate supervision during the two-year certification period. Renewal costs $35 and can be completed online through the CNA365 portal. Employers may be asked to verify your employment hours for renewal.
Reciprocity
If you are already certified in another U.S. state or territory and your certification is in active, good standing, you may apply for reciprocity to transfer your certification to South Carolina without retraining or retesting. Applicants must submit proof of completing a 100-hour state-approved training program and provide verification of certification from their home state registry. There is no fee for reciprocity applications.
Costs & Reimbursement
Exam fees are set by Credentia. Under federal law, Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing facilities must cover training and testing costs for candidates employed by or with an offer of employment at the time of testing. If hired within 12 months of completing training, facilities must reimburse those costs on a prorated basis.
Explore CNA classes in South Carolina by city. We currently feature 78 cities, each with a full list of CNA training courses, salary details, and selected healthcare facilities.
Looking for free CNA classes and training programs in South Carolina? These 22 options are available at no cost through employer sponsorship, state support, or other financial assistance.
Loris Rehab And Nursing Center
✅ State Approved🏫 Nursing Facility✨ Free Program🏢 Employer Sponsored
Wilson Senior Care offers a Certified Nursing Assistant training course with classes, clinicals and training at no cost to participants after meeting screening requirements. Applicants complete a background check, TB skin test and 10‑panel drug screen before enrollment.
Lexington Technology Center offers a Health Science Clinical Study: CNA course for Lexington One seniors, combining classroom, lab, and clinical experiences aligned to CNA and CPR credentials.
Peachtree Centre offers free CNA classes held at the facility with a work-commitment requirement after training. Classes are open to non-certified individuals seeking entry into healthcare.
Free, facility-based CNA class offered over 15 days with classroom and clinical training; applicants who complete the program may be considered for employment.
Facility-hosted CNA training completed in approximately 17 days; candidates must meet admission requirements and may be considered for employment upon completion.
Wilson Senior Care offers a Certified Nursing Assistant training course with classes, clinicals, and training at no cost to participants. Applicants must complete a background check, TB test, and drug screening.
Union Post Acute offers in-house CNA training programs with ongoing continued learning for staff. Contact the facility for schedules, eligibility, and enrollment details.
FDJTC’s Health Science program offers seniors a dual credit clinical course that provides hands-on experience while completing requirements for South Carolina nursing assistant certification.
The facility periodically offers a free CNA certification program with course fees, materials, and testing covered in exchange for a work commitment. Cohorts run in multi-week blocks and prepare trainees for employment at the center.
Free CNA training program completed in 3 weeks with classroom instruction followed by a week of clinical; classes run daytime hours and eligible graduates may be selected for employment.
NHC HealthCare Anderson runs a fast-paced paid CNA training class, typically completed in about 17 days, with employment opportunities upon successful completion. Training is offered at no cost to selected students.
Facility offers a free, employer-sponsored CNA training program with a fast-paced 6 week class covering course, materials, and testing in exchange for a one year work commitment. Trainees may work as hospitality aides while in class.
RTC’s Health Science 4: Clinical Study provides classroom, lab, and clinical experiences that build entry‑level nursing assistant skills for seniors, with students expected to take the South Carolina Nurse Aide exam.
York Technical College offers CNA training pathways including a Registered Apprenticeship that pairs college instruction with mentored work experience. Employer partners may sponsor tuition and required items for eligible participants.
Trident Technical College offers a face-to-face Certified Nurse Aide training program through Workforce Training, with day and evening scheduling and potential no‑cost tuition via SCWINS and college scholarships.
PACS sponsors a 6-week CNA program through Impact CNA with Monday–Friday daytime classes; tuition, fees, and testing are covered in exchange for a one-year work commitment. Graduates are onboarded into full-time roles at PACS network facilities.
NHC HealthCare Mauldin offers a free, employer-sponsored CNA training class that runs about three weeks with two weeks of classroom instruction and one week of clinicals. Employment is offered upon completion with an agreement to work for the facility.
Wilson Senior Care offers a CNA training course with classes, clinicals, and training at no cost to participants. Check for upcoming class dates and application requirements.
FDTC Corporate and Workforce Development offers a Certified Nursing Assistant program with classroom, skills, and clinical training offered at multiple campuses. Registration is through CWD and schedules vary by location.
The Nursing Assistant program is a 100-clock-hour hybrid course with online lectures and in-person skills labs plus a clinical externship, designed to be completed in 6 weeks.
These 17 programs offer CNA classes online in South Carolina, giving you the flexibility to complete the classroom portion remotely. However, all CNA programs also require in-person clinical training, which must be completed at an approved healthcare facility before certification.
Midlands Tech College
✅ State Approved🏫 Community College💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help
📍 Winnsboro, 1674 Us-321 Bus, South Carolina 29180
Midlands Technical College’s DHHS-approved Certified Nurse Assistant training provides classroom, lab, and clinical instruction to prepare students for entry-level patient care roles. Programs may be offered in classroom or hybrid formats with a short-term training timeline.
Total Cost: $2,495Total Hours: 125Duration: 5 weeks
The Nursing Assistant program offers hybrid morning or evening classes with clinicals on Saturdays to prepare students for entry-level patient care roles. Multiple start dates are posted throughout the year.
PTC’s Nursing Assistant training covers essential CNA skills with online theory, hands-on labs, and clinical practice. The program has been offered in accelerated four-week cohorts in partnership expansions that included Newberry.
PDTS’s Nursing Assistant program totals 100 hours with 60 hours of theory/lab and 40 hours of clinicals. Day cohorts run 4 weeks in person and evening cohorts run 5 weeks in a hybrid format.
Piedmont Technical College offers a Nursing Assistant course that teaches basic caregiving skills through online study, campus labs, and supervised clinical experience. Select cohorts have been delivered in an accelerated four-week format.
Midlands Technical College’s DHHS-approved CNA course provides classroom, lab, and clinical training and includes a three-day review session. The 125-hour course is offered in classroom or hybrid formats at the Lexington North Lake Center.
Total Cost: $2,495Total Hours: 125Duration: 5 weeks
MTC offers a Nursing Assistant academic certificate that develops foundational skills and includes classroom, simulation, and clinical rotations aligned to NNAAP competencies. Instructional methods may include online or hybrid delivery depending on course selection.
Level Up offers a 6-week hybrid CNA course with evening online theory Mon–Tue, on-campus labs Wed–Thu, and Saturday clinicals. Tuition is 1250 and the program lists 60+ classroom hours and 40+ clinical hours with many supplies included.
Total Cost: $1,250Total Hours: 100Duration: 6 weeks
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Myrtle Beach, 5001 N Kings Hwy, South Carolina 29577
The Nurse Assistant program is a 100 clock-hour course offered in day, evening, and hybrid formats, with Saturday on-campus skills sessions for the hybrid track. The five-week program blends theory, skills lab, and a clinical externship.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
State‑approved Nursing Assistant program with morning, evening, and accelerated weekend hybrid cohorts offering classroom, lab, and clinical training. Tuition includes book, CPR, malpractice insurance, ID badge, and graduation fees.
The Nursing Assistant program is 100 hours over 7 weeks with hybrid online and onsite instruction on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Upcoming cohorts list multiple start dates throughout the year.
Hazel’s Heart Healthcare Academy offers a Nurse Assistant Training Program delivering 100 hours over 6 weeks with classroom, skills lab, and clinical training. A hybrid cohort option provides online theory with in‑person labs and clinicals.
Total Cost: $1,595Total Hours: 100Duration: 6 weeks
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Greenville, 348 Feaster Road, South Carolina 29615
Ignite’s Nurse Aide program delivers 100 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training with day, evening, weekend, and hybrid options. Classes are designed to be completed in about five weeks with flexible scheduling.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
EHS offers a state-approved 4-week hybrid Nursing Assistant program with 100 total hours combining online instruction and supervised clinicals. The course includes exam prep, CPR/BLS, and career support.
Excellence In Healthcare offers a 100 hour Nursing Assistant course with options for in-person or online theory and hands-on skills practice. Tuition is listed as 1360 including a 110 nonrefundable enrollment fee.
The Nursing Assistant program is a 100-clock-hour hybrid course with online lectures and in-person skills labs plus a clinical externship, designed to be completed in 6 weeks.
These 24 programs offer accelerated CNA training in South Carolina, typically ranging from 3-5 weeks, with 4-week programs being the most common. Accelerated CNA classes are one of the fastest ways to become a CNA in South Carolina, making them ideal if you want to start your healthcare career quickly.
Midlands Tech College
✅ State Approved🏫 Community College💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help
📍 Winnsboro, 1674 Us-321 Bus, South Carolina 29180
Midlands Technical College’s DHHS-approved Certified Nurse Assistant training provides classroom, lab, and clinical instruction to prepare students for entry-level patient care roles. Programs may be offered in classroom or hybrid formats with a short-term training timeline.
Total Cost: $2,495Total Hours: 125Duration: 5 weeks
Pee Dee Medical Career Training Center offers a Nursing Assistant program with classroom, skills lab, and clinical rotation to prepare students for entry-level patient care roles. 2025 day cohorts meet three days weekly with clinicals scheduled at designated sites.
The Nursing Assistant program offers hybrid morning or evening classes with clinicals on Saturdays to prepare students for entry-level patient care roles. Multiple start dates are posted throughout the year.
PTC’s Nursing Assistant training covers essential CNA skills with online theory, hands-on labs, and clinical practice. The program has been offered in accelerated four-week cohorts in partnership expansions that included Newberry.
PDTS’s Nursing Assistant program totals 100 hours with 60 hours of theory/lab and 40 hours of clinicals. Day cohorts run 4 weeks in person and evening cohorts run 5 weeks in a hybrid format.
Free, facility-based CNA class offered over 15 days with classroom and clinical training; applicants who complete the program may be considered for employment.
Facility-hosted CNA training completed in approximately 17 days; candidates must meet admission requirements and may be considered for employment upon completion.
Piedmont Technical College offers a Nursing Assistant course that teaches basic caregiving skills through online study, campus labs, and supervised clinical experience. Select cohorts have been delivered in an accelerated four-week format.
Facility-based Student CNA Class offered in a fast-paced 18-day format held Monday–Friday 7:00 AM–3:00 PM. Applicants complete a pre-test and background check and must maintain required attendance and grade standards.
Free CNA training program completed in 3 weeks with classroom instruction followed by a week of clinical; classes run daytime hours and eligible graduates may be selected for employment.
Midlands Technical College’s DHHS-approved CNA course provides classroom, lab, and clinical training and includes a three-day review session. The 125-hour course is offered in classroom or hybrid formats at the Lexington North Lake Center.
Total Cost: $2,495Total Hours: 125Duration: 5 weeks
NHC HealthCare Anderson runs a fast-paced paid CNA training class, typically completed in about 17 days, with employment opportunities upon successful completion. Training is offered at no cost to selected students.
Level Up offers a 6-week hybrid CNA course with evening online theory Mon–Tue, on-campus labs Wed–Thu, and Saturday clinicals. Tuition is 1250 and the program lists 60+ classroom hours and 40+ clinical hours with many supplies included.
Total Cost: $1,250Total Hours: 100Duration: 6 weeks
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Myrtle Beach, 5001 N Kings Hwy, South Carolina 29577
The Nurse Assistant program is a 100 clock-hour course offered in day, evening, and hybrid formats, with Saturday on-campus skills sessions for the hybrid track. The five-week program blends theory, skills lab, and a clinical externship.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
State‑approved Nursing Assistant program with morning, evening, and accelerated weekend hybrid cohorts offering classroom, lab, and clinical training. Tuition includes book, CPR, malpractice insurance, ID badge, and graduation fees.
PMTC’s Fast Track Nursing Assistant course provides 100 hours of training with weekday classroom sessions followed by a week of daytime clinicals. Tuition is listed with separate costs for required book and CPR.
State-approved CNA training with 4- and 6-week options, small classes, and hands-on lab and clinical. Tuition includes materials, CPR/BLS, and the state exam fee.
NHC HealthCare Mauldin offers a free, employer-sponsored CNA training class that runs about three weeks with two weeks of classroom instruction and one week of clinicals. Employment is offered upon completion with an agreement to work for the facility.
Legacy Active Day offers a month-long nurse assistant program led by registered nurses with 60 classroom/lab hours and 40 clinical hours in a skilled nursing facility. Evening cohorts are available and the school notes job placement support for graduates.
Hazel’s Heart Healthcare Academy offers a Nurse Assistant Training Program delivering 100 hours over 6 weeks with classroom, skills lab, and clinical training. A hybrid cohort option provides online theory with in‑person labs and clinicals.
Total Cost: $1,595Total Hours: 100Duration: 6 weeks
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Greenville, 348 Feaster Road, South Carolina 29615
Ignite’s Nurse Aide program delivers 100 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training with day, evening, weekend, and hybrid options. Classes are designed to be completed in about five weeks with flexible scheduling.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
EHS offers a state-approved 4-week hybrid Nursing Assistant program with 100 total hours combining online instruction and supervised clinicals. The course includes exam prep, CPR/BLS, and career support.
These 23 programs offer evening CNA classes in South Carolina, designed for working professionals and those with daytime commitments. Evening classes typically run after 5 PM on weekdays, allowing you to maintain your current schedule while pursuing CNA certification.
Village Career Center
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💵 Financial Aid Available🌙 Evening Classes Available
📍 Abbeville, 110 Whitehall St, South Carolina 29620
TCTC’s Certified Nurse Aide QuickJob program is delivered face to face at the Pendleton Campus and Easley QuickJobs Center with day and evening options through Corporate and Community Education.
Lexington Three’s Lifelong Learning Center offers CNA classes for adults with daytime and evening options and supervised clinical experiences to prepare for entry-level patient care roles.
The Nursing Assistant program offers hybrid morning or evening classes with clinicals on Saturdays to prepare students for entry-level patient care roles. Multiple start dates are posted throughout the year.
Village Career Center offers an 8-week Nursing Assistant program with evening classes at the Newberry campus. Tuition is 1300 and cohorts typically meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-9 PM.
SCC’s Corporate & Community Education CNA program is 110 hours over roughly 6 to 8 weeks, with scholarship funding available. Cherokee County Campus hosts evening sections among other locations.
Total Cost: $1,800Total Hours: 110Duration: 6 weeks
PDTS’s Nursing Assistant program totals 100 hours with 60 hours of theory/lab and 40 hours of clinicals. Day cohorts run 4 weeks in person and evening cohorts run 5 weeks in a hybrid format.
Village Career Center offers an 8-week Nursing Assistant program with evening classes at the Anderson campus. Tuition is 1300 and cohorts typically meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-9 PM.
TCL’s noncredit CNA program provides 110 hours of classroom, lab, and hands-on clinical training at a long-term care facility with day and evening cohorts. SCWINS may cover tuition for eligible residents.
Total Cost: $2,289Total Hours: 110Duration: 9 weeks
Spartanburg Community College’s Corporate & Community Education offers a state-approved CNA course with 110 total hours completed in about 6 to 8 weeks. Workforce Pathways scholarships are available and classes are offered in day and evening formats at multiple campuses.
Total Cost: $1,800Total Hours: 110Duration: 6 weeks
Level Up offers a 6-week hybrid CNA course with evening online theory Mon–Tue, on-campus labs Wed–Thu, and Saturday clinicals. Tuition is 1250 and the program lists 60+ classroom hours and 40+ clinical hours with many supplies included.
Total Cost: $1,250Total Hours: 100Duration: 6 weeks
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Myrtle Beach, 5001 N Kings Hwy, South Carolina 29577
The Nurse Assistant program is a 100 clock-hour course offered in day, evening, and hybrid formats, with Saturday on-campus skills sessions for the hybrid track. The five-week program blends theory, skills lab, and a clinical externship.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
State‑approved Nursing Assistant program with morning, evening, and accelerated weekend hybrid cohorts offering classroom, lab, and clinical training. Tuition includes book, CPR, malpractice insurance, ID badge, and graduation fees.
Trident Technical College offers a face-to-face Certified Nurse Aide training program through Workforce Training, with day and evening scheduling and potential no‑cost tuition via SCWINS and college scholarships.
The Nurse Assistant Training Program includes 100 hours (60 classroom/lab and 40 clinical), with evening classes for five weeks and daytime clinicals in week six. Tuition of 1500 includes exam fee and many required items such as CPR, uniform, badge, and background check.
Total Cost: $1,500Total Hours: 100Duration: 6 weeks
Legacy Active Day offers a month-long nurse assistant program led by registered nurses with 60 classroom/lab hours and 40 clinical hours in a skilled nursing facility. Evening cohorts are available and the school notes job placement support for graduates.
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Greenville, 348 Feaster Road, South Carolina 29615
Ignite’s Nurse Aide program delivers 100 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training with day, evening, weekend, and hybrid options. Classes are designed to be completed in about five weeks with flexible scheduling.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
These 6 programs offer weekend CNA classes in South Carolina, perfect for those who work Monday through Friday. Weekend programs typically meet on Saturdays and/or Sundays, allowing you to complete your CNA training without disrupting your weekday work schedule.
Latrice D. Ferguson Healthcare Institute (Walterboro)
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Walterboro, 254 Green Pond Highway, South Carolina 29488
The Nursing Assistant program offers hybrid morning or evening classes with clinicals on Saturdays to prepare students for entry-level patient care roles. Multiple start dates are posted throughout the year.
Level Up offers a 6-week hybrid CNA course with evening online theory Mon–Tue, on-campus labs Wed–Thu, and Saturday clinicals. Tuition is 1250 and the program lists 60+ classroom hours and 40+ clinical hours with many supplies included.
Total Cost: $1,250Total Hours: 100Duration: 6 weeks
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Myrtle Beach, 5001 N Kings Hwy, South Carolina 29577
The Nurse Assistant program is a 100 clock-hour course offered in day, evening, and hybrid formats, with Saturday on-campus skills sessions for the hybrid track. The five-week program blends theory, skills lab, and a clinical externship.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
State‑approved Nursing Assistant program with morning, evening, and accelerated weekend hybrid cohorts offering classroom, lab, and clinical training. Tuition includes book, CPR, malpractice insurance, ID badge, and graduation fees.
✅ State Approved🏫 Career School💻 Online Available⚡ Accelerated Program💵 Financial Aid Available🤝 Job Placement Help🕒 Evening & Weekend Classes Available
📍 Greenville, 348 Feaster Road, South Carolina 29615
Ignite’s Nurse Aide program delivers 100 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training with day, evening, weekend, and hybrid options. Classes are designed to be completed in about five weeks with flexible scheduling.
Total Cost: $1,350Total Hours: 100Duration: 5 weeks
South Carolina offers promising opportunities for Certified Nursing Assistants, both in job availability and career growth. With more than 20,040 CNAs working statewide and over 321 healthcare facilities, there are many paths to begin or advance your CNA career. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), South Carolina has over 187 nursing homes, 66 hospitals, and 68 home health agencies that employ CNAs. While these counts are based on CMS data and may not capture every facility in the state, they reflect a diverse range of employment opportunities across urban and rural communities.
Salary Overview
The median annual income for all workers in South Carolina is about $42,220, or $20.30 per hour. CNAs in South Carolina earn a median of $35,090 annually, which equals about $16.87 per hour. While CNA earnings are below the statewide average, they provide a stable entry point into the healthcare field, with advancement potential toward higher-paying roles such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
Job Outlook
The outlook for CNA employment in South Carolina remains positive. With 20,040 CNAs currently employed and strong demand across long-term care and hospital settings, job growth is expected to remain steady. South Carolina's expanding senior population and healthcare investments continue to drive demand for skilled nurse aides. Major employers include Prisma Health, MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, and McLeod Health, which employ CNAs across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and skilled nursing facilities. Many CNAs use their experience as a foundation for career advancement in nursing or specialized care roles.
Becoming a CNA in South Carolina is one of the fastest ways to enter the healthcare workforce. Training programs can be completed in just a few weeks, allowing quick access to paid employment in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. With over 187 nursing homes and a growing healthcare network, South Carolina offers diverse job opportunities across the state. Many CNA programs are offered through technical colleges, high schools, and long-term care facilities, serving as both an immediate career option and a stepping stone toward higher nursing credentials. You can also explore free CNA classes, online CNA programs, and accelerated CNA training options available statewide.
CNA Salaries across South Carolina
CNA pay varies by region, with higher wages typically found in larger metro areas such as Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville compared to smaller or rural communities. Below is a breakdown of CNA salaries across South Carolina.
Compare CNA salaries across different metropolitan areas and regions in South Carolina.
Salary data includes both annual and hourly wages for nursing assistants.
Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in South Carolina
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, CNA programs require a minimum of 100 hours of training, which includes 40 hours of clinical practice. Most students complete their training in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether they choose a full-time, part-time, or accelerated program schedule.
How much does CNA training cost in South Carolina?
CNA classes in South Carolina generally cost between $800 and $1,500. Some programs may be more expensive at private schools, while community colleges and healthcare providers often offer lower-cost options. Employers may also cover tuition in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there free CNA classes in South Carolina?
Yes. Many nursing homes, hospitals, and state workforce programs in South Carolina offer free CNA training. These are often employer-sponsored programs where you agree to work for the facility after completing training and certification.
Are online CNA programs available in South Carolina?
Several schools in South Carolina offer hybrid CNA programs that combine online coursework with in-person clinical training. While theory can often be completed online, state rules require that clinical skills be performed in a supervised, hands-on healthcare setting.
Are accelerated (4-week) CNA programs available in South Carolina?
Yes, some schools and healthcare providers in South Carolina offer accelerated CNA programs that can be completed in as little as 4 weeks. These programs are intensive and best for students who can commit to full-time study and clinical practice.
How do I become a CNA in South Carolina?
To become a CNA in South Carolina, you must complete a state-approved training program, pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), and be listed on the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. The process is overseen by the South Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (SCDHHS).
I’m a CNA in another state. Can I transfer my license to South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina allows CNAs certified in other states to transfer their license through reciprocity. This process places you on the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry without retaking training. Learn more in our guide to CNA License Reciprocity in South Carolina.
How often do I need to renew my CNA license in South Carolina?
CNAs in South Carolina must renew their certification every 24 months. To remain active on the registry, you must work at least one documented day (8 consecutive hours) of paid employment in an approved healthcare setting during that period. See our CNA License & Registration page for renewal details.
How can I check if my CNA license is active in South Carolina?
The median CNA salary in South Carolina is $35,090 per year, or about $16.87 per hour. Pay can vary by region, employer, and years of experience. Many CNAs in South Carolina also use the role as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Where do CNAs work in South Carolina?
Certified Nursing Assistants in South Carolina work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Opportunities are widely available across both urban and rural areas.
Information Accuracy: Requirements, salary data, and other information are carefully compiled and based on the latest available sources, but may change. Please verify with official sources before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.