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Becoming a CNA in Georgia

Steps to Become a CNA in Georgia

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Georgia is a rewarding career path in the healthcare field. To help you get started, I’ve outlined all the essential steps you need to follow, including the requirements, training programs, certification exams, and how to keep your certification active.

Requirements: Learn about the eligibility and minimum requirements for CNA certification in Georgia.

Attend a School: Find a state-approved CNA training program and understand what to look for when choosing a program.

Test Information: Learn about the Georgia CNA certification exam and get tips for preparation. Includes a CTA button to a practice test.

Certification Registration and Upkeep: Understand the process of registering and maintaining your CNA certification in Georgia.

1. Requirements

Before enrolling in a CNA training program, you need to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements set by the state of Georgia.

Key Requirements:

Age: There’s no minimum age requirement to become a CNA in Georgia, but most programs prefer candidates to be at least 18 years old.

Education: While the state doesn’t require a high school diploma or GED, some training programs and employers may require one.

Background Check: Although a background check is not required to become certified, it is often required by employers, especially in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Work Requirements: CNAs must complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related services under the supervision of a licensed nurse every 24 months to keep their certification active.

Continuing Education: CNAs working in licensed Medicaid or Medicare facilities must complete 12 hours of in-service training annually.

These requirements ensure that individuals are prepared to provide high-quality care to patients in healthcare settings across Georgia.

2. Attend a CNA Program in Georgia

After meeting the basic requirements, the next step is to enroll in a state-approved CNA training program. These programs provide the necessary classroom and hands-on training you’ll need to pass the certification exam and excel in your career as a CNA.

What to Expect in a CNA Program:

Program Length: CNA training programs in Georgia typically range from 4 to 8 weeks. They require a minimum of 85 hours of training, which includes:

24 hours of clinical experience in a nursing home.

16 hours of classroom instruction before any hands-on contact with patients.

Curriculum: The curriculum will cover key topics, including:

Communication and interpersonal skills

Infection control

Basic nursing skills (e.g., taking vital signs, assisting with feeding)

Personal care (e.g., bathing, grooming, toileting)

Resident rights and legal/ethical behavior

Care for cognitively impaired residents (e.g., dementia)

Tips for Choosing the Right Program:

State Approval: Ensure the program is approved by the Georgia Department of Community Health. This is crucial as only graduates from approved programs are eligible to sit for the CNA certification exam.

Location: Consider the location of the program and whether it fits your schedule, especially if you need to balance training with other responsibilities.

Cost: Program costs can range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the provider. Some nursing homes may offer free CNA training in exchange for a commitment to work at their facility after certification.

If you’re interested in finding a CNA program near

Featured CNA Programs in Georgia

$750

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3. CNA Test Information

Once you’ve completed your CNA training, the next step is to pass the Georgia CNA certification exam, administered by Pearson VUE. The exam evaluates both your knowledge and practical nursing skills.

Exam Overview:

Written Exam: This portion consists of 70 multiple-choice questions, including 60 general nursing knowledge questions and 10 reading comprehension questions.

Skills Evaluation: During the skills evaluation, you will be required to demonstrate 5 randomly selected nursing skills. The skills you may be tested on include:

Proper handwashing

Measuring vital signs (e.g., temperature, pulse, blood pressure)

Assisting a patient with daily activities (e.g., feeding, dressing)

Moving and positioning patients

Infection control techniques

Exam Tips:

Practice Tests: One of the best ways to prepare for the written portion is by using practice tests. You can take our practice test to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you’ll encounter.

CTA: Click here to access our practice test

Key Points About the Exam:

Timing: The skills evaluation is 25 minutes long, and you’ll have 2 hours to complete the written exam.

Attempts: You have up to three attempts within one year of completing your CNA program to pass both portions of the exam. If you don’t pass within these attempts, you’ll need to retake the CNA training program.

Cost: The combined cost for the written and skills evaluation is $112.

Once you’ve successfully passed both parts of the exam, you’ll be eligible to apply for your CNA certification and be listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

After passing the exam, you must register your CNA certification with the state of Georgia. This ensures you are listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, making you eligible to work as a CNA in the state.

How to Register Your Certification:

Application: Once you pass the exam, your information will automatically be sent to the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry. Your name should appear on the registry within 10 business days.

Certification Validity: Your certification will remain valid for two years. During this time, you must meet the work and continuing education requirements to keep your certification active.

Maintaining Your Certification:

To keep your CNA certification active in Georgia, you must:

Work Requirement: You need to complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related services every 24 months under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

Renewal Process: The state will mail you a renewal application approximately 60 days before your certification expires. You’ll need to verify your work hours and submit the application to the registry.

No Renewal Fees: There is no fee for renewing your CNA certification in Georgia, which is a great benefit.

If you do not meet the work requirement, your certification will lapse, and you’ll need to retake the CNA certification exam. If your certification has lapsed for more than three years, you will also need to complete another CNA training program before taking the exam again.

By following these steps, you can become a certified CNA in Georgia and begin a rewarding career in healthcare. From meeting the initial requirements to completing a state-approved program and passing the certification exam, each step ensures you are well-prepared to provide essential care in nursing and long-term care facilities across the state.

Other Local CNA Programs

id	Name	Website	Street Address	City	State	Zip Code	plus_code	Phone	latitude	longitude	latlong	Category	Reviews	Rating	5star	4star	3star	2star	1star	Monday Hours	Tuesday Hours	Wednesday Hours	Thursday Hours	Friday Hours	Saturday Hours	Sunday Hours	Details
471	Atlanta Job Corp Regional Office	https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/jobcorps/contact/region-3	61 Forsyth St SW	Atlanta	GA	30303	QJ34+7J Atlanta, Georgia	(404) 302-5400	33.75	-84.39	33.7531694-84.393435	Career guidance service	4	3.8	2	1	0	0	1	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	8AM to 4PM	Closed	Closed	More details
472	Brunswick Job Corps Center	https://brunswick.jobcorps.gov/	4401 Glynco Pkwy	Brunswick	GA	31525	7G5W+5P Brunswick, Georgia	(912) 264-8843	31.26	-81.45	31.2579123-81.4532395	Employment center	89	3.0	32	10	9	1	37								More details
473	Cook High School	https://chs.cook.k12.ga.us/	9900 GA-37	Adel	GA	31620	4JM8+7G Adel, Georgia	(229) 896-2213	31.13	-83.38	31.1331492-83.3837397	High school	2	3.0	1	0	0	0	1	7:30AM to 3:30PM	7:30AM to 3:30PM	7:30AM to 3:30PM	7:30AM to 3:30PM	7:30AM to 3:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details
474	CNA Nursing School-Calhoun	https://cnanursingschool.com/	135-1 Professional Ct #4	Calhoun	GA	30701	F3XC+7W Calhoun, Georgia	(706) 629-2651	34.50	-84.93	34.4981458-84.9277097	College	22	4.1	17	0	0	0	5	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	More details
475	Cross Keys High School	https://crosskeyshs.dekalb.k12.ga.us/	1626 N Druid Hills Rd	Atlanta	GA	30319	RMV6+FX Atlanta, Georgia	(678) 874-6102	33.84	-84.34	33.8436505-84.3375543	High school	36	4.7	32	1	1	0	2	5AM to 2PM	5AM to 5PM	5AM to 5PM	5AM to 5PM	5AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
476	First Step Health Agency	https://firststephealthage.wixsite.com/fsha	4244 St Marys Rd	Columbus	GA	31907	C3VH+97 Columbus, Georgia	(706) 221-1054	32.44	-84.92	32.4433851-84.9218308	Nursing school	55	4.7	50	0	0	1	4	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	9AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
477	Health Connect Career Center	https://www.healthconnectcareer.com/	2250 N Druid Hills Rd Suite 275	Atlanta	GA	30329	RMH9+RM Atlanta, Georgia	(470) 472-4222	33.83	-84.33	33.829526-84.3308525	Education center	141	5.0	140	1	0	0	0								More details
478	Health Tech of Georgia	https://healthtechofga.com/	1867 Watson Blvd	Warner Robins	GA	31093	J986+JF Warner Robins, Georgia	(478) 923-7007	32.62	-83.64	32.6165735-83.6387769	Technical school	37	4.3	27	3	1	2	4	9AM to 12AM	12 to 6AM, 9AM to 6PM	9AM to 6PM	9AM to 6PM	Closed	Closed	Closed	More details
479	NHC HealthCare, Fort Oglethorpe	https://nhcfortoglethorpe.com/	2403 Battlefield Pkwy	Fort Oglethorpe	GA	30742	WQWF+7V Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia	(706) 866-7700	34.95	-85.23	34.9456884-85.2252583	Rehabilitation center	31	3.6	19	1	0	1	10	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	More details
480	NHC HealthCare, Rossville	https://www.nhcrossville.com/	1425 McFarland Ave	Rossville	GA	30741	XP83+P8 Rossville, Georgia	(706) 861-0863	34.97	-85.30	34.9667599-85.2967158	Rehabilitation center	36	4.2	27	2	0	0	7	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	8AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details