CNA Training in Georgia

Following successful completion of a CNA program, students will need to apply to the Georgia National Nurse Aide Assessment Program to take the CNA examination, which is administered by Pearson VUE. Students must send in the fee along with the application before they are scheduled for the test. The knowledge and skills tests cost $112 for both the written as well as the oral versions. The tests must be completed within one year of completing the training program to avoid retraining. Also, each test can be taken up to three times to avoid retraining.

The CNA examination is taken by those who have never been certified before as well as by those who have allowed their certifications to lapse. The knowledge portion can be taken in writing in the English language or orally in English or Spanish per the applicant’s wish. The written test consists of 70 multiple-choice questions while the oral test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions plus ten additional questions to test comprehension. Applicants have two hours to complete the knowledge portion.

During the skills portion of the examination, applicants will be asked to perform five randomly chosen skills in front of a nurse aide evaluator. They will have 25 minutes to complete the section and will perform the skills on a volunteer candidate. Applicants will find out whether or not they have passed while at the testing site. Those who pass will have their names submitted to the Alliant Georgia Nurse Aide Registry.

Georgia practices reciprocity with other states. This allows CNAs to transfer their certifications to Georgia. The process is free but requires individuals to fill out a Reciprocity Application and mail it into the Georgia Medical Care Foundation. Applicants must have an active certification and must not be listed on an abuse registry. In addition, applicants must have worked at least eight hours for pay within the past two years to be eligible. Private duty CNAs must have worked under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse and must send in a notarized statement that includes the nurse’s license number. The process takes 14 days to transfer from a state with an online registry but longer for states without this convenience.

Georgia CNA certification lasts for two years. CNAs must renew before this time is up to avoid having to retest. Those who let their certification lapse for more than three years will need to retrain using a Georgia-approved training program. To renew, CNAs must be able to prove that they have worked at least eight hours for pay within the past two years. Private duty CNAs must have worked under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse and must include a notarized statement of duties and the nurse’s license number. CNAs will need to a statement of income, such as a pay stub, as proof. It takes approximately two weeks to receive a new certificate in the mail. Renewal is free.

Georgia Nurse Aide Registration for Competency Exam
State of Georgia Reciprocity Application
State of Georgia Renewal information and application

Links

–Georgia Department of Public Health
–Georgia Board of Nursing
–Georgia State Nurses Aide Registry
–License Verification

Contacts

Georgia Medical Care Foundation
Nurse Aide Training Program
P. O. Box 105753
Atlanta, GA 30348
www.mmis.georgia.gov