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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $130+
Governing Authority
Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
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
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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
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
70 questions
Time Limit
120 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Credentia (NNAAP)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $130Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| 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+ |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Georgia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
CNA requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (you) | $130+ | 7–21 wks | |
| Alabama | $135–$185 | 6–20 wks | → |
| Florida | $205–$230 | 7–22 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $140 | 6–20 wks | → |
| South Carolina | $165 | 7–21 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Georgia
See how Georgia compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
CNA Schools in Georgia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Georgia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Georgia →
Transfer your CNA license from Georgia to: Alabama → | Florida → | North Carolina → | South Carolina → | Tennessee →
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.