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How to become a CNA in Georgia. Training: 85 hours required. Exam provider: Credentia (NNAAP). Total initial fees: $130+. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
Governing Authority
Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
75% of data points are verified against official sources. 10 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
85 hrs
Training Hours
Credentia (NNAAP)
Exam Provider
$130+
Total Initial Fees
2 years (24 months, no grace period)
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have worked at least 8 hours for pay as a CNA under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) within the 24-month certification period
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
(678) 527-3010
Program Approval Body
Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
85
Total Hours
61
Classroom
24
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Credentia (NNAAP)
Written Exam Details
70
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
25 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass within 3 attempts within 12 months of training completion; after 3 failures or 12 months, must retake training program
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; employers of nurse aides in Medicare/Medicaid facilities must cover training costs | $550–$1,280 |
Competency Exam Fee Written/oral + skills: $130; written/oral only (retake): $35; skills only (retake): $95; all fees non-refundable; paid to Credentia | $130 |
State Registration Fee No separate state registration fee; registry placement is handled by Credentia upon passing | $0 |
Background Check Fee Background check and fingerprinting required; costs vary by provider | Varies |
Total Initial Fees Exam fee plus background check costs (excludes training program tuition) | $130+ |
Scope of Practice
VerifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (24 months, no grace period)
Renewal Period
Must have worked at least 8 hours for pay as a CNA under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) within the 24-month certification period
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
No renewal fee; must complete online renewal form and upload required documents before expiration
Late Renewal Fee
N/A
No grace period; if lapsed, must retrain and retest
Inactive Reinstatement
Must complete a new training program and pass the competency exam if certification has lapsed without meeting the 8-hour work requirement within 24 months
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Out-of-state CNAs may transfer certification if they hold active status in another state with no pending or substantiated abuse/neglect findings and can verify at least 8 hours of paid CNA work in the past 24 months
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Georgia is notable for having a shorter 12-month exam completion window (vs. the typical 24 months in most states) and a tight 25-minute skills evaluation. CNA certification is overseen by the Department of Community Health (DCH), not the Board of Nursing. The state uses Credentia for testing and has no state registration or renewal fees. The written exam includes 10 reading comprehension questions in addition to 60 multiple-choice questions.
Georgia requires 85 training hours (61 classroom/lab + 24 clinical), slightly above the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
The competency exam is administered by Credentia (NNAAP), not Pearson VUE
Georgia has a 12-month exam completion window (shorter than most states' 24-month window)
Written exam has 70 questions (60 multiple-choice + 10 reading comprehension) with 2-hour time limit
Skills evaluation allows only 25 minutes for 5 tasks (shorter than most states)
No state registration fee or renewal fee
No grace period for renewal; certification lapses require retraining
Georgia DCH (not Board of Nursing) oversees CNA certification and the Nurse Aide Registry
Credentia and toll-free registry: (888) 383-5662 or locally (678) 527-3010
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#23 of 51
Salary
#43 of 51
Cost
#19 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$32,290
25th percentile
Median
$36,570
-7% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$41,050
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
42,460 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Nursing Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+57,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
182,300
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Nursing Career Ladder+245% salary growth potential
You are here
CNA
$36,570
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$36,570
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$58,490
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$86,560
MSN or DNP + national certification
$126,060
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 7–21 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
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Georgia requires 85 hours of training and passage of the Credentia (NNAAP) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.