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CNA Classes in Georgia

32 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training programs across 8 cities in Georgia. Georgia requires 85 hours of training, with the competency exam administered by Prometric.

Training Hours

85 hours

Federal minimum: 75h

Exam Vendor

Prometric

Approximately $105 total for both portions

Time to Certify

5–10 weeks (training 4–6 weeks, exam and registry 2–4 weeks)

Minimum Age

16

Cost: $0 (employer-sponsored) to $1,200 (private program)

What makes Georgia different: Georgia's training requirement is just 10 hours above the federal minimum, and the state offers a relatively accessible challenge-exam-like pathway for individuals with documented prior nursing-related experience

CNA Classes by City in Georgia

Atlanta (7)Augusta (7)Columbus (7)Savannah (7)Athens (1)Lawrenceville (1)Macon (1)Marietta (1)

Becoming a CNA in Georgia

Becoming a CNA in Georgia is one of the more accessible pathways in the Southeast. The state requires 85 hours of training — just 10 hours above the federal floor — which means most full-time programs can be completed in 4 to 6 weeks. Georgia's Technical College System runs the largest network of approved training programs, typically at modest tuition rates and often with HOPE Career Grant funding available for state residents in healthcare pathways. Several long-term care facility chains in metro Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, and Augusta also sponsor CNA training in exchange for a 6 to 12 month work commitment.

Georgia is unusually flexible in how it handles training equivalency. Candidates with documented nurse-aide-equivalent experience — including military medical training, internationally trained nursing background, or prior employment as a Personal Care Assistant in another state — can sometimes qualify for the competency exam through Prometric's experience-based pathway rather than completing a full 85-hour program. If you have prior healthcare experience, it is worth checking with Prometric's Georgia Nurse Aide program before enrolling in a new training program.

The background screening process is the most common bottleneck. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) criminal background check and the federal FBI fingerprint clearance both must be completed before you can be added to the Nurse Aide Registry. Schedule your fingerprint appointment as early in training as possible so the processing happens in parallel with your coursework. The minimum age for CNA training in Georgia is 16, though some training programs set their own minimum at 18. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the state.

Full Georgia Requirements Georgia License Lookup

How to Become a CNA in Georgia

  1. 1

    Confirm you meet the prerequisites

    You must be at least 16, free of disqualifying convictions under Georgia healthcare worker background check rules, and able to read and write English. There is no formal high school diploma requirement from the state, though most training programs require basic English literacy and may have their own age cutoffs (often 18).

  2. 2

    Find a Georgia-approved Nurse Aide Training Program

    Look for an 85-hour state-approved program. Approved programs are run by Georgia's Technical College System, community colleges, the American Red Cross, nursing facilities, and private career schools. Many high schools offer CNA training as a healthcare pathway elective for students 16+. Find the approved program list through the Georgia Department of Community Health.

  3. 3

    Complete the 85-hour training program

    Pass all 85 hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Your program issues a program completion certificate that registers you with Prometric for the competency exam.

  4. 4

    Complete GBI and FBI fingerprint background screening

    Submit fingerprints for both Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and federal FBI background checks. Processing usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Disqualifying offenses include violent felonies, theft, fraud, sexual offenses, and vulnerable-adult abuse.

  5. 5

    Apply through Prometric and schedule the exam

    Submit your Prometric application packet for the Georgia Nurse Aide Competency Examination. The total exam fee is approximately $105 for both portions. Schedule the written and skills tests at a Prometric-approved Georgia test center, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of program completion.

  6. 6

    Get listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry

    Once you pass both portions of the exam, Prometric transmits your results to the Georgia Department of Community Health and you are added to the state Nurse Aide Registry. You can verify your status at garegistry.com by name, SSN (last 4 digits), or certificate number. From that point you can work as a CNA in any Georgia licensed healthcare facility.

Free CNA Programs in Georgia

2 programs offer no-cost training (employer-paid, federally funded, or scholarship-based).

Accelerated CNA Programs (≤4 weeks)

6 fast-track options for students who want to start working quickly.

All CNA Programs in Georgia (32)

Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Georgia

What are the minimum requirements to become a CNA in Georgia?

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You must be at least 16, complete a Georgia-approved 85-hour Nurse Aide Training Program (with at least 16 clinical hours), pass GBI state and federal FBI fingerprint background checks, and pass both portions of the Prometric competency exam. A high school diploma is not required by the state, though many training programs prefer it and some set their own minimum age at 18.

How long does it take to become a CNA in Georgia?

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Most full-time programs run 4 to 6 weeks. Part-time evening or weekend programs may run 8 to 12 weeks. After training, allow 2 to 4 weeks for the Prometric exam and registry listing, plus 1 to 3 weeks for background check processing (can be done in parallel with training). Total time from program start to registry listing is typically 5 to 10 weeks.

How much does it cost to become a CNA in Georgia?

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Georgia Technical College System programs are typically $400 to $1,000 for residents, and HOPE Career Grant funding can cover most or all of that cost. Private programs may run higher. Many nursing facilities sponsor training in exchange for a work commitment. The Prometric exam costs approximately $105 for both portions. Total out-of-pocket cost ranges from $0 (employer-sponsored or HOPE-grant-covered) to about $1,200.

Can I qualify for the Georgia CNA exam without formal training?

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In limited cases, yes. Candidates with documented nurse-aide-equivalent experience — military medical training, internationally trained nursing background, or specific prior healthcare employment — can sometimes qualify for the Prometric competency exam through an experience-based pathway. Most no-experience candidates will still need to complete the full 85-hour state-approved program. Contact the Georgia Nurse Aide Program at Prometric for current equivalency rules.

Do I need a high school diploma to become a CNA in Georgia?

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Not from the state — the Georgia Department of Community Health does not require a high school diploma or GED for CNA certification. However, many individual training programs do require a diploma, GED, or current high school enrollment. If you are still in high school, several Georgia school districts offer CNA programs as part of their Healthcare Science career pathway starting at age 16.

How does the Georgia CNA work requirement keep my certification active?

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Georgia certifications are valid for 24 months. To maintain active status, you must work at least 8 hours of paid nursing-related services during your 24-month certification period. Your employer reports your work to the Nurse Aide Registry. If you do not meet the work requirement, your certification expires and you will need to retest with Prometric to regain active status.

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