Georgia CNA Requirements 2026
Georgia certifies nurse aides through training and a two-part competency exam. Candidates complete a state-approved program of at least 85 hours, then pass the NNAAP, a written knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation. The Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, administered under the Department of Community Health, issues certification and maintains the state registry.
Sponsored School(s)
Georgia doesn’t require a minimum age or a high school diploma for CNA certification. The qualifying path runs through an approved training program and the state competency exam. There’s no shortcut, but the process is straightforward once you know the steps.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, the exam process, and application and reciprocity information.
- Training Requirements
- The Examination Process
- The Application Process
- Out-of-State CNAs and Reciprocity
- Fees
- Contacts and Additional Information
Training Requirements
A candidate must complete a state-approved nurse aide training program before sitting for the certification exam. Georgia requires a minimum of 85 hours of instruction, which includes at least 24 hours of supervised clinical practice in a long-term care facility. Programs divide the remaining time between classroom instruction and skills lab work.
State-approved programs follow a mandated curriculum aligned with federal requirements under 42 CFR 483.150–483.158. A student may begin supervised contact with residents after completing the first 16 hours of training, which must cover six priority areas, including infection control, recognizing changes in patient condition, and respecting patient rights.
To find Georgia-approved programs and view exam pass rates for individual schools, visit the Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) website at mmis.georgia.gov.
Candidates who completed training in another state may also qualify for the examination. The out-of-state program must have been approved to operate in that state and must meet federal standards. Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses are eligible to take the CNA exam directly. Georgia accepts current licensure in any U.S. state as evidence that training requirements have been met. For more on that credential, see the guide to Georgia LPN licensing requirements.
Many CNAs use Georgia certification as a foundation for further nursing education. For those considering that path, our overview of advancing from CNA to RN covers the bridge options available.
The Examination Process
Georgia CNAs take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) examination, which is currently administered by Credentia. The exam has two separate parts: a written knowledge evaluation and a hands-on skills evaluation.
For the written portion, candidates may choose between a standard written test in English or an oral exam in English or Spanish. The skills evaluation is the same for all candidates. There is one version, administered in English, though a Spanish-language description of the required skills is available through Credentia’s candidate materials.
Candidates are allowed no more than three attempts at either the written or skills portion. Both portions must be completed within one year of meeting eligibility. For candidates coming through a Georgia-approved training program, the one-year window starts from program completion. For nurses applying based on licensure, it begins from the date the application is received.
A candidate who does not pass within the allowed attempts and time window must complete a new state-approved training program before reapplying. The same rule applies to former CNAs who let their certification lapse: if a completed application is not received within three years of certification expiration, the individual must retrain.
Exam results are typically available online within 24 hours of testing.
The Application Process
New candidates register for the NNAAP entirely online through Credentia’s CNA365 portal at credentia.com/test-takers/ga. Candidates using eligibility routes other than new Georgia-trained nurse aide (out-of-state trained, lapsed certification, LPN/RN, or reciprocity) must also contact Alliant Health Solutions to establish eligibility before scheduling through CNA365.
For test center exams, reservations must be made at least 10 calendar days before the test date. Online written and oral exams can typically be scheduled as early as the following day, depending on availability. If you need to reschedule by phone, contact Credentia at least nine business days before your scheduled exam. Online written exam reschedules require at least 48 hours’ notice.
For all eligibility routes, applicants must present two forms of official, current, signature-bearing identification. One must be a photo ID, and the other must be an unsigned Social Security card. Names on all IDs must exactly match the name used during registration.
Out-of-State CNAs and Reciprocity
An out-of-state CNA with a current, active certification in good standing can apply for Georgia certification by reciprocity. The reciprocity application is available through the Georgia MMIS website under the Nurse Aide/Medication Aide tab.
To qualify through reciprocity, a candidate must verify at least eight hours of paid employment as a nurse aide within the prior two years, working under the general supervision of a licensed nurse. Private duty employment can count, but the applicant must provide a notarized statement from the supervising nurse. The application must also include copies of the Social Security card and photo ID, and the name on the Social Security card must match the registry listing.
As of February 2021, the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry no longer processes paper verification forms. The Registry confirms certification status through a web portal. If a candidate comes from a state that does not support web verification, the Registry will mail a form. Web portal verifications generally process within 14 days.
A candidate with a current out-of-state certification who has not worked as a CNA in the prior two years does not qualify for standard reciprocity. That candidate will apply for examination through the reciprocity pathway instead and will receive an authorization letter to present when registering for the exam.
Fees
The fee for the full NNAAP examination (written and skills combined) is $130. If only one section requires retesting, the fee is $95 for the skills evaluation or $35 for the written or oral evaluation. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable once submitted. Payment is through CNA365 by credit card, debit card, single-use card, or electronic voucher.
Under federal and Georgia law, nursing homes are required to pay the NNAAP exam fees for their employed nurse aides, including any required retesting fees.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Contacts and Additional Information
The Georgia Nurse Aide Registry is administered by Alliant Health Solutions under contract with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH).
The Registry can be reached at (678) 527-3010 or (800) 414-4358, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Georgia MMIS Nurse Aide portal at mmis.georgia.gov is where candidates access program lists, reciprocity applications, and registry search tools.
For exam registration and scheduling through CNA365, contact Credentia at (888) 204-6249, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a CNA in Georgia?
Most Georgia CNA programs take four to eight weeks to complete. The state requires a minimum of 85 hours of instruction, including at least 24 hours of clinical practice. After completing training, candidates schedule their NNAAP exam and must pass within one year of program completion.
Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in Georgia?
No. The Georgia Nurse Aide Registry does not require a high school diploma or its equivalent for certification. Individual training programs may have their own admission requirements, so check directly with the program before enrolling.
What happens if I fail the Georgia CNA exam?
Candidates have up to three attempts to pass each portion of the NNAAP. Both the written and skills evaluations must be passed within one year of training completion. A candidate who exhausts all attempts or misses the one-year window must complete a new state-approved training program before reapplying.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Georgia?
Yes, if your out-of-state certification is current and in good standing. Georgia offers reciprocity to candidates who can verify at least eight hours of paid nurse aide work within the prior two years. If you haven’t worked as a CNA recently but your certification is still active, you can apply for examination through the reciprocity pathway instead.
Does Georgia require background checks for CNAs?
The registry itself does not require a background check as a condition of certification. However, licensed Medicaid and Medicare facilities, including nursing homes and personal care homes, are required by law to conduct criminal background checks on employees. Some employers outside that category may also run checks as part of their hiring process.
Key Takeaways
- 85 hours of training required — Georgia-approved programs must include at least 85 hours of instruction, with a minimum of 24 hours of supervised clinical practice in a long-term care facility.
- Two-part NNAAP exam — Certification requires passing both a written knowledge evaluation and a hands-on skills evaluation, both administered by Credentia.
- Three attempts, one year — Candidates have up to three attempts at each exam section and must pass both within one year of completing training.
- No age or diploma requirement — The Georgia Nurse Aide Registry does not require a minimum age or high school diploma for certification.
- Reciprocity available — Out-of-state CNAs with a current, active certification and at least eight hours of paid work in the prior two years can transfer their credential to Georgia.
Select your state below to find approved CNA training programs, application links, and certification requirements for your jurisdiction.