CNA Classes & Programs 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.

Sources: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services — Nurse Aide, ​​South Carolina Nurse Aide​ - Handbook