Becoming a CNA in South Carolina

3. Pass the CNA Exam

After completing your CNA training program, your next step is to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), which is administered by Pearson VUE in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS).

Exam Structure:

1. Written Exam:

• The written portion consists of 70 multiple-choice questions that assess your knowledge of CNA responsibilities, including infection control, patient care, and emergency procedures.
• If you have difficulty with reading, you can request the oral version of the exam. This includes the same 60 multiple-choice questions and an additional 10 reading comprehension questions to assess your English skills.

1. Skills Test:

• The skills test evaluates your ability to perform five CNA tasks. You’ll be asked to demonstrate these skills in a clinical setting, which may include tasks like assisting a patient to walk, taking vital signs, and providing personal care.
• You will be evaluated by a registered nurse on how well you perform these tasks, and you’ll need to demonstrate competence in at least four out of five skills to pass.

How to Register for the Exam:

• To take the CNA exam, you must complete the Application for Registration by Competency Examination through Pearson VUE. You can do this online by visiting the Pearson VUE website or contacting their customer service for assistance.

Exam Costs:

Preparing for the Exam:

• It’s important to study thoroughly and practice your clinical skills before the exam. Consider taking a CNA practice test to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you’ll encounter. Take our CNA practice test here to get started.

On the Day of the Exam:

• Arrive at the testing site 30 minutes early.
• Bring two forms of identification, including one photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport).
• Wear scrubs and non-skid shoes for the skills portion of the exam.

Retaking the Exam:

• If you fail either the written or skills portion of the exam, you can retake the failed section up to two more times. If you do not pass after three attempts, you’ll be required to re-enroll in a CNA training program before testing again.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you pass the exam, you’ll be added to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry, which allows you to legally work as a CNA in the state. The next step is maintaining your certification over time.

Registering as a CNA:

• After passing the exam, your results will be sent to the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. You can check your certification status by visiting the registry’s website.

Renewing Your Certification:

• Renewal Period: Your CNA certification is valid for two years. To keep your certification active, you must renew it every 24 months.
• Work Requirement: You must have worked at least 8 hours as a CNA during the 24-month certification period to qualify for renewal.
• In-Service Training Requirement: In addition to the work requirement, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education or in-service training per year.

Lapsed Certification:

• If you fail to meet the renewal requirements, your certification will lapse, and you’ll need to re-enroll in a CNA training program and pass the exam again to regain active status.

Renewal Process:

• To renew your certification, submit the Renewal Application and proof of employment and training to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). You can do this online or by mailing the required documents to their office.

South Carolina CNA Certification Summary

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina. Whether you’re looking for a fast-paced program or a more flexible part-time option, there are plenty of CNA training programs available throughout the state.

Other Local CNA Programs

id	Name	Image	Website	Street Address	City	State	Zip Code	Map Link	plus_code	Phone	latitude	longitude	latlong	Category	Reviews	Rating	5star	4star	3star	2star	1star	description	Monday Hours	Tuesday Hours	Wednesday Hours	Thursday Hours	Friday Hours	Saturday Hours	Sunday Hours	Details
1,679	ignite healthcare institute		https://www.ignitehealthcareinstitute.com/contact	348 Feaster Rd	Greenville	SC	29615	Map It!	RPHG+J7 Greenville, South Carolina	(864) 458-3590	34.83	-82.27	34.8290702-82.2743044	Nursing school	14	5.0	14	0	0	0	0									More details
1,680	NHC HealthCare, Anderson		https://www.nhcanderson.com/	1501 E Greenville St	Anderson	SC	29621	Map It!	G9H7+F3 Anderson, South Carolina	(864) 226-8356	34.53	-82.64	34.5286984-82.6373012	Rehabilitation center	44	2.6	17	1	0	1	25									More details
1,681	NHC HealthCare, Bluffton		https://www.nhcbluffton.com/	3039 Okatie Hwy	Okatie	SC	29909	Map It!	73F3+RM Okatie, South Carolina	(843) 705-8220	32.27	-80.95	32.2745535-80.9458305	Rehabilitation center	23	2.9	9	2	0	1	11		Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
1,682	Oak Harbor Healthcare (Formerly Mount Pleasant Manor)		https://oakharborhealthcare.com/	921 Bowman Rd	Mt Pleasant	SC	29464	Map It!	R47R+QG Mt Pleasant, South Carolina	(843) 884-8903	32.81	-79.86	32.8144594-79.8587161	Nursing home	49	4.8	46	0	1	0	2		Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
1,683	NHC HealthCare, Laurens		https://nhccare.com/locations/laurens/	379 Pinehaven St Ext	Laurens	SC	29360	Map It!	FXP8+7X Laurens, South Carolina	(864) 984-6584	34.49	-82.03	34.4857475-82.032519	Rehabilitation center	15	3.4	8	0	1	2	4									More details
1,684	SC Department of Mental Health		https://scdmh.net/	2414 Bull St	Columbia	SC	29201	Map It!	2XC7+4J Columbia, South Carolina	(803) 898-8581	34.02	-81.04	34.0202723-81.035933	Mental health service	22	2.5	7	1	0	1	13		8:30AM to 5PM	8:30AM to 5PM	8:30AM to 5PM	8:30AM to 5PM	8:30AM to 5PM	Closed	Closed	More details
1,685	Opus Post Acute Rehabilitation		https://opusrehab.com/	300 Agape Dr	West Columbia	SC	29169	Map It!	XVQQ+XW West Columbia, South Carolina	(803) 739-5282	33.99	-81.11	33.9899745-81.1101699	Rehabilitation center	56	2.9	24	1	3	0	28		Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
1,686	Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence		https://www.bjace.org/	80 Lowcountry Dr	Ridgeland	SC	29936	Map It!	933H+F9 Ridgeland, South Carolina	(843) 987-8107	32.35	-80.92	32.3537417-80.9215067	High school	8	3.9	5	1	0	0	2									More details
1,687	Fountain Inn Post Acute		https://fountaininnpa.com/	501 Gulliver St	Fountain Inn	SC	29644	Map It!	MRW5+8P Fountain Inn, South Carolina	(864) 862-2554	34.70	-82.19	34.6957802-82.1906933	Nursing home	39	4.2	27	4	1	1	6		Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	Open 24 hours	More details
1,688	Central Carolina Technical College		https://www.cctech.edu/	506 N Guignard Dr	Sumter	SC	29150	Map It!	WJMH+9G Sumter, South Carolina	(803) 778-1961	33.93	-80.37	33.9334744-80.3711271	College	58	3.6	33	1	5	3	16		8AM to 6PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	8AM to 4:30PM	Closed	Closed	More details

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